27 replies to this topic

[Pabags]

The march edition of Runners World magazine has an insert from Adidas which allows you to have your own customised running shoes made. Right down to choosing your own colour scheme. Has anyone followed this up or is thinking about it. I'd be interested to know what other CR's think as it sounds ok in theory. Always open to trying something that looks like it be good.
Haven't worn Adidas in years but liked the shoe I used to wear(1980's), cant think of the name but they were white/grey with the 3 red stripes.

Ian C :)

[Action]

Kelvin, that wording on the shoes is the hardest thing! You need to think about it before going in. 10 letters on the back of each shoe. Mine is equally uninspiring "Action" & "Jackson". :D

[Action]

I went through the process two weeks ago as a guinea pig for the product here in Oz. I haven't written it up yet as there is another week to go before the finished product is delivered, and then I need to run in them to see what they are REALLY like. The shoe itself is basically the SuperNova with variations in size, width, midsole, top material, colours, sole, and even some labelling.

The shoes are fitted and "designed" in your local participating store, the order sent to Germany, collated and aggregated, then built in China, and shipped back to the store where you ordered them.

Cost seems reasonable - but details will have to wait another week.

So, look for an update in the very near future and I should have the full story for you. :)

[Kelvin]

Had this at Chadstone shopping centre 2 weeks ago and thought it was my best ever chance to have two shoes which fit perfectly on both feet (my infamous size 13 right foot and 12 left foot means i always dig a whole in my shoe with toenails on my left).
Apparently it's a 3 week manufacturing process so i'll be getting just after (or maybe just before) Six Foot, will certainly be interested to see how they go (seeing that we had to have something printed on the shoes they will have "Kelvin" on them - my very original thoughts !!)

[moondust]

Kelvin, can I be cheeky and ask how much the shoes cost? My feet are a half size different and if I could reduce the rate I get through socks I could probably justify a higher price.

Do you wear orthotics, or have any idea how they handle that if not? Ta.

md

[kazz]

The article in Runners World said they were about 30% more than regular supernova's. I'll be interested to hear how they are on the road/trail Action and Kelvin.

kazz.

[Jogger]

I heard they'd be around $240.

[Action]

Kev is correct - $240.

Moondust, they handle orthotics without a problem (I wear orthotics). Left and right can be different sizes and widths. :)

[moondust]

Kevin, Action - thanks for the information. I await with interest the forthcoming report of Action's trial. md

[Luckylegs]

Action & Kelvin....what colours did you choose? :rolleyes: LL

[Kelvin]

Luckylegs,
I'll have to go home and look at my receipt to recall my colours. Off hand were grey with yellow highlights (the sales person had a yellow pair on and my immediate thought was that it was a colour that would stay clean for about the time it took to open the box).
As i'd booked the fitting a week before i had plenty of time to think of a message just couldn't think of anything flash (with a 10 letter limit) was tempted to get "Coolrunner" on one foot and Kelvin on the other but decided i'd better have them matching (ought to be hard to pinch ????).
At $240 were a little dearer than my usual but reckoned it was my big chance of getting a pair which fits both my feet perfectly (certainly better than buying 2 pairs - one of each size - not as though i ever have ;) )
Kelvin

[RunDave]

What are supernovas like? Are they fairly durable? What sort of Ks could you get out of them? If they are a decent shoe, then some of the features of this service make it well worth the pricetag.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah the Supernova's are a decent shoe, I know my Controls coped with a lot of abuse.
Nike have been running a similar sort of program for years now (Nike ID) although limited to colour schemes and a message and only available to US residents.
The famed story goes that Nike agree to print anything as long as its not offensive, racist, sexist in any manner, but refused the request of a protestor to have SWEAT SHOP printed on his shoes!

[Bellthorpe]

I have a pair of SuperNova Trail that I'm very impressed with. They're very grippy in soft or wet conditions that other shoes have problems with. And comfortable.

[Pabags]

Action - anything to report yet?
The testing/fitting is due in Perth next month and even though its only an opinion, I would be interested in seeing how you went.
Interestingly enough the "shoe dog" picked out the Supernova as one shoe that could be suitable for me from the info I supplied.

Ian C :)

[Action]

Ian C,
my shoes arrived on Thursday, so have only been out in them once. Will write up report and publish in the next day or 3...

[ads]

Do any of you who went through the process & purchased some "customs" have stability issues? The only reason I ask this is because it appears that in all the brochures the shoes all look single density. No doubt adidas would be catering for the pronators of all degrees, I'm just curious as to how.

I would have been keen to build a lightweight trainer but at $240 I'm not in a financial position to justify the cost.

[Clouseau]

Any update on this form those that bought the shoes? I'd love ot hear if they are worth the money.

[Kelvin]

Picked mine up a couple of weeks ago, but with all my travelling in that time (and i think to some degree just pure exhaustion) just haven't had time to run them in (at least they felt good walking around in them after i picked them up).
Am virtually completely resting until Canberra Marathon (ie only working into work this week), so intend to run them in the next couple of weeks
Kelvin

[Owain Lewes]

I was visiting a mate at his running store; one of the leading Adidas stockists in Korea. Anyway this larest scheme is up and running here.
From what I understand, the consultation costs around the 120 Aussie dollars and then you add on the cost of the shoes.
Obviously not a cheap service, but you are getting tailormade shoes ...and in your own colour choice.
Talking of Adidas, has anyone seen the new range of racing shoes? very impressive

[Action]

Owain, definitely $240 for the fitting and shoes here in Oz.

Overall, having run in them for a two weeks now, I would give the resulting shoes a 7 out of 10. If you like the SuperNova and depending on how much value you place on personalisation, then it may be worthwhile. I doubt if I will do it again as I find the SuperNova a bit too stiff and I like a more curved last on my shoes. However, the process was good, friendly, and the final product a reasonable fit - but not perfect for me. :)

[Pabags]

Thanks Action for the update. Like all shoes its going to be a personal thing and the supernova is going to be a suitable shoe for some and not for others, and I think in your case thats what it came down to. The actual shoe wasnt suitable for you and probably not a lot to do with the specialised fitting of it.
Good to get the report and for the rest of us I guess its personal choice. If the supernova is a shoe that suits you then it will probably be worth it. If not, you may be better outlaying $240.00 for shoes that are better for you.

Pabags :)

[Owain Lewes]

Action,
Also a service worth considering if you're injury prone.

[Action]

Owain said: [indent]quote:

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Also a service worth considering if you're injury prone.

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[/indent]Not too sure where you are coming from with that, Owain. In terms of size and fit it may help, but given the base shoe is the Supernova then that may cause more problems that it fixes - the Supernova, like any other shoe, is not perfect for everyone. So, no matter how much they customise, if the straight last and stiff sole don't work for you then it will only lead to injury... :unsure:

[Owain Lewes]

Point taken Action.
Definate pros and cons to this service. I'd be interested to see what Footman has to say.

[Sparkie]

How do orthotics fit into the equation?

[Action]

Orthotics are not an issue - they are catered for in the design process, which is descibed here :)

[Colin]

After initially thinking this is a good idea, having read the review of the 'customisation' process, I wouldn't pay $240 for an $80 (at Adidas outlet) shoe for which mainly only a fit customisation or adjustment is made plus maybe choice of midsole.

I compare this to say, what is done by Chris Sole (who I ran with at Uni) down on the South Island of NZ these days.

Chris was a 345 1500 runnerat Uni and still gives the allcomers a bit of a shake in NZ at age 47.

According to a mutual friend, Chris (now a Physio) has an arrangement with shoes retailers whereby his clients fit on say four pairs of shoes and take them all to Chris for a running analysis.
He then chooses the best pair for the runner, based on measurements and biomech analysis, then modifies each individual shoe to the requirements of each foot/leg/running style etc.

The other shoes are then returned to shop and the runner only pays for the shoe he keeps.

btw isn't 'Sole' one of those nominative deterministic names for what he does?

Regarding the Adidas review, it appears that Adidas marketing dept were a bit naive in that they had little control over it.

Whilst Action wasn't too critical, the shoe in its off the shelf form would not be one he would choose, and the last is not suited to his foot/running style (by his own admission).
Therefore you are not going to get him over the moon about the custom shoe. And I am not questioning his objectivity here. Its not his fault.

Better for them to have chosen a runner who already prefers the Supernova (or an equivalent shoe).

With all due respect, you won't ask a vegetarian to review a steakhouse. :)