I’ve worn the cheap and pricier stuff, and the marginal differences in comfort plus longevity make it a win for me. Plus, I like good looking clothes, even when I’m running. I used to wear the super cheap Amazon stuff and while it was fine, the softness and fit if pricier stuff does it for me. But, I don’t have 100 pairs of it

Omg what is UP with all these people looking like they’re rucking in Iraq?

The running shoe geeks subreddit is super cringey, and in general the whole “gear head” thing especially around shoes is silly.

I decided on running because gear-wise it’s pretty uncomplicated. You just need clothes and shoes. Yes, I also have a Garmin (because it makes tracking super simple) and wear some bougie stuff like Tracksmith (I do like the look, I’m shallow).

But the shoe people are just weird. As long as you’ve got shoes that are comfy, help you maintain a good form, and don’t get you injured, what else is there to discuss? Who tf cares about a “gusseted vs non-gusseted tongue” so long as YOU like it?

Unless you’re in the top 5-10% of all runners (including the pros), it doesn’t matter. Training matters. Carbon plates won’t take 40 min off your marathon. New kinds of foam or heel stacks or cushion that are a little different from the last model probably won’t make any difference.

If you want to be a gear head, be a mountain biker. Revel in the simplicity of running.