Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture & Cool of Running Shoes

Name: Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture & Cool of Running Shoes
Price: 11.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (87 reviews)
Author: Brian Metzler

by Brian Metzler

Nonfiction

4.5 (87)

4.5 stars from 87 reviews

231 pages~3.9 hr readPublished by VeloPress Books

$11.9933% off peak

Last checked: Apr 15, 2026

Hidden GemHighly rated but flying under the radar. Fewer readers have found this one yet.

Price history: $0.50 – $18.00

While not the biggest discount we've seen for this book, it's still a great deal and we recommend grabbing it before price returns to its normal range.

Price range: $0.50 – $18.00

Buy on Amazon - $11.99

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Perfect for you if...

You're a runner who's ever wondered why one shoe feels perfect while another doesn't, or spent hours debating sneaker specs with other enthusiasts.
You're fascinated by how consumer products actually get designed, manufactured, and sold, and want the insider story on a massive industry.
You appreciate well-researched narrative non-fiction that combines history, science, and cultural trends into something that feels like a conversation with an expert friend.

Maybe not for you if...

You're looking for training advice or a how-to guide for improving your running performance.
You have no interest in shoes, running culture, or the mechanics of sneaker design.
You prefer fiction or memoir over investigative journalism and industry deep-dives.

About this book

Kicksology offers an inside look at the running shoe industry, worth $10 billion, and what constitutes an ideal pair. Sports journalist Brian Metzler examines iconic running shoe brands and traces how shoes develop from initial concept through manufacturing to retail shelves, revealing how innovative ideas become industry trends. Metzler visits shoe laboratories where scientists study footwear and running mechanics, as well as domestic and international factories where running shoes are produced. He explores the intersections of shoe culture and history, science and storytelling, combining perspectives from shoe innovators with insights from elite runners. The book presents information about what makes a great shoe, drawing on Metzler's experience as a dedicated shoe enthusiast and running enthusiast.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$0.50 – $18.00

Currently on sale at $11.99 — 33% off peak. Price has dropped 4 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 373 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #429K in the Kindle store — a niche title.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.5★ from 87 reviews

Review activity has been quiet recently. Rating has remained stable at 4.5 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $11.99. It typically returns to around $18.00.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.