shoerunner

A shoerunner is a specialized software application or system designed to automate the execution of shoe-related tasks. Primarily, shoerunners are used in the context of online retail, specifically for purchasing limited-edition or high-demand footwear, often referred to as "sneaker drops." These programs aim to overcome the challenges posed by high traffic and rapid sell-outs that characterize these releases.

Shoerunners typically work by mimicking human behavior on e-commerce websites. They are programmed to navigate to specific product pages, select desired sizes and colors, and then attempt to complete the checkout process with extreme speed. This speed advantage is crucial because limited-edition shoes are often sold out within seconds of their release. Shoerunners can achieve this by bypassing manual clicking and typing, instead directly interacting with the website's underlying code or using pre-programmed sequences of actions.

The use of shoerunners is a contentious issue within the sneaker community. While proponents argue they provide a fair opportunity for individuals who may be unable to participate in manual purchasing due to time constraints or other limitations, opponents, including many retailers and consumers, view them as an unfair advantage. They contribute to the resale market, often driving up prices beyond the original retail cost. Retailers actively work to detect and block shoerunner activity, implementing measures such as CAPTCHAs, bot detection algorithms, and staggered release times to mitigate their impact.