Denmark’s most popular running shoes (2016)

We have done an analysis of the Danes’ choice of running shoes. Which running shoe is their favorite at the time of writing (2016). Which shoe is the most popular.

Read about Denmark’s most popular running shoes

The test or survey was conducted in conjunction with our website and our newsletters. The entire survey was therefore based on the core target group. Runners of all ages and with their own approach to choosing running shoes.

Denmark’s most popular running shoes have been found, and the winner was:

Asics Gel Nimbus and Asics Gel kayano

Yes, there are 2 winners if you can say so. There are at least 2 running shoes from Asics that share 1st place.

It is important for us to emphasize that this test does not contain any basis for choosing the best running shoe in Denmark. Because that is almost impossible. It has a lot to do with preferences and one’s own perception. The study was only conducted on the basis of having to find the most popular running shoe in Denmark.
One can then conclude that if Asics Nimbus or Asics Kayano is so popular, it is probably also because this running shoe is good. Maybe the best? But there must be a connection in that the most popular running shoe is also found on the list of the best running shoes. This is clearly a user analysis that we will do at a later date.

The result is as follows

A clear result quickly shows that there is a significantly large difference between top and bottom.

Distributed by models:

1.Asics Gel-Nimbus 20
2Asics Kayano
3. Brooks Glycerin
4. Nike Air Max 90
5. Asics GT 2000
6. Brooks Purecadence
7. Nike Lunarglide
8. New Balance 1260

Distributed by brands:

1. Asics (36.5%)
2. Nike (15.1%)
3. Brooks (11.3%)
4. New Balance (10.1%)
5. Adidas (5%)
6.Solomon (2.5%)
6. Solomon (2.5%))
6.Inov8 (2.5%)
7. (14.5%) distributed among other brands

It’s funny to see that Brooks, which is a relatively new brand in Denmark, can squeeze a model onto the podium. This should be seen in light of the fact that they are actually worse off overall than Nike, which takes 3rd place for brands. But it just shows that if you hit the Danish running market with a really good model that hits a void, you are very close to a lot of success. Brooks Glycerin is a fantastic shoe that covers the requirements of many runners, which is why it can be found in 3rd place. That’s why it is so popular. One thing can be denied, it is not popular because you come across it everywhere. Brooks is not the brand you see in all stores and on all webshops. They really care about their brand, and many times you have to go to “specialty stores” to find their full range.

The Danish runners are spoiled

And we should learn to appreciate that. The list of running brands is endless, and there are probably many more than the ones we selected for the survey. But when it comes to being able to indulge in quality, we Danes are incredibly well-spoiled.
If you take a look at the list of running shoe suppliers, it is fantastic as a Dane to have a brand like Inov8, which specializes ONLY in making shoes for the terrain. They have no other focus areas for running shoes than making the best running shoes for trail running, and giving the best experiences to Danish trail runners. It is so.. fantastic. It is one of the reasons why we Danes have so many cool running shoes and alternatives to choose from.
Another exciting brand that is gaining more and more prominence in Denmark (and worldwide) is Hoka One One. They do not specialize only in a segment like road or trail, but they make running shoes that stand out from the crowd. Their philosophy is lots, as in LOTS of shock absorption in their running shoes. The shoes look a bit strange, and I have been lucky enough to test a few myself, and must say that my skepticism was put to shame. Because Silvan the developers have done something special. Their mission of creating ultra soft running shoes has succeeded. And if you really like soft shoes, then they are the ones you should contact.

One brand in particular stands out a lot when it comes to running shoes

Asics is the big winner in our study. When you sit in the top 2 places on the podium, you can do something. From the outside, Asics has been the Danes’ favorite running brand for many years when we talk about running shoes..
They make quality running shoes that fit right into the Danes’ mindset when it comes to running shoes. They are super soft running shoes with a super high level of comfort. And that’s something the Danes really like. Their running shoes are always packed with shock absorption, which satisfies the vast majority of runners. But where I think Asics really wins a lot with the Danes is in their super soft and high level of comfort around the feet. Their running shoes have a fantastic tendency to “snuggle around the foot”

Of course, brands like Nike and Adidas are also well-marked on the list, but still not to the extent that it became a place on the podium. The otherwise so popular swoosh must see itself beaten by lengths when we talk about running shoes. Nike has their (and incredibly popular) models, Pegasus, Structure, Free etc. And on a global level, I would think that Nike is pushing or maybe beating Asics in the fight to be the most popular running shoe. But now this study is within the country’s borders, and Nike running shoes must see themselves beaten by lengths by Asics.

Asics has been around since 1949, and was founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka. After returning home from the war in 1945, he set about building this amazing empire. It was with a relatively low capital and only 4 employees that the great Asics ship was launched.
IN the 67 years that the brand has existed, they have expanded their portfolio of various sports equipment considerably. In Denmark, Asics is best known for their running shoes. But in many other countries, both basketball and, not least, handball are really making a splash. But Asics is above other sports such as golf, swimming and tennis.

The fact that Asics Nimbus and Asics Kayano are so popular is certainly also related to their existence. But more on that below. But it is a fact that the longer a model keeps its name in the market, the easier it becomes for consumers to remember it.

Why are Nimbus and Kayano so popular?

First and foremost for the simple reason that, quite frankly, they are two fantastic running shoes. Running shoes that really pamper your feet, from the inside out..
You don’t get to the success that Asics has created with this running shoe in your sleep. It has certainly cost blood, sweat, tears and lots of marketing dollars. But it’s all really well spent now. The 2 pairs of running shoes are the pairs that are most often passed over the counter or sent from a webshop. And that’s because they are 2 flagships that are branded really well from the start. Good branding and a very high quality running shoe are predicted to be successful from the start. And it must be said that both Asics Kayano and Nimbus have got that.

The (better) alternatives from Asics

What is it, why does he have to be a candle extinguisher? I’m not, but when something is as popular as the 2 models are, you often become blind to other things. And if you ask me directly, there are directly good (and often) better alternatives to numbers 1 and 2 on the list.
From Asics (if we have to have the most relevant comparison) the Asics GT2000 is their best-selling running shoe worldwide. And that’s for the sole reason that it’s fantastic. And it can replace your Kayano running shoes in the vast majority of cases. Yes, but isn’t there a catch to that? What if I don’t get a worse running shoe? No, you don’t, many people are blinded by the top models, but 8/10 would actually get a better experience by choosing the alternative. And here we’re not just talking about the running experience, but probably also a better experience for the wallet.

The alternative to the Asics Nimbus is the Asics Gel Cumulus. You can find comprehensive tests of both models here on the page.

Or you can read our comparisons of the alternatives here: Asics Nimbus vs. Asics Cumulus and Asics Kayano vs. Asics GT 2000

Big losers on the list

While Asics is the big winner in Denmark, there are running brands that will be the big losers. A brand like Puma, which is otherwise quite widespread in sports equipment in general, and which also has a really good running collection, must be relegated to absolute last place.
And it’s not because Puma doesn’t do much about running. They are constantly developing their series, and are after all a sponsor of the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. In Denmark they haven’t (yet) had the success they want with their running shoes and running series. But they will get there and win their share. A lot of effort is being put into their development in that direction.

Lots of new running brands & running shoes

It may be that we in Denmark think we have nothing to choose from. But if you ask me, I am of the opinion that we Danes are extremely spoiled when it comes to running shoes. We are given so many new options all the time. Running brands that produce absolutely world-class running shoes abound.
To name a few, brands like Brooks, Mizuno and Hoka One One are making their big entrance into Denmark. All of them produce top-class running shoes. But it’s only a small selection of the running shoe manufacturers that are currently gaining a lot of market share.

It is incredibly rare that I come across a running shoe (*made for running) that will be labeled bad. By far the majority of running shoes I see and feel have some kind of solid quality. Our standard in Denmark when it comes to running shoes is very high.

* You probably laughed a little when I wrote about a running shoe that is made for running. But it is important to point out that what I mean is that the shoes should belong in the product group running shoes. Because it is clear that if you choose a shoe as a running shoe that does not initially belong in that category at all, but which is perhaps a leisure shoe or a badminton shoe, then it is clear that the experience will be worse.

Should you always choose the most expensive running shoe?

NO. but you should choose the running shoes that suit you and that fit well. It is important that you look inward and notice how your feet feel in the respective running shoes. Then it may well turn out that the pair for 800,- or 600,- are the ones that suit you best. Then you are glad that you have been told that running shoes cost at least 1000,- or more.
You will also find plenty of running shoes over 1000,- and I am convinced that it is the individual runner who can notice. When a running shoe costs more than another, it is because more, or rather more optimizing and more expensive materials have been used. But as I wrote further up, it is rare that I come across a pair of running shoes that I would label as extremely poor in quality. So if you want to increase comfort, or maybe reduce weight, then your running shoes will increase in price. Personally, I am happy to pay 1000,- for my running shoes when I know that my feet and my body react positively to them. That I get the softness I need, and that the shoe gives me the experience I am looking for.

You must of course draw your own conclusions, and there are a billion different opinions and positions on this very subject. Now that you know mine, you just have to go looking for the rest. :-)
Sometimes it can be a good idea to clear your mind – don’t make a science out of buying running shoes. Feel it and do what feels best. You decide for yourself of course, this was just another (good) piece of advice.

My (unbiased) and personal opinion

I can easily see that the list reflects what I see on Danes’ feet when I’m out running or running around among other runners. And I have to be quick and start by saying here that I also think the Asics Gel Nimbus and Kayano, for that matter, are 2 excellent running shoes.
Where I think it becomes a bit of a “sin” is when runners start buying based on a “name” and not based on their own desire and enthusiasm. I will eat my old hat that many people in Denmark have bought Asics Gel Nimbus because they have heard, talked to someone or read that it is the best shoe. It is still really good, but that is not the way I think you should find shoes. And that is one of the reasons why those 2 models are so popular. Here I am of course thinking mostly of the “new runners” who need to go out and get a new running shoe. We probably won’t get the man or woman who has been running in the same shoe for 14 years to change, and that is not the intention. The only thing I am saying is that I think the trend is a bit skewed at the moment. That people buy a lot based on the thesis “Well, if the others are doing it, then I should probably do it too”
Today I would recommend that you observe your own body, try out some different alternatives, and that way have better running experiences.

Feel free to leave your opinion.

As always, this area is always filled with thousands of different opinions. The above is our opinion. Some of it is based on concrete data and specific numbers, but our positions and opinions on this are at our own expense. You are of course always more than welcome to throw your opinion in here too. It would be great if you could participate in the debate.