When will I learn my lesson and stockpile training shoes when I find good ones?

Check out the Triumph from Suacony, the Enigma from Mizuno, or the 1080 from New Balance (just to name a few) as a replacement for the Vomero.

i guess if you ever have $1,000 in discretionary shoe income to blow.

Thanks, I will look into those shoes. I have never worn NB, are they usually heavy on the support and stiffness? I favor a cushioned shoe, especially in the forefoot, and a curved last.

As to the other person who responded, I usually have a checking balance around $10K that earns interest. Can do.

Stockpiling is not a bad idea. I did it with some New Balance 851s back in the 90s and didn't have to by new shoes for ~5 years.

I'm sure it will work for some shoes. However, not every kind of shoes will sit on the shelf and stay the same. Some will stiffen up, others will delaminate... In any case, make sure you try all of them on and store them in a normal room environment, not an attic or a basement.

I've also heard shoe components can break down over time. But is there really any reason why shoe companies discontinue good shoes?

I've been running in the vomeros since they came out. They have been hit or miss for me every year, but I also get pissed when I like an edition and they change it. The 4s were awesome and the 5s suck ass. The 6s arent too much of an upgrade from the 5s so I dont recommend running in those either. Its probably hard to find 4s at this point so I'd recommend going with the new pegasus. They have greatly improved them this year and if you liked the vom 4 you might like the pegasus 28.

I think it's a lot like cars: most people want the new stuff.

That being said, how long has Nike kept the Mayfly in production without as much as a colorway change?

I really liked the Vomero 2, but haven't worn any Vomeros since then. I prefer the LunarGlide.

reupublican entertainer wrote:

I've also heard shoe components can break down over time. But is there really any reason why shoe companies discontinue good shoes?

It's easy to change uppers or modify midsole shape every year justified as either a slight improvement that current users won't mind and new customers will want (expand market) or cost savings.

Why do car companies have a new car every year?

i know a guy who bought 20 pairs of nike skylon's old ones... still breaks out a new pair every year.

I think we all far underestimate the importance of fashion in running shoes - I suspect only 20% of runnign shoes are sold to people who we would call runners - the rest are to people who like the way they look.

Shoe fashions get very stale very quickly - you don't want your shoes ending up in bargain bins at filenes because they look so last year.

&*B&Y:UIQRW wrote:

I'm sure it will work for some shoes. However, not every kind of shoes will sit on the shelf and stay the same. Some will stiffen up, others will delaminate... In any case, make sure you try all of them on and store them in a normal room environment, not an attic or a basement.

As far as New Balance 851s it sure works. I stumbled across a pair last year in the bottom of my closet that I had bought in 2000. They were as good as new.

wish I'd done this with the brooks t4s and the new balance rc 152s - best trainers and racers ever made. Don't understand the need of brooks to foul up the t series (by making them less durable, and the new one doesn't lace right) and new balacne to not sell lightweight racing flats anymore.

If you find a shoe that really works, buy as many as you can afford. Shoe companies change/modify shoes every year so if you are pleased with a shoe, then stockpile. Presently, the NB890 is a dream shoe for me. I've already bought two extra pairs and trying to find some more in my size.

adidas Mana now looks like the brooks beast!..stockpile might be a good idea!

I've been running in the Asics 2000 series for the last 10 years. The look changes from one model to the next, but the shoe construction remains the same.

Agree, wish I had stockpiled Banditos. The DS Racer is simply not the same shoe and in my opinion not as good.