Do I need Nike Training shoes?

If you want this, you are going to have to buy suitable Nike + shoes and these are a separate purchase. These have a slot in the left shoe (under the insert) and the sender unit goes in there.

To answer your second question, see above: the pouch idea won't work as it needs pressure from the foot to activate the sender unit. The Nike shoes that work with this system have a suitable slot for the unit.

I guess so, as long as the sole is thick enough. One thing about the hole that the sender goes into is that it is reinforced by a metal liner: I guess so that as one runs, the comparative softness of the sole does not absorb the human input.

I think you may end up ruining a favourite pair of shoes if you are not careful.

Don't ruin shoes. First of all it might not work!

Actually the pouches do work, they even sell specific types to hold the sensor. I recently bought two for six dollars and that is much more reasonable than buying the outrageously priced nike+ shoes. This way you also get to use whatever brand running shoes work best for you.

http://www.switcheasy.com/products/Runaway/Runaway.php#

I have heard good reviews from this. It is a pouch though. Check out some of the reviews.

I saw a CNET video on this. What they did, I haven't tried it but I figured if CNET tried it, it should work, on the video they took a ziplock sandwhich bag, put the sensor into it and then put it under the laces of the non-Nike+ shoe. They said it would work. You could try it and find out, it will only cost to buy the bag and sensor. I will say that since buying the product I love it and it is worth it! If you truly want to use the Nike+ shoe, there are lots of different styles out there and I went to a Nike outlet and bought a pair for $50. Not too bad for a great workout everytime!

Here is the CNET link, check it out!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10272535-233.html?tag=rtcol;relnews

FYI. The sensor is not activated by "pressure"... it's activated by motion 😉

No, you do not need Nike shoes.

For several years I ran with the sensor under my laces with a piece of velcro on the back, no zip lock bag. Never had a problem. Brooks & Asics shoes. A month ago, a new pair of shoes had fabric that was too slick for the velcro, so I switched to a $5 pouch. Still works fine.