Cost of Trainer footwear

[phetphet]

Friend of mine bought some Balenciaga copies online. Stood out a mile because whoever made them couldn't spell the name properly. Something like Balencihaga stamped along the side. ????

[Neeranam]

Addidas, 7000 running shoes, forget the name ultra boost I think.

 

My Daughter buy them all the time and share them - some are very expensive, like these $1000 -  30k baht -  https://www.farfetch.com/th/shopping/men/adidas-yeezy-yeezy-boost-350-v2-zebra-sneaker-item-12431289.aspx?size=23&storeid=11218&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_keywordid=64408273&utm_shoppingproductid=12431289-53&pid=google_search&af_channel=Search&c=1076640181&af_c_id=1076640181&af_siteid=&af_keywords=aud-360016540489:pla-298148480141&af_adset_id=51366055343&af_ad_id=254946301394&af_sub1=64408273&af_sub5=12431289-53&is_retargeting=true&shopping=yes&gclid=CjwKCAjw_JuGBhBkEiwA1xmbRbTiyUyXZ4yD-7FrQz8XQAot_wL_mBia8NSb7PcWwQdY_R5Cv34gZBoCqGEQAvD_BwE

[atpeace]

On 6/13/2021 at 4:16 AM, Sundown said:

 

I don't doubt they lasted 2 years but even if you bought an unknown brand not copy of Nike they would have lasted the same and you would have paid them 5£ not 10£ because that's what they are worth. I could see and touch copies at second hand shops and they are absolutely not like the real ones. Yes they have the Nike logo, if that's what you need. The similarities stop there..

 

PS: that model you are showing doesn't even exist. "Air max" and "zoom" umm..no

I am a shoe junkie and you are going to the wrong shops.  Many second hand shops  selling the real thing but used.  They get donated in the west and find their way to Thailand.  The ones in great condition are good value for the money.  The same shop will usually have a couple copies so you have to look closely.  A  "second hand shop"  doesn't sell new shoes generally.

 

As for copies, some are just awful and other are incredible.  Many videos on youtube where shoe gurus can't tell the difference.  I'm one of those shoe gurus but haven't met a copy I can't notice.  Some are great shoes still for training and up to a few years ago, on occasion races.  Now, not the case with the new carbon plates and high tech foams. 

 

In a couple years, there will be carbon plate and rebound foams available in copies.  Not yet or at least I haven't found.

[Gandtee]

I wonder what shoes Roger Bannister wore when he broke the four minute mile?????

[CharlieH]

12 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

I wonder what shoes Roger Bannister wore when he broke the four minute mile?????

He wore these, sold for £265k

 

[atpeace]

On 6/13/2021 at 5:06 PM, superal said:

Insoles , good mention but I have yet to find a decent insole with a good cushion effect .

Same problem but solved it 10 years ago after spending 10k baht on custom inserts from a guy in Jomtien.  I make my own from eva purchased at Home Pro but many stores have the eva matts.  I run between 80-130 kilometers a week and impossible for me to do that without my cushion inserts.  They weigh less than 15 grams and my custom made pair weighed almost 200 and didn't help. Attached are examples that I use depending on the shoe.  Replace about every month and take about 5 minutes to make.

[atpeace]

On 6/13/2021 at 4:12 PM, superal said:

I had a pair of authentic adidas golf shoes bought in the UK for £55 and was using them in Thailand for 1 month when both soles came off . Took them to a local Thai cobbler who re-glued and also stitched them and charged me Baht 400 , seems you got away cheap . They were never a problem again and lasted me another 18 months .

My main point on this "Trainer " topic is not only the kudos of having an expensive trainer but I am more interested in comfort underfoot , lightness of the shoe and cost . As mentioned earlier there is a massive markup on trainers mainly because of street cred to which I am not too interested , however if you are a regular runner/ walker I guess you will always opt for a tried and tested reliable trainer . I am only looking for a day to day reasonably priced non sport leisure trainer for comfortable walking around the shops etc . I generally look for a decent heel padding and a deep underfoot cushioning along with a light weight . Have to say that in the UK an outlet named JD Sports sell reasonable trainers starting at £20 and a good range of sizes . Majority of provincial Thai shops only seem to stock shoes to a maximum size of 44 and to get a larger size its a visit to Bangkok or maybe a large city . Maybe as already mentioned Lazada may be worth a look although I did look there once and the larger sizes were out of stock . 

One of the pairs in the pic is a 10k baht shoe for racing   and the other 5  ordered from Lazada ( copies ).  The black pairs were put together with I think bad intentions but with a little shoe glue will last 500k.  The pair on the far right, Nike Gravity, is IMO what you are looking for in a trainer.  About 280 grams size 43, decent cushioning, and extremely durable.

 

The holes in the midsole are just some cushioning ideas.  Bought a new drill and too much time on my hands.

 

Wish I could find the link but it was six months ago and Lazada's web site is garbage.  Can only look at recent purchases.  Think they were 1200 baht.

[atpeace]

On 6/13/2021 at 4:47 PM, lelapin said:

Have had these 6 months and they are great. I did need to insert my own new insole.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/men-running-shoes-basket-sneakers-men-outdoor-sports-shoes-for-male-mesh-athletic-trainers-shoes-men-walking-jogging-footwear-i415970470-s799554195.html?

These are incredible shoes! I've order without logo from AlieExpress but shipping times are erratic to say the least.  Just ordered one pair to make sure they are the same quality.   It's like a high-end disposable razor.  Just throw away after 200k or whatever and buy another.  Arches will be an issue for some but one persons arch support is another's nightmare.  Buy the shoe and a find another solution for support.  Most people don't even have identical feet so one fits all support rarely is optimal.

[superal]

5 hours ago, atpeace said:

I am a shoe junkie and you are going to the wrong shops.  Many second hand shops  selling the real thing but used.  They get donated in the west and find their way to Thailand.  The ones in great condition are good value for the money.  The same shop will usually have a couple copies so you have to look closely.  A  "second hand shop"  doesn't sell new shoes generally.

 

As for copies, some are just awful and other are incredible.  Many videos on youtube where shoe gurus can't tell the difference.  I'm one of those shoe gurus but haven't met a copy I can't notice.  Some are great shoes still for training and up to a few years ago, on occasion races.  Now, not the case with the new carbon plates and high tech foams. 

 

In a couple years, there will be carbon plate and rebound foams available in copies.  Not yet or at least I haven't found.

Second hand/foot shoes , is there not a hygiene issue  with etc ?

[atpeace]

24 minutes ago, superal said:

Second hand/foot shoes , is there not a hygiene issue  with etc ?

Bleach takes care of that and most have already been thoroughly cleaned.   It is in their best interest. I know it grosses out some but doesn't bother me.

[NCC1701A]

On 6/12/2021 at 2:49 PM, superal said:

Are you a trainer wearer and what is your budget to buy them and what outlet plus is there a Thai equivalent to the previous mentioned trainer ? 

3500 baht seems to be the middle of the road price for a pair of Merrels running/walking shoes. 

 

got two pair for 7000 baht with slight discount on both. 

[BritManToo]

Just purchased a pair for 400bht delivered ......... sizing is all wrong.

EU 45 (UK 11) appears to be EU 43 (UK 9).

 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

3500 baht seems to be the middle of the road price for a pair of Merrels running/walking shoes. 

got two pair for 7000 baht with slight discount on both. 

I thought legit Merrels in Thailand were discontinued 2 years back.

 

[NCC1701A]

9 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I thought legit Merrels in Thailand were discontinued 2 years back.

 

no wonder my feet hurt. 

 

actually this explains why it was so hard to find them a year ago and why they disappeared in Hua Hin.

[Sundown]

5 hours ago, atpeace said:

One of the pairs in the pic is a 10k baht shoe for racing   and the other 5  ordered from Lazada ( copies ).  The black pairs were put together with I think bad intentions but with a little shoe glue will last 500k.  The pair on the far right, Nike Gravity, is IMO what you are looking for in a trainer.  About 280 grams size 43, decent cushioning, and extremely durable.

 

The holes in the midsole are just some cushioning ideas.  Bought a new drill and too much time on my hands.

 

Wish I could find the link but it was six months ago and Lazada's web site is garbage.  Can only look at recent purchases.  Think they were 1200 baht.

Lol do you even realize that those shoes replicate only the casing but they lack all the cushioning technology from Nike? ???? You really run with those and put Eva from Home Pro? I swear I'm laughing non stop...this is a new level of poorness. Jesus dude just buy some shoes from decathlon...no one cares seriously..

[VocalNeal]

6 hours ago, Gandtee said:

I wonder what shoes Roger Bannister wore when he broke the four minute mile?????

 

Who is the first man to run a four minute mile?

[stubuzz]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Just purchased a pair for 400bht delivered ......... sizing is all wrong.

EU 45 (UK 11) appears to be EU 43 (UK 9).

 

I noticed that there is no correlation between the sizes in an earlier post. Did they fit? Which size is correct ?, UK, Eu or US?

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, stubuzz said:

I noticed that there is no correlation between the sizes in an earlier post. Did they fit? Which size is correct ?, UK, Eu or US?

Size 9 UK, EU 43 is the correct size for these shoes.

Lucky the misses brother and nephew are both size 9/43 so it's in the post for them.

I'm a size 10.5 UK (EU 45/46), I could only wear these shoes if I cut my toes off.

[BigStar]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I thought legit Merrels in Thailand were discontinued 2 years back.

 

https://en.supersports.co.th/catalog/?q=merrell+men's

[atpeace]

6 hours ago, Sundown said:

Lol do you even realize that those shoes replicate only the casing but they lack all the cushioning technology from Nike? ???? You really run with those and put Eva from Home Pro? I swear I'm laughing non stop...this is a new level of poorness. Jesus dude just buy some shoes from decathlon...no one cares seriously..

No, one of the pairs is 10k baht so money is not the driving factor.  Decthlon shoes are fine but never seen a fast runner use them.  Very heavy and simply not fast.    Still can run a 2:45 marathon and low 1:16 half well into my 50's so I know a little about running.  

 

My relationship with shoes is hilarious and I laugh at myself all the time.  What idiot makes his own carbon inserts and spends so much time with his shoes.  Quiet pathetic.  Glad you could have some laughs at my expense.  Cheers

[Iron Tongue]

On 6/12/2021 at 2:50 AM, dddave said:

Only walking, probably 2km a day over a paved footpath.

You don't need trainers. 

2km is like walking from the kitchen to bathroom a few times a day.

[dddave]

9 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

You don't need trainers. 

2km is like walking from the kitchen to bathroom a few times a day.

Different people have different needs.  I have arthritis in both knees so need maximum shock absorption when walking on paved footpaths for exercise.

That's a lot different than a person's daily ambles.

[BigStar]

On 6/13/2021 at 4:12 PM, superal said:

I had a pair of authentic adidas golf shoes bought in the UK for £55 and was using them in Thailand for 1 month when both soles came off . Took them to a local Thai cobbler who re-glued and also stitched them and charged me Baht 400 , seems you got away cheap . They were never a problem again and lasted me another 18 months .

No one’s making any claim for the absolute invulnerability of the name brands in Thailand either. I’ve had soles fall off authentic Merrells, Eccos, and even Joe Rocket motorcycle boots after years of riding the bike with them. Motorcycles are great destroyers.

I’ve usually worn out the soles of good running shoes before they could fall off, however. Or I’ve worn holes in the uppers. The point, on which most of us agree, relates to the average durability of the fakes and the homegrown vs. that of the name brands. For example, the one pair of Banta shoes I tried just for walking soon hurt my feet even with added insoles and the fabric uppers immediately began to tear. What a clunky piece of cr.a.p. At least the K-Mart low-end Trax I bought decades ago were good for wearing while I mowed the lawn and did yard work. 

 

> As mentioned earlier there is a massive markup on trainers mainly because of street cred to which I am not too interested , however if you are a regular runner/ walker I guess you will always opt for a tried and tested reliable trainer .

Sounds like the usual TVF sour grapes masquerading as astute economic analysis. It’s the same with other consumer products, yet there our TVF smart shoppers never recommend fakes and the cheapest. On the contrary, they’ll squawk loudly if they think they got a fake even at a price impossibly lower than the discounted real thing. Ask for recommendations for a smartphone on the mobile device forum, you won’t get the latest iPhone or high-end Samsung. But you won’t get the cheapest either. On Lazada, now, you can buy a Sumsung Galaxy Note30 for only B1100:

 

 

But that’s totally ignored in favor of known brands in the range of B5000. Why? Looks same. See them specs? Doesn't the same principle apply to trainers? Oh—can’t tell the difference.????

As with most consumer products, the seemingly excessive markup applies mostly to the newest premium models, perhaps with celebrity endorsement. It helps cover r&d, new production costs, better or new materials, improvements, new features, new marketing costs, etc. Cf. the old Waffle Trainer vs. any recent Nike shoe.

Nothing new here, you see, but in the haste to exaggerate, we’ve ignored the fact that the brand names in trainers, just as with phones, also offer good quality midrange and low-end models for us mere mortals. Those models have no street cred whatsoever (as any Thai teenager will sneer at your lowly Oppo) and are widely discounted. They often get better reviews than premium models partly because most reviewers can’t easily afford them. After buying, people often find they don’t much need or like the new features and regret paying extra for them. Perhaps design/quality problems common to new rollouts arose. Whatever. The intense competition in that mass market segment ensures fairness. Any attempt at a ripoff would be quickly punished online, and soon you’re looking at a discount or even a discontinuance.

So then the higher price in comparison to the fakes or cheap homebrews is justified by the superior quality of the materials used, the design and workmanship, the support, the comfort, and the fit. The latter three can affect the health of your feet, ankles, knees, hips and even back—so they really should be taken seriously. 

 

> I am only looking for a day to day reasonably priced non sport leisure trainer for comfortable walking around the shops etc .

 

You may want to channel your inner athlete and add in a few brisk circuits around the mall. But do have a look at the SuperSports site and see if anything looks interesting among the real shoes. At a glance I see some possibilities in your size.

https://en.supersports.co.th/catalog/?q=men's+walking+shoes

If you do, then I suggest you first check what the reviews say on Amazon, esp. about fit, and if possible try on the shoe before ordering. Usually the price will be the same in a SuperSports retail store as online (if not, ask them to check) except for any special added online discounts. The online discounts are typically limited to a higher price threshold but then can be generous. SuperSports also has sales throughout the year, so you can check back. There’ll surely be a big end-of-year sale.

> I generally look for a decent heel padding and a deep underfoot cushioning along with a light weight . Have to say that in the UK an outlet named JD Sports sell reasonable trainers starting at £20 and a good range of sizes .

 

And so then for a Brit the critical question must inevitably be, Is the Thai low-end/fake as good as the wonderful UK low-end/fake? Apply the rule, man.