UNDER
FOOT
UNDER
FOOTAren't running shoes marvelous? For comfort and durability they can't be beat. Manufacturers of conventional shoes could learn a lot from running shoe companies. You don't realize how uncomfortable regular shoes are until you wear running shoes on a regular basis. And pity the poor women who force their feet into little pointy, thin-soled shoes with raised narrow heels and then walk around all day on reinforced concrete floors. Maybe that's why runners always seem to be wearing running shoes as casual shoes whenever possible.
But alas, even the best of things seem to have built-in frustrations and give rise to a certain amount of carping. Running shoes and their purveyors are no exception. For example, the majority of shoes I've purchased in the last decade have been those of two well-known companies. One brand has marvelously well constructed tops and never even the smallest problem developed in any pair. Unfortunately, the soles wear ultrafast. The other brand has thin extraordinarily tough soles, but you guessed it, the tops come apart. Every pair. Why can't these companies merge or something?
I've always envied people who get the absolute maximum mileage out of shoes. Look around at any race and you'll see someone in shoes with soles worn well into the mid-soles, tops pounded over, all dirty and discolored and even big ragged holes in the uppers. Long before my shoes remotely approach that condition, I experience tired aching feet, sore ankles and tinges of pain in my right knee. Experience dictates new $80 shoes will relieve those symptoms. Parting with the old pair, which still look perfectly good, seems out of the question. Fortunately, they'll still give plenty of good service as casual shoes.
What a blessing it must be to have average feet, the type shoe companies manufacture most shoes for. Unfortunately, my feet are narrow over-pronators. Available shoe brand and model combinations may number in the hundreds, but ones which work well on my feet boil down to a precious few. Finding those few can be an ordeal.
Have you ever noticed almost any reasonably good fitting shoes feel great in the store? But you can't really judge their suitability to running until you've put about 50 miles or more on them. Unfortunately, one can't realistically expect to take them back when they don't work out. And another pair of casual shoes is added to the collection.
Why is it when I finally find shoes which fit great and work well, the shoe company discontinues the model? Along the same line, why do shoe companies sometimes bring out new versions retaining the name and colors of the model I really liked, but after purchasing the version I find out they are substantially different shoes and don't suit my needs at all? Add yet another pair of casual shoes to the pile.
Why do shoe models which best suit me come in colors I can't bear? Many other models look great, but they're not suitable. When my chosen model comes in two color schemes, why does the store only stock the second choice? How about those neon colors on certain models? Have you ever tried wearing neon-colored casual shoes? No, they automatically become the least used items in the heap.
And what should running shoes cost? How I envy people who pile up mileage in $25 shoes. My feet seem to be allergic to shoes listing under $75. Who buys all those cheap shoes on sale? Now and then a perceived bargain proves irresistible. But after a few long runs, a pair of cheap casual shoes get filed away in my crowded closet.
Why is it discount stores offer a wide variety of cut-price shoes, but the ones I need are only sold in expensive boutiques? And when those boutiques have a sale, why does my model remain at the higher price? It sometimes seems as if running shoes are just another way Corporate America has devised for soaking up excess money in the economy. Maybe that's why athletic footwear companies are such hot items on Wall Street.
And finally, have you ever tried to buy shoe laces matching the originals in your shoes? Have you ever had the salesperson explain they only sell shoes? For shoe laces, you would have to go elsewhere. Oh well, I can always search for a useable pair among my lifetime supply of casual shoes.
June 1991
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