customized running shoes

real customization enters the equation at the insert device level. gel heel
cups, ball/mid sole cushions, arch supports, etc...and if need be, orthotics.

don't expect perfection out of any shoe. it's your responsibility as a runner
to craft a "formula" or "recipe" w/an array of devices for you to craft a
suitable fit

Paul Meyer said:

Some companies (like Adidas) offer customized running shoes.
While I like the idea of having shoes that are made for MY feet
I'm wondering if that is really a good idea as you cannot try
them out when ordering.
The price seems to be quite reasonable though: +50% over
the standard shoe which makes me wonder how much
customization they really do. Let's ignore the color and
design changes as that's not important to me.

Any experience reports?

Not first hand, but I inquired about custom shoes last winter in another
group (I have trouble getting a proper fit) and here's a summary.

One person got her miadidas at Boston where they

Quoted message said:

have you run over a special mat that notes how you strike, and then
give you the opportunity to try on a few of the 100's of "sample" shoes
they have there - just to get the perfect fit. You choose the type (I
went with the Supernova trail), colors of everything, and even get the
chance to have something embroidered on the tongue. Once you choose,
the shoes are made for you and shipped in about 4 weeks - the info. is
stored on their computers so you can re-order, too.

In this case, the person had different sized feet, so the $120 for the
pair was cheaper than the $170 she'd been paying for 2 pairs (1 of each
size).
She was very happy. Nike's program wasn't as flexible for her purposes.

You might check about whether they fix something if it's not just right.
I couldn't find their web page.

Here's directions and FAQ from a custom shoe company, Hersey.
http://www.herseycustomshoe.com/order.html#measure
http://www.herseycustomshoe.com/faq.html

Whether miadidas does it that way or not, I don't know, but maybe you
could get measured in a shop?

Dot

--
"The eagle, who believed he was a chicken, wasn't. However, until he
discovered what he was, he was limited to live as one."
-Unknown but quoted from Lisa Butler on ultra list

Dot,

The report from the Boston miadidas sounds good. I also like the
Hersey shoes. Unfortunately, I don't live in that area and I
don't really like to measure my feet myself.

Quoted message said:

I couldn't find their web page.

For miadidas, I found something at
www.adidas.com/products/miadidas04/content/index.asp

That site actually answers part of my question.
They measure length + width of right and left foot. Then you can
select an out-sole type (2 options), a mid-sole type (3 options)
and the upper material (2 options). Not perfect but still pretty
good.
As somebody who never stops wondering I'm now wondering how
that compares to offers from other companies (Nike, Asics, ...)

I will probably check out a miadidas during the next couple
of days/weeks as there is one close to where I live.

Quoted message said:

Dot,

The report from the Boston miadidas sounds good. I also like the
Hersey shoes.

Of the couple comments I've heard about Hersey, they fit well, but one
person said the running shoes may be a little on the clunky side and not
have as much technology as regular running shoes. The race walking shoes
have received excellent comments from a couple people. But most are
really pricey.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I couldn't find their web page.

For miadidas, I found something at
www.adidas.com/products/miadidas04/content/index.asp

That site actually answers part of my question.
They measure length + width of right and left foot. Then you can
select an out-sole type (2 options), a mid-sole type (3 options)
and the upper material (2 options). Not perfect but still pretty
good.

Thanks. I wonder how detailed their computer analysis is. That sounds
like a pressure system that Footmaxx (and probably others) use to
produce orthotics. . . suggesting that perhaps they might be able to
build in control something like an orthotic. But at $300-$400 for a pair
of custom orthotics by Footmaxx and $120 for a pair of shoes, I doubt
that they have that detailed an analysis 😉 Probably more like thick vs
thin sole. But for somebody whose feet aren't too far out of whack, it
might work. (I've been to shoe stores, they look at my orthotics, and
they tell me to keep my custom ones and not to try any OTC ones.)

Quoted message said:

As somebody who never stops wondering I'm now wondering how
that compares to offers from other companies (Nike, Asics, ...)

I know what you mean. The person that told me about miadidas felt they
had more options than Nike.

What I finally ended up doing last winter was managing to find several
more pairs of the discontinued shoes (Brooks Trespass 1) that worked
reasonably well for me - then look around to find a replacement.

Quoted message said:

I will probably check out a miadidas during the next couple
of days/weeks as there is one close to where I live.

If you've got one near you, that's definitely what I'd do. Ask
questions. Check about the level of options in the various features -
like their torsion control, if that's an issue. If you're not happy,
then look around some more.

Also, you didn't indicate if you have particular foot issues, like
different sizes, wide / narrow, need certain pronation control, etc. or
whether you were just looking for a perfect fit. That might make a
difference as to what's acceptable or not.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Dot

--
"The eagle, who believed he was a chicken, wasn't. However, until he
discovered what he was, he was limited to live as one."
-Unknown but quoted from Lisa Butler on ultra list

[dot]
<< Of the couple comments I've heard about Hersey, they fit well, but one
person said the running shoes may be a little on the clunky side and not
have as much technology as regular running shoes. >>

Try Italian HOt pInk Feridowzers.

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Quoted message said:

I'm wondering if that is really a good idea as you cannot try
them out when ordering.

Is your satisfaction guaranteed? That's all that counts.

Quoted message said:

don't expect perfection out of any shoe. it's your responsibility as a runner
to craft a "formula" or "recipe" w/an array of devices for you to craft a
suitable fit

So says who? You? It's not our responsibility to design our own shoe. I've
heard some stupid statements here the past week, but this one tops them all.

Quoted message said:

and I
don't really like to measure my feet myself.

Too complicated for you?