Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec (Page 2)

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2011-12-29 9:19 AM
in reply to: #3959360

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
nickwisconsin - 2011-12-29 7:18 AM

My solution to this problem.

I do not wear the same shoes all the time. I have Asics DS trainers, cumulus, and nimbus and I rotate them. I have some challenges with my feet so it is not like I am blessed with good biomechanics.  My feet are accustomed to minor changes by rotating them, so if they change the design, my feet can make that transition as well.  Your mileage may vary.

I've been doing that for several years now with no problems. Prior to that I had been wearing Nike Pegasus and went through at least 8 generations of that shoe. Some good, some not so good. I now have quite an assortment of shoes in my rotation. Nike Pegasus 27, Brooks Launch, Brooks Defyance 3, Saucony Kinvara 2, Merrell Trail Gloves, and Adidas Adizero Adios. I rarely wear the same shoes two times in a row. That way my feet don't get locked in to a certain shoe. The shoes above are my training shoes and I have a completely different set I keep as my racing rotation.

Change is constant. If you are wearing shoes you really love buy as many pairs as you can. I know people who've bought as many as 10 pairs at a time and have them for years before they are forced to make a change.

2011-12-29 9:31 AM
in reply to: #3958824

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
jillian_o - 2011-12-28 9:35 PM
gearboy - 2011-12-28 8:18 PM

jillian_o - 2011-12-28 5:58 PM Shoes change, that's life. Fortunately you always have 100s of shoes to choose from.

But why do they have to change the lasts? If I find a pair that fits me well, I tend to be pretty loyal to the brand (I have fairly short and wide feet, making a well fitting pair extra hard to find). But I have changed brands a few times when I could not find a decent fit in a current line up. Fortunately, I have sometimes lucked out at the local outlet and been able to get a couple of pairs of close out models to last another year.

I see what you mean. I too have very wide feet, and have had to change brands 4 times in the past 2 years because of shoe model changes. I guess I am in the acceptance phase that when I find a good shoe I just have to enjoy it for the time I have it and then move on to a different shoe since that shoe is most likely not available anymore. And really, yes that does suck when I really sit here and think about it.

There might be a gender related difference here as well. There was an article in NY Times today about how women shop, but men stockpile. And I could completely relate to it - I used to get my white oxford shirts by the half dozen, with a pair of pants that were also all identical. Made getting dressed each morning very simple. And I just had to go into the store, beeline to the correct item, load up and move out. Shoe shopping sucks, since I have to try each pair on and walk around a bit every time they change the model.

2011-12-29 9:37 AM
in reply to: #3959615

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
gearboy - 2011-12-29 9:31 AM 

There might be a gender related difference here as well. There was an article in NY Times today about how women shop, but men stockpile. And I could completely relate to it - I used to get my white oxford shirts by the half dozen, with a pair of pants that were also all identical. Made getting dressed each morning very simple. And I just had to go into the store, beeline to the correct item, load up and move out. Shoe shopping sucks, since I have to try each pair on and walk around a bit every time they change the model.

You must be an engineer!

I agree with the multiple shoe theory. I have Asics Fortitudes (now on 14 I think, started with 8) Asics Cumulus (now on 13, started will 11), KSwiss K-Ona (just bought second pair) and Vibram Bikila's. I rotate so none get too beat up or stinky. Each pair will last over a year, so I never have to change more than one shoe at a time.

It took me about 3 years to come up with this plan. I ran only in the fortitudes for a while, but found that switching it up keeps my feet happier.

2011-12-29 10:41 AM
in reply to: #3958496

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
I wonder if or how much our feet change with our training (if significantly at all). Foot shape changes could cause a shoe feature / foot parameter ineteraction with the various versions of the updated shoe models. I think most people are assuming foot shape / parameters to be constant...not sure about that one.

Also, it would be interesting to understand the dimensional tolerances in the shoe manufacturing industry. The RMA (rubber manufacturers association) precision molding tolerances for "non-parting line" dimensions is around +/- 0.006 inches. I have noticed in some instances that the same model year shoe fits differently comparing two seemingly identical pairs - could be tolerance variation.
2011-12-29 10:59 AM
in reply to: #3959864

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
I remember when I was wearing the air Pegasus and one year something changed,, I didn't worry about it since all the prior yearly changes never bothered me.  For some reason with that pair I kept getting tightness/cramps in my left upper calf. And ended up switching to a different shoe.  I could never figure out what changed,, either it was just me or the shoes
2011-12-29 12:07 PM
in reply to: #3958617

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
Donto - 2011-12-28 3:01 PM

I've run Mizuno Wave Riders since the single digits version (9) and can't wait for the new 15's to come out with the redesign and $20 higher price tag (NOT)!


I've been using Wave Riders from version 7 to 13. I liked them because of the low heel height compared to the other brands. I saw the 14 earlier this year and the heel looked huge and I ended up buying the Wave Precision instead. The Precisions weren't perfect either b/c the midsoles felt very squishy compared to firmness of the Riders I had been used to. I'm hoping the 15 goes back to a low heel height or else I'm going to have to find a new training shoe.

2011-12-29 12:26 PM
in reply to: #3958823

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
Renee - I just got to your posting and sounds like we are in the same exact situation. I will definitely give the Brooks Ghost or Saucony Triumphs a look.

I bought the Minimus Trail as well but I'm not liking them for running but I do like them for weight training.
2011-12-30 12:17 AM
in reply to: #3959208

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec

wgraves7582 - 2011-12-29 5:05 AM Vibram Five Fingers will solve that problem for you forever

Yeah, sure.  Until they "upgrade" to the Vibram Six Fingers...



Edited by tjh 2011-12-30 12:18 AM
2011-12-30 10:43 AM
in reply to: #3958496

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Subject: RE: Dear Mr Shoe Company Exec
I totally agree with the rant.  Why fix it when it ain't broke?  Now, when I find a shoe that works, I  buy several pairs, they don't go bad waiting for me under the bed.
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