Why are shoes getting so expensive?

There can be only one answer during these economic times - BIDEN.

Also, sales are likely slowing and with better margins on high cost shoes (with more tech), they're leaning in on that business model vs high volume/low margin.

Consumers are deciding those prices by paying them. The running shoe market is driven by people who don't do that much running, so their shoes last a long time.

In case you missed it, the OP doesn’t live in the States.

So you’re positing that Biden has caused the prices of shoes not sold in the US and that are manufactured in Asia of materials that are more than likely procured in Asia to cause prices to have sharply increased in other countries? Okay, got it Sparky 🤡

shoes prices are directly driven by petroleum prices. From the cost of manufacture and environment impact to supply chain distribution.

Shoemakers don’t have a good strategy for planned obsolescence unlike those purveying silicon.

Higher cost of production, inflation and mostly they have to compensate for all the sponsoring

Because hobby joggers have decided that it's perfectly reasonable for their fat 4h marathon asses to pay 300$ for plated shoes.

Lack of competition in the marketplace.

Mostly the same reason the price of everything else is way higher than it used to be. The CEO's yachts and mansions ain't going to pay for themselves.

Because people will keep paying the price. Shoe manufacturers and sellers know the market. I personally like how the market reacts. Buyers are as gullible as the sellers are shrewd. I always a version or two older than the ones just coming out. $75 vs $160 for a shoe that is 95% the same is a no-brainer. "Its not the plane - its the pilot." But 'vanity' and 'ignorance' is a great motivator and the shoe manufacturers are capitalizing on it.

One of my favourite past times is buying cheap old shoes. I wouldn't dream of paying 220 dollars for Saucony Speed which I'm gonna use for everyday running. Especially hammering out 90-100mpw.

In the UK I think Saucony is relatively scarce though, it's extremely hard for me to get any of the Speed 1, 2 or 3s, or Pro 1 or 2s on any sites. They do a great job of instantly removing old versions and just throwing the ridiculously priced new stock in your face.

Same with runners' clothing. I saw a post a short while ago complaining about the high price of running apparel. Again, vanity is a winner for apparel sales.

I bought a pair of New Balance running shorts (on eBay) 8 years ago for $10. Wore them thru several marathons and over 400 training runs - just that one pair of shorts. I wore them to run this morning and I am wearing them as I type this. After running in any of my gear I wash on delicate and hang to dry. Since that $10 purchase I've purchased maybe 6 pairs of similar shorts all on sale for less than $15 each. I follow the same pattern with tops. Over the past 8 years of my running career I have spent less than $200 on tops, shorts, socks and hats. That's averaging $25 per year.

This is why i buy old models of shoes for half the price and wear them until they are falling apart and have holes in them

Brexit, bro.

Because everything has gotten expensive. Bidenomics.

I think these days shoe companies realise that the whole supershoe situation has meant that people tend to think that the more money they shell out for a trainer, the faster their times are going to be.

Everything is expensive. Yesterday I bought two knit shirts, $286.

They saw you coming.

Who was hawking gold sneakers at $400 a pair?