Brian Murray’s Post

Nike's down? They have runners spending $300 on shoes that won't benefit them. They single-handedly created the "Super Shoe" category. I wouldn't count them out. On my long run this past weekend, I saw at least 5 runners using a pair of the latest Alphafly 3 that probably shouldn't have. They were running very slow paces at which the shoes don't really work, and were probably not running very far. They were likely new runners convinced that "super shoes" are needed. They spent 3x what they probably needed for shoes that will wear out 2x faster. How's that not good business for Nike? I'm not saying that Nike running is doing everything right. Beyond top models, Nike is lacking in the depth and breadth needed to keep the brand in a runner's complete rotation. They still don't offer a good super trainer (The Zoom Fly range has sucked for the last 3 generations) or a super-stack max cushioned long run model. Early reviews of the totally new Peg are "meh". Still, 15 years ago Nike wasn't in the conversation with real runners. Despite other brands in the run adjacent conversation with marshmallowy white lifestyle shoes for the cool kids, runners still know and want Nike. I haven't received a design brief in 5 years that doesn't mention the Alphafly or Vaporfly as a benchmark. --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign #running #nike

Nike Shoe Post Design Step into the future of comfort and style with the latest Nike shoes! Engineered for performance, these shoes offer unmatched support and durability, ensuring you stay ahead of the game. Whether you're hitting the gym or the streets, Nike's innovative design keeps you moving effortlessly. Elevate your footwear game with Nike's cutting-edge technology and sleek aesthetics. #Nike #NikeShoes #Footwear #ShoeDesign #ComfortAndStyle #PerformanceShoes #AthleticWear #InnovationInFootwear #FashionForward #FitnessGear #SportShoes #NikeLifestyle #SneakerCulture #LinkedInMarketing #ProductPromotion #Branding #DesignInnovation #GraphicDesign #VisualDesign #CreativeDesign #DesignEssentials #Typography #GraphicDesign #Serif #SansSerif #FontPairing #DesignTips #VisualDesign #CreativeDesign #DesignEssentials #Branding #DesignerSkills #TypographyGuide #DesignInspiration #LinkedInLearning #TypographyBasics

JUST DO IT:THE CULT OF NIKE. Chapter 4: Innovation Era: Bowerman's Waffle Sole. The early years of Nike were marked by a commitment to innovation, and one of the most revolutionary contributions came from co-founder Bill Bowerman—the invention of the waffle sole. This chapter explores how Bowerman's ingenuity and experimentation led to a groundbreaking development in athletic footwear. Bill Bowerman, always seeking ways to enhance athletes performance, tinkered with various materials and designs. In a moment of inspiration, he used his wife's waffle iron to create a sole with a distinct waffle pattern. This unconventional approach resulted in a sole that offered improved traction and weight distribution, addressing key concerns in athletic shoe design. The chapter delves into the initial challenges and successes of implementing the waffle sole in Nike's product line. The innovative design not only improved performance but also set Nike apart from competitors, establishing a reputation for pushing the boundaries of conventional shoe technology. As athletes began to experience the benefits of the waffle sole, Nike gained traction in the market, solidifying its position as a brand at the forefront of athletic innovation. The waffle sole became a symbol of Nike's commitment to providing athletes with a competitive edge, setting the stage for future advancements in footwear technology. This chapter highlights how Bowerman's inventive spirit laid the foundation for Nike's culture of continuous innovation. #startup #nike #strategy

New Post: Nike Releases First Photos Of Vanessa-Designed Kobe Bryant ‘Halo’ Protro 8’s Kobe Bryant‘s new sneaker, the Protro 8 is dropping in two weeks on what would’ve been Mamba’s forty fifth birthday … and now we’re getting a have a look at the brand new Vanessa Bryant-designed Nike kick. The footwear and attire big unveiled the “Halo” kicks on Thursday, simply 24 hours after Vanessa teased followers with a silhouette of the sneakers on social media. In truth, Vanessa reportedly helped design the sneakers to honor Kobe on his bday … August 23. FYI, the kicks are an up to date version of Kobe’s eighth signature shoe, which initially dropped in 2012. It marks the second launch from Kobe’s line (the Kobe 4 Protro “Mamabacitas” had been launched in Could) because the household reconciled their relationship with the Swoosh final 12 months. After all, the earlier contract between Kobe and Nike expired in April 2021 … after the edges had been unable to succeed in a brand new, long-term deal. However, Vanessa and Nike execs in the end struck a deal, and that is nice information for Kobe’s thousands and thousands of followers. “This will likely be one among many Kobe 8 ‘Halo’ types coming quickly,” Vanessa wrote this week. The retail value for the Halos will vary from $80 (children sizes) to $180 (males’s sizes) … and will likely be out there on Nike’s app on August 23. David Shawn

Someone steal this idea- A "retro" of performance footwear - *for* performance. I've been lately scouring the internet looking for leftover inventory of the Saucony Pro 3. It's only 1 version old but impossible to find. I loved the original Nike Flyknit ZoomFly. It’s perhaps my favorite running shoe of all time. Version 2 totally changed the shoe. New upper materials, no more sock fit, different midsole foam, different geometry. It wasn’t good. I went to the outlet and bought as many pairs as I could find of the original in my size. I had friends shop Nike outlets in other countries for me. I’ve probably bought more 30 pairs. Eventually though they were no where to be found and I moved on to other Nike styles then shoes from other brands. Nike lost my business. Why don't brands that aim to serve runners keep models around longer? Why not keep older styles in production, adjusting production volumes as needed while simultaneously introducing updated versions alongside best sellers? If tooling is already paid for, engineering is already done and shoes are loved by consumers, why not take the "easy sell"? We often see “retro” versions of performance shoes make a comeback years later for lifestyle wear such as basketball shoes from the 90s or Y2K runners. Why won’t brands sell the shoes that consumers want, when they want it, for the purpose they were actually designed for ? Of course retail wants “new” to bring in new customers and lure runners with the promise of better/faster/lighter. Of course designers want to push the envelope and take advantage of new materials, new construction and new trends. If there wasn’t a need for new, I would be out of a job. As far as I see though, I can’t understand why there isn’t room for new and old to co-exist. Some more thoughts- https://lnkd.in/eEGdG3fm --- I’m the owner of The Directive Collective footwear design consultancy. We make great footwear, not just great sketches. #design #footwear #footweardesign

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐞𝐬 - 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐃𝐅 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲@ https://lnkd.in/gCKS_3Sm #Athletic #footwear refers to those shoes that are designed for sports and other outdoor activities. The global consumption volume indicates a trend of these being used as casual and fashion footwear by people of all age groups. The market offers a variety of footwear with options in color, design, and price to cater to the needs and purchasing abilities of individual customers. Sales expansion through online channels, innovative product launches, and attractive marketing and promotional strategies that are adopted by companies led to rise in growth of the athletic footwear market size. The market is highly competitive with players making huge investments in marketing channels and brand building. This highlights their presence and helps establish their brand value to attract an increased volume of consumers. There are numerous small-scale manufacturers that offer tough competition to athletic footwear giants. Increasing environmental concerns over synthetic rubber and rise in raw material prices have emerged as major challenges for the athletic footwear market growth. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 $109.7 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 2020, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 $165.0 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 2030, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐑 𝐨𝐟 4.2% 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 2021 𝐭𝐨 2030. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫  ASICS Corporation, adidas AG, PUMA Group, VF Corporation, Nike, Inc., FILA Korea, Ltd., New Balance, Inc., Skechers, Inc., K-Swiss Global Brands, Inc., and Wolverine Worldwide World Wide, Inc. #athleticfootwear #footwear #sportsindustry #sportswear #sportsmarketing

GT-2160. THE STORY BEHIND AN INSPIRATION Please, read to the end to understand how powerful is the design process behind the new GT-2160TM TOMO SMU inspired by Kogarashi. We talk with part of the ASICS design team to uncover the story behind the new edition of the GT-2160. They’re Arlette Schereurs, Senior Footwear Specialist at ASICS EMEA and responsible for design and development of Collaborations and SMU’s, and Maisie Reid, who works on the ASICS Sportstyle product team in Europe. After 16 years working at ASICS, Arlette remains “fascinated by its brands, people and culture”. Maisie joined the team 4 years ago, and she works from Amsterdam, where the European headquarters are located. Both of them work closely on designing & developing European collaboration and SMU projects. These subjects drive us towards the new GT-2160TM. This silhouette is the result of a collaborative process with 9 retailers that represented the first face-to-face meeting since covid. “Alvaro and Krzys from our Marketing department came up with the idea of doing a workshop with multiple accounts. [...] We brainstormed and landed on a collaboration of like-minded people in our field. Not competitors, because on this day, they were teammates striving to make the best concept and product possible. And they did just that.”, Arlette shared. 'Kogarashi' is a Japanese word for the moment when winter is approaching, and trees change color and lose their leaves. But Kogarashi is also the calm discovery of what is to come, a state of calm that allows you to perceive details that others would miss. It is the sign that indicates the end of a stage. The time and way in which this silhouette was designed, has a lot of meaning and a connection to the term it embodies. A new beginning was clear after the whole separation covid stage. Joining different markets in Europe and collaborating to create something unique was a really powerful experience. Thanks for sharing the process with #footdistrict and to let us “give even more love to the new AW23 product”: GT-2160TM TOMO SMU inspired by Kogarashi, available only at TOMO stores that participated in the workshop and released now at the 'kogarashi' stage. Full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eJKzGgCH #footdistrict #ASICS

Hey everyone, I'm excited to share with you the journey behind the creation of LINK 2.0 - the ultimate urban footwear collection. It's been quite a ride, filled with challenges, learnings, and moments of pure joy. You see, perfecting the design of these shoes took some time and a whole lot of effort. But with each step of the process, I grew more passionate about creating something truly special. The goal was clear: to combine the strength and support of shoes with the ease and comfort of flip-flops, resulting in a footwear experience like no other. After countless iterations and tweaks, I'm thrilled to say that LINK 2.0 is finally here. The lightweight design, breathable materials, and secure fit make them ideal for those long days on your feet. And let's not forget about the stylish black and white options - they're the perfect blend of versatility and sophistication. So here's to constant learning, pushing boundaries, and achieving results that we can all be proud of. With LINK 2.0, it's time to plug in and walk confidently into whatever the day may bring. With our patented shoes, we're not just redefining footwear; we're also seeking collaborations with stores, distributors, and strategic partners worldwide. Come join us as we pave the path for a revolutionary walking experience! Check our Black & White website: https://link-shoes.com You can reach me at the following email address: yud@link-shoes.com #LINK #Flipshoes #FootwearInnovation #Lightweight #Comfort #Style #PartnershipOpportunities Roni Irani Shachar Turjeman Nick Annacone

Retro style shoes apparently are a key part of an "old school" movement. I am a big fan of retro sneakers wearing Nike Waffle Trainers, Onitsuka Tiger or adidas Superstars on a regular basis. Of course, I am old enough that I also wore these shoes when I was much younger, and they were new releases. I often say, "there is retro in a good way and there is also retro in a bad way". This falls into my "all good" category. The retro sneaker market is one that I believe will continue to grab market share in a highly competitive category. #footwear #footwearindustry #sneakers #sneakerhead #retro #adidas #nike #onitsukatiger

Magnifying Footwear's Beautiful Artwork. For most of my consumer life, I never stopped to think about what makes each brand’s footwear special. To me, they were just something I put on my feet to get through the day. It's funny how you can walk through life without truly appreciating the artistry that surrounds you every step of the way.   When I found myself working at The Bronzery, everything changed. Suddenly, I was seeing footwear in a whole new light. It was like Bronzery handed me a pair of glasses that brought the details of shoes into crystal-clear focus. Our innovative process of applying a thin metallic skin over shoes didn't just enhance them; it revealed their true beauty in a way I had never imagined. I noticed things I had never seen before—the subtle curves, the intricate textures, the way each embellishment seemed to have a story of its own. Every little detail served a purpose, weaving together to create a tapestry of design that spoke to the wearer's unique identity. Now, when I slip on a pair of shoes, I take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind them. Whether they're simple and classic or bold and avant-garde, each pair tells a story. Thanks to Bronzery, I get to be a part of that story, preserving and enhancing the beauty of each shoe through our electro-plating process. Learn more about our process intertwining with major shoe brands: https://lnkd.in/giW-An7w #corporateawards #sportsmemorabilia #oneofakindawards #luxuryrecognitionawards #bronzeplatedshoes Nike Brooks Running Skechers New Balance TOMS BIRKENSTOCK PUMA Group adidas Converse Vans Cole Haan Air Jordan Under Armour