Have you seen all the running shoe love on social media? I know I have. From Reebok to Saucony to Mizuno, it seems like the availability of running shoes is at an all time high.
I guess this thing we do is pretty popular. Let’s take a look at some shoes that are taking huge steps (pun totally intended) in reaching out to their audience through social media (listed alphabetical by brand).
Asics
These are the shoes that I run in 99% of the time. I run in a high-stability shoe and the Kayano’s are my go to. I recently ran in a pair from their “33 Collection” for a 5k. I was in search of a lighter shoe for my speedwork and gave these a try. Loved the fit and color and the result was a 22:45 PR. I’ve seen Asics mostly on Facebook highlighting the US Olympic track and field team and contests featuring their videos. Have you seen them?
Mizuno
With the Mezamashii Run Project, Mizuno has taken the route of allowing us, the runners, to create “a more euphoric running experience — a more brilliant run.” and share our story. With invites flying all over twitter, feedback is coming back strong from a loyal audience. I have yet to get my invite (ahem), but the campaign is generating a great response and filling up my twitter feed. After all, who doesn’t want a “brilliant run?” Over the remainder of the year, Mizuno wil be giving away thousands of shoes to runners, so head over to their site and apply for an invite. You know you wanna, I do!
Reebok
If you are on Twitter then you have seen these fabulously pink running shoes — RealFlex. I’ve seen them on Instagram fresh out of the box, as well as in action, frequently tagged with #FitFluential #PROOF. They look great on the road and in the gym. Those bright colors sure do pop. These serve as a combination of function and fashion — so I’ve heard. The majority I’ve seen (on social media) have been for the ladies. Can we get some love for the dudes?
Saucony
The Find Your Strong Project landed on twitter with a huge splash. It also features this amazing person. Over a 12 week period, Saucony asked us to share our strong through the social media networks. Tell a story, tweet a photo, they wanted you to participate in sharing your experiences on the road, trail, and of course, pavement. The thing that I like about the shoes is the gradient colors. I’m a designer, so if you do a gradient just right, it can be a beautiful thing. Kudos to Saucony for thinking out of the box and encouraging us to find our inner strength and share it.
Have you run in any of the above? Is there a brand I left off the list making a push on social media?
I was not compensated for this post with products or funds. The opinions are 100% my own.
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Nice post, and love the shoe puns, lol :)
I have worn both Asics and Saucony. I currently wear Brooks and they are pretty well-involved in the social media world – Run Happy and then with their new Pure line.
Asics are my favorite! I run in the GT 2170 series which I’ve heard they are phasing out…boo! So I’m on the lookout for a new shoe.
I absolutely love my Saucony Kinvaras and the #FindYourStrong campaign! Gotta admit I’m very curious about the Mizunos – hoping I’ll get to try a pair :)
The colors on the Kinvaras are amazing.
I was lucky enough to be invited as a founder of the Mezamashii Project by Mizuno and I think it was a brilliant plan! I’m a hardcore Brooks gal myself, but when someone is offering you a pair of free trail running shoes, of course I’ll try them! Who knows, maybe Mizuno will now be involved in my rotation– I think they were on to something with this!!
You are incredibly punny and I love it! :) I’ve been seeing a TON of shoe speak lately, so this was nice to read!
You’re right and it’s an interesting look at where advertising is headed, I think. Some of the smaller brands aren’t making a big appearance yet, and you’d think they might b/c my guess is it’s cheaper to work through SoMe than traditional advertising. But that’s my guess. Anyhow, I like where things are headed!
nice post!! We were given a pair of the Gel Lyte 33s (asics) in Napa, and I have to admit… Going into the day I was not looking forward to it. My experience with Asics was, BIG, BULKY, HEAVY. Three things i absolutely DO NOT want in a shoe (Im a fairly minimal girl) but the gel lytes were AMAAAZING. My foot was so happy throughout the entire 5k we raced, the entire bike ride. the entire hike. everything.
very happy feet. I’ll never think another bad thing about Asics ever again! & of course I love saucony. hello kinveras, i heart you
I have always been an asics girl. I love the 21’s… I think it’s 2160s now? And the Nimbus are my current faves. I have a pair of bright orange 33s too… we snagged a new 5K PR together in April.
I’m still waiting on an invite from Mizuno too… you can never have too many shoes.
The local running store here is doing a social run in the am to highlight the new.asics…this has me even more interested! I’ve always been a high stability asics wearer….hmmmm…
Currently run long in Mizunos {wave rider} & short speed/tempo runs in Sauconys {kinvara}. I don’t really discriminate when it comes to running shoes – my closet will back me up on that! Although I’ve never been big on Asics and have yet to try a pair of Reeboks that weren’t white hightop velcro ones ;)
well, you know I love my pink Reebok RealFlex so hard… I’m thinking of getting some backups for when I run them into the ground.
I love my Mizunos and my Brooks… also waiting for my invite to the Mezamashii Project… *shrug*
We should totally be in the mix. Me on pavement, you on concrete.
Switched to Mizunos just this year after being fitted at my local running store and love them!! Got the #Mezamashii love last week ;)
I love my Mizunos! I also love all the bright colours this season has in store!
Bex said it best when she shared your post on FB today – shoe porn. Mmm. I want to buy sneakers now. Gonna blame you if I do just like you blame me if you go eat/drink a frenzy after you read my posts!
hahaha… yes!
I am such a Brooks Pure convert! Run in my Cadences probably more than I should… Hands down best shoe I have found for me (as someone who needs quite a bit of stability but wanted something less hefty). Still love my Kayano’s for the long hauls though.
Brooks is also making a big social media push (and also in person push with their Run Happy banner that got them kicked out of the Olympic Trials, those crazy Nike lovers)
Brooks is out there as well, I’ll have to check it out. Thanks.
I wear Brooks Addiction and love to “run happy” :-)
Great, enticing post. I shall promptly Pin! :)
I agree with the above posted for the Brooks and their “Run Happy” campaign for social media. Under Armour (which is more clothing, but has shoes) has pushed their “What is Beautiful?” . Personally, I’m an Asics gal, I’ve loved them for years both trail and road and think I might be keeping them in business
very true…
I don’t run much more than 5km at a time, but when I do I use the Kswiss Tubes. They’re the first shoe I’ve run in that doesn’t kill my knees or hips.
They did some awesome marketing with Kenny Powers and some other athletes to do some videos that went completely viral. They’re pretty awesome (both the shoes and videos).
Such an interesting post. Thanks for summing it up for us :)
I pretty much can’t run in any of those brands yet because none have a 4mm or 0mm drop, except Saucony and they just finally released a wide version of the Kinvara which I haven’t tried. i prefer Merrell, Salomon, and New Balance.
i haven’t been in the market for new running shoes recently (like, 1.5 yrs) but am getting back into it now and have started to check out the brands that my friends (twitter and IRL) like as my starting points. lots of great brands doing some really cool things!
I hadn’t really thought about all the shoe love going around but this is a great look at it. You’re right – it’s a really interesting direction that these companies are taking and I’m pretty stoked about it. I run in Asics pretty much since I started running and haven’t seen their promotions as much I guess because I’m not as active on FB in this sphere. But now I will have to check it out. I also love Mizunos and am hoping to get another look at them too.
I like how the shoe companies are bringing it back to the people. Why not have the average Joe/Josie test out a shoe?
I’ve run in Saucony, New Balance, Brooks and Mizuno. By far my favs have been Brooks and Mizuno.
AH YES they’re everywhere! Haha. I was a loyal asics-er, although I didn’t know any better and hadn’t really tried others. When my asics became worn out and my feet demanded new shoes, the running store fitted me and I left with Sauconys and fell in love. Really happy with them for running, and other gym activities.
Nowww with the Mizuno promotion… (Just in time, with my Saucony sneaks half a year old already…) I can’t wait to try out Wave Riders. I was lucky enough to win a contest, not be personally invited. Good luck!
I was an Asics runner until they changed the 2100s between the 50s and 60s. At that point I moved to Sauconys before running in my current Brooks. I just bought new shoes last night and went back to Saucony. My only issue is that due to my injury and gait I can’t buy something in cool colors like the Kinvaras!
I’m a Brooks girl! Who does’t love the tagline “run happy”??
I just tried applying for the Mizuno invite twice and it keeps locking up on me!
They somehow must know that I have been wearing the enemy shoe (Brooks Adrenalines) for years…
I’ve been seriously coveting the blue/red Kinvara 3’s for the longest time! I’m hoping to get a pair within the next couple of months.
I’m also waiting for my Mezamashii invite. ;) I think it’s such clever marketing!
I love my Kinvara 2’s and may have stocked up on a few clearance pairs when the 3’s came out – can’t beat a good deal!
I’ve been reading a lot about the Mezamashii Run Project but could never request an invite because it was only open to US residents – until today! Us Canadians now have a chance to get in on the fun too :)
I “run happy” in my Brooks Ghost 4. I cannot wear any other brand; the one time I tried Asics… they literally bruised the soles of my feet. All Brooks for this gal.
YOu know I love my Mizunos. :)
Mizuno changed EVERYTHING about my running. I’m head over heels. :)
I recently purchased Brooks PureConnect and PureGrit cause I run on both road and trail. I have to say they are very nice!
Thank you for the shout out ;) :) #findyourstrong