The Personal Fit Process
Step One: Getting to Know You
Tell US about YOU: This is your opportunity to tell us everything about what you do or DON’T do as an athlete. We need to know whether you’re primarily a walker or a runner, a gym enthusiast, a tennis star (Doh! We don’t have shoes for you here!) or a fashion maven looking for brightly colored accessories. After we know what you’re going to do in your shoes and where you’re going to do it, we’ll move on to the next step.
Step Two: Static Foot Assessment
We’ll evaluate the shape and structure of your feet and ankles, and also ask questions about previous injuries. We’re determining what type of foot you have and the motion your foot experiences as you strike the ground moving forward. (TIP: Most people initially strike on the outside heel of their foot, and as they continue forward roll in to some degree–the degree to which you roll in determines the type of shoe we help you choose!) If you have old running shoes, now is the time to pull them out and examine the tread.
Step Three
After we assess your foot we’ll suggest a variety of shoes that might work for your individual needs. We’ll pull several pair based on your “street shoe” size–adding anywhere to a half size to a size and a half depending on brand in order to ensure you have a thumb’s width of space at the end of your toe. You’re encouraged to try on as many shoes as you need to find your match. We always suggest lacing up and taking the shoes for a spin on the sidewalk outside our store, as shoes feel different in motion.
Step Four:
Decision time! As always, we are happy to give as much or little input as you’d like on your choice of running shoes–in the end, you are the one who makes the final decision. After you’ve done so, we’ll set you up in the computer system so that we can track your shoe history, and send you off with recommendations for local runs and an invitation to join our store running group. We really appreciate the fact that our customers choose to shop locally, and we try to do everything we can to ensure that your decision is rewarded with excellent service and a great selection of merchandise.
