The Battle of the Shoes

There are countless brands of shoes to choose from, but a heated rivalry exists between Nike and Adidas. In order to decide which company provides the better shoes I will think like a consumer purchasing a shoe for normal circumstances. The persona I have created will be a 20-year-old male who lives an active lifestyle and lives on a relatively strict budget. So, basically, I will be deciding based on the mindset of an average college student.

Brand Recognition

Nike started in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, and officially became Nike in 1971. Founders Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight created a company that has gone on to be highly recognizable for its “Just do it” slogan and “swoosh” logo. Adolf Dassler founded Adidas in 1924 with his brother Rudolf. The company is known for its “three-stripes” logo and is prevalent in the soccer world. Advantage: Neither

Style

When it comes to style, Nike offers numerous selections of shoes that each have their own personality. The big take-away from Nike is they allow consumers to customize their own shoes. Adidas provides a wide variety of shoe styles with their patented logo. Adidas does allow customization, but on less shoes. Advantage: Nike

Comfort

Both brands offer a wide assortment of features to provide comfort. A shoe should be comfortable because you are constantly moving around. Providing a product that meets this need is a goal for Nike and Adidas. At the end of the day, you can assure your feet will be safe in either brand’s shoes. Advantage: Neither

Durability/Adaptability

Once again, both brands strive to create durable products. My experience with both Adidas and Nike is their shoes hold up very well. I have been wearing the same pair of Nike workout shoes and Adidas running shoes for the past two years! “Adaptability” refers to how applicable the shoe is for different situations. For example, can I wear the shoe to an athletic event and a social gathering? Most shoes tend to be adaptable, but Nike obtains this standard more often. Advantage: Nike

Cost

Both companies have high-end and low-end shoes. Adidas and Nike highlight their more expensive and high-end shoes on their website. However, looking at the lifestyle-type shoes, Adidas tends to have lower prices. Advantage: Adidas

Conclusion

Adidas and Nike offer consumers valuable shoes; however, I would have to go with Nike. Even though Nike’s shoe prices tend to be a little bit pricier, you can always find a good clearance deal at a store. Nike also provides a product with additional style options and the versatility to wear in different scenarios.