I hate running stores

I hate the local Road Runner Sports. I know exactly what kind of shoe I need, yet they almost were refusing to help me because I hadn't used "the shoe dog". They asked what kind of running I do and had no idea what a tempo run was. Also most of the employees are overweight.

Try Big Peach.

If you don't go through Shoe Dogg they can't suggest insoles for you. Their paychecks are based off of a sock and insole percentage, as well as VIP percentage. You may very well have brought that associate down, therefore the associate didn't want to deal with you. My suggestion: If you shop at RRS, learn to shop elsewhere.

DITO in chicago, Go to Fleetfeet and you won't find one pair of 5k or 10k racing flats and they are the biggest "Speciality" running shoes in the area?

hottlanta wrote:

Try Big Peach.

I'll try them, thanks.

I'm with you. I will only go into a running store if it's my last option.

FWIW, after a long absence, Nike Free 3.0 v2 is back in stock at Nike.com. I've never seen these in any stores.

They are a good transitional shoe if going from trainers -> flats. But their heel is too thick once you are used to true flats.

I wear them as "everyday shoes" (with liner removed to get them a little bit lower).

joe nick wrote:

FWIW, after a long absence, Nike Free 3.0 v2 is back in stock at Nike.com. I've never seen these in any stores.

They are a good transitional shoe if going from trainers -> flats. But their heel is too thick once you are used to true flats.

I wear them as "everyday shoes" (with liner removed to get them a little bit lower).

Can you give more details on the height of the heel?

I've heard the 5.0 has 10mm drop, the Free Run has 9mm drop. Would the 3.0 be less than this? I'd think so but I can't find the information anywhere.

the 3.0 has a lower heel then the free run. I have a 3.0 v2 and i work at a store which carries the free run. Its a little bit more heavier and has a higher heel then the 3.0

Wow well this is nothing from what I've experienced. At my local running store (several locations throughout the state) the employees are mostly collegiate runners so they know what they're talking about. Subsequently there's a lot of clothing, etc...although all very expensive. For shoes I can see how this could be a problem because most of us prefer to try them on first. But I buy all my clothes on RunningWarehouse.com- they have good deals.

You're lucky Ralphy. I went to three specialty running stores today, and none of them had what I was looking for (specifically, a good selection of flats or the Nike Free 3.0).

"The employees are mostly collegiate runners, so they know what they are talking about."

-please explain

What's to explain? These are guys/girls that compete, run, train every day. They have the experience and are generally very knowledgble about shoes for pronation/support/etc...and can actually hold a conversation about training so you don't feel like you just went in, threw down $, and walked out.

Would you rather purchase the lowest level Under Armour running shoe at Dick's Sporting Goods from some fat balding dude who played WR in HS or get the right fit from the NCAA runner who does this everyday?

Marathoner Dude wrote:

the 3.0 has a lower heel then the free run. I have a 3.0 v2 and i work at a store which carries the free run. Its a little bit more heavier and has a higher heel then the 3.0

That's not EXACTLY what I wanted to know. I am interested in the net difference of the offset between 3.0 and Free Run. Because, by looking at the shoe, the midfoot/forefoot of the 3.0 is also lower...

Just because someone runs doesn't mean they know how to fit shoes. Keep in mind those kids are just doing this job so they have beer money. Give me the 20 minute 5k guy anyday when fitting shoes.

I worked in a small specialty running store while I was in high school and college. When I started we carried a lot of different flats (Zoom Streaks, Brooks T3's, almost every ASICS model), but by the end we stopped ordering new pairs. At least in my situation virtually no one coming in was looking to buy flats, everyone wanted to buy 2100's, Adrenalines, etc. And it wasn't as if we didnt have a good selection to deter people from thinking of us, the reality was just that there simply was no demand for them. In my last year there I had maybe 2 people coming in looking for flats out of thousands of other customers just looking for a good trainer. I know it sucks to hear this but for the real small stores it sometimes just doesn't make sense to order a full size run of a shoe that will maybe sell 3 pairs a year. Did you ask them about special order? If someone wanted a flat from a brand we carried we would happily order it for them and pay the shipping costs ourselves.

bumtard wrote:

You're lucky Ralphy. I went to three specialty running stores today, and none of them had what I was looking for (specifically, a good selection of flats or the Nike Free 3.0).

That's an interesting insight Roger. I assumed that was the case, it's too bad hardly anyone is interested in flats.

Oddly, VFFs are trendy right now, but I can't find many (conventional) lightweight shoes??

Why don't you check at Fleet Feet Sports? Granted, the shoes are pricey, but at least you won't be forced to do any gait analysis like what you see in Roadrunner. They are probably more knowledgeable than the salesperson in Footlocker. And if I were you, I would try on the racing flats that you like, and buy it online. It's so much cheaper than Fleet Feet and Roadrunner. These stores mostly target new runners who are planning to run their first half-marathon, and lure them into buying insoles, doing gait analysis, buying socks, etc. for commission. You'd save a lot of $$$ by buying your shoes online.

I work at a shoe store and I believe I can answer most of your questions. First the reason for a bad shoe selection would be that the shoe store does not want to over stock and lose money. The reason why there are not a big selection of racing flats because for every 100 people that walks into a running store, maybe 1 or 2 of them are looking for racing flats because there are a lot more joggers than competitvie runners. Do the math and you figure out it is not worth supplying many racing flats. The reason behind the selection of xc/ track spikes is because high school kids will buy them and if you have 10 teams in the area and about 125 kids you supply to then it is money in the bank. The clothing selection sucks because majority of the people that walk into a running store do not care about running fast but if the look stupid running. Short shorts+45 year olds=scary. Same thing for the sleveless shirts. Those guys in their 40's and 50's think they are comfortable. I will agree that most people at running stores do not know what they are talking about because

a.Most do not have a degree in exercise sports science specifically in biomechanics.

b. They have not spent over hundreds and hundreds of hours studying feet and ankles.

c. They want to get rid of a shoe that is alright for you so there is less of an old shoe in stock.

d. They do not have the shoe in stock that is best for you.

e. They have not studied what they are selling well enough.

I hope this helps explains some of the reasons behind the lack of selection and quality at a shoe store. I will say there are some amazing shoe stores out there and there are some real bad shoe stores. Your best bet is to look at the running store web site before you come in. If they do not have a website then they probably are not that good.