The crabby old runner is participating in a wear test for a National Brand of running shoes. I am not sure the company would want their wear test program to be identified with my blog. Truth is I have run in the National Brand shoes for a number of years.

The purpose of the test is to check fit, comfort and durability, all the things we care about when we are making an investment in shoes. And all the things we care about when we are taking a chance on comfort and utility in a purchase that, generally, we have to live with for several months.

 I seem to need more room in the toe box than most and the ready availability of 4E widths in this National Brand ensures a good fit for me. With some manufacturers it seems to be hit or miss when it comes to extra wide. And I am not usually impressed by claims for “new” features that seem to come not from testing or engineering, but from the marketing departments.  

The test shoes seem to be a good solid design. I’ve reached about the 90 mile mark on the pair. That’s too early for me to tell about durability, but I suppose technicians at the company will be able to make some assumptions when I complete the test form and return the product later this month.

So far, they are like the shoes I want to wear and buy. I hope that helps them decide to market them.