[richardhh]

There's no shortage of people booing at the big corporation, saying they're 'rubbish' 'bad for your feet' blar blar... but ...is this just a anti-Nike thing? ...or is there any truth behind my friends of friends stories?

Surely top athletes wouldn't just sign with them for the money? Or am i being nieve?

Please....has any body anything good to say about Nike? (And If so, which ones?)

Cheers

R

 

[Archive Boy]

Yeah, I'd be interested to know people's thoughts on this...i'm a student doing a dissertation on Nike and the loss of its reputation as an authentic and technical sports brand in favour of its fashion status...

What do you guys reckon? Would you choose Nike trainers above, say, Asics or Mizuno?

Personally, I can understand why the onus they have put on fashion in recent years might have diluted their credibility in the athletcis world...but are their trainers actually any GOOD for runners?

 

[Sparky]

I quite like Nike trainers, my personal choice are Perseus/Perseus 2.

However, I did have a problem with one pair. I had been wearing the original perseus trainers, and then got myself a new pair of perseus 2. I did a half marathon in my new trainers, and ignored what I thought was a small stone in one of the shoes, after the first mile. After 4 miles it was apparent that I had a blister, and by the end of the race my shoe was filled with blood, and had also rubbed the back of my heel making that bleed too.

The next pair I got have been totally fine though, as have all the other pairs I have owned, so I have no idea what could have caused the blister I experienced with the first pair of perseus 2's, and there have been no permanent problems as a result.

 

[Steve]

Not for me..they get a big X not a tick!

 

[Dale the Snail]

I use nike structure triax 9's and they are great shoes. If nike are really no good, would the likes of Paula Radcliffe and co. have any dealings with them.
I know money plays a big part in everything, but top runners wouldn't use bad shoes.
Would they ????
.

 

[sensible]

Nike are currently number 2 on the running footwear table for the UK. They make some very good technical running shoes and they also make a lot of fashion trainers. As long as runners keep to the specialist range (Bowerman Series - introduced in 2000), they shouldn't go too far wrong.
There is always issues with the big corporate brands, partly because they are so successful. Doesn't mean they don't make good shoes though.

 

[GreatNorthWood]

I used Nike Pegasus for quite a while and got on with them really well. I switched because all the shoe shops told me I shouldn't be wearing them. Who knows if that's right or not? I used them for two marathons fine - the only downside was that, at most, I only ever got 300 miles out of them as opposed to the 450-500 from other pairs of shoes.

 

[spannerannabella]

Nike let there customers down because they change there shoes massively from year to year! They recently made a big change to the Nike Pegasus, a shoe which was traditionally broad in the forefoot and you could put an orthotic in. It's now completely changed shape, much narrower and as a result fewer people are returning to by the shoe.
Many specialist retailers don't stock Nike shoes because they feel they're not technical enough, using an air cushioning system is not ideal! Podiatrists and physios recommend a gel cushioning system in your shoe as well as the usual EVA based midsole. So Nike just doesn't stand up to it's competitors Brooks, Asics, Saucony, New Balance. Brooks and Asics are the most technologically advanced, Asics is Japanese which says it all and Brooks is American and only makes running shoes/apparel so spends a lots of money on research just in running. Some of the Nike shoes are good for people with very wide feet but beware as they change all the time! So you're probably better off with a shoe that you know will still be available next year!

 

[steepler]

I was a Nike fan when I started running and wore lots of their shoes.
They did start with the Bowerman range to try to maintain consistency.
There are lots of elite runners in Nike so theycan't be all bad!
Paula does NOT have wide feet!

 

[spannerannabella]

Paula mostly runs in racing flat and racer trainers which have a much closer fit and are more curved to make you run faster. In general the training shoes are broader, especially around the ankle. This is useful for people with wider ankles or overweight/obese people wanting a trainer.

 

[sensible]

The shoes in the Bowerman range are not changed for a minimum of 18 months, so that there is the continuity. The Pegasus was made slightly more narrow as feedback on the previous edition was that it was too wide in the forefoot.
How exactly are Brooks shoes more technologically advanced? Stick a medial post in a shoe and that makes it advanced? Support a structure (ie the foot) and that will become weak and reliant upon the shoe.
Podiatrists recommend Asics shoes merely on tradition, not necessarily because they are better. The fact that Brooks only concentrate on running doesn't guarantee that their shoes will be better.

 

[steepler]

So we are all experts now eh?
Any thoughts from Nick Pearson on Nike?

 

[twinkle toes]

I found the Nike Pegasus bruised both my big toes, although this didn't put me off Nike I have since changed to the max moto's which I have run two half marathon's in and no problems...

 

[Real Runners]

I personally get on very well with Nike trainers - in particular the Nike Skylon Triax, its a great shoe and is very responsive. Also their racing spikes and racing flats are in my opinion the best in the market.

However Nike do tend to disconitue shoes quite often, as spannerannabella stated. I use to wear the Span Triax - a great Nike shoe, which sold amazingly well (I used to work inSweatshop) - however for some reason (and I am sure they had their reasons) discontinued the shoe. They have also made some terrific racing flats but similar story a year or so later discontinued - such as the Nike Air Streak Vapor! If anyone can get their hands on these - go for it because they are fab! ...make sure first though that they are suitable for you!

There you go, thats my thoughts on Nike.....

 

[sensible]

You might be pleased to hear that the Span Triax is making a comeback early next year

 

[Real Runners]

Sensible - you have made my day! Any news on the streak vapor?!!?! Its a great racing flat - I was sent the Vaporfly but its nowhere as near as a decent fit as the Streak Vapor.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Bryn R]

Not sure about their trainers, but Nike spikes have a reputation for excellence, their old models the Jasari, Eldoret and Vents are all extremely highly regarded, particularly the Jasari.

 

[Nick]

I think that unfortunately there is a lot of rubbish spouted about Nike, and a large amount of suspicion and mistrust because they are so successful, and because they have so many fashion shoes.
Of all the running brands Nike will spend the most on research, being huge and successful doesn't necessarily mean that you make bad shoes, they make some fantastic shoes, and some ordinary ones, like most brands. For me there are excellent shoes in the Bowerman line, but as others have said I would definitely not buy shoes from outside of this collection to run in.
As with all brands though you need to find the right shoe type, try on a selection of brands, and go for the fit and feel that you prefer.

 

[Bryn R]

Feel I should add...

Mayfly has a good reputation with a number of good athletes (15:00-16:00 5kers) who aren't at the national level but are top level local runners. Also the specialist nike running shoes do tend to be very good. I've just picked up the Nike Streak Marathon racer and it's a really really nice ride, part of the Bowerman range.

 

[coachsherwood]

Nike are only one of many shoe companies you should consider when buying new shoes.

They have a large range and try to offer shoes for every runnner. But models change and you as a runner have requirements which will also change depending on what you are running now.

Top athletes are sponsored to run in company shoes and will have several pairs of racing flats and general trainers. Steve Cram had Nike make shoes for him to overcome his pronation problems.

Being No2 means there are a lot of people out there who believe Nike shoes work.

TRY EM ALL BEFORE YOU BUY EM!