We’re going to see a ton of Nike spikes at the Olympic Trials. Brooks says its runners can wear other company's spikes

This doesn't make any sense from a branding POV. Why should a shoe company sponsor athletes to wear another brand's shoes in the highest profile meets?

Let's say that an On athlete makes the olympics for USA. That athlete would then be wearing a Nike uniform and Nike shoes on a world wide stage. That is a stupid business decision for On when trying to sell On footwear.

I made this money you didn't. Right Ted? wrote:

This doesn't make any sense from a branding POV. Why should a shoe company sponsor athletes to wear another brand's shoes in the highest profile meets?

Let's say that an On athlete makes the olympics for USA. That athlete would then be wearing a Nike uniform and Nike shoes on a world wide stage. That is a stupid business decision for On when trying to sell On footwear.

They remove all nike logos and make it look more like an ON shoe with black laces and things like that but it's a smart choice as they get more from having a guy on an olympic team to him wearing ON shoes at the trials

were you able to get a pair to test?

They are available for sale to the public and yes, I already have a pair.

Because said companies make crap and know they are putting their athletes at a disadvantage. An athlete placing well, even in blacked out spikes, is better than all their athletes not doing well due to their crappy product.

Another Dime for the Cursed Jar wrote:

Because said companies make crap and know they are putting their athletes at a disadvantage. An athlete placing well, even in blacked out spikes, is better than all their athletes not doing well due to their crappy product.

My point is, 1) are they really that company's athlete? No one with two eyes is going to buy Brooks shoes if Brooks athletes aren't even wearing them. 2) People are putting too much stock in how much these new shoes are helping. In tactical mile racing, dragonflys aren't getting you a podium finish off a 200m sprint.

I made this money you didn't. Right Ted? wrote:

In tactical mile racing, dragonflys aren't getting you a podium finish off a 200m sprint.

Are they taking the pounding out of early rounds enabling an athlete to have fresher legs in the finals?

nikeman wrote:

They are available for sale to the public and yes, I already have a pair.

Do you wear size 4 or size 14?

Or maybe these companies don't see track spikes as a significant market segment and don't want to put the R&D money into it that would be required to compete with Nike.

I made this money you didn't. Right Ted? wrote:

This doesn't make any sense from a branding POV. Why should a shoe company sponsor athletes to wear another brand's shoes in the highest profile meets?

Let's say that an On athlete makes the olympics for USA. That athlete would then be wearing a Nike uniform and Nike shoes on a world wide stage. That is a stupid business decision for On when trying to sell On footwear.

It's not a stupid decision.

It's much better than the alternative. THe shoe companies are spending a lot on a pro team. If they make their athletes wear regular spikes and they don't make the team, they get little publicity. Plus they potentially piss off all future athletes who might run for them as well as fans.

If they let an athlete wear a super spike, the athelte can make the team and they get publicity. Plus you create good will with the fans and future athletes. They think, "Wow Brooks/On treats their athletes well. I like them. I want to buy their shoes." Of if they are a college stud, they might be more willing to sign with them realizing they treat the athletes right.

Purchases and contracts are often an emotional decision so it's actuallly smart for the brands to do this.

It's kind of like developing a reputation in free agency for pro sport's team. If athletes know an owner is a dick, they might not want to sign there.

I think people are overestimating the optics of racing in a spike from a different company. Brooks will still be able to market their athletes that run well by saying they train in Brooks shoes. On will still be able to market their shoes because their successful athletes train in On.

If I'm inspired to buy a shoe because an athlete runs well, I'm not buying spikes. I don't race on the track. The majority of their marketing audience likely never steps foot on a track. I'm looking at what that inspiring and marketable athlete trains in, because I want to train in it too.

Good decision by both brands.

The average spectator will recognize the Brooks logo on the shirt and assume that the entire racing attire is Brooks.

So are they telling the consumer that their spikes and/or road racing shoes are inferior to Nike? As someone who used to wear Brooks and switched to Nike the past few years, why would I ever go back to Brooks?

I think you forgot one of the real reason the on running group even started. It was partly started because they knew they didn’t have a line of shoes good enough for elite runners so part of the whole process is these dudes helping the company develop something up to par. They are just not there yet so of course they can wear something else.

According to some peo

The athlete special is going to run so fast now, holy sh1t

Waitforit4 wrote:

So are they telling the consumer that their spikes and/or road racing shoes are inferior to Nike? As someone who used to wear Brooks and switched to Nike the past few years, why would I ever go back to Brooks?

I race in Nikes but training in Brooks because I know Nike makes better racing shoes but I'd rather not give them my money for everyday trainers.

nikeman wrote:

They are available for sale to the public and yes, I already have a pair.

Dave, are they a miracle shoe? Please answer in depth. Do they propel you along?

Thanks.

Pletan wrote:

If I'm inspired to buy a shoe because an athlete runs well, I'm not buying spikes. I don't race on the track. The majority of their marketing audience likely never steps foot on a track. I'm looking at what that inspiring and marketable athlete trains in, because I want to train in it too.

I don't completely agree, lots of people do buy spikes (high schoolers), unlike racing flats which were a smaller niche