new shoes, no nike

I really want to like Nike when it comes to buying running shoes. I identify with the brand professionally and personally, they make nice looking stuff and are trying to integrate technology into what they do. But it feels like they are loosing their authority in core areas of the brand: notably running.

I went to buy a pair of new running shoes today, so did some research before hand. My back is messed up and I under pronate (walk on the outside of my feet) a bit, so I know I am not a typical customer. What I was met with at Nike.com was a Wal-Mart type approach to merchandising with just a few filters. At Saucony there was a guide that asked me about my arch, my gait etc. When I went to the store (admittedly, a bit of a running specialty place), there were Nike's but they felt flatter and had less interesting features than brands like Brooks, Mizuno etc. In the end I walked off with the Saucony's pictured above.

Can a brand abandon it's core when then core is deeply tied into it's heritage? In Nike's case, you could argue to core of the brand has shifted from running to basketball and potentially even streetwear. I wonder if the internal culture has done the same???