A New Chapter

A New Chapter, A New Kit: Embracing the Adidas Super Shoe Era

Tomorrow marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Stepping into the role of a collegiate coach at Penn State is an incredible honor, and I can’t wait to get to work with the team.

But a new coaching era also means a completely new look. Let me be clear from the start: I was never sponsored by Nike. I’ve just been a regular guy buying my own gear like everyone else, and for the last 15 years, I’ve pretty much been a dedicated Nike guy. When something works and keeps your body feeling good, you just stick with it.

Now, everything changes. The official brand at Penn State is moving to Adidas, backed by a massive, transformational 10-year partnership worth over $300 million. This is a monumental shift for the university, bringing incredible technology and resources to our student-athletes. For me, it means it's time to switch gears and step into the three stripes.

To be absolutely clear: I don't hate Adidas. In fact, if we want to talk nostalgia, I actually ran my fastest times in both training and racing back in my prime wearing Adidas. They were my go-to daily trainers back then, and they treated me well.

But a lot has changed in the shoe world since I last laced up a pair.

The Evolution of the "Super Trainer"

Over the years as I've aged, the soft, max-cushioning shoes that Nike produced just made it easy for me to train without feeling like my body was getting beat up daily. As shoe technology continued to grow across the industry, I remained a fan in awe of how far design has come.

Being older and not as competitive as I used to be, over the last year or so I’ve become a massive fan of Super Trainers. We’re talking about shoes so comfortable that you literally feel like you’re walking on clouds—shoes designed to take the impact and save your legs from that feeling of being pounded into the pavement day after day.

These shoes have genuinely made it easier for me to get out the door and train on a more regular basis. In turn, that consistency has massively improved both my physical and mental health, just by getting outside, enjoying the fresh air, and moving my body.

Running has always been my passion and my hobby. Because of that, paying money to support my running habits and the rising cost of shoes has never really affected me mentally. I don’t mind paying to have something I truly enjoy wearing, especially if it makes me excited to get out the door and train.

Over to You: What’s the Adidas Verdict?

Because I’ve been firmly in the Nike camp during the recent technology and design battles, I haven't yet experienced how Adidas has adapted its technology into the modern super-shoe landscape. I hear nothing but good things about their latest foam innovations, and I’m genuinely excited for this next chapter in life.

I’m not looking for raw, aggressive speed anymore. I am just about the comfort and the way these modern shoes make me feel, especially when my mileage gets up there. I want to be able to get out there and move every single day and not feel like my knees and hips are hurting from running on the pavement so much.

So, I’m throwing it out to the running community and my fellow shoe geeks:

Where are my super shoe friends? What are some of the modern Adidas super trainers or max-cushion shoes that you enjoy running in? What should be the first pair I grab to kick off this new Penn State era?

Drop your recommendations, thoughts on their latest tech, and reviews in the comments below. I'm excited to hear what you have to say!