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Holy trinity of trainers

Spirit of 69

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Because it was missed on the other holy trinity thread a few days ago I'm doing it here now.
In two categories

1. Running shoes
2. Street

Running shoes
Like someone else mentioned on that other thread, Brooks are most definitely number one for running shoes. They are acknowledged by the running community worldwide as being foremost in the science and development of the running shoe. NB: I'm not talking about track shoes here.

1. Brooks
2. Adidas
3. Asics

Street
Of course I'm moulded in this category by my London upbringing in the 60s and 70s, so I've got to go with the 3 classics that were mostly worn then:

1. Adidas
2. Puma
3. Gola

What do the rest of you think?

Newcomers like Nike, New Balance and Reebok do nothing for me.
 

Tarmac

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What has Brooks done in terms of running shoe innovation? I can't think of much. There are basically 3-4 real innovations since 1970. Using multiple densities of foam (various brands), using air pockets or spring structure (nike), cantilever (avia) and "free" (nike again). Also, I thought the Adidas clima-cool technology was a good innovation, but they basically abandoned it.

There are minor innovations like using carbon rubber, waffle outsole, different lacing systems and a whole bunch of fake, bunk, useless technology like Asics Gel, Reebok ERS, Pump, Mizuno Wave, etc. They are basically worthless.

If you want to go back to the real inventors of the athletic shoe concept then yes Adidas and Puma are king...
 

Tarmac

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Originally Posted by Spirit of 69
Are you serious? Are you a runner?
I was a 30-mile per week runner from 1986-1999. I don't remember what brooks innovated during that time other than Hydro-Flow which was another bunk gimmick. Maybe they did something after 1999? I was honestly asking. Can you state it succinctly? What did they do? Also, let it be known. These "innovations" don't mean that much to the real-world runner. For example, I have bought Asics many times even though I think Gel is pure garbage, because Asics fit my particular feet and they have lightweight models.
 

Spirit of 69

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Originally Posted by Tarmac
If you want to go back to the real inventors of the athletic shoe concept then yes Adidas and Puma are king...

However, Puma have never been up there with the top names in the runnning (read jogging) shoe market. They have always focused on track shoes. And nowadays also on street, and football and other sports

Adidias however are good both in the running market and track market. As well as of course in street, football,tennis and nearly every other sport.
 

Spirit of 69

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Originally Posted by Tarmac
I was a 30-mile per week runner from 1986-1999. I don't remember what brooks innovated during that time other than Hydro-Flow which was another bunk gimmick. Maybe they did something after 1999? I was honestly asking. Can you state it succinctly? What did they do?

By develop I mean manufacture...sorry for the confusion.

Okay then, currently, Brooks have been able to develop (read manufacture if you prefer that word) very lightweight running shoes but with extreme amounts of damping (shock absorbtion)
to a much greater extent than Adidas, Asics and Nike.
Also, from experience, I can tell you that the absorbing foam in Brooks doesn't rot (pulverize) as quickly as it does in Nikes.

Nike running shoes seem to have a very short shelf life nowadays, at best 3 years.
 

onion

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For best looking trainer(s) I vote Dior (Slimane).
 

Get Smart

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Originally Posted by Spirit of 69
Street
1. Adidas
2. Puma
3. Gola


I don't run so functionality means **** all to me

those three above are what I would go to. Tho 99% of my trainers are adidas originals, with 1 pair of Pumas. I like Gola but never got around to buying a pair
 

Dion

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Guliano Fujiwara (watch ss09 hightops and weep)
Lanvin
Common Projects

I really dislike Dior sneakers, looks to much like Reebok in my opinion.
 

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