So the 22 is the final model of the Nike Zoom Structure. My local running store has received their last shipment. I was told by the store owner that the next version of the Odyssey React will aim to satisfy the preferences of posted or stability shoe customers. Anyone know Nike's reasoning for this decision? I'm sure there are lots of speculative answers. I have some, myself. But just wondering if anyone here really KNOWS.
I think it just boils down to sales. There might be some people out there who love the Structure, but big picture, it's an insignificant fraction when it comes to the rest of their lineup. There's also the added layer that a lot of people shopping for stability shoes don't want Nikes. For some reason there's a lot of overlap with stability consumers and people who hate Nike. They want Brooks, Asics, etc. Not what Nike offers. When it comes down to it, there's not a big monetary incentive to continue the Structure.
Harrage wrote:
I think it just boils down to sales. There might be some people out there who love the Structure, but big picture, it's an insignificant fraction when it comes to the rest of their lineup. There's also the added layer that a lot of people shopping for stability shoes don't want Nikes. For some reason there's a lot of overlap with stability consumers and people who hate Nike. They want Brooks, Asics, etc. Not what Nike offers. When it comes down to it, there's not a big monetary incentive to continue the Structure.
People are so closed minded when it comes to this. The structure is one of the most stable shoes on the market but people refuse to try it because it's Nike. The Brooks adrenaline still sells as good if not better than the previous models and it doesn't even have a damn posting anymore. I rarely see anyone try the new one and walk away from it because the post is gone. For most people posting doesn't matter and they don't actually need it but it's telling that it has come out this way. Nike ultimately doesn't need this line anyway. Still sucks that it's going to go.
I agree, it sucks. I've worn many brands of stability shoes. Several years ago, the Adrenaline was my favorite shoe, but they fell out of favor. The Structure slowly became my favorite. I'm a believer in Zoom Air. My sports past is deeper in basketball; only been running for last 13 years (50 years old). No matter what cushioning tech Nike invents or tries, it always seems to come back around to Zoom Air. Look at Kipchoge's new shoe for example. I really have no interest in first 2 models of the Odyssey React. Maybe the 3 will surprise me.
Traveler9 wrote:
So the 22 is the final model of the Nike Zoom Structure. My local running store has received their last shipment. I was told by the store owner that the next version of the Odyssey React will aim to satisfy the preferences of posted or stability shoe customers. Anyone know Nike's reasoning for this decision? I'm sure there are lots of speculative answers. I have some, myself. But just wondering if anyone here really KNOWS.
There were rumors about Nike releasing a stability shoe similar to Zoom Odyssey (not to be confused with Odyssey React).
That would be good news.
Nike first killed off their only motion control shoe - the Zoom Odyssey - which had a full length medial post and now this. I guess if you need stability, Nike is not your shoe. Period.
No Jacket Required wrote:
Nike first killed off their only motion control shoe - the Zoom Odyssey - which had a full length medial post and now this. I guess if you need stability, Nike is not your shoe. Period.
The structure also has a full length post it's just not as firm as the Odyssey. The Odyssey didn't sell well because it was too controlling. You could see why that would be a problem for your average Nike user.
My guess is that react material is exceptional and now they want to put it in a more traditional running shoe. One with more stability. This is great news for me. Do you know when it might come out?
Do you think React is a better than Zoom Air? I've concluded that all of Nike's foam technologies (Lunar, React, etc.) are just newer and less-expensive concepts that have failed to live up to Zoom Air. Their basketball and running categories, over the last dozen or so years, seem to indicate that.
Lunarlon was phenomenal. I have not tried the react foam but I hear it's even better than the Lunarlon. What's happening in the shoe market is a race for the material that provides the most aerobically economical and/or enjoyable running experience. It appears Nike is well ahead but surprisingly Sketchers is up there.
Mizuno has been way ahead for the last 20 years but now I think they better start innovating with better foams. They got the wave plate which will last through mankind but they need a foam to compete with the superior new ones coming on the market. The problem is tuning the foam to the road. Even the most bouncy foam if not tuned properly will not result in a enjoyable run. Manufacturers will get it down. I would say in the next 15 to 20 years, probably closer to 20.
I've been told nike is discontinuing structure and "stability" specific models due to a study/experiment they conducted which didn't find credible evidence of stability shoes preventing injuries among runners. I'm a salesperson at a running store and thats what i was told in the reasoning for them discontinuing the model.
Who told you that? With all respect I have been told by a number of running store personnel things that unbelievably were not true. I say unbelievably because they are in the store with shoes day in and out and should know better. On the other hand I am so thankful for my local running store who put me into my beloved brand and model. Unfortunately in good conscience I can not pay 20% to 50% more for the shoes in the store then than what I can buy them for online.
i believe it was our nike rep that came in and talked to managers in more detail about the shoe status and reasoning for us being unable to place futures orders.
It will be very interesting to see what comes out in the next year and beyond. I have found that stability is not just for injury protection (it certainly is for some people - ask a podiatrist) but it's for a secure and enjoyable ride. I ran in the Nike Lunarglide and then the Lunareclipse. What a difference! The Lunareclipse was so more stable that there was never ever going back. I hope they come out with a highly stable react or similar foam.
Medial posting has basically been debunked it's true. The days of seeing someone's foot pronate in and definitively saying that all they need is to "correct" that motion are over. The studies so far have shown that injuries are mainly due to lack of maintenance and user error such as overuse/poor training. There is still a place for shoes with posting for some people and situations but it's clear that too many people wear those shoes and don't need them. As I wrote earlier Brooks has done exhaustive tests and studying on Benno Nigg's preferred path of movement theory and just eliminated posting in their running shoes.
I don't think it's because it's been debunked but because they developed other ways to correct pronation with it. The earliest that I know of was the Mizuno Wave plate. Then came the denser midsole. Now there are "guardrails" and other methods, not to mention simply increasing the width of the shoe, particularly at the waist.
Update: I saw a photo of the shoe; or at least a sales sample. It's definitely an update to (or an evolution of) the Odyssey React, judging by the squiggly tooling details; not similar to Zoom Odyssey in any way. Photo is of lateral side only. The plastic heel piece around the top of the midsole is a little larger, but there's another layer of material between the plastic heel piece and the React midsole. It extends from the heel almost to the flex area of the forefoot, and appears to become thicker as it wraps around the back of the shoe toward the medial side, obviously the stability component. The upper is 100% knit with a sock-fit collar. Has a pull loop on back bearing a phrase that ends with "Pro". Couldn't make out the other words.
Yes. Two different foams typically means stability and a better ride. Where did you see the photo? Do you know when the shoe might be released? I may want to hold off buying any more shoes until I know what this is. Sounds like a winner.
tyujr wrote:
Yes. Two different foams typically means stability and a better ride. Where did you see the photo? Do you know when the shoe might be released? I may want to hold off buying any more shoes until I know what this is. Sounds like a winner.
if a single photo is available to retail insiders only...then you're not gonna see it on the shelves for six months to a year.