The Running Event 2012
Greetings from Austin, Texas! This is my third year attending the Running Event in Austin. The Running Event (TRE) is a conference and expo (December 4 6) for over 800 running specialty store buyers and featuring over 200 vendors including mainstays Adidas, ASICS, Brooks, Mizuno, and Nike. TRE will showcase premier and up and coming products in the $800 billion running specialty market that is exploding with new product innovations.
Minimalist Running Shoes
"Product Nike Air Max 2016 innovations for 2013 includes the refinement Air Max 2016 of the lightweight and barefoot trend to produce Lightweight 2.0, the next generation of running shoes that combine new materials and lightweight designs to produce the fastest and lightest weight shoes athletes have ever seen," says Mark Sullivan co founder of The Running Event and editor in chief of Running Insight magazine.
"In apparel, we expect to see a refinement there too, with an emphasis on high quality, high performance apparel driven by innovation in both natural and synthetic wonder fabrics," Sullivan adds.
For shoe reviewers and running bloggers, this is our candy store. But some models won't be available until Fall 2013 so it can be frustrating.
A new recognition program called the TRE Mendous Awards for Product Innovation has been launched to shine a spotlight on the Product of the Year and Newcomer Product of the Year.
Running industry professionals have selected 12 newcomer (first or second year exhibiting at TRE) finalists to pitch their products live to an audience of an estimated 400 to 500 retailers, including judges Mario Fraioli of Competitor magazine, and well known apparel and footwear entrepreneur Daymond John, one of the "sharks" on the popular network TV show. The winning product will then be honored with the 2012 TRE Mendous Newcomer Award. The 12 finalists are: Bani Bands, P4 Wedge by Cluffy, Icy Feet, Knuckle Lights, Mio Global, Oofos, Pocket Fuel, Racer, Saxx, Strutz, TESHUB, and TheraWheel.
The 2012 TRE Mendous Product of the Year Award will be held for the top new products from companies that have exhibited for three or more years at TRE.
"There are literally thousands of new products coming to the expo. The TRE Mendous Awards hope to identify those with the most promise of 'tremendously' boosting profitability," according to Sullivan.
My focus for this year is on the next generation minimalist running shoes, running apparel, and running accessories (especially GPS heart rate monitors). Here are some highlights from the floor when the Expo Floor just opened:
Altra Zero Drop New for SS '13 is The Torin, The ONE, and 3 Sum. The ONE is a fast, light, cushioned, do it all performance shoe. The 3 Sum is cushioned, fast, and light built for triathletes who demand the ultimate in performance. The Torin is Altra's answer to Hoka One maximalist shoe 15mm, 2 layer A Bound midsole for maximum foot relaxation, stabilization, and power.
Mizuno Running From Mizuno comes the EVO collection, their brand new line designed from the ground up for the midfoot runner. EVO is tailored to optimize your natural stride and form, and features the light, responsive protection of Wave Technology. We have already wear tested the Mizuno Wave Evo Levitas (one of our top 3 favorite minimal shoe) and got a closer look at the more cushioned Mizuno Wave Evo Cursoris. The Wave Universe 5 guarantees to be the world's shoe at 2.8 ounces. The new U4ic midsole provides resiliency and a smooth ride at a fraction of the weight of traditional midsoles.
In previous years, the women runner has not been fully represented in a lot of the new products launched. There are now gender specific minimal shoes for women from Altra Zero Drop, Merrell Barefoot, and SKORA Running not just your shrink Cheap Nike Air Max 2016 it and pink it approach. In the running apparel and accessories category, notables are YurBuds with their 'Inspire for Women' sports earphone and LIJA Style (chic collection of fashion fused women's sports apparel) inaugural launch into running apparel.
YurBuds Inspire for Women launched in October at the Nike Women's Marathon and has received rave reviews from media and consumers since. The line is designed specifically with the shape and size of women's ears in mind and includes a new, smaller silicone enhancer and comes in six colors. All six of the models also features popular yurbuds' features including TwistLock Technology that guarantees the earphones will never fall out, even through intense workouts, and yurbuds sweat and water resistant design.
Tifosi Hits a 10 year milestone next April. Still based in Watkinsville, Georgia, Tifosi has grown into a global sport optics company; designing, manufacturing, and distributing to over 5000 retailers in more than 38 countries. Standout is their Asian Fit Slip with abbreviated lens curvature to keeps the frame clear of cheeks and temples, narrowed nose pad to fit frames higher on the face, and decreased lens angle at lower edge for better overall fit, clearing cheekbones.
Ashmei The debut of Ashmei's Merino + Carbon collection takes a giant leap and solidifies its claim of the finest performance running apparel in the world. The Carbon increases the performance of the fabric by speeding up the wicking and drying your clothing remains drier for longer available as a racing vest and short sleeve jersey. Also new, their Ultimate Rain Jacket and Merino Running Sweatshirt will add to the awesome collection.
For detailed reviews of minimalist shoes, please visit Minimalist Running Shoes for the 150+ minimal shoes or barefoot style shoes that we have wear tested. Nick is a member of the USA Track Field organization. Contact Nick with your comments and questions.