Nike Trims Running Shoe Line Down to One Model

Well, not really, but it sure seems like it.

Trust me here, I'm no Nike-basher; I've worn Nike shoes pretty much my entire life and have never run in anything else. But Nike seems to be going down a very unfortunate path. One that seems to have only one clear objective: profit. To achieve this, every Nike running shoe is starting to incorporate the same features. Why? Well, I'd guess because then the shoes are easier and cheaper to manufacture. Believe me, Wall Street loves that kind of stuff.

In the past, you'd have a shoe like the Structure, which had a big, obvious insert in the insole. If you were a serious pronator, this was the shoe for you.



Now, the Structure has a nearly identical insole to every other Nike running shoe.



Surely, Nike wouldn't take away the one thing that made the Structure the Structure (the medial post), would they? Well, let's hear what the Running Shoe Guru has to say about it. Apparently, yes...yes, they would.

Then there's the Pegasus. A shoe that has been well-loved for decades by runners, including by the R's. That love was not enough. Nike changed up the insole and upper, making it nearly identical to all of its Lunar shoes. Note the similarities.

Here's the old one, with the nice heel insert of different density rubber. And an upper that could actually handle some hard miles.



And here's the new Pegasus. Hmmm, looks like every other stinking Nike shoe lately.



And if you can tell the difference between the new Vomero and the new Pegasus, you must have cat-like senses. Here's the Vomero.



It's damn near identical to the Pegasus.

And then there's the LunarGlide, the LunarElite, and the LunarSwift. Apparently, they have differences. I'd say most people, if blindfolded, couldn't tell the difference. They are all put together the same way with nearly the exact same components. And of course, they look a whole lot like the newer Pegasus, Vomero and Structure as well.



So what's the upshot of all this. Well, I can no longer stick up for Nike against all the "real" runners that say Nike doesn't make shoes for runners. I am now forced to admit that I agree. Nike makes one running shoe now, and if you don't like it, sorry.

I don't like it. So now I'm desperately trying to find a replacement.

First up, the Mizuno Wave Precision.



I just got them yesterday. I'll put some miles in them and return with a more detailed review later.

Adios, Nike. It's been quite a ride.

Are "Barefoot" and Minimalist Running Shoes Done?

Humans, right? We love the latest thing. We can't wait to jump in on the new fads. Of course, that means we're ready to jump off just as fast. And so it goes with minimalist running shoes...

Great new article on the state of the running shoe, and minimalist shoes in particular, in Running Times. Check it out right here.

And really, the great takeaway from the article is this: the first paragraph up there isn't really true! We don't jump in on the new fads. We aren't ready to give up are usual, familiar, boring, old running shoes. Sure, there is a small group that loves to jump on fads, but emphasize the "small." And don't forget that the running magazines need new articles every single month...and their websites need new stuff every single day. Of course they're going to emphasize the newest fad! They have to print something.

Here, let Running Times lay some truth upside your head:

"But here's a reality check: Minimalist shoes account for about 11 percent of the U.S. running-shoe market. Remove the Nike Free from consideration, and sales of the remaining minimalist models constitute about 4 percent of the U.S. market." Quote from article by Scott Douglas.

And I can tell you from experience here on the campus of OSU, there are a LOT of Nike Frees around that never, ever get run on.

Now, if we can just get Nike to stop screwing up my favorite models of trainers. I'm looking at you, Nike Pegasus!

Nike Pegasus 29 Review

So the new Nike Pegasus is out...and I've been nervous since I saw the first picture of the updated design a few months back. It doesn't really look like the Pegasus 28.

I'd say, if anything, it's looking quite a bit like the Lunarglide.

The sole doesn't have the block in the outside of the heel any longer. It's now just a solid block of Cushlon. Apparently still has Zoom Air in there, so the end result probably isn't much different. And indeed, it feels about the same on the foot...well, cushion-wise anyway.

And yes, I do have something to compare them to...yes, I do.

I've been a big fan of the Pegasus for a few years. Which might explain my apprehension on the changes:
-traction design is different
-sole design, as mentioned earlier, is different
-and the upper is hugely different

So after a few runs, here are my thoughts on the Pegasus 29.

I haven't used them long enough, or in any kind of wet weather, to comment on the traction design that much. I was NOT a fan of the old traction design, so any change is OK with me. I thought the old traction design was a little slippery in the rain and seemed to wear out pretty quickly.

The sole, although very different in appearance, feels pretty much exactly the same as the old one. And that's a good thing. It's very cushioned, great for long training runs or long races. It also has a big heel to toe drop. Again, that's fine with me. If you're a minimalist, zero-drop, type of person, you already know that this is not the shoe for you. But if you're old-school, and want a decent drop in your running shoe, here you go.

Now the upper. Well, it's radically different. It's very light, very thin, mesh material. And there's not much in the way of overlays. It's just light. And that's good. I mean, I like the way it feels on my foot. But...it worries me a bit too. It almost feels a little too light. Too insubstantial. I would not wear this shoe on a long trail run - I'd be afraid of blowing a toe out the front or the side. Now I have no idea if this is true - I've only worn them four times now - but that's definitely how it feels.

So overall, I think they'll be good. They feel about the same, only lighter. That's good, right? Only time will tell if the upper material truly is durable. If not, I'll be back to let you know. Until then, light is good. Every ounce off my person is an ounce I don't have to drag 26.2 miles!

Let's run!