Nike+ used to be about running.

The original shoes-meets-iPod system was essentially a fancy digital pedometer. But even that simple setup resulted in a certain mania among enthusiasts, and Facebook feeds the world over remain clogged with run updates to this day. Despite its limitations, people warmed to Nike+ because it encouraged them to run farther and more often.

Now Nike has expanded its “+” empire by issuing both cross-training and basketball shoes equipped with the company’s digital dressing. This lets us non-runners taste the thrill of tracking our accomplishments, sharing them with friends, and virtually competing with others who’ve bought into the Nike+ ecosystem.

The shoes feature a series of sensors embedded throughout, and a small rechargeable dongle that gets inserted in the sole under your foot will wirelessly transfer your stats via Bluetooth to your iPhone. My excitement faded pretty quickly, though, when I saw the price — $250 is a lot for shoes, especially given that I sometimes burn through a pair in as little as six months. Would they really be worth it?