Bill McInnis (Creator of ZigTech) Interview
We caught up with Bill McInnis, creator of the Reebok ZigTech for a Q&A. Bill Mclnnis is Head of Advanced Innovation for Reebok, and right now he’s soaking up the success of the Reebok ZigTech. Find out more about Bill Mclnnis and how the Reebok ZigTech came about by checking out the interview.
How are you doing, Bill McInnis?
I’m doing great. We have two of the biggest hits in Reebok history with EasyTone on the women’s side and ZigTech blowing out in men’s. The Reebok brand is really heating up all of a sudden.
For the people that are not familiar with you, can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I’m head of Advanced Innovation at Reebok and I’ve worked here over 13 years now. My background is a little different from most people in footwear in that I used to work on the the space shuttle program. So a little bit of a jump from rocket science to shoes.
How long have you been Head of Advanced Innovation for Reebok?
6 years.
Can you please speak on your sneaker design resume? What sneakers have you designed or had heavy influence on?
The first sneaker I was heavily involved with was the Run DMX back in 1997. We still get asked about bringing that one back. From there I worked on 3D Ultralite, VizHex, Mach 1, Pump 2.0, and most recently EasyTone, and of course ZigTech
The ZigTech definitely defines “Innovation”, but how long was this sneaker in the works?
About 24 months from 1st design concept to on-shelf.
What inspired you to create a sneaker with a zig-zag sole?
The concept was actually inspired by a slinky believe it or not. Now a slinky is fun to play with and all but what is actually happening when you play with a slinky and you’re transferring energy back and forth from ring to ring. So we were trying to capture that energy efficiency. If you picture a slinky stretched out on a table and then look at the side profile of ZigTech you can see the resemblance right away. Think of a mechanical spring, which gives you energy return, then take that same spring idea, but build it out of something soft like foam, which gives your cushioning. That’s how we get energy return and cushioning out of the same platform.
What was the most challenging part while designing the ZigTech? Also, did Reebok run into any problems during the sample stage and production stages?
We had two options in the development phase that both worked very well. Athletes liked them both all through testing. So it was a difficult decision to choose which one we went forward with.
As we both know, there are tons of training and running shoes on the market. What makes the ZigTech different on a performance level from the others?
There are so many shoes out in the market place right now that offer basic cushioning and we wanted to do something different. While EasyTone delivers a less efficient ride that makes you work harder, ZigTech offers the opposite, a more efficient shoe. Simply said, “More Train Less Pain” or “The Energy drink for your feet”
So, you’re basically saying everyone that reads this interview should get a pair of ZigTechs A.S.A.P.?
Of course we hope that everyone buys a pair, but at the very least we hope people will try them on…the whole story of energy drink for you feet makes perfect sense when you try them on.
Honestly, if you could change anything about the ZigTech, what would you change?
If it ain’t broken don’t fix it…. Probably not the answer you’re looking for but we’re very happy with the function, the look, the advertising…everything. It works.
Can we expect to see the zig-zag sole applied to different Reebok silhouettes in the future?
Absolutely. We plan to keep it always in a full length heel to toe platform, so that won’t change. But we are looking at different categories, different dimensions, things like that.
Reebok already has nice line of athletes endorsing the ZigTech, but is their anyone that you personally would like to see wearing or endorsing the ZigTech?
Yes, but can’t quite say, as he’s not signed yet.
The ZigTech is an eye-catching shoe, and it forces you to say something about its odd look. What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard someone say about the ZigTech so far?
The funniest thing is probably the most common thing “What the #$#@ is that?”
What can we look forward to seeing from Rbk’s ZigTech in the future? Maybe a ZigTech II?
As I said, the 1st ZigTech looks like a hit, so you will see a lot of variations off version 1!
Is there anything else you want to share with our readers about the ZigTech or anything else you’re currently working on? Any final words?
It’s been a long time since you’ve heard from Reebok and now with EasyTone on the women’s side and ZigTech on the men’s we are starting to fire on all cylinders. More to come!
Category: Interviews, Reebok
Can we zig-zag out of this discussion? LOL
The colorway I’d buy is the one he’s holding in his hand in the picture.
Ok, CK, I see what your talking about now, that C/W is pretty dope. And it does make sense that it’s a slinky of all things. Great interview G.
I tried on a pair and they were comfortable. I didnt buy them but I may get a pair just to work out in it.
i was shaky at first but these are starting to grow on me with the different colorways. im waiting for that “one” to come along and i may grab a pair. i will definitely be trying on a pair sometime in the near future to see what theyre about. great job G!
How about twist up a zigzag??? these are stricly for function not fashion
^ AGREE, STRICTLY FOR FUNCTION, NOT FASHION!!
that guy looks like Mr.Clean
Defly on of Reeboks freshest ideas in a while…. in a loooooong while….. like since the pump…
I have the black and red ones and they work! I dont feel any pain on my feet ankles and what not after i run.
Its a real interesting shoe I would own it for casual wear like walking, and commuting around the city. I wouldn’t run in these since they do 20% of the running for you. I’d rather run in a shoe like A new balance or a asic wear you gotta do all the work.
real talk bring back the shaqnosis n pre seasons emmitt smiths too
I wears em, I likes em, and don’t nobody eva say sheeit about my crinkle cut french fry sneakers cuz they know I’ll knock dem teef out. 1 luv.
One of the members of the gym I work at wore them while running on the treadmill. Not long afterwards, I saw on the floor towards the back of the treadmill was a fine red dust…the zigtechs were getting eaten up by the belt! I pointed it out to buddy, he got pretty pissed because he dropped $100+ on them and returned them that night.
Ugly…but interseting
I tried them on while at the mall last week. And this is what I found:
1) They’re a tad small. I’m norm 11.5 but would be a 12
2) The do look goofy… but it grows on you… and it gets noticed
3) Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude… so LIGHT!
4) The upper is made out of glorified panty hose… seriously! I have major durability questions about this shoe and after what StnCold814 said, I now have greater doubts.
5) The heel felt wide… and it is… but you can feel the width which is really strange. I likely NOT run in these for this very reason… may throw off your gait but honestly, this shoe was NOT made with the runner in mind!
6) I’m WAY HAPPY with my AM 09′s compared to these!
At both FL and FTL they said that there’s just not a lot feedback on them yet. They are selling and selling pretty consistently. GREAT JOB REEBOK… YOU NEEDED HIS… BAD! Now, stop getting clowns to endorse them (cough Jersey Shore cough)!
Yeah the bad thing about this shoe is it does some of the work your body does for you. In this shoe you are constantly propelled forward so it creates an artificial gait like 4Drumz said earlier . Instead of making your muscles stronger you get weaker due to lack of muscle usage. Its a decent concept that is a much needed breath of fresh air , but it is not I repeat is not a running shoe this is just a walking shoe . If want to cross train or do anything seriously athletic find a serious running or cross training shoe.
First off, G-Roc this is a great interview. Glad to see the direct Q&A session. These are some of the most originally innovative shoes that have been released in recent memory. Talk about giving reebok some hope for the future…well they just got it!
Here’s my take….
1. Sizes run big. (4Drumz: I got hella room in the toes)
2. Zero support for lateral movement (rolled my ankle once already)
3. Great cushion for running
4. Featherweight light
I give these shoes a strong 8 of 10 for a running shoe. And although I wouldn’t rock em to the club, they got some major head turning ability. I love em!
@CallmeDiesel – Thank you. Look for more of these in the future.
CallmeDiesel – #2 = Major bummer! That’s a scary thought man. Uneven surfaces could def do some people in if this is the case! Yikes!!! I agree on the cushioning but stability is a big consideration and concern.
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LoL… my gnarly toenails may be the cause of the size diff.?!?!? ha ha ha… who knows… kinda weird that the pair I tried was small and yours have some room?
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Co-Sign G-Roc – Great post and personal interviews ROCK… even if Jason Mayden doesn’t really answer any of your questions
[...] EasyTone and ZigTech footwear has pushed the brand in a new direction when it comes to innovative footwear. Soon Reebok will [...]
At first i thought the zig tech would be an awesome shoe to wear when im out side or at school,since all my friends wear them.I wore the shoe to play basketball and do my running in for about a month and it felt good.Two weeks later I seriously damaged my Achilles tendon. I went to my sports doctor and he said i needed to get a better pair of shoes. I said “Why”?.He said because if you take the shoe and bend the top upwords and it bends in half its not a supportive shoe. If you take your shoe and bend it and only the front part of the shoe bends its a very supportive shoe.I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal if I wore the zig techs because he wouldnt know if I was wearing them or not, but it got worse and worse because i was wearing the zig techs. Thats when I got scared.I went out to a specialized shoe store and got a new pair of shoes that had the arch and proper support I needed.I started wearing those shoes and my achilles tendon stoped hurting completely.So it turned out that the Zig Tech shoes 1.Are NOT! a supportive shoe 2.Can damage you feet and achilles tendon very badly and 3. DO NOT PLAY ANY SPORTS IN THIS SHOE!!!!!!! I do not recomend this shoe for a very active person!:)
My husband has a wide foot…does zig plan on coming out with a wide shoe anytime soon???