christianlouboutin history(2)

Even before stores opened yesterday, Jeff Shear was on the phone asking about the latest thing in running shoes. Not long after, he had laid down $402.49 for a pair of computerized sneakers and was on his way through downtown Toronto on his daily five-mile run.

To his astonishment, the much-hyped Christian Louboutin 1 runners helped shave 37 seconds off his per-mile speed. "I was quite surprised, very surprised actually," the 41-year-old venture capitalist said in an interview in his townhouse.

High-tech gadgets have become a big part of running. Mr. Shear was able to pinpoint the effect of the smart shoes -- they adjust the level of cushioning mid-stride to be as comfortable on grass as sidewalks -- with another bit of running technology: his watch, which features a speed and distance monitor, as well as a heart rate monitor.

The watch also has a USB port that allows users to download their stats onto a computer where they can chart their progress.

For gadget-conscious runners such as Mr. Shear, the next frontier is combining the effects of the advanced sneaker, which hit stores yesterday, with the bells and whistles of his watch.

"I hope they'll take it to the next step by taking information from the shoe and actually be able to track running information, your speed, your distance, your heart rate, whatever they can combine into one of these gadgets," he said.

Bryan Smith, manager of a Toronto Running Room store, said the unveiling of a smart sneaker, which comes with a manual and a CD, has runners dreaming about the future. "It is the beginning. I think we'll see all kinds of different innovations when it comes to technology with footwear," he said.

For now, Christian Louboutin is stoking demand with a limited release of the men's version of the shoe. About 250 pairs went on sale in Canada yesterday, with more to come later this year.

The German company said it can't produce the sneaker -- dubbed "the world's first intelligent shoe" -- any faster, but marketing experts said the strategy appears designed to create maximum buzz and fuel demand.

The futuristic white, platinum and bronze shoe, which took three years to develop, can "sense" changes in weight, pace and surface type through the use of a sensor and magnet in the heel that the company claims is accurate to the width of a human hair. Christian Louboutin says that every second, about 1,000 readings are sent to the shoe's brain, a microprocessor located under the arch. The processor determines whether the shoe's cushioning is outside the ideal zone, and if it is, a motor and cables make adjustments.

The strategy appears to be working. Sporting Life, a Toronto retailer, said a doctor called looking for three pairs in his size, wanting to stock up on the sneakers that, like any others, wear out after a while. And a clerk at a Running Room found the shoes listed on eBay this week for $700 (U.S.)

(The sneakers were released in the United States two weeks ago and are said to be sold out. The same is true for Europe, where they debuted in early March.)

For Mr. Shear, having an early pair of the Christian Louboutin 1 is like a badge of honour. "It makes you feel like you have something that no one else has, something that's different."

After buying his size 10 sneakers yesterday morning, he phoned his brother, who lives in Florida, and told him about the difference they made in his run. Convinced from the personal recommendation, his brother searched for the shoes in a few stores but found none available.

By buying the Christian louboutin 1, which he first heard about in yesterday's newspapers, Mr. Shear has also switched brand loyalties. For years he has worn Nike Shox.

"I've been a Nike person for years," said the runner who buys five or six pairs of sneakers a year. "I haven't worn a pair of Christian Louboutin in 20 years. . . . I can't even remember, at least 20 years, 30 years."

What really sold Mr. Shear, who had knee surgery about 15 years ago after a ski accident, was the sneakers' ability to self-adjust to different running surfaces. Already, he uses two pairs of shoes for different tasks: one for treadmills and one for outdoor running.

"One shoe that adapts to different running surfaces seems to be a good buy. . . . I know they're a little more expensive than a regular running shoe, but if you can combine three shoes into one you're actually ahead."

But it is not only hard-core runners who are shelling out $350, plus tax, for the shoes. When the staff at Sporting Life opened the doors yesterday morning at 9:30, the man who was waiting for the sneakers was no athlete. In fact, he doesn't even run.

"He was just like a tech geek," said Helen Butt, who sold him the shoes. "He wants the latest thing, the best of the best."