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Enda: The First Kenyan Running Shoe

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by Craig Payne, May 24, 2016.

  1. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    My list of 130 different running shoe brands (that's brands, not models) just grew by 1 to 131!
    Just got this in my Kickstarter alert:
    Enda: The First Kenyan Running Shoe

    They appear to be well on their way to achieve the funding goal.
     

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  2. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    Sounds like a good project & looks to be a good shoe (for those suited to it). The website could do with some improvements though.

    The following is another website related to the shoe: http://www.endasportswear.com/about/
     
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  4. I'm sorry, it would be nice if this was truly a "Kenyan running shoe". However, the fact is that this shoe will be made in China like most other running shoes and the only thing that makes it "Kenyan" are that one of the two entrepreneurs hoping to make this venture happen is Kenyan. Oh yeah, the article said the shoe will be "assembled" in Kenya...what does that mean exactly? They will lace the already-made shoes in Kenya or maybe put the already-made shoes into shoe boxes in Kenya?!

    Personally, I would love to see some truly fine running shoes made exclusively in Kenya to help the people there. However, this "Enda" project smells very "fishy" to me.....like someone is trying to make money off the history and culture of the great Kenyan runners of the past half-century without the proceeds from shoe sales doing much benefit for the people of Kenya.

    I guess.....I'm just the skeptical podiatrist. What say you?

    http://qz.com/692874/kenya-home-to-...-soon-produce-high-performance-running-shoes/
     
  5. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    Could be like New Balance's claim to be "made in the USA" when in reality they are "assembled in the USA" ... just enough assembly is done there to avoid legal action overt eh 'made in usa' claim.
     
  6. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    Yes... well, the article did state the following...

    It would appear the goal is to have the entire manufacturing process happening in Kenya... "eventually". We can only wait & see. Going by the following, the shoes being "exempt from import taxes" (for the U.S market) could be another incentive as well (along with boosting jobs) to have full Kenyan production...

    It will (eventually) be good for Kenya... & quite possibly profitable in the highly competitive market of running shoes due to the successful history of Kenyan athletes (which Westerners are marvelled by... & want a piece of).

    It will be interesting to see how the Kenyan athletes respond... choose to run in their nation's very own shoe... or choose the big bucks of sponsorship associated with wearing the big name brands. Then again, Kenya have a plane load of sub 2:10 marathoners :eek: trying to make the big time :rolleyes:... who may be unable to attract sponsorship :confused:... where Enda steps in with a free pair of training/racing shoes for those guys & gals who are World class... but not quite Kenyan class :empathy:.
     
  7. Matt:

    I read all of that. However, have you ever heard of running shoe company making marketing claims that simply weren't true?! Over the past 45 years of my following the running shoe industry very closely, it seems a little bit improbable to me. Kenya isn't China, and China isn't Kenya. In other words, I'll believe all their talk of helping Kenyans by manufacturing the whole shoe in Kenya when I see it. My prediction is that will never happen.

    I remain the skeptical podiatrist.:cool:
     
  8. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    That's OK Kevin, I understand. Being an Optimistic Podiatrist has its draw backs this day & age (i.e. humanity just lets one down too frequently)... hence the rise (& the need) of the Skeptical Podiatrist :cool: ...

    [​IMG]

    Then there is likely the following...

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2016
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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 22, 2016
  10. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    Well, the above video sounds promising for Kenyan production (there seems to be sincere intentions)... but in exercising some scepticism - we'll have to wait & see.

    I personally think the shoe would look best with the colours of the Kenyan flag (black, red & green) all together on the shoe (instead of having a black shoe, red shoe & green shoe... which look a bit bland). Having the three colours on the one model may also cut down on production costs i.e. shoe having a black toe box section, red tarsal (mid foot) section, green heel section & white Enda spear logo (not to mention being easily recognisable... quite striking). [I'm available Enda :rolleyes:]

    [​IMG]

    "4mm pitch" (i.e. heel to forefoot pitch) is a better term than... "4mm drop".
     
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  12. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    I see the easily exceeded their Kickstarter funding goal.
     
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    From CNN:
    Start-up duo making the shoe fit for Kenya's Olympic heroes
     
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  16. BEN-HUR

    BEN-HUR Well-Known Member

    That sounds promising for Kenyan production... they appear determined. Would be interesting seeing the footage of this on the "Lion's Den".

    Found a promo for the "Lion's Den"... & if you look carefully, at the 10sec. point there could be the (Enda) shoe being assessed (???)...
     
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  21. Craig Payne

    Craig Payne Moderator

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    I have picked up a few comments in social media re the quality of this shoe and durability of the upper. As it has only just been shipped, too early to tell if this is a systematic problem
    That list is now up to 152 brands
     
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