r/AdvancedRunning • u/pand4duck • Sep 22 '16

General Discussion The Fall Forum - Nike

CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH. The leaves be on the ground! ITS TIME FOR FALL!

The Summer Series has become the Fall Forum. We will continue our megathreads but this time they are going to take a new turn! We will be discussing various running brands and their pros / cons / your favorites throughout the next few weeks. We have multiple brands lined up. So stay tuned for fun.

Today we start with Nike. A large conglomeration centered around a swoosh. Nike has been around for a long time. Some have very polarized opinions on Nike. Here is the place to share em.

So, grab your pumpkin spice latte, your bean boots and a cashmere sweater and spill yo beans on Nike!

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

OVERALL THOUGHTS

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u/FlashArcher Sep 22 '16

Nike is the company I have the most mixed feelings about. I grew up idolizing the swoosh (and the jumpman) because I saw a lot of my favorite athletes from various sports wearing it. My favorite casual shoes during middle and high school were Nikes. I remember getting my first pair of Air Force Ones. Those were so sick. Nike still makes good products today in general, IMO. And it's hard to hate Nike for all they've done for so many sports

But growing up you learn about the politics game and it hurts your image of things when you learn companies like Nike outsource their jobs, in particular to places that have sweatshops with children working there getting a few cents per hour. Nike obviously has tried to make strides and improve their image from this after this being revealed but how much? Not really sure. And was it enough? That too I can't fully say. This is my biggest flak against them among other things.

I still do wear Nike products. It's sometime difficult looking at the product and putting it on knowing what I said above but I just want to believe Nike is getting away from those practices

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

This is probably why I hesitated to start with Nike. I know so many have mixed feelings. But. I think it makes for great discussion.

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u/jerrymiz Sep 22 '16

Lots of comments in here (and in the running community in general) that seem to be skeptical of Nike's near-monopoly on professional track and field. And they're right, that level of sway the swoosh has is bad for the sport.

HOWEVER...they're pretty much the only company really stepping up and supporting the professional sport. If the other companies don't like it, then they need to either put up or shut up. Nike has made a name for itself selling 'fast' and 'badass', and that's why the brand is so dominant. It's past time the other shoe companies took a page out of Nike's book.

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u/craigster38 Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16

Years ago, I bought a pair of Nike shoes and goalkeeper gloves and they fell apart in a matter of weeks. I can't bring myself to buy anything else Nike.

Edit: the only Nike products I've purchased in the past 10 years are the ARTC singlets.

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u/Cougar17 Sep 23 '16

There is a huge difference of quality in Nike stuff. Their budget stuff is very cheap. I've gotten into the employee store and been able to afford their more expensive lines that way. I bought some of the higher end tights and they are amazing. I have two pair of the running shorts that retail for 50 or 60 and they are equally amazing.

But I also have the lower end of some soccer cleats and I can feel they won't last long at all.

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u/thermocycler Sep 22 '16

Nike makes me uncomfortable. I know they aren't completely evil (sponsor a lot of athletes, they have history etc.) but I personally try my best to not buy Nike products. Being a spectator at the last few Olympic trials in Eugene I wasn't impressed with the Nike set-up and it actually made me think 'yuck'. I hate that they had such a monopoly and were such dicks about keeping other companies out. I hate the 40 day rule for olympians. The Berian lawsuit was ridiculous. They are a mega corp and are going to do whatever they can to make more money. They don't need my support.
edit: I do love their spikes. This gives me some serious cognitive dissonance. :(

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u/CatzerzMcGee Sep 22 '16

You do know that they aren't the ones responsible for rule 40 right? They are the USATF official sponsor so athletes have to wear their team gear for team activities but Nike athletes are subject to the same rules of advertising as others.

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u/a_mcards Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16

I really like Nike. I've had very little issues running in their structures for years, their flats are great, and their apparel is slick. Yes it's over-priced but they have the marketing and pool of customers that will continue to follow them. I will say that I don't think the long tights they have are that great if you're in very cold winter weather, even the one fleece lined pair I have. For the most part their products are good quality and as much as it can be annoying that things change just as you're getting used to the current standings, I applaud them for always trying to improve the product.

When I was training for a marathon, a couple of my friends said they'd pay for me to get the swoosh tattooed if I broke three hours.... still would do it.

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

FAVORITE SHOES

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u/CatzerzMcGee Sep 22 '16

Trainers

Structure 20 - I've worn the Structure since it was in its 14th version and it used to be my go to shoe for training. I stepped away from it for the 18/19 but I picked up this latest version. It is right back to being a comfortable go to shoe in my rotation of easy day running shoes.

Pegasus 33 - Like the Structure, I'd worn the Pegasus many times before, with the 28-32 models. This new update has a great upper and the inclusion of the air pocket in the forefoot makes it responsive.

Elite 8 - I love the Elite, and it's unfortunate it isn't as popular as it should be. It's lighter weight and more responsive than the Pegasus, and I think it looks much cooler.

Zoom Fly - RIP this shoe. They only made 2 versions of this shoe and that makes me sad. It was a 90 dollar price point, light stability shoe. The outsole had the same configuration of the Zoom Streak racing flat, and the upper was very comfortable. Perfect shoe for high school runners, and those not looking to break the bank and still have a quality shoe.

Lunar Series - There are lots of shoes in this category (I have only worn Lunartempo and LunarGlide) but my thoughts behind them are all the same. They feel great for the first 50 miles of the life of the shoe. But after the Lunarlon (foam they use in this series) starts breaking down due to the lack of outsole its a harder more impactful ride. They look nice, I just can't justify getting any more Lunar series shoes.

Flats

Streak XC 2/3 - This is probably my favorite training/racing flat of all time. Lightweight, breathable, snappy, cushioned. The same outsole/midsole as the Streak LT2, the XC just has a more open mesh upper which allows for more breathability. Price point is great at 60-70 bucks.

Streak LT2/3 - Not exactly the same shoe, but I don't wanna make a ton of bullet points. LT2 was the same as the XC, LT3 is completely changed. The new LT3 is like a track spike for the roads. Super aggressive, upper cinches to your feet and gives you that lockdown feel. They put a plastic shank in the middle of the shoe to give it a super responsive and quick feeling. Fastest feeling flat I've ever worn.

Streak 4/5/6 - The regular "Streak" series flats are designed for longer road races and training efforts compared to the LT/XC versions. The 4 had a very firm and hard feeling midsole and a very thin upper that was prone to tearing. The 5 had a bit more durability in the upper with the addition of dynamic Flywire. The 6 is a great great shoe and I've been a big fan. They changed the outsole configuration so it is segmented under the forefoot to give you grip, and they include a plastic shank to make it responsive feeling.

Spikes

Victory - I've only ever worn the original version, but this is probably my favorite "run really really fast" spike. The lockdown it gives going around turns on a track is phenomenal, and the aggressiveness and "get up on your toes" feeling is second to none when it comes to another distance spikes.

Matumbo - The longer distance counterpart to the Victory. The matumbo has a less aggressive spike plate and more cushion. It can be used in XC and is a shoe of choice for 5k/10k runners on the track.

Mamba 1/2 - The bright orange colorway of the original Mamba will hang around forever in your mind if you owned this one. A great middle distance shoe and preferred Steeple shoe if people didn't "go with teh Lanags."

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u/sairosantos Sep 22 '16

That's surprising about the Lunars. My first pair of the Lunarglide lasted me well over 1000 kilometers and still felt almost good as new when I finally retired it.

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

I think I post this in every thread that I can.

I love the zoom streak 6 It is such an incredible racing flat. Lean, mean. Grippy. Responsive. I dont think there is a bad thing I can say about this shoe. It works from 5k to half. Highly recommend.

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u/CatzerzMcGee Sep 22 '16

Only thing I've seen in reviews is people tearing the sides of the shoes. I've haven't noticed anything on mine but I've seen quite a few posts about it.

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u/JosephIsMyName Sep 22 '16 edited Sep 22 '16

the Air Zoom Pegasus 33's are baller. And (From what I've experienced) a ton of cushion for a shoe series that is improving on design and comfort. I have been running on the air Pegasus line since i graduated High School. And now as a Junior, I have somewhat grown up with these trainers and working to PR this fall.

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

CONS

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u/2menshaving Sep 22 '16

Nike's death grip on USA track isn't very cool. And Nike Oregon Project isn't guilty of anything illegal, but who knows...

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u/becauseican8 Sep 22 '16

I have a very unpopular and I will admit, very limited understanding of the situation, but here goes. Any other brand was more than welcome to outbid Nike for their USATF sponsorship, right? Nike only has a stranglehold because other potential sponsors let them.

The sponsorship is worth $20 mil/year which is on the same order as what sponsors give to large schools like Texas and Michigan, so adidas and under armour have already accepted that they could be paying that amount, they just don't see a good ROI in track and field. In contrast, Nike is the only one who is willing to she'll out the money regardless of the low ROI.

Not trying to argue with anyone, more stating what I know and hoping to be enlightened.

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u/LeifCarrotson Sep 22 '16

Nike Oregon Project isn't guilty of anything illegal

I think you meant to say "hasn't been convicted of anything illegal", unless you have complete knowledge of what goes on within it. I sincerely hope they aren't guilty of anything, but in this era, you can't be sure of anything.

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u/pand4duck Sep 22 '16

Its easy to get sucked in to buying a crappy nike shoe if you go to an outlet store. They definitely have two tiers of shoes: cash cows vs legit running shoes. If you go to kohls or the outlet store, watch out. You should stick to the well known models for success.

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u/ProudPatriot07 Sep 22 '16

Totally with you on this. We have a Nike outlet here, and I've heard beginner runners talk about going there and buying shoes. They must be real running shoes, they came from the Nike outlet store! Not true guys, not true...

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u/woanders Sep 22 '16

They sponsor known dopers (Gatlin) and a program that is highly suspect (NOP). They bully athletes that don't want to play their game (Berian).

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u/FlashArcher Sep 22 '16

I actually don't like the fact they still sponsored Gatlin after he was suspended. If it was a sport like football or basketball, he'd have been released quickly, but since it's T&F it barely sees the day of light in the media.

The Berian case is hard to judge still not knowing all the facts out of it but seeing Nike pull the case after getting media flak, they might've been in the wrong

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u/CatzerzMcGee Sep 22 '16

Any time you are such a large organization you're bound to have your negatives along with the positives. They engage in business practices and use resources for manufacturing that are less than pleasant to dive into, but other companies at the top do the same as well. That isn't an excuse for the behavior though.

One "con" I think they fall subject to is providing a ton of entry level footwear. Instead of being a "specialty shoe" something in the entry level category is a bit cheaper, and made with less durable materials and you can typically find them online very easily and at big box stores. Uneducated consumers will pick these out because of the price tag and nice look then wonder why the shoe either wears out quickly or they get hurt running in it. That isn't the fault of Nike since they have different lines of shoes and styles, but they do overproduce styles to cater to literally everyone.

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