LOLZletter Edition 14| When Did Running Shoes Get So Expensive?
Welcome Back or Welcome!
Last week’s newsletter was the most shared of any I’ve posted. From sharing alone, there are over 30 new subscribers, so welcome. It really does mean a lot when people share, and while this newsletter continues to remain free, sharing is what spreads the word to more subscribers and maybe even potential sponsors.
If you ever want to look at previous editions of the newsletter you can find them through the internet link.
On a personal note, I’ve got some big news: I’m going to be training for something this summer and you can read about it here. My running has felt stale over the last 6 months so I’m excited to have a race and goal to work towards.
On Instagram, I’ve been asking people what they would like to read about on the newsletter. I want to talk about things that are relevant to you (the readers). That being said, I’m not a coach, or writing training plans or giving nutrition advice. It’s not in my scope. I can point you in the right direction of people who I know are great coaches, nutritionists, etc.
This week a few people asked about the cost of running shoes, what makes them that way, and are more expensive running shoes better?
So Why are Running Shoes So Expensive?
It’s a question I get every day. Why is a good pair of running shoes over $100? What happened to that $60 pair that used to exist? Do I need a pricy pair of shoes? Is the $180 a better shoe than the $120 pair?
If you run, you should get fitted for a good pair of shoes. Based on your gait, foot shape, injury history, and activities, someone in running specialty can help narrow it down from 100 different shoes to a 5.
The Cost Breaks Down Like This:
Most run specialty brands like Nike, Saucony, Asics, etc. have about a 40-50% margin. This means the shoe costs the brand about half of what the retail value is. For instance, if the shoe is $120, it usually costs about $60 to the brand.
The cost includes building the shoe, packaging, and also delivering it. Then the retail cost is what stores (and running specialty stores) price it so the store themselves can make money and stay in business. Most major brands set the cost so a current model shoe can only be sold at the retail value. If it’s sold for less, whomever selling it can be shut down and lose their privilege to sell that brand. For instance, if you see a authentic current model of the Brooks Ghost being sold at $75, the person doing so
a: isn’t making money
b: might be forced to close their account with Brooks
Run Specialty stores sell at the retail value. The shoes aren’t marked up.
Always Worth Noting:
Here is the thing that I can’t preach enough: There is no right or wrong running shoe. What works for me, might not work for you. We all have different feet, and in fact, you might have two different feet doing two different things (Most people’s feet are two different sizes).
There is no research to prove more expensive shoes save you from injury. In fact, the price or actual shoe isn’t what usually causes injury; it’s that it’s the wrong shoe for you. Many people do best in a minimalist shoe, so they’ll stay healthier that way. Many people (myself included) do best in a more substantial shoe and stay healthier that way. There is no blanket shoe that is going to be the best shoe for everyone.
Shoes Under $100 Do Not Last as Long as Shoes Above $100:
If you are purchasing a minimalist shoe, or racing flat keep in mind, they don’t last as long. For instance, a racing flat like the Nike LT streak (retails at $80) is not going to get as much mileage as the Nike Pegasus ($120) or Nike Vomero ($140).
However, the Nike Vomero ($140) is not going to get more mileage than the Nike Pegasus ($120). There is just more cushion to the Vomero. If you like a shoe with more cushion and a shoe that takes the impact more, the Vomero is a better shoe. If you like a lighter, faster, shoe, the Pegasus is a better shoe.
As you get more cushion in a shoe, the price goes up.
Here is a Shoe Cushion Example in the Brooks Family:
Brooks Launch (least amount of cushion, best designed for workout or racing shoe. You will get about 300 miles) $100
Brooks Ghost (most traditional and most sold shoe in the industry. You’ll get about 400 miles) $120
Brooks Glycerin (more plush, more cushion than the Ghost. You’ll get about 400 miles) $150
One of the Most Common Misconceptions: All Running Shoes of X Brand are Created the Same:
There have been hundreds of times someone has said: “I don’t run in X because they are awful.” This particularly happens with Nike or Asics. Both Nike and Asics make dozens of shoes from casual $10 shoes to $250+.
The brand of the shoe doesn’t tell you much except the logo. Every brand from Hoka to Asics to Mizuno, Newton, and Saucony (literally every major running brand) makes a shoe for your foot type. Do you need a ton of extra arch support? They have it! Do you prefer a minimalist shoe, they have it! Just because you use Brooks doesn’t mean you can run in any old Brooks and stay healthy.
For instance, Ford makes a pickup truck and a Mustang. They aren’t the same car, and neither is perfect for everyone, but they are both Ford brand. Running shoe companies are the same way.
This also doesn’t mean every shoe from a brand fits the same way. The Saucony Hurricane fits differently than the Saucony Kinvara. Just because you like one, doesn’t mean you’ll like all of them.
In short, just because a shoe is more expensive doesn’t make it better. It usually just means it has more cushion and substance to it.
What is Keeping Me Entertained:
HOKA NAZ Elite: Inside the Hottest Team Going
What team and training secrets lie behind the Flagstaff-based Northern Arizona Elite's string of successes?
I’m a huge Hoka NAZ Elite fan. Stephanie Bruce is one of my favorite professional athlete, so this was a great read from Amanda.
“Our runners are ‘we’ people,” he says. “They are positive and support each other. They believe in the training and give themselves over to it.”-Ben Rosario
Another Shoe (For Racing the Mile) to Rival the 4%?
If you have followed me for any period of time, you know I don’t think the 4% is a great shoe for anything less than 10k. It’s too bulky. It was designed for the marathon. This New Balance shoe could be a total game changer. Jenny Simpson won the Fifth Avenue wearing them.
Giveaway Winner and Another Giveaway?
Finally, maybe my favorite part of the newsletter because I like giving back to the readers and those who are kind of enough to share!
Last week’s giveaway had the mot shares/entries of any so far. There were over 80 people who shared! The winner of Meb’s new book: Meb’s Book: 26 Marathons is Sasha S. who shared through facebook.
In honor of it getting hot and humid, this week I thought the perfect giveaway was CEP Low Cut Socks. If you read my blog, you know CEP Compression is my brand of choice. Once it gets hot and humid, quality socks are important to reduce blisters.
You can share any way you would like: Instagram, facebook, twitter, forwarding an email, DM your friends, whatever. Here is the internet link.
I will respond to everyone who shares (so if I don’t, make sure to let me know again).
I appreciate every single email back and try to respond to each email. Any feedback good or bad is always helpful. Is there a specific topic you want to see more about? Don’t be a stranger and let me know!
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