Running Shoe Company of the Year?

New Balance.

They provided me with two pair of $75+$80 shoes. First time I had them. I am impressed.

Usually I buy Brooks or Asics but both Brands feel kind of lame right now.

Definitely saucony with nike in a distant second, in my opinion.

Saucony is brand of the year for offering innovative product across their whole line. The endorphin series alone is excellent. But the Ride and Triumph are also category leaders. Also a diverse trail grouping.

Asics took a big step forward.

I guess some honorable mention to adidas for creating a super shoe that many feel is equal to or better than swoosh brand.

+1 for Saucony.. Vaporfly is still the best racing shoe in my opinion, but Nike had some duds this year.

New Balance tried hard and I think they’re on the right path.

Skechers is solid.

I thought adidas had lost their way but they’re back to being a Nike contender.

Hoka is still doing well but a lot of improvements can be made. They need to focus on making a better competitive racer.

ASICS seemed to have been falling behind for years but they had a very good 2020. I think they will continue to bring it in 2021.

Nikes Vomero 15 looks like a flop to me. They’re going to have to really bring it with the Peg 37 and Vaporfly 2.

2018 Nike also had the Peg Turbo, I forgot about that. I agree with Saucony for 2020 though.

Atreyu?

Ackley wrote:

Atreyu?

I love the Atreyu base model and backed the plated shoe prototype. But can’t say they’re the company of the year. Although the business model is certainly interesting.

If they survive, their v2 base model which is supposed to be lighter with a more Fuelcell/Hyperburst type foam is a bit better than the first gen, and their plated shoe is any good then they could be a contender next year.

Nike by a mile :

- Jordan Brand Golf Shoe

- Air Max 270 , Nikes best selling fashion Shoe . Highest selling sneaker overall 2020

- Nike Peg Turbo2

Saucony are good at selling false hope , and empty promises.

This is WAY too broad of a question. Give us some categories...

StateOj wrote:

This is WAY too broad of a question. Give us some categories...

If you had any worthwhile opinions to share on any category of running shoes, you would have already done so.

Agreed that this is too broad... I'll cop out with some categories.

For the Everyday Runner: Brooks - Asks folks who actually work in the running specialty industry. The new Ghost and the Adrenaline are solid updates and continue their holds as best-sellers in the industry. Keep in mind, this even comes from a 'non-Brooks fan'...

Racing/Innovation: Nike still maintains a death grip with Adidas/Saucony knocking on the door. Make the arguments you want, but the Next % and AlphaFly are still king with regard to market share and sales. It was nice to see Saucony to be the company to finally step up with a solid answer in the Endorphin Pro. While an excellent option, still doesn't seem to hold a candle to the Vaporfly's. Enter Adidas... if recent races (see Valencia and The Marathon Project), there's something dangerous in the water with the Pro. Wouldn't be surprised if the winner of this category is Adidas...

Honorable Mention: Hoka. Dropping the 'One One' from their name and continuing to gradually gain market share. Maybe winners of the 'tortoise' award for their positive, yet gradual growth through 2020.

Newcomer Award: Atreyu.

The Losers Award (those who took a step backwards): Asics - Aside from a gnarly prototype on Sara Hall's foot, what the hell has happened to Asics? Although they've updated the aesthetic of the Nimbus and several other models, it just seems that Asics has managed to stay the same (and Mizuno?) while all of the others are busy moving on. I could be biased though.

Saucony: Endorphin speed is going to be my training shoe going forward, when I've been running in adidas for years.

Adidas: The new super shoe from them looks really promising. I'll see when I race in it, but workouts have been great.

Trail: I'll go with Salomon for the Sense Pro 4. Great trail shoe that has a road feel and can climb technical mountains if needed. All other trail shoes have been terrible in recent years imo.

Adidas. No question. 57:30 says it all.

The question wasnt lineup or your favorite shoe. It's company, and for adidas to steal back the title of fastest shoe on the road from nike makes them the company of the year.

BruceDentonQ wrote:

For the Everyday Runner: Brooks - Asks folks who actually work in the running specialty industry. The new Ghost and the Adrenaline are solid updates and continue their holds as best-sellers in the industry. Keep in mind, this even comes from a 'non-Brooks fan'...

Really?

I am buying Brooks for around 30 years and I can't remember ever being excited about any of their shoes. They work for me but that's it.

Asdfasd wrote:

Adidas. No question. 57:30 says it all.

The question wasnt lineup or your favorite shoe. It's company, and for adidas to steal back the title of fastest shoe on the road from nike makes them the company of the year.

Nahh, that's just a question of who has the better athletes and adidas had much better athletes in that race. If the athletes had switched shoes and nothing else changed, the placing would have been the same and most likely the times. In that vein though, all of the world records in the dragonfly and nike road shoes stack up better than adidas, and they have a better overall lineup anyway. Saucony was still king this year, a company with a subpar lineup or no innovation or change but good athletes isn't the best company, they're just a good training house that happens to produce shoes

Meant records set in 2020 ofc

1. Saucony

2. Reebok

Karhu, for staying true to what they do.

skechers