Skechers Named Hottest Major Brand

Klefizighi wins Boston in his Skeches (Picture by Taylor Hartz)

Is Skechers becoming a genuine running brand? Yes, the company was once know for its fashion and lifestyle shoes, but after Meb Keflezighi won this year's Boston marathon in a pair of Skechers, (the 1st American to win in 31 years), the brand is starting to turn heads as a serious running shoe.

Keflezighi (who won silver in the 2004 Olympic marathon event) is a Skechers sponsored athlete. With his victory in Boston, Skechers has definitely become a genuine running brand. In fact, Skechers was named as "the hottest major brand" in US by Footwear Industry Expert on 12/5/14.  Skechers recently displaced New Balance at number 5 for top athletic shoe companies for market share.

What's more,the day after the race a Washington Post headline said "Skechers beat Nike in Boston Marathon."

Skechers has been around for 22 years, previously known for its lifestyle and fashion shoes. They even had Britney Spears and Joe Motana endorsing their shoes previously.

 Just like Vibram who recently had to pay damages for unfounded claims, Skechers' Shape-up shoe had suggested that "it would help people lose weight and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles" and affected the company's reputation. Skechers had to pay $40 million to settle charges in 2012.

Skechers signed Keflezighi up in 2011 (he was 36 then and had just been dropped by Nike) as it made its first venture into the running shoe market, targeting walkers, runners and triathletes.

Kleflezighi provided the company with all the input regarding running shoes, from the fit to the laces, the lining, thickness, every spec you can think of. He finished 6th at the 2011 New York City marathon, but speciality running shoe retailers (those in touch with the hard core running community) remained wary (both in US and Singapore).

Skechers has since signed Kara Goucher , another elite female marathoner (previously with Nike as well) to its ranks, probably targeting female runners to use their shoes.

Even Wall Street is taking notice. On the day of the Boston marathon on 21/4/14, SKX opened at $35.59, four hours after Keflezighi's victory, the stock closed at $35.92 (up 63 cents). And it's been climbing since. I just checked, last night it closed at $42.22.

How will Skechers fare? I haven't tried any of the running shoes to comment on their running shoes. Only time will tell.

Even dogs are donning Skechers (http://blog.skechers.com/tag/super-bowl-2013/)

3 Pairs of Nikes

I wrote earlier that in in my younger school boy running days I was good enough to get shoes from Nike (they were then brought in to Singapore by sole agent Robertson Wilson).

3 pairs of Nike Free's

Imagine my delight when  I received not one but three pairs of Nike Free's from Nike today. Yes, I received a pair each of the Nike Free 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0.

Here's another look

I've worn the original Nike Free when it was released in 2004. I received a pair then from Nike and was also interviewed by the Straits Times regarding my views on the shoe. I've still got that article by the Straits Times. I liked that pair of Nike Free's, I used it quite a bit  so I could do a proper review for the shoe. Even though I was with Adidas then, because of my job as a Sports Physiotherapist at the Singapore Sports Council, Adidas was not upset with me when I wore other brands' shoes when I had to review shoes. Believe me, I've tried many many brands of running shoes.

When I was still racing triathlons, Adidas took care of my gear from over 10 years. But way before that, Nike gave me all my racing shoes. Guess I've come full circle then.

Well, now that I'm retired from racing, I'm open to all running shoes. Will write a review once I get some decent runs in them. Stay tuned.

* Many thanks to Andrew Kwong from Nike for my shoes (and to Andrea Goh for bringing them to me today).

The 100 Best Running Sneakers Of All Time

Came across this report on www.sneakerreport.com recently in which the article listed their 100 best running sneakers of all time.

This list will definitely stir up some comments, strong feelings and fond memories for others (including myself). I may not agree with all that is on the list, but that's me.

This list got me thinking of my previous own running shoes. Two of shoes I remember fondly were on the list, the Eagle (please see picture below, although mine was red and white) and the Sock Racer, yes both Nike shoes. As a young runner, I did well enough for Nike to give me shoes then (this was when Nike was brought in to Singapore by sole agent Robertson Wilson). Some of you old enough will remember that.

Nike Eagle, no 47 on the list

No 81 on the list Nike Sock Racer

I even found this Nike Sock Trainer and Sock Racer ad

My favourite racing shoe from Nike was missing from the list though, the Nike Duellist PR. I think I still have my pair from 1989, at my parent's place (hopefully my mum hasn't thrown it away).

Duellist (mine was lime green though)

In recent times though, my favourite running shoe was the pair that Adidas made for me when I went to the 2005 SEA games, racing in the triathlon event. Well,  it was custom made for me.

My own custom made shoes which I used at the SEA Games Triathlon event

How about you? You will probably have your own favourite pair(s). Let me know your views.


*Have a look at the article here.

*Pictures from sneakerreport.com, recoveryourstride.blogspot.com, http://only-sneakers.ru/tag/nike-duellist/