A couple of days ago I wrote a post in which I took a critical look at Brooks Running’s somewhat muddled message with regard to the announcement of its PureProject line of “minimalist” running shoes (not sure if they’re calling them that though…). In particular, I found Brooks CEO Jim Weber’s comment – “…when it comes to performance product the idea that ‘less is more’ is absolute crap” – to be an odd way to introduce a product designed to enter a market that seems pretty hot on the idea that less is in fact more.
Earlier today I was reading through an industry magazine called SGB Performance that focuses on the business end of the Running and Triathlon markets (thanks to my friend Bill Katovsky for pointing this out to me). On page 14 of the magazine (which you can download here) is a great article about Merrell, which is a subsidiary of Wolverine World Wide Outdoor Group. As you are probably aware, Merrell recently entered the minimalist shoe market with its release of the Merrell Barefoot collection. I recently reviewed the Merrell Trail Glove, and if my blog traffic is any indication, interest in Merrell Barefoot is very high (it recently unseated my Saucony Kinvara review as my most oft visited review post).
In the SGB Performance article Wolverine World Wide President Jim Zwiers discusses the minimalist market, and has some very interesting things to say. Here’s an excerpt:
Zwiers sees a big opportunity around the barefoot/minimal category for not just Merrell but the entire industry. “We believe it’s potentially a big opportunity and it depends how companies pursue it,” says Zwiers. “We have retailers now who are potentially changing the hierarchy on their walls to add a barefoot, minimal or natural area to their footwear departments. Everyone from great running stores to lifestyle stores are considering this category. There have been only a few times over the past decade that that’s really happened at retail.”
Even more encouraging is that consumers and retailers are exploring proper fit and form through the barefoot as well as the broader health & wellness phenomenon.
“Really the epiphany here is that more and more people are understanding what we at the Outdoor Group and our brands have lived for many, many years,” says Zwiers. “What you wear on your feet can impact your entire body and your entire well-being. That’s becoming more prevalent. So if you look online or talk to consumers, they’re more aware of this than ever before. And that’s positive for the industry overall because it will drive not only sales of minimal or barefoot shoes, it will drive interest in category expansion in many areas. So from an industry standpoint we think it’s very positive and it has some fairly significant implications not just on how retailers show shoes but on how consumers think about shoes. It feels powerful to us.”
Talk about a different approach than that taken by the Brooks boss.
I feel compelled to say that I have been incredibly impressed by Merrell as a company – they have embraced their minimalist product line, they’ve recruited a true barefoot runner to help with form education and the footwear development process (Jason Robillard), they developed a barefoot running app, and they had the guts to put out a true zero drop shoe as their first entry into this category. Furthermore, their social media contact (Emily S.) is one of the best I have interacted with at any company – she practices what she preaches and just ran a killer half-marathon in the Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove (her first, in 1:35 – and she also has done some barefoot running!).
At the end of the day, all of these companies have a bottom line that needs to be met, so I realize that business considerations must be made. That being said, it’s interesting to see how different companies are approaching the changing nature of the shoe market (and based on Zwiers’ comments, it truly does seem to be changing). Going forward, it’s going to be really exciting to watch how it all shakes out, but for now, Merrell seems to be in a good position to capitalize and help lead the minimalist charge.
Update 4/7/2011: Here are a few more quotes from Merrell that were included in an article on MLive.com – they give some insight about how Merrell is approaching their shoe line, and how it differs from some of the running-centered companies:
First, from Wolverine World Wide CEO Blake Kreuger
“The offering from the athletic guys looks like traditional shoes,” Krueger said. “They may be a little flatter, a little thinner. They look more like traditional running shoes. I would call the Merrell barefoot shoe more of a revolution as opposed to a slight change in line.”
From Merrell head of global marketing Craig Thorne (who was kind enough to leave a comment below):
“It’s really the first time in 20 or 30 years that something different is happening in the running community,” said Craig Throne, who oversees global marketing of the Merrell brand. “I think a lot of the (traditional) running philosophy has been on the heel technology and building up the cushion in the heel.”
“It’s rethinking the way you run,” Throne said. “It’s rethinking the way you walk — to use your body as a way to cushion rather than just relying on your foot to cushion.”
You might also like:
Top 3 Hybrid Trail Running Shoes of 2012
Asics Going Minimalist with the Gel Lyte33 and Gel Fuji Racer?
Preview of late 2011-early 2012 Minimalist Shoes from Merrell, Vivobarefoot, Inov-8, GoLite, Altra, and Teva (via Damien Tougas at Toesalad)
Vibram Fivefingers TrekSport Review
Newton Running: Q&A With Ian Adamson, Newton’s Director of Product Development
About Peter Larson
Great article Pete. Very interesting to see how these shoe companies firstly perceive and interpret the changing attitudes consumers have towards the running shoe, and then act upon this with either a genuine regard for improvement or a ‘catch-up-with-what-the-rest-are-doing’ approach.
As usual … a tremendous analysis. Thanks Pete.
I will have the chance to lunch with Merrell French CEO today. We’ll exchange about the future of minimalism in France and how it could (or not) grow in our country.
good to hear they’re talking to the right people Frederic!
That’s a really great perspective, Pete! And thanks for relaying the quotes from both the Brooks fellow and the Merrel guy. That’s quite a contrast!
The exciting thing for us at Merrell is the movement has changed our company. More people are running at the company than ever before because they like to run more than ever before. For a brand that is about getting people outside and active, that is exciting.
When I ordered my trail gloves from the Merrel store in NY, Robert told me that the majority of people purchasing the new shoes were 45yrs old and older since that is usually Merrell’s customer base. Good to see that it’s not just young people pursuing change and getting out there for natural running
I was at a local outdoor store the other day and asked how the minimalist
shoes were selling. The clerk said the response has been incredible, and
it’s across all age groups. Good to see it.
Pete
I was at RoadRunner Sports store yesterday and looking for a new pair and the lady who helped me noticed I was wearing a pair of Merrell True Glove and she started asking questions about how it feels using it, etc, as if I am being interrogated!! She was very interested in the shoes that she told me she would try it out later. I already have the Tough, Trail and True on my rotation.
Btw, thanks Pete your site had been my source of information in the path to running right! Keep up the good work!
Thanks! How do you like the Tough Glove – been thinking about getting a pair
to wear as a work shoe.
Pete
The Tough Glove has been my workplace shoe ever since it came out last Feb. Its feels very much like the Trail Glove. The only comment I have is the sizing is somewhat different on the Tough. I have both the True and Trail at 8.5, so I assumed it to be the same for the Tough but I was surprised to find out it was half size larger. Since its only a workplace shoe, I can live with it.
Thanks for the info – I’m tempted…
Like you, my posts on the Merrell Trail Glove have been the most-read of all my posts (including my thoughts on how they could be improved). Though my thoughts on Brooks is that it matters less “why” they got their line in order, just that they did. Then we can let our feet (and dollars) vote.
it’s companies like this that, during this movement, make me want to contribute to this with something of my own
and i hope i will :)
As always, the reviews and info you provide is excellent. I was really interested in this shoe (Merrell Trail Glove – mens), but disappointed in the women’s version (Merrell Pace Glove). I tried the Pace Golve on and liked the fit and feel, but it just didn’t seem to be as suitable for the trails as the men’s Trail Glove. Another woman was in the store trying on (and purchasing) the men’s Trail Glove, fortunately for her she wears one size larger than me, so the smallest men’s shoe fit her. She agreed that the women’s version really doesn’t compare to the men’s shoe for off road running requirements… the women’s shoe lacks the protection on the toe and sides of the foot.
Unfortunately, this seems to be the way it is with a lot of women’s athletic clothing and gear (not just Merrell, but other brands as well).
Great article! I have the pleasure of owning a pair of Trail Gloves and absolutely love them! Its nice to know that I’ve supported a company who “gets it” and is willing to listen to runners and their needs/wants. Based on the article about the Brooks CEO, and his comments regarding minimalist running, I won’t be buying any of their offerings anytime soon, no matter how cool the shoes may be. There are plenty of other great shoes out there. Keep up the great blogging Pete and thanks for the RW discount!
Thanks Jeff!