For those not aware of it, the MiAdidas system (website) is a brand new process from Adidas where you get a personally fitted and customised pair of Adidas Super Nova build just for you over a 3 week period. At a premium of about $40 over the normal retail price, your feet are measured for length and width, choices of colour, materials, and messages (more about that later) are made, and then 3 weeks later you pop into your local Foot Locker where the order as placed to collect your shiny new customised shoes.
I went through the process about 5 weeks ago, and have now run in the shoes for a week, including a long run yesterday. The process started with a visit to the fitting centre - which will be selected Foot Locker outlets - where you are greeted by a trained MiAdidas shoe experience consultant (I made up the title, but it sort of fits). The process takes about 20 minutes, and is quite consultative and friendly. After having the system explained and questions answered, I stepped into the measurement box which sorts out the length and width of each foot. Next we worked through what looked like a wall of shoes - each one a different size and width - to arrive at the right feeling pair of shoes. Each foot is fitted separately, so those with different sized feet are catered for perfectly. Once shoes are selected we adjourned to the computer screen to discuss and select the various options - mid sole density (comfort or control), tread (road or trail), upper fabric (mesh or semi water proof), and the colours - a couple of layers of various colours, all the time watching the shoe being built on the computer screen. Changing options and regenerating the shoe view was not a problem, but the final step was a real hassle. No one warned me that I had to choose two 10 letter words to adorn the back heels. Name? Club? Smart comment? Lots of options, but once selected you are stuck with it, so give it some thought... I ended up with my nickname and surname. Oh yes, I wear orthotics and that was accommodated as part of the system - no issue at all.
One final loop through the shoe order, a coloured print out provided and I was asked to sign my life away - once committed there is no turning back. That done, the order is sent off to Germany for collation in the Adidas head office, then shot off the China for construction. Finally, three weeks later, they magically appeared for me to collect at the store and all I had to do was run off into the distance.
Now for the real test - running in them. Good, but not great. If the Super Nova is your shoe then the ability to tailor it to your size and spec is marvellous. Personally I like a bit more flexibility in a shoe and a more curved last, so I am probably not a Super Nova wearer anyway. However, they turned up as per spec - but the sizing was close, but not perfect. Certainly wearable, certainly a close fit, but just not that tailored fit I was expecting. Of course, as these are custom built there is no going back. I put the not quite perfect fit down to the fact that when you go and try on a pair of shoes at the store you take that exact same pair of shoes home with you, and even then you occasionally get it wrong. In this case you are trying on a shoe from the MiAdidas wall of shoes and then relying on the promise that the measurements and the various options of midsole, tread, etc all come together in China via Germany to build you that perfect pair of shoes.
Do I recommend the system? For the right person, yes - but go and try a standard pair of Super Nova first. If they feel great then the odds are that MiAdidas will suit you. If your have problems getting the right size then this system will go a long way to address it. However, if you like a lighter more flexible shoe, and getting the right size (for both feet!) has never been an issue, then you have to weigh up the value in personal colours and logo!
Stephen Jackson
CR "Action"
For this review, CoolRunning was approached by the marketing company selected by Adidas to promote the Mi Adidas system in Australia. Stephen was selected from the CoolRunning helpers and moderators as he is a well-known "shoe geek". He was provided with a pair of Mi Adidas shoes to keep.
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