Nike Weartesting (beta-test shoes)

[wuhoo]

ripped from tbargains and phatwallet (actually phatwallet has had a thread on it since 2/21
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Nike Weartesting
Information

We are constantly striving to bring to market the most innovative performance products in the industry. In order to do that, we need the best and brightest product testers to evaluate our products for fit, performance and durability. If you are interested in being a product tester, please click on one of the following links for more detailed information on how the testing protocol works and what to expect:

1. Product testing overview (athletes fifteen years and older)
2. Kids testing overview (infant to size 7 youth)

If you think you have what it takes, click below on your sport of interest, General Tester Application and Legal Document. Print out the applications and mail them back to us at the following address:

Nike Inc.
ATTN: Product Testing - MH-3
One Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005

Please note: Your packet must be accompanied by the following:
1. signed legal document
2. General Tester Application
3. Your completed sport of interest application below

If you have any questions regarding how to print out the documents, please contact us. Please allow 12-16 weeks for a response to your application. However, please do not email us regarding the status of your application. We will not be able to send you a response.

Thank you for your interest in the Nike weartest program.



You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the applications.

Outdoor (ACG)
Active Life
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Kids
Men?s Cross Training
Men?s Running
Skate
Soccer
Tennis
Walking
Women?s Cross Training
Women?s Running

General Tester Application
Legal Document
Contact Us

 

[merlink]

Woohoo!! This *IS* a hot deal! It seems as if they are willingly accepting testers.. I'm sending my app in today.

 

[AnimeKnight]

I think I read it before... but correct me if I am wrong... I think they want you to send back the shoes after certain period of time so they can check the wear and tear on it.

 

[jahanzeb]

Originally posted by: AnimeKnight
I think I read it before... but correct me if I am wrong... I think they want you to send back the shoes after certain period of time so they can check the wear and tear on it.

yea ure supposed to send the shoes back after like 10 weeks

 

[Ocuflox]

seems pretty hot - wheres the shoes for working on your computer all day?

 

[KokomoGST]

Coo, I'd definitely beta test for them... I work out often enough and I have bad knees and flat feet... wonderful combo eh?

 

[dakels]

I am all over this one. I don't buy Nike's anymore cuz they use this soft foam on many of their shoe soles and I wear thru them very fast. For tennis, I have always destroyed NIKE's faster then any other brand. I typically spend about $90-120 on tennis shoes per pair. All are warratied for wear (within 6-12 month typically) and I ALWAYS get a return within 2-3 months of light use and even as fast as 1 month for alot of use. I have worn thru NIKE tennis/court shoes within 4 weeks of heavy use (4-5 hours a day on court). In the 10 week testing program I bet I could return them with a hole in the sole
I wish they'd make a more durable court shoe cuz I do find them the most comfortable.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: dakels
I am all over this one. I don't buy Nike's anymore cuz they use this soft foam on many of their shoe soles and I wear thru them very fast. For tennis, I have always destroyed NIKE's faster then any other brand. I typically spend about $90-120 on tennis shoes per pair. All are warratied for wear (within 6-12 month typically) and I ALWAYS get a return within 2-3 months of light use and even as fast as 1 month for alot of use. I have worn thru NIKE tennis/court shoes within 4 weeks of heavy use (4-5 hours a day on court). In the 10 week testing program I bet I could return them with a hole in the sole I wish they'd make a more durable court shoe cuz I do find them the most comfortable.

Maybe the extra comfort comes at the cost of durability.

 

[isekii]

I don't know what you do .. but my Nike's last me a while..
and they're comfortable as well... much more so than Adidas or Reebok

 

[EvilYoda]

Very cool...people should update the thread if they get picked and show what their latest model is! I'll give it a shot.

 

[Flair]

What do you really think the odds of getting into the program?

 

[wuhoo]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Very cool...people should update the thread if they get picked and show what their latest model is! I'll give it a shot.

check the phatwallet thread that i linked to, there are a couple people telling about their experiences with this

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: dakels
I am all over this one. I don't buy Nike's anymore cuz they use this soft foam on many of their shoe soles and I wear thru them very fast. For tennis, I have always destroyed NIKE's faster then any other brand. I typically spend about $90-120 on tennis shoes per pair. All are warratied for wear (within 6-12 month typically) and I ALWAYS get a return within 2-3 months of light use and even as fast as 1 month for alot of use. I have worn thru NIKE tennis/court shoes within 4 weeks of heavy use (4-5 hours a day on court). In the 10 week testing program I bet I could return them with a hole in the sole I wish they'd make a more durable court shoe cuz I do find them the most comfortable.

Maybe the extra comfort comes at the cost of durability.

Seems like it to me. The longest lasting pair I ever had were a pair of Wilson tennis shoes ($120) (Lasted a little over 3 months, then free replacements thru the wear warranty plan). These stupid shoes took 4 weeks to break in whereas most Nike's feel good almost out of the box and at most 3-5 days (10-15 hours). Nike's high end court shoes are also more like a xtrainer's with an aggressive forward balance putting the focus of your weight on the front of the foot (which I like) and not the heels. Again, I love Nike's and use them for Xtrainers but for court, they don't last me. I am an aggressive hard court tennis player. My way of playing is about as hard as you can be on shoes (toe dragger, open stance, baseliner) Remember that tennis court surface is like sandpaper (pumice actually). Agressive players kill shoes very quickly. A friend I play wih and help train goes thru 2 pair of shoes about every 6 weeks. But he's sponsored by Nike so no worries

I actually hate the fact that Nike's dont last for me because they would be my brand of choice for the comfort. But last time I checked most of their court shoes don't have a replacement warranty like many other tennis shoe makers, and they wear the fastest for me.

 

[SharkyTM]

too bad cycling isnt on that list... If only Nike make a decent pair of SPD shoes.... GRRR

 

[Yossarian451]

Originally posted by: SharkyTM
too bad cycling isnt on that list... If only Nike make a decent pair of SPD shoes.... GRRR

it is in the outdoor buddy. Made me happy when I saw roc climbing, I have wanted, but put off, getting a pair.

 

[Marauder-]

Too bad you'll probably have to end up sending them back after 2-3 months

 

[NokiaDude]

Shoes have wear and tear warranties?!?!? WTF? I though if you destroyed em in 3 months it's YOUR fault!!!

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
Shoes have wear and tear warranties?!?!? WTF? I though if you destroyed em in 3 months it's YOUR fault!!!

Yes they do. Some at least. Depends on the compnay and the model shoe. Many of the more expensive court shoes I buy have a wear and tear policy where if the shoes have a certain amount of wear on them, under a certain time frame, they replace them for free. Some of the shops where I am a regular and they know me, I bring them my beat up shoes, they know they will get the free returns so they give me new shoes right there from their stock instead of making me wait. The wear on the shoes must meet certain criteria. Like wear thru the sole, but you don't need to have it down to the sock like mine often do . As long as the wear and tear is legit and not you with a sander or knife (which they inpect for), they send you a new replacement pair. All the deals I have used/seen are one free replacement per purchase. Look for outsole gurantee.
Usually the info is with a warranty card/info slip that comes with the shoes. You can ask your shoe retailer if the particular shoes you are looking at have the warranty andwhat the conditions are. If they don't know they should be able to just open up a new box (like from what you are trying on) and tell you if they replace ment. Also ask a shop if they do in house replacements like what I get. That means no waiting. Usually experienced shops that do returns on a usual basis know what the manufacturer would take or not take as a return. My returns are usually way beyond the necessary criteria for a wear return so I never have problems. Usually most manufacturers just want to see the outsol worn thru to where the insol and cushioning is. If its as bad as it going to the sock, then its an obvious replacement as long as its within the time frame.

I have only dealt with this with tennis/court shoes but I know some running shoes and Xtrainers have similar warranties.