RW Shoe Issue: Ridiculous flowchart

I work in a running store, we always have a good laugh and are baffled whenever the flow chart comes out because it makes absolutely no sense. In the most recent issue they recommend 3 different pairs of the nike free for the same category of person and then one other shoe, and there's virtually no difference between a lot of the recommendations.

I think they must just get paid off by the shoe companies to say the right things about their shoes and feature certain shoes.

And yes, it is the most frustrating thing when customers come in chart in hand explaining that they need certain shoes for reasons that make no sense.

The running shoe brands hate that flowchart too.

Running store employeeee wrote: I work in a running store, we always have a good laugh and are baffled whenever the flow chart comes out because it makes absolutely no sense. In the most recent issue they recommend 3 different pairs of the nike free for the same category of person and then one other shoe, and there's virtually no difference between a lot of the recommendations.

I think they must just get paid off by the shoe companies to say the right things about their shoes and feature certain shoes.

And yes, it is the most frustrating thing when customers come in chart in hand explaining that they need certain shoes for reasons that make no sense.

As a former running store employee, I would cringe every time the RW shoe review issue was published. Every jogger in town would come in and refer to the issue as if the reviews were the gospel, and they'd start asking for shoes they had no business wearing. I would sell them what they wanted, but I was always clear in stating if a shoe went against my recommendation. And it would be noted as such in the sale to be used as a reference when the customer would inevitably return with complaints about the shoe.

Ultimately, how can you trust a shoe review published in a magazine that also earns its money from advertising sold to the shoe manufacturer? Although a wear-tester might occasionally mention a "con" of the shoe, just once I'd like to see a review state that a shoe totally sucks.

I mostly use that shoe guide to see what's new on the market (got into the Brooks Pure lineup because of it), but I can definitely see the issue in terms of running stores. Some of their suggestions are just plain stupid, though. It'd be interesting to see some sales data right after that chart comes out every year.

For the best "shoe review" go to a decent sized road race and look at what the guy up front are wearing.

It's a waste of time. Most of us already know what shoes work best for us. They're just filling copy.

Flowchart happens to suggest the very shoe I wear.

Years ago, YuppieWorld had a good shoe issue. The karmic worm turned when they fired Joe Henderson.