Comments on: 2013 Running Shoe Sales Data: What Do They Tell Us About What Runners Are Wearing?

By: The D'Lites: Perfect for Lightweight and Minimalist Enthusiast | Skechers D'Lites Reviews

Sat, 31 May 2014 17:14:20 +0000

[…] as designed. Although minimalist sales account for approximately 11% of the market, they are by far the fastest growing segment and more and more companies are creating products to meet the […]

By: James

James — Mon, 26 May 2014 15:08:31 +0000

Before all the minimal and light shoes came out I generally only had a couple of pairs of running shoes. After the running shoe companies started making some shoes worth buying I now have so may shoes that I can’t find enough miles to wear them out. That may be why the drop in minimal shoes. After we get enough shoes that don’t wear out we don’t have space for more shoes. I still like cushioned shoes and minimal shoes but will never again buy a stiff, heavy, high heeled running shoe like most of those sold 10 to 15 years ago. I wish I could find some steel toed work shoes that are flat, have room in the toe box and don’t weigh so much. That is another direction the shoe companies should look at. Heavy high heeled shoes kill my knees.

By: How Vibram Can Turn Its Settlement A Win - Werner Business Law

How Vibram Can Turn Its Settlement A Win - Werner Business Law — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:05:05 +0000

[…] publicity for Vibram. It’s no secret that the minimalist running shoe trend has been in a decline recently, and free publicity cannot hurt at this point. News feeds are now going to be filled with […]

By: brian

brian — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I started with Kinvara 2 and was fine with the first 2 pairs, however on the third pair my, it caused issues with IT band. Went back to NB 890V2, this time and IT band issue went away with no issues. Have been running in ever since. Still lightwight but more stable for me for a runner who supinates, whereas the Kinvara will blow on sides

By: BryanEW710

BryanEW710 — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to George Harris.

There is also the fact that most of us don't live anywhere near enough to trails to justify trail-only shoes. I know I don't.

By: Don Byers

Don Byers — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Working in the industry of selling shoes gives me a different perspective than some. If what is being referred to as minimalist shoes is the barefoot style, then yes, that segment is down. We are seeing very few people buy them again after their first purchase. Return customers are buying the lightweight models instead. People want more protection than the barefoot models provide. Lots of people bought into the hype about minimalism changing their footstrike and gait pattern to a more natural movement. The problem is that we live in a society of instant gratification and most people didn't want to take to time required to transition from traditional shoes to barefoot models. People were either transitioning too fast and having a variety of issues with lower leg and foot problems, or they were still heel striking/over striding and having lots of pain because there is no cushioning. The lightweight shoe category continues to have strong sales. The zero drop shoes with cushioning are doing well. However, as the data suggests, traditional shoes are still making up the largest segment of sales. Stability and neutral/cushioning shoes remain the choice of most runners. People who need motion control shoes are a very small percentage, and that is one of the reasons that segment is so small.

Other reasons for declining sales of barefoot style is many people wear their shoes for more than just running. They were finding it wasn't comfortable to be on their feet all day wearing a barefoot shoe. Additionally the price of the shoes was a factor. Many of the barefoot models aren't made of materials significantly different from water shoes that can be bought for $10-15. Paying $100+ for barefoot shoes that have no tech features is a big negative. Customers weren't seeing the value of paying that much for basically a piece of rubber attached to an upper. These shoes should not have been priced in the same range as traditional models.

By: George Harris

George Harris — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Pete I am very surprised at the trail shoe data. At least in my area in CA the trend to trail running is growing. In fact so much so that the local Fleet Feet has stocked several brands of trail shoes and is having weekend trail runs. I have been caught up in this trend running about 30 of my 70 plus miles a week on trails.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to George Harris.

My guess is that trail running shoes are more typically bought at outdoor specialty stores (e.g., REI, EMS and the like) and not
run specialty stores. Also on-line. That might be why the number is so low.

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By: whatsamattu

whatsamattu — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Lori Swain.

I was going to make this exact point. The 5-fingers shoes last a long, long time. My huaraches last forever. www.invisibleshoe.com 's owner, Steven Sashen, guarantees them for 5,000 miles.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Don Byers.

I agree about the cost - even if durable minimal shoes are harder to make, people perceive a flimsy shoe for the same price or more as a more traditionally made shoe to be a ripoff. What we need are minimal shoes at minimal prices that look better and last longer than water shoes.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to CoreySingletary.

It's also possible that the number of runners in the shoes hasn't changed much, it's the number of non-runners buying them that has changed.

By: Matthew Noll

Matthew Noll — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Lori Swain.

My Saucony Kinvara 3's lasted me a good year and at least 1,500 miles before I felt compelled to replace them. Nothing was falling apart, but they looked worn and I like new shoes.