expensive running shoes are not better than more ... · pdf fileif you do a regression...

Expensive Running Shoes Are NotBetter Than More Affordable RunningShoes (Study)Based on 134,867 reviews of 391 running shoes from 24 brands, this studycompare the list price of running shoes with how well rated they are. The keyconclusion is that expensive running shoes are not better than more affordableones. In fact, inexpensive running shoes are better rated than expensive ones.

Feel free to use any content (graphics, comments etc.) as long as you refer to thisoriginal source. For interviews, please reach out at [email protected] / +1 817 945 6606.

Conclusions +rstBased on 134,867 reviews and 391 running shoes from 24 running shoe brands:

The higher the list price, the lower ratings the running shoes get.1. The 10 most expensive running shoes (avg. list price: $181) are rated 8.1%worse than the 10 cheapest running shoes (avg. list price: $61).

2.

Running specialist brands are rated 2.8% higher than running shoes from broadsports brands.

3.

The top three best rated brands are: #1 Skechers, #2 Saucony and #3VibramFiveFingers, while the three worst rated are #22 New Balance, #23Adidas and #24 Reebok. Adidas Group owns both Reebok and Adidas.

4.

The three most affordable brands are #1 Skechers, #2 Vivobarefoot and #3Puma, while the three most expensive brands are #22 On, #23 Newton and #24Hoka One One.

5.

Background information

Expensive Running Shoes Are Not Better Than More Affordabl... http://runrepeat.com/expensive-running-shoes-are-not-better-th...

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RunRepeat.com is an ad- and costfree platform where runners and experts reviewrunning shoes. Our mission is to create transparency in the running shoe market. Wedo that by giving runners free access to aggregated information on reviews(http://runrepeat.com/reviews), rankings (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-overall-running-shoes) and unique ways of comparing running shoes(http://runrepeat.com/compare-running-shoes).

We are 100% independent. We do not recommend any shoes, brands or storesourselves, but let the community be the judge of which running shoes are great andwhich to avoid.

“We did this study to spread the word that ‘the higher the list price the more value’ doesnot apply to running shoes’” says Jens Jakob Andersen the founder ofRunRepeat.com. He says: “Brands have strong incentives to promote highend runningshoes, but our study very clearly outlines that runners buying more expensive runningshoes are less satisMed than runners buying mid-range or cheap running shoes.”

MethodologyThe following process is the foundation of our results:

We compiled 134,867 user reviews from 391 running shoes at RunRepeat1. We compiled list prices from 24 brands on the same shoes2. We made a regression on the two variables3.

ResultsThe results are categorized into:

Shoe speci+c resultsBrand speci+c results

Running shoe speci+c: comparing 391 running shoes


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Below is a plot of 391 running shoes on two parameters: list price in US-dollars on thex-axis and the avereage user rating from 0-100 on the y-axis.

The data is randomly plotted, which is the core of our conclusion – there is nostatistical correlation between the list price of a shoe and how well rated it is. Actually,if you do a regression analysis, the data suggest that cheaper running shoes arehigher rated than expensive ones.

We digged deeper and looked at the 10 most expensive running shoes and the 10cheapest running shoes. In this case the results are surprising. The 10 cheapestshoes had an average list price of $61 with an average user rating score of 86 out of100. If you look at our ranking list of the best rated running shoes(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-overall-running-shoes), you will see thatonly 18.9% of all 391 running shoes are rated better than the 10 cheapest ones are onaverage. In other words, the average running shoe is worse rated than the cheapesones.

Further, if you look at the 10 most expensive running shoes, which are meant to be toppremium running shoes, the runners are not satis+ed to the same degree as with thecheaper shoes. With a price 3x higher, the premium running shoes makes runners


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8.1% less satis+ed and 6.0% less satis+ed if you compare it to the average rating of all391 running shoes.

“People buy three times as expensive running shoes to get 8% less satisMed.” says JensJakob Andersen, the founder and CEO of RunRepeat.com.

Here are links to reviews and rankings of the mentioned shoes (expensives): NikeFlyknit Air Max (http://runrepeat.com/nike-Wyknit-air-max), Mizuno Wave Prophecy(http://runrepeat.com/mizuno-wave-prophecy), Asics Gel Kinsei (http://runrepeat.com/asics-gel-kinsei), Inov-8 Oroc 340 (http://runrepeat.com/inov-8-oroc-280), Nike Air Max(http://runrepeat.com/nike-air-max), Salomon XT Wings (http://runrepeat.com/salomon-xt-wings), Adidas Springblade Drive (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-springblade-drive), Adidas Ultra Boost (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-ultra-boost), NikeFree Hyperfeel (http://runrepeat.com/nike-free-hyperfeel), Adidas Supernova Glide GTX(http://runrepeat.com/adidas-supernova-glide-gtx) – (affordable): Mizuno WaveCrusader (http://runrepeat.com/mizuno-wave-crusader), Nike Downshifter(http://runrepeat.com/nike-downshifter), Nike Dart (http://runrepeat.com/nike-dart),Adidas Duramo (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-duramo), Reebok One Guide(http://runrepeat.com/reebok-one-guide), Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure (http://runrepeat.com


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/vivobarefoot-ultra-pure), Saucony Cohesion (http://runrepeat.com/saucony-cohesion),Adidas Arriba (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-arriba), Asics Gel Contend(http://runrepeat.com/asics-gel-contend) and Puma Haraka XCS (http://runrepeat.com/puma-haraka-xcs).

We even looked at the top 30 running shoes and the bottom 30 running shoes and theresults are the same. Expensive running shoes are getting lower ratings: “runners arebeing less satisMed with premium running shoes. I am aware that higher prices sethigher expectations, but in any case the price should reWect the quality of the productand thereby the ratings.” Jens Jakob Andersen says.

Brand speci+c: comparing 24 running shoe brandsIn this section we focus on the division of running shoe brands, and not speci+cmodels as previously discussed. This is not to promote any speci+c well-performingbrands. We have no incentives in this study other than sharing knowledge withconsumers.

Below you will +nd a chart plotting the average rating (y-axis) against the list price inUS-dollars (x-axis). As with the speci+c running shoe models, the higher the list price,the lower the rating. In fact, if you do a correlation it suggest that a $50 increase in thelist price of a shoe would cause a 1.4 lower average rating of the shoe.


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Some brands are great at marketing, some are great at creating lovable runningshoes, and some are great and combining great marketing with great productcreation. The chart below illustrates the average user rating for each of the 24 runningshoe brands.

“We expected specialist running brands to outperform standard sports brandssigniMcantly, but looking at the data, there’s only a small difference. Running specialistbrands perform 2.8% better than general sports brands.” says Jens Jakob Andersen.

Also, the second bar chart below illustrating the average list price on 24 differentrunning shoe brands.

“There is nothing wrong with a company selling premium running shoes, but in myhonest opinion, it is a problem when a running shoe brand spends massive amounts ofmoney on marketing to promote products comsuners dislike.” Jens Jakob Andersensays.


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Here are the best rated brands from best to worst: Skechers (http://runrepeat.com/brand/skechers), Saucony (http://runrepeat.com/brand/saucony), Vibram FiveFingers


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(http://runrepeat.com/brand/vibram-MveMngers), Vivobarefoot (http://runrepeat.com/brand/vivobarefoot), Brooks (http://runrepeat.com/brand/brooks), Merrell(http://runrepeat.com/brand/merrell), On (http://runrepeat.com/brand/on), Newton(http://runrepeat.com/brand/newton), La Sportiva (http://runrepeat.com/brand/la-sportiva), Montrail (http://runrepeat.com/brand/montrail), Nike (http://runrepeat.com/brand/nike), Asics (http://runrepeat.com/brand/asics), Salomon (http://runrepeat.com/brand/salomon), Zoot (http://runrepeat.com/brand/zoot), Pearl Izumi(http://runrepeat.com/brand/pearl-izumi), Puma (http://runrepeat.com/brand/puma),Inov-8 (http://runrepeat.com/brand/inov-8), Altra (http://runrepeat.com/brand/altra),New Balance (http://runrepeat.com/brand/new-balance), Under Armour(http://runrepeat.com/brand/under-armour), Mizuno (http://runrepeat.com/brand/mizuno), Hoka One One (http://runrepeat.com/brand/hoka-one-one), Adidas(http://runrepeat.com/brand/adidas) and Reebok (http://runrepeat.com/brand/reebok).

Potential biases that inhuence resultsNo study is perfect. Here are some pitfalls of this study:

One might expect that if a runner buys and expensive shoe, he will have higherexpectations for the quality of the shoe and therefore he will more easily getdisappointed. True, the more you spend, the more you expect. Though, the listprice should rehect expectations. If you spend more on a running shoe, youwould logically expect to get a better product.

1.

The reviews are from the aggregator RunRepeat.com, which attracts a certaintype of runner, which might bias results (in both directions).

2.

That being said, we still believe our conclusion is right put, and that the potentialbiases have not inhuenced the data in any very signi+cant direction.

About the researchersJens Jakob Andersen is the lead researcher behind the study. He is a formercompetitive runner and teacher in statistics at Copenhagen Business School underCenter Chief of the Department of Finance Dorte Kronborg. Today he is the founderand CEO of RunRepeat.com. The study was assisted by the Polish statisticianWojciech Fedyszyn and reviewed by dozens of experts before being published. Thestudy was funded by RunRepeat.com

Disclaimer: no brand or other institution inhuenced us in any way to do this study. Wedid it in our search to create transparency in the running shoe market, and not topromote well-performing running shoe brands. No brands even knew we did thisstudy.

Feel free to use any content as long as you refer to the original source. For interviews,please reach out at [email protected], +45 29 29 29 58 or check the contact page(http://runrepeat.com/about).


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Below is the full infographic. You can download it in 600px(http://1bhjxz11za22amn7v3mn71w1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Expensive-running-shoes-are-not-better-600px.png) or 1200px(http://1bhjxz11za22amn7v3mn71w1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Expensive-running-shoes-are-not-better-1200px.png). We arehappy to share our raw data – if interested, reach out.


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Posted in Research (http://runrepeat.com/category/research)

Rankings by category

Best running shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/the-worlds-best-rated-running-shoes)Best trail shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-trail-running-shoes)Best road shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-road-running-shoes)Best race/competition shoes(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-race-running-shoes)Best minimalist shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-minimalist-running-shoes)Best neutral shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-neutral-running-shoes)Best stability shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-stability-running-shoes)Best motion control shoes (http://runrepeat.com

Most popular by geography

Most popular in Europe (http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=europe)Most popular in North America(http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=n_america)Most popular in South (http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=s_america)Most popular in Asia (http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=asia)Most popular in Oceania (http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=oceania)Most popular in Africa (http://runrepeat.com/popular-running-shoes#?region=africa)

Most popular runnings shoes


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/ranking/rankings-of-motion-control-running-shoes)Best low drop shoes (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-low-drop-running-shoes)

Rankings by brand

Adidas (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-adidas-running-shoes) - Altra(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-altra-running-shoes) - Asics (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-asics-running-shoes) -Brooks (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-brooks-running-shoes) - Dyna+t(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-dyna+t-running-shoes) - Ecco(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-ecco-running-shoes) - Haglöfs (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-hagloefs-running-shoes) -Helly Hansen (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-helly-hansen-running-shoes) - HokaOne One (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-hoka-one-one-running-shoes) - Icebug(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-icebug-running-shoes) - Inov-8(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-inov-8-running-shoes) - Karhu (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-karhu-running-shoes) - LaSportiva (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-la-sportiva-running-shoes) - Merrell(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-merrell-running-shoes) - Mizuno(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-mizuno-running-shoes) - Montrail(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-montrail-running-shoes) - New Balance(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-new-balance-running-shoes) - Newton(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-newton-running-shoes) - Nike(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-nike-running-shoes) - On (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-on-running-shoes) - PearlIzumi (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-pearl-izumi-running-shoes) - Puma(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-puma-running-shoes) - Reebok (http://runrepeat.com

Duramo (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-duramo) -Energy Boost (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-energy-boost) - Response Boost(http://runrepeat.com/adidas-response-boost) -Ultra Boost (http://runrepeat.com/adidas-ultra-boost) - Gel Cumulus (http://runrepeat.com/asics-gel-cumulus) - Gel Kayano(http://runrepeat.com/asics-gel-kayano) - GelNimbus (http://runrepeat.com/asics-gel-nimbus)- GT 1000 (http://runrepeat.com/asics-gt-1000) -GT 2000 (http://runrepeat.com/asics-gt-2000) -Beast (http://runrepeat.com/brooks-beast) -Cascadia (http://runrepeat.com/brooks-cascadia) - Ghost (http://runrepeat.com/brooks-ghost) - Glycerin (http://runrepeat.com/brooks-glycerin) - PureFlow (http://runrepeat.com/brooks-purehow) - Transcend(http://runrepeat.com/brooks-transcend) - WaveCreation (http://runrepeat.com/mizuno-wave-creation) - Wave Rider(http://runrepeat.com/mizuno-wave-rider) - 1080(http://runrepeat.com/new-balance-1080) - 1400(http://runrepeat.com/new-balance-1400) - 1500(http://runrepeat.com/new-balance-1500) - 1600(http://runrepeat.com/new-balance-1600) - 990(http://runrepeat.com/new-balance-990) - FlyknitLunar (http://runrepeat.com/nike-hyknit-lunar) -Flyknit Racer (http://runrepeat.com/nike-hyknit-racer) - Free (http://runrepeat.com/nike-free) -Free Flyknit (http://runrepeat.com/nike-free-hyknit) - LunarGlide (http://runrepeat.com/nike-lunarglide) - Wild Trail (http://runrepeat.com/nike-wild-trail) - Fellraiser (http://runrepeat.com/salomon-fellraiser) - Speedcross(http://runrepeat.com/salomon-speedcross) - XAPro 3D (http://runrepeat.com/salomon-xa-pro-3d)- Kinvara (http://runrepeat.com/saucony-kinvara)- Shadow (http://runrepeat.com/saucony-shadow)

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/ranking/rankings-of-reebok-running-shoes) -Salming (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-salming-running-shoes) - Salomon(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-salomon-running-shoes) - Saucony(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-saucony-running-shoes) - Scarpa(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-scarpa-running-shoes) - Scott(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-scott-running-shoes) - Skechers (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-skechers-running-shoes) -Spira (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-spira-running-shoes) - The North Face(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-the-north-face-running-shoes) - Topo Athletic(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-topo-athletic-running-shoes) - Under Armour(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-under-armour-running-shoes) - Vibram Five+ngers(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-vibram-+ve+ngers-running-shoes) -Vivobarefoot (http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-vivobarefoot-running-shoes) - Zoot(http://runrepeat.com/ranking/rankings-of-zoot-running-shoes)

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expensive running shoes are not better than more ... · pdf fileif you do a regression...

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