Are you a sneaker header who knows their footwear? Maybe you’re the certified sneaker fanatic who knows their Air Jordans from New Balance 327 and Yeezy 350s.
You could turn your passion for sneakers into a fun hobby by becoming a product tester for Nike or Adidas.
Product testers get to try new products and styles from sneaker brands, such as Nike and Adidas, for several weeks (Credit: Francesc Juan / Shutterstock)
While product testers don’t earn money, it’s an easy way to take your love for sneakers to the next level. Product testers get to trial new products and styles for several weeks to feed into the final product. It’s insider access to some of the world’s most popular sneaker and athleisure brands.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about how to become a product tester for the world’s most popular sneaker brands – and all the perks that come with it.
The Role of a Product Tester: Beyond the Sneakers
A product tester is an individual who receives a product from a company in return for testing it and providing feedback. Product testers are vital to give companies insight into how to develop products to meet the needs of changing customer behavior.
Before a new product hits the market, product testers help shoe companies determine whether the product meets the brand’s quality standards (Credit: 2p2play / Shutterstock)
Product testers enable companies to determine whether a product meets the brand’s quality standard before hitting the market. Recruiting product testers is a vital aspect of brand research and development.
Step-by-Step: Joining Nike’s Elite Product Testing Team
Joining the Nike product testing program takes only a few minutes. You can apply through the brand’s dedicated product testing website, fill out an application, and start receiving sneakers and other products as soon as you get the green light.
Nike’s product testing system works on a circular model. You’ll receive sneakers to test, provide feedback, and then return them to Nike.
You can become a product tester for Nike by filling out an application form through its dedicated product testing website (Credit: Nike)
In-Depth Look: Navigating Nike’s Product Testing Process
Nike offers product testing schemes for three groups: parents applying for children aged 12 years or younger, minors between 13 and 17, and adults 18 years and older.
You can start the process of becoming a product tester by visiting Nike Voice of the Athlete. The application process requires you to provide basic personal information, including your date of birth, whether you’re an NCAA athlete and your preferred communication method.
As soon as you get the green light, you can expect to receive the product for testing and then submit your feedback before returning the product to Nike (Credit: Nike)
Nike is not currently accepting new applications from adult and minor testers. Parents can still submit applications on behalf of children aged 12 years or younger.
The brand hasn’t provided any information on when applications will reopen. Applications made by parents on behalf of a child require a parent profile before applying for the under-12 product tester program.
Unlocking Adidas Product Testing: Your Guide to Getting Started
Adidas’ product tester program is currently on hiatus but expected to reopen for applications soon. It works similarly to Nike, with successful applicants receiving sneakers and other products to test for several weeks before returning them to the brand.
Adidas has a few specific requirements for applicants looking to join its product testing program. You must live in the United States, be at least 18, and provide your body measurements during the application process.
Product tester applicants for Adidas must be at least 18 years old and residing in the United States (Credit: Adidas)
Successful applicants will receive an email confirmation from Adidas and receive their first products within a few weeks. You’ll receive specific information on how to test the products and the duration of use.
Adidas will cover the cost of returning your items to their facilities after the test period. You’ll typically be asked to keep notes on your experience with the products and complete a survey after completing the test period.
After receiving an email confirmation, successful applicants will receive the test product, which they can test for a required amount of hours/mileage per week for about two to four weeks (Credit: Adidas)
It’s worth noting that you cannot become an Adidas product tester if you test any competitor products, including Nike. You won’t be able to share any information about the products you’re testing on social media or other digital communication methods.
Decoding the Perks: Compensation for Nike and Adidas Product Testers
While product testing is a fun side hustle, it will not earn you money. Nike and Adidas don’t pay their product testers. You must also return the products at the end of your trial instead of keeping them instead of payment.
Adidas and Nike product testers don’t get paid, but select brands may provide a small fee for becoming their product tester (Credit: GeorgeVieiraSilva / Shutterstock)
Becoming a product tester isn’t for everyone. It’s an ideal hobby for die-hard sneaker and athleisure fans who want to feel involved in the industry.
Select brands may provide a small fee for becoming a product tester, but mainstream brands do not.
Behind the Scenes: The Impact of Product Testers on Sneaker Innovation
Brands like Nike and Adidas recruit product testers for research and development into new styles and products.
It gives the marketing and product development departments an idea of how the brand’s target demographics will react to a new product before it hits the shelves.
Hiring product testers allows brands to make changes to their products based on the given feedback (Credit: Sportpoint / Shutterstock)
Using real customers allows brands to include individuals already familiar with their products in their development process.
The feedback offers a fresh perspective to designers and allows them to make changes to the product before it’s previewed to buyers and stockists.
Product testing is vital to helping brands create products that match their quality standards and are likely to sell well amongst their target market.
Exploring Beyond Nike and Adidas: Other Brands Seeking Product Testers
Adidas and Nike aren’t the only sneaker brands that hire product testers. Reebok also has its own product testing program, like its parent company, Adidas.
The requirements are similar to Adidas, with most product testers trailing products for two to four weeks.
Reebok has its own product testing program, with similar requirements as its parent company, Adidas (Credit: Bozidar Acimov / Shutterstock)
New Balance also has a product testing program known as the ‘Wear Test’ program. It’s designed to feed into the company’s research and development to maintain its high level of customer satisfaction.
New Balance has a dedicated website for product testing that sets out the step-by-step process of the program. Its program is only open to residents in the United States, and you will not be compensated for your time.
New Balance has a product testing program called the Wear Test program (Credit: ch_ch / Shutterstock)
Lacing Up: The Unseen Benefits of Sneaker Product Testing
It’s best to choose one brand for which to become a product tester, as most have a competitor clause that excludes applicants who are already product testers for other brands.
Becoming a product tester for Adidas or Nike is an easy way to get insider access to the latest sneaker designs and innovations. Look out for when product tester applications re-open very soon.