Has anyone else been pushed to buy insoles at their local Fleet Feet? I went in to my local store over the weekend to try on a few shoes that I was interested in and they kept on telling me that I could benefit from an insert and that my alignment would be off if I ran without one. I have been running for the past 7 years and my injury rate has been relatively mild. It seemed like they were just trying to get a few extra bucks out of me.
I've worked in running stores for the past 15 years. You have to carry insoles. They don't sell themselves. They are not solely (pun intended) used for injury prevention per se.
Just politely tell the salesperson that you are not interested at this time.
RIght. But what about the novice runner who has no idea what they are doing? They can easily be sucked in to spending $50+ on something they may not actually need. I get it from a business perspective, but if you are pushing insoles to every customer, people will eventually catch on.
Isn't everything you buy being pushed on you?
Technically shoes do not reduce injury rates, so how do you know you actually need shoes?
A good FF employee should simply introduce you to the products they sell in the store. Insole can help increase the life of the shoe and help with issues like Plantar Fasciitis and other minute injuries. They have other benefits like comfort as well.
You wouldn't be upset for someone to suggest you need moisture wicking clothing, but that can reduce injuries like blisters and chaffing.
If a new runner decides or is convinced to get insoles and they have the money to pay for it what is the problem. People get up sold everyday and most of the time enjoy it. If you like the way an insole feels vs the crappy factory made insole whats the problem. You pay more to have leather seats in your car and power windows when you don't need it so whats the problem.
Margin booster, pure and simple.
It's not just Fleet Feet. I've had people push Superfeet on me at several running stores. They're great for people who like the feel of hard plastic pressing into their feet!
ive been to fleet feet ... i bought insoles the first time .. and didnt buy the shoes yet that they offered ...superfeet do me well so far ... they had a few others ...
i think i tried one of superfeet and one of another and preferred the superfeet
have tried other superfeet since and i can manage the green with the stud things in the bottom --- maybe feel they are more supportive --- the run comfort is a step softer --- i liked those at first too ...
the person that fitted me suggested hoka and brooks for shoes --- so far the brooks are better for me ..
they also try to cut them for the shoes u are going to use them in --- i just take them as is ... for now anyways until i settle on THE shoe ...
she also suggested two different insoles --- it was up to me to figure which felt better for me ...
their insoles seem to be good ones --- ive also utilized the 60 day return thing to test some that they didnt have in the shop or to order from home to test ... and not have to make the trip to the store ... they do honor it and my local fleet feet store was very accomodating in helping me to return things ...
found out about fleet feet from facebook of all things --- when i put out my orthopedic woes with my feet --- a local resident told me of fleet feet ... and im glad i checked them out ...
i may be trying their customs --- they have 2 levels at my store .... hoping they can complete the gait analysis this time ,,,,
the superfeets at about 55 bux a pair are a whole lot cheaper than customs from a pedorthist .... and their customs are a fraction of that price too ... from what im hearing the fleetfeet customs last quite a while ... a year two or maybe three depending
the woman who fitted me on my first visit was a runner and explained how she likes very minimal insoles === they help her but she likes the feel of less in her running shoe ...
so she offered a lot of information and thoughts on all of this ... i am not a runner was just looking for something for my foot issues .... and she was able to actually help me better my game beyond the otc insoles id been ok with for some time ... but not as much anymore or they werent as available
My son runs track and XC. Had issues with over pronation and injuries associated with that. His doctors recommended insoles, stability running shoes and keep a good rotation so his shoes don’t get too worn. Since being diligent with that, he has been quite healthy with no issues for an extended period of time. I am not saying this to say you are wrong but for some people, its definitely advisable to have some good insoles.
Were you bullied 🤣 I walk on concrete floors all day I wear Spenco's inserts, lifesaver.
You probably pronate on one foot pretty bad or had some other pronounced alignment issue. Since they started doing Superfeet I don't think I've ever had a Fleet Feet rep push them on me once, but I also don't have any clear alignment issues.
I went to a FF for the first time over the weekend. How do they exist? Only had clothing with their logo, a few different shoe brands, and seemingly only hiking socks. I have a better selection at home