For the first time ever, I paid full price for a pair of shoes based on good advice given by the sales person. Consider that ethical, it's not something I do often, but his service and product knowledge was well worth that 15% discount which I could easily get from Queensway. Perhaps it's also not often that I come across sales people who know their stuff really well, most of them are trying to pull a fast one or randomly recommend something which gives them the highest commission rate or sales target, and hopefully you will just buy something after they have wasted their time talking to you.
My shoe hunting adventures started in Adidas, I was told that I overpronate after this "test run" and I should be getting "motion control shoes" (AdiStar - the priciest model in the shop). I commented that it's over budget and I got answers like, "All these over here also can la, from $120 to $150.."
Right ... maybe Nike also can lor?
Not convinced at all, I dropped by Asics. Again, the guy introduced "the hottest, best and most sellable shoe" ASICS Kinsei, I gave a look of disgust at the price ($345) and I commented, so that's the most sellable, one modelfits all shoe which every professional runner pays for? Don't you need to know if I fit that shoe profile? You know, flat, normal, high arch?
I did the step-on-the-board test and I got similar results. Oh, you should be getting "maximum support shoes" then, Asics Evolution & Asics Foundation. But ... Asics Kinsei is still the BEST. I went on the Internet and read up at runnersworld, seems like those shoes mentioned above are meant for people that are 80kg, flat feet and .. So, it's a pair of heavy duty shoes meant to withstand 80kg shock from each stride.
Not that suitable for me isn't it? |  |
By luck, by chance, I walked into Feder Sports Running Specialist at Peninsula Plaza. The collection of Asics, Saucony, Mizuno, adidas, New Balance, Nike, Brooks was overwhelming. I was awestruck by what the shop has to offer for just Asics alone.
The guy noticed me and he wants to know what I'm looking for, "Evolution/Foundation Asics put where ah?".
You have flat feet meh?? was his immediate response,
Aren't you like around 60kg more or less? You shouldn't be wearing that.
I'm impressed already. =)
 | The Mizuno Wave Creation that you are wearing now is meant for normal foot, the ones that you asked for it is much harder and it's meant for flat foot, you might not be able to handle, you should be looking at the Asics Kayano range.
Go on, please continue!
What followed was a series of feet measuring, cat walking in his shop. "You have a little overpronate and you don't have flat feet, I can still see your arch". "By the way, your Mizuno should be 1/2 size smaller for the perfect fit and you should have gotten Nirvana and not Wave Creation, don't just go for looks!"
Ok, I admit, I was superficial, I bought that Mizuno based on looks back then, it's easily the most stylo pair on the shelf... I knew nuts about suitability or functionality back then, a pair of shoes was just a pair of shoes to me, till I developed all sorts of pains. |
It's important that you get a pair that fits you perfectly based on your feet. Nike/Adidas are fashion shoes, soles separate from shoes is a common sight, I don't recommend them for proper running at all.
Somehow, I got reminded of how I screwed up my own feet and knees when I bought that wretched pair of Nike FREE 5.0 quite a while back. It was so flexible, I was running at Speed 16 on the treadmill, almost flying. But the whole idea of Nike FREE was to emulate barefoot running, I supposed I rushed too much into it at one go.
But it wasn't durable at all, the sides were made of suede cloth (?) and mesh within, it freaking tore within a month! |  |
You should be looking at Japanese brands, Mizuno & Asics, they suit you. Asian sizes. I likey Japanese!
Kinsei is not a shoe for everyone by the way, not you, it's simply expensive, that's about it. You can try this Kayano. Was it placebo or was I psychologically affected by words? I love the shoes and the colors. I decided on a pair of Asics eventually. Then the dilemma, should I be practical and just buy at Queensway where I can get at 15% discount? Well, perhaps not. After all, he dished out all his knowledge without qualms so that I get the perfect pair meant for my feet. I'd be damned if I did. So I bought it from him, full price, no discount. =)
Ermss, I think 13 doesn't refer to ze size...
But Fabrique En Chine does refer to Made in China. -_-
We made several small talks, seems like all those shoes that I've been wearing are giving me cumulative serious problems.
What do these have in common? They are nice, they are sleek, they look great. They are meant for people with high arch, which I'm not.
If you need answers to your screaming feet, look for Jeffrey Chong at #02-53, Feder Sports, Peninsula Plaza.
Perhaps you can try to ask for a discount, me being a brain whore was so hypnotised by the sudden influx of knowledge that I lost my tongue. =P~~
PS. Only gripe, I think he sold me an older model? I realised there's Kayano 14 released in 2008.
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