The time had come. I laced up the New Balance 577s—a relic from a different era, back when running shoes were built like tanks and felt just as heavy. There was a time when these were the pinnacle of performance, the best we had. But things change. Technology evolves. And what once felt cutting-edge now feels like a punishment.
The first mile felt manageable. Nostalgic, even. The ground beneath me, the rhythm of my stride, the sense that I was part of something bigger than myself. But by mile three, the cracks started to show. My calves burned, my heels ached, and my Achilles felt like it was being slowly chiseled away by the unrelenting pavement. This wasn’t just running—it was survival.
It made me think: How did we ever do this? How did runners in the ‘80s, '90s and creeping into the 00’s log miles in shoes that felt more like work boots than performance gear? The answer is simple: They had no choice. Back then, running shoes were built for durability, not for propulsion. There were no carbon plates, super foams, or biomechanical wizardry fine-tuned to shave seconds off your mile splits. You put on a pair of shoes, you ran and you dealt with the consequences.
But evolution is a beautiful thing. Running shoes have become an extension of the athlete, a finely tuned instrument designed for efficiency, comfort, and speed. Whether you’re a casual runner logging easy miles or an elite athlete chasing PRs, today’s options allow you to run smarter, not just harder. The difference between the 577s and modern-day trainers? Night and day. One demands everything from you, the other works with you. And that’s progress. That’s the kind of evolution that should be celebrated.
But running itself has changed, too. And that shift is more complicated. Once a sport of quiet dedication, it has transformed into something much bigger—a culture, a statement, an aesthetic. Brands like Bandit and Satisfy have blurred the line between function and fashion, turning running into something you don’t just do, but something you wear. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. But it’s different. And unlike shoe technology, this shift isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s just the new reality. Running is no longer just about the miles; it’s about the message. Some embrace that. Others roll their eyes.
As I finished my run in the 577s, limping slightly, I found myself grateful for both evolutions—the one that makes running more accessible and less punishing and the one that has brought more people into the fold, even if it looks different than it used to. But let’s be clear: If you’re here to run, to really run, you need the right shoes. Not relics. Not nostalgia. Not an aesthetic. You need something built for your journey.
That’s what we do at Brooklyn Running Co. Whether you’re stepping into your first pair or searching for the next edge, we’re here to guide you. Because running should be about moving forward—not getting stuck in the past.
All the best,
Matt Seymour!