Running Shoes on Amazon - Buyer Be Aware

Amazon is apparently the number one seller of running shoes, but I never buy my running shoes there (or at least, it's been about five years since I've done so). So it's time to see what Amazon has to offer.

0:00 intro
0:30 disclosures
0:49 UA Charged Assert 9
1:36 ASICS Gel Contend 7
2:30 TIAMOU something something
3:22 Nike Epic React 2
4:48 is amazon bad
7:31 careful for third party sellers

testing notes: I ran in these shoes in the order depicted in this video on a recovery run day in February. Temperatures were mild and above freezing. Each shoe was kept at room temperature prior to being taken out for a single, ~5k lap. Total running of about 12.5 miles.

disclosures: I bought all the shoes in this video myself. No one sent any to me, no paid me to include their shoe on this list, and no one paid me to use any of these shoes. No one will be able to preview any of my footage or my thoughts before this video goes up on YouTube.

Thanks for watching! Leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!

Running footage shot on:
GoPro Hero 11 Black (paid link)

Disclosure: It's 2023, so I think we all know how affiliate links work at this point, but for regulatory compliance or affiliate program purposes, I must state that affiliate links do not increase cost to you, but:
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Also, you do not need to use these links. You can also search for these same items in amazon or on any search engine/shopping site of your choice and buy/research them that way.
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subscriber count at time of upload: 126,465

end card music:
Jim Yosef - Checkered

[uvolniavka]

Amazon is becoming a store one needs to constantly stay on alert while shopping at, and not just for shoes.
Is this the actual item you searched for; who is the seller; where do they ship from; are the sponsored items pushed to the top overpriced, etc.

With that being said, almost all of my running shoes are purchased there, and was very glad they had a good deal on Skechers Razor 3+, so I was able to stock up .
Discovered these late, but they became my favorite everyday training shoes. Liked them so much that run the LA 2022 marathon with them.

This year I'd like to try a real race day shoe- Endorphin Pro 3, and would still buy from Amazon if their Saucony Store has my size.

[upopkzq]

Gel Contends are honestly really good for low-impact cardio. The support is decent enough, and they make me feel glad that I’m not “wasting” a more high quality option doing stuff indoors

[JS-xndq]

Good PSA video, K! Thanks! I for one would not buy a shoe from Amazon, with one exception - I wouldn’t rule out purchasing one of those cheap shoes for the gym. I have purchased a pair or two of running shoes from Amazon in the past but wouldn’t do it again, mostly from fear of buying fakes. If I don’t buy from the place where I work it’s RW for me all the way!

[Prinniev]

This is a great video! I planned on buying Saucony shoes (triumph 20 and speed 3) off amazon; but thankfully, a local shoe store put them in pre-order (got both, best purchase!).
It was confusing since they don't say who sells the shoes, until you add them in the cart. Sometimes if you change between diff shoe size, the item would come from a different seller, It's very confusing.

[Ben-qblj]

Most important video you've made! MILLIONS of us have only Walmart, Amazon, and Internet to shop!

[mjmdiver]

Great video...
In my opinion, the key is to only buy a show THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW rather than buying some unknown model or entire line...
For example, Saucony has the main shoes that are sold in running stores (and also Amazon) but Amazon and other retailers (WalMart, Target, etc.) will carry a bunch of shoe models that are really poor versions of the main product lines from the companies... still made by Nike or Saucony or whoever, but really just their junk lines. Those LOOK LIKE running shoes, but mostly aren't really.
Besides, the fit is so crucial that I would suggest that you have to get properly fitted for the shoes before you commit (which is why I am amazed you are able to do these reviews so well since that clearly doesn't happen based on what you've said). That is, even within a line of shoes, some seem to run a little small, others may be a little larger, etc. and it isn't necessarily tied the shoe length, but toe room or width, etc. It's pretty complex.
I found that, at least for Saucony, they sometimes have sales on their factory website that makes them as good as what you can get at Amazon... I always go there first before looking at Amazon.

[lookinforanick]

Feel like pointing out a mistake in your video. Contrary to what you say at ~ 08:40 the actual seller is displayed on the product page. You can literally see it at 8:40 under the "buy now" button. I agree with your general point tho, it isn't super obvious and there is also no way (to my knowledge) to filter the search to only "sold by Amazon". Even when Amazon does sell a product, sometimes it's not the default one (especially if 3rd party seller have a lower price) and you need to click the "New(#) from" section to get it.

[eyevincast]

More of these vids! I actually enjoyed this vid…..different perspective and concept than the usual review on expensive shoes.

[datharo]

I think with the epic react 2's the shoes weren't properly stored and started to degrade as you suggested. I bought some Adidas Energy Boost from 2017, they were fine for a bit, but they weren't as flexible, kind of bottomed out, and started to fall apart after a few months of wear. I think the shoes weren't properly stored in especially because the plastic cage had some discoloration. I probably should have said I bought these early last year in late February

[stryder]

Shopping on Amazon isn't too terrible once you know how things work. First thing to note is that you can do your shopping on Zappos, which Amazon owns. It's much more organized with less noise, and it's a lot easier to shop for specific brands and sizes. On the subject of brands, you'll notice on Zappos that there isn't a listing for Nike, and that's because, as a brand, Nike doesn't sell running shoes on Amazon. So, any Nike running shoes on Amazon are practically guaranteed to come from a 3rd party seller. It's also low risk because it's easy to inspect and return shoes if they're suspect or don't fit well. That said, I'd only buy daily trainers from Zappos. For a more expensive super shoe, I need to be more certain of the product, so I prefer to buy direct from the shoe company or reputable shoe store, as long as they have a good return policy.

[Punkyrooster]

“It felt like a $35 shoe” haha shots fired. I like the honesty.

[DJrunner]

I would always recommend shopping at a local running store, if possible, to help keep money in your community and a local small business owner! But I do buy lots of other things off Amazon.

[Martha-fluterunner]

It used to be that Amazon had cheaper prices on almost anything but those days have been over for a long time based on our experience. We live in a small mountain town so have to rely on Amazon for certain things we simply cannot find here, though we willingly pay more at times to support local business if we can find what we need. However, we’re now seeing many more cases where Amazon is extremely overpriced, and the whole business of ratings has been documented to be very corrupt. I love Running Warehouse and used to get all my shoes from there, but have also found that the independent running store I particularly love in San Diego is not more expensive as some commenter claim theirs to be. Sometimes it’s as simple as nominally joining the store’s run club, whether or not you show up for group runs. No fee, and I get a substantial discount on every single thing I buy there. Please at least ask your brick and mortar stores. And they should also be willing to order any model from any brand they carry in any color you want.

[eriktred]

Interesting video @kofuzi . I only buy from the 3 places you listed at the beginning. Very interesting how amazon ratings influence non-shoe nerds purchasing choices.

[garyrichardson]

Your video begins by focusing on somewhat blind buys of very low-end shoes. Yes, avoid those. They are the same shoes you see in the weekly mailers for Big 5. One may assume they couldn't be that bad if they were made by Nike, Asics, or Saucony. But I’ve noticed those manufacturers seem to create a low-end line to sell only through discount outlets. I never see those same shoes on the manufacturer's websites which may explain why you don't see them under their names on Amazon either.

[jmg]

My grandma onetime bought me a pair of converse from Amazon and i had the same issue. I’ve owned converse before but these didn’t feel quite right. When I asked her if Converse was selling the shoe, it wasn’t. It was a 3rd party. I’m pretty sure we were able to return them, but still it kind of sucked that they weren’t genuine converse

[gonzalezmag]

I remember I went to my local running store and they told me to beware Amazon because the shoes weren't as durable. It would be interesting if you did a video where you bought the same shoe from the official store and Amazon and compare any differences.

[maxmandudi]

Another thing they’re bad at is when you search for a shoe say the ASICS Novablast 2, you can click on a certain color way, and the price is very high like $250. Like it’s crazy.

[lfmars]

I bought my first pair of running shoes on Amazon! Reeboks for $50. They got the job done. It’s not bad for a beginner to buy cheaper shoes because you don’t know if your going to be into running! You can always upgrade to better shoes later!

[haon]

I buy running shoes on Amazon all the times. Cheap Reebok floatrides, Asics Gels, Fresh Foam Mores v1 and 2 etc. that usually costed 40-60 instead of 150 and up premium shoes. Didn't felt like they were used or fake.