I will say, some brands charge more because they're actually doing good things. Veja, for example, is quietly the gold standard for sustainable footwear– they source and produce in the same country of origin, they offer housing and health insurance and good pay for their workers, they don't do any marketing and make only what they have so they can keep the cost of their shoes lower. Their shoes are still $200 and up, but they provide real value. In the same way, a pair of Norda costs $285 but I've talked to elite trail runners who have 1,500 miles on a pair; it costs twice as much as a Hoka, but lasts three times as long in a single production.
Say that you will about Satisfy, but they pay their employees well, they are super intentional about the fabrics and materials they use and where they come from, and they use reputable factories and sewers in Portugal and Europe. It's the same as if something was made in the USA– of course you're going to pay more for it. They're not marketing to you or me, they're marketing to someone with disposable income, and if they want to use their money to buy what is essentially a designer label, then why should I care?
All that to say, price and value are two different things. I would also say that wearing a race premium is one of the worst things you can do; instead, we should all push for races to stop doing tech tee premiums. They're cheaply made in low-wage factories, they're poor quality, they release micro-plastics into our waterways, and they almost always end up in a landfill. We don't need more race tees in the world. If we need a tee, then we should push for 100% cotton, but really races should just do away with them. We don't need more clothing.
Anyway, I appreciated the article and the intention behind it, but I think it's a bit more nuanced than "this thing costs a lot so it's not good." As for the relentless influencer advertising... yeah, that can't die a fast enough death.
Case in point (sorry for double commenting): I ran this morning, and fell, twice (duh). Ripped a knee hole in my pants, an elbow tear in the shirt, and a glove. Second thing my husband said when I got home - "Good thing you wear cheap clothes". :)
I still have Patagonia Houdini from 2004, when I joined Montrail team and had a discount. I wear it everywhere, it lost any water repellant quality, broke the zipper, the string in the hood is missing, the velcro flap doesn't stick. I bought, finally, a new one this year, but still wearing that 20 yo thing. Larry often says he has technical undies older than Annie:) And yes on shorts etc. I donate (or don't pick up) race tshirts, but the ones I have in rotation are very few and not new (or fancy). I actually still have both a pair of shorts and a tanktop from Goodwill from Portland, what means before 2009...I use granola bars for training, but do buy gels for racing (can't chew when go for time). Also, for backpacking (my other hobby - Geartrade.com. Saw that tweet by Billy, had to go to the company's website. Holy hell!! Preach!
Definitely going to check out some of the resources you mention here. This was a great read, found myself nodding and saying yes to myself the whole time. Glad I found your sub stack and will do some back reading!
I think high carb goes along with high performance, but it's definitely running industry propaganda and doesn't apply to the average athlete. The hardest part for me is trying new things and experimenting. Most experiments fail and I'm left feeling like I wasted my money.
I don't know if the not wearing old race shirts is a local thing but almost everyone near me (UK) seems to do just that. And they never wear out, so after a point they become a bit like vintage tour t-shirts (oh wow, you were actually at the 2011 Coventry half marathon?) And I've written before about how I'm over 5000 miles into my current shoes. Plus, who's even watching? Great article + subscribed.
hey thanks for the shout out for Why Bother? I appreciate it so much! I wish it were available at Bookshop.org but you can buy it used or at the bad guys shop. :)
Ahhh thank you for putting into words what I've been feeling about the hyper-consumerism of the trail running (and, outdoorsy in general) space. Keeping what we own and taking care of it is far more sustainable than going out and buying a new sustainable shirt/jacket/pair of shoes/etc. Here for the outdoor minimalist movement!
I have so much stuff from races, fleeces, tee shirts, buffs, a couple of light shell type jackets, hats.. I don't think I'll ever have to buy any of that again. I even have a UD vest from a race 10 years ago that I use for long distances. So shoes, socks, bottoms and sports bras are the only thing that need to be replaced periodically. My running shoes get converted to yard work shoes. Real food has always worked for me and I only get gels for races "just in case" they might come in handy. I find shopping for anything new overwhelming-- too many choices. I sometimes look at my medals or buckles and think-- it's all just going to be in a landfill one day.. I haven't watched over the air TV or cable for years. I could no longer stand the commercials...buy, buy, buy.. Consume, consume, consume.. Why? Ugg.
Thrift satisfies my craving for new shit, because it's new to me. I buy things off eBay including half-price shoes and stuff I've decided I don't have enough of. For instance, I ran Boston this year but when they offered a $125+ jacket in the wrong color (Paris purple), I found a jacket from 2021 in the trad blue-and-gold on eBay for $35, new with tags.
I just joined depop and it's got good selection. My middle grandson set up a shop there selling mostly old jeans, and is making so much dough he quit his afterschool job at Chipotle!
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I think I heard that first from my grandmother, who grew up and started a family during the Great Depression. I don't always manage to do it, but I try...
...and I'm proud to be a wabi-sabi runner, with my 20-year-old shirts and 600-mile shoes and old, old hats. I trust and appreciate some of my gear (and many of my friends) more after we’ve been through some things together.
I have Hoka trail runners as well! Just curious, how often do you / should you replace them? I just got mine last December but feel like they're wearing down
Hi Rosalie, it's hard for me to say. I'm not good about tracking my shoes in terms of miles, and I rotate a couple of pairs so I lose track of how old one is. I go by feel. If the shoe feels "flat" and the tread has worn down to the point it's starting to look like my son's skateboard shoes, it's time for new ones! Thanks for reading!
I will say, some brands charge more because they're actually doing good things. Veja, for example, is quietly the gold standard for sustainable footwear– they source and produce in the same country of origin, they offer housing and health insurance and good pay for their workers, they don't do any marketing and make only what they have so they can keep the cost of their shoes lower. Their shoes are still $200 and up, but they provide real value. In the same way, a pair of Norda costs $285 but I've talked to elite trail runners who have 1,500 miles on a pair; it costs twice as much as a Hoka, but lasts three times as long in a single production.
Say that you will about Satisfy, but they pay their employees well, they are super intentional about the fabrics and materials they use and where they come from, and they use reputable factories and sewers in Portugal and Europe. It's the same as if something was made in the USA– of course you're going to pay more for it. They're not marketing to you or me, they're marketing to someone with disposable income, and if they want to use their money to buy what is essentially a designer label, then why should I care?
All that to say, price and value are two different things. I would also say that wearing a race premium is one of the worst things you can do; instead, we should all push for races to stop doing tech tee premiums. They're cheaply made in low-wage factories, they're poor quality, they release micro-plastics into our waterways, and they almost always end up in a landfill. We don't need more race tees in the world. If we need a tee, then we should push for 100% cotton, but really races should just do away with them. We don't need more clothing.
Anyway, I appreciated the article and the intention behind it, but I think it's a bit more nuanced than "this thing costs a lot so it's not good." As for the relentless influencer advertising... yeah, that can't die a fast enough death.
Case in point (sorry for double commenting): I ran this morning, and fell, twice (duh). Ripped a knee hole in my pants, an elbow tear in the shirt, and a glove. Second thing my husband said when I got home - "Good thing you wear cheap clothes". :)
Betty Lou's fruit bars are highly underrated!
I still have Patagonia Houdini from 2004, when I joined Montrail team and had a discount. I wear it everywhere, it lost any water repellant quality, broke the zipper, the string in the hood is missing, the velcro flap doesn't stick. I bought, finally, a new one this year, but still wearing that 20 yo thing. Larry often says he has technical undies older than Annie:) And yes on shorts etc. I donate (or don't pick up) race tshirts, but the ones I have in rotation are very few and not new (or fancy). I actually still have both a pair of shorts and a tanktop from Goodwill from Portland, what means before 2009...I use granola bars for training, but do buy gels for racing (can't chew when go for time). Also, for backpacking (my other hobby - Geartrade.com. Saw that tweet by Billy, had to go to the company's website. Holy hell!! Preach!
Love it. Thank you Old-School Olga!
REI sells used gear via their website. I occasionally scroll for my favorite shoe in my size, and buy a pair whenever it is available (Brooks Ghost).
Good tip! Thank you.
Definitely going to check out some of the resources you mention here. This was a great read, found myself nodding and saying yes to myself the whole time. Glad I found your sub stack and will do some back reading!
Thank you for the advice (great advice) and your well informed comments about gear!
If I may, for the runners in a metropolis, get off the damn sidewalk onto the turf!!!
smh
I think high carb goes along with high performance, but it's definitely running industry propaganda and doesn't apply to the average athlete. The hardest part for me is trying new things and experimenting. Most experiments fail and I'm left feeling like I wasted my money.
Great post!
ThankYou
Thank you!
I don't know if the not wearing old race shirts is a local thing but almost everyone near me (UK) seems to do just that. And they never wear out, so after a point they become a bit like vintage tour t-shirts (oh wow, you were actually at the 2011 Coventry half marathon?) And I've written before about how I'm over 5000 miles into my current shoes. Plus, who's even watching? Great article + subscribed.
Thank you for reading & subscribing!
hey thanks for the shout out for Why Bother? I appreciate it so much! I wish it were available at Bookshop.org but you can buy it used or at the bad guys shop. :)
Ahhh thank you for putting into words what I've been feeling about the hyper-consumerism of the trail running (and, outdoorsy in general) space. Keeping what we own and taking care of it is far more sustainable than going out and buying a new sustainable shirt/jacket/pair of shoes/etc. Here for the outdoor minimalist movement!
Thanks for reading & bravo for your attitude:-)
I have so much stuff from races, fleeces, tee shirts, buffs, a couple of light shell type jackets, hats.. I don't think I'll ever have to buy any of that again. I even have a UD vest from a race 10 years ago that I use for long distances. So shoes, socks, bottoms and sports bras are the only thing that need to be replaced periodically. My running shoes get converted to yard work shoes. Real food has always worked for me and I only get gels for races "just in case" they might come in handy. I find shopping for anything new overwhelming-- too many choices. I sometimes look at my medals or buckles and think-- it's all just going to be in a landfill one day.. I haven't watched over the air TV or cable for years. I could no longer stand the commercials...buy, buy, buy.. Consume, consume, consume.. Why? Ugg.
Thrift satisfies my craving for new shit, because it's new to me. I buy things off eBay including half-price shoes and stuff I've decided I don't have enough of. For instance, I ran Boston this year but when they offered a $125+ jacket in the wrong color (Paris purple), I found a jacket from 2021 in the trad blue-and-gold on eBay for $35, new with tags.
I just joined depop and it's got good selection. My middle grandson set up a shop there selling mostly old jeans, and is making so much dough he quit his afterschool job at Chipotle!
I had never heard of depop. That's great you do all that!
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I think I heard that first from my grandmother, who grew up and started a family during the Great Depression. I don't always manage to do it, but I try...
...and I'm proud to be a wabi-sabi runner, with my 20-year-old shirts and 600-mile shoes and old, old hats. I trust and appreciate some of my gear (and many of my friends) more after we’ve been through some things together.
Love your perspective. This week, at the finish of a local 50k, someone said to me, "Every time I see you, you're in that hat!"
"Yeah," I replied. "I bought it for my first ultra in 2019, and it's going strong."
"But what do you do about it getting dirty?"
"Just some Tide and a toothbrush," I said with a smile.
Thank you again for sharing this. Hope you get back on your feet soon!
Thanks! And 5 years old is young for a hat! :-)
I have Hoka trail runners as well! Just curious, how often do you / should you replace them? I just got mine last December but feel like they're wearing down
Hi Rosalie, it's hard for me to say. I'm not good about tracking my shoes in terms of miles, and I rotate a couple of pairs so I lose track of how old one is. I go by feel. If the shoe feels "flat" and the tread has worn down to the point it's starting to look like my son's skateboard shoes, it's time for new ones! Thanks for reading!