Can’t fit an oval in a square - our two cents

Okay here we go,

I was trying to avoid writing or putting forth an opinion about the SATISFY / ADIDAS debacle thats happening but its far too interesting to not share a different perspective.

There are ALOT of viewpoints going around so I’ll structure this as responses to some I found interesting and go from there. 

200$ for a shirt with holes is the most punk thing I’ve ever seen -

Nobody is asking you to buy it. This sentiment is true across the board from blueberries to sports cars. Some just cost more - some people cant afford it others simply don’t identify with the story behind the brand. Ironically, you bitching is actually selling them more shirts.

CRINGE -

Sure. But look at any running content. It’s LAME. It’s no different to a teenager sitting in their room watching someone else play a video game. WE ARE ALL DORKS.

I think the thing most people in the comments are upset about is the fact that running has never been cool . It was a safe space for those who didn’t find themselves in the cool circle. Their worth was in the structured ideals of time and pace. Very measurable. Now we have RUNNING CULTURE and these folks feel like they still aren’t cool in a space they felt safe within.

DIVERSITY -

Brands who are successful are the ones who understand their audience. They create avatars and base absolutely everything they do off this specific person they are aiming at. SATISFY’s avatar happens to look like most of the people in the circle pit. No need to cry cause you weren’t invited you just need some spider web tattoos on yer arms and not be afraid to have cropped shirts, short shorts and long hair. Go find your people.

TRAIL RUNNING -

This isn’t trail running and nobody said it was. Sure SATISFY is a trail adjacent brand but they also make a lot of gear and sponsor runners who do their thing on the road. After all the road is made of rocks so it’s all trail running at the end of the day.

CULTURE-

I dont know anything about HARDCORE music besides I didn’t like it ( understand it) growing up. I was never a mad or angry kid and the amount of angst coming out of the speakers didn’t appeal to me. The user generated content from this event made it hard to match the energy of the running to that of the bands. It was also an experimental idea that nobody had done before. The bands got paid, looked like they had a nice time. Wait until we use backstreet boys on a running reel. 

PERFORMATIVE -

Life is performative- go watch a concert, it’s performative, if it wasn’t it would be boring as shit. There was a group of people doing pushups after run club today strictly for content. Who cares, watch it, laugh and marvel  at how silly life is. I think the coolest thing about the whole discourse is the fact that however many days later people are still talking about it. Whats the last piece of content like this? Where almost a week later there is still a conversation happening all while they probably just sold out the shoe. Mission accomplished.

To wrap it up. Sure we are biased because we have worked with SATISFY over the past 2 years. They have been amazing and really allowed us to grow with them and have been able to shine light and connect the global running communities in a way nobody else has without asking for much ( rarely anything in return ) .The only deliverables for an LSD are a group photo and that the food presentation is elevated and vegan. SATISFY brings much more than they take. Sure, they get emails. These LSD events are a free touch point for users who might not understand the pricing and hype but they want to feel connected to something. PERFECT.

Support them if you have the means or at least appreciate the fact they are willing to try thinking outside the box of stupid rules that subcultures who are meant to be free thinking and creative limit themselves to.

Running is whatever you want it to be. Go click your heels over a jump at the pump track and you might get egged by an angry BMX dude or get a laugh from a scooter mom. Who cares. Have more fun.