“I’m Surprised You Recommended a Nike.”

This is a comment I’ve heard a lot recently.  Many of our customers are not only surprised to see so many Nike shoes on our shoe wall, they are also surprised to see the shoes coming out of the back and put on their feet.

Nike has changed significantly over the past 24 months.  Although they were the first mega-brand for runners, and the keystone brand for every running store in the late 1990’s, they had a notorious dry spell over the past six to eight years.  This dry spell has done significant damage to their reputation amongst avid runners, who appreciate great quality and consistency over great marketing campaigns.

Three years ago, we barely carried Nike footwear.  Two shoes have always been a staple in their line (Pegasus and Structure Triax), and we’ve been known to pepper in the ‘Shoe of the Moment” (like the Air Max 360 or Zoom Plus).  Those two staples are still with us, and better than ever.  The Structure has upgraded its cushioning system to a Cushlon mid-sole and Zoom Air in the heel and forefoot.  Zoom Air is the most durable and responsive ‘Air’ system offered by Nike, and unlike it’s competition it has a very soft feel, yet offers significant energy return.

Today we are up to six styles of footwear from Nike, and all six are of very high quality.  The four additional shoes are the Skylon, Zoom Elite, Vomero, and Equalon.  All three shoes are incorporating high quality rubber like Cushlon (an improvement on Phylon, Nike’s cheaper, less durable midsole of a few years ago).  The Elite, Structure Triax, Vomero, and Equalon all have Zoom Air in the forefoot and heel. 

One other notable difference in Nike footwear is the fit.  Once Nike was known for narrow, low-volume shoes, that ran a size or so too short.  Today, although they still run short (about a half size), they are getting wider and fuller in volume.  The average customer can easily fit into a Nike shoe, and on a few models a wider foot will fit comfortably in the medium width as well.

Like most companies, Nike’s ‘greatness’ has waxed and waned over the years as it relates to their running footwear.   They are definitely in strong form right now.  Their company structure has taken a note from Mizuno by segmenting the Running Department from the rest of the brand, allowing the team to market and budget according to their own needs and successes, rather than be at the mercy of the popularity of other sports like basketball or golf. 

 

Happy Running,

Brett Lamb