I feel like I’ve wasted so much time (and money) trying to find the right running shoes online. I’m a 33-year-old guy, running about 40 miles a week, mostly on roads with some light trails mixed in. I’m a midfoot striker with slightly wide feet and low arches, and I tend to prefer neutral shoes with moderate cushioning—enough to handle mileage without feeling like I’m sinking into a marshmallow. I’ve also had occasional Achilles tightness, so I’m careful about heel-to-toe drop and how a shoe affects my stride.
The problem? I can never seem to get sizing right. I wear anything from a 10 to an 11 depending on the brand, and online shopping is a total gamble. I’ll order a 10.5 in something like the Saucony Endorphin Speed, thinking it’ll fit like my old Kinvaras, and somehow it feels completely different. Then I’ll try an 11, and it’s too loose—so I either deal with it or go through the hassle of returning, which just feels wasteful. I’ve heard some brands don’t even resell returned shoes, so I hate the idea of creating waste just to find a decent fit.
I know going to a store is the “smart” thing to do, but honestly, it feels like too much effort—especially when I go through multiple pairs a year. Finding time to get fitted, dealing with a salesperson, testing a few pairs on carpet, then paying full price for something I think will work just doesn’t feel worth it when I could just roll the dice online for a discount. And even if I do get fitted in-store, that doesn’t tell me how the shoe will actually feel 10 miles into a run. Some shoes feel great at first but go completely dead way too soon, which throws off my training.
And then there’s the biggest headache—when I finally find a shoe that works, it gets discontinued. I made the mistake of not stockpiling my last go-to (New Balance Beacon v2), and now I’m back in the cycle again. I know I should just settle for something, but I keep wondering if there’s a better option out there, and it’s messing with my training.
Is it just me or is getting great-fitting running shoes a pain? Do you just take the risk with online orders, stockpile favorites, or have you actually found a way to get the right fit without wasting so much time and money? Also, any recommendations for neutral trainers that won’t feel dead after 10 miles?
Have you ever tried HOKA’s? They have a 30 day guarantee were you can return them used, tried out a pair of rocket X 2’s a few months ago, took delivery and done a couple of runs in them, only when i got about 7 miles into a run did i figure out they weren’t for me, sent them back for a full refund, very easy. Maybe some other companies have a similar policy
I’ve had good experience getting running shoes from Road Runner Sports for years now. They have a generous 90day fit guarantee which is more than enough time to know if the shoes work or not.
I’ve only had to use their return once. Likely they won’t resell shoes that have 90days of use and so it is a bit wasteful to have buy and return shoes. Generous return polices likely push prices upwards for everyone, although RRS prices are still reasonable. Even more so w/their membership. They may not have all colors/styles of a particular make. But then again, chase the fit, not the fashion.
I buy a first/new pair in person at one of their stores - get fitted, run on treadmill in the store, and a few runs post-purchase. Any replacements after that I buy online through them. It’s worked for me.
ps - Adidas Supernova Rise is what I currently train in. (reviewed here on ST awhile back).
In most cases the generation of the shoe doesn’t change the size of the shoe. I always buy a generation or two back. So, I can read reviews before I buy to see if there is a big shift. It does happen… But, it’s rare.
where are you ?
there is almost certain to be a good LRS somewhere near you, with staff that know shoes and probably a treadmill for test runs.
Personally I stockpile shoes, and have at least 5 different pairs in rotation. Wearing out one pair still leaves 4 good pairs while I search for the next shoe…
My LRS is Runners Roost in Colorado, they have Thursday night runs where the shoe reps bring their new models and we run 4-5 miles in the new shoes. This works well to find new shoes. Sometimes there are shoe raffles, I have a pair of NB and Saucony Peregrine from the raffles…
But, I still am buying 2-3 pairs of the Hoka Bondi 9…
Local running store could have solved this problem a long time ago. Most have guarantee so you can return/exchange if it doesn’t work. With MAP pricing they’re the same prices as the brands’ ecommerce 99% of the time. And you put $$$ back into your community which is super important.
I’ve never “bought in” to that practice; not for running shoes, anyway
I have half a dozen pairs of VANS that I swap around, depending on mood, outfit/style, and objective, and a couple of those I picked up at the Thrift Store
It’s you dude, 100%…actually more, if that was possible
Stop being stubborn. Go see a professional at your local running shop.
It’s not uncommon to have someone in 2 shoes from the same brand and be a 1/2 size different and occasionally a full size.
Your local running store should know which shoes are being discontinued. Although when a model changes that next model could move out of your comfort zone. Then the next model could move back in.
Shoes are a depreciating asset. You’re going to get 300-600 miles out of it. Some shoe brands seem to die faster than others. It’s just part of the running game.
Get to know the staff at your local run shop. You’ll stop wasting time with returns, ultimately it’s a time saver. Plus you’ll probably learn a ton
Follow their socials - subscribe & comment; that drives their algorithm
Join the group runs
Volunteer for races they produce
Buy some gear
Buy some store-branded merch
Look at your LRS as a fledgling band you like; you like them, and you want other people to like them (so you don’t feel so alone, but that’s another story), and if you support them, maybe they comp you here & there, or give you that undisclosed coupon, next time in
I dislike people generally, and salespeople in particular. “Can I help you, today?” Is like fingernails on a chalkboard, to me. That’s why I live 25 miles from anything, and my nearest neighbor is 1000 ft away.
I’ve got to say, your experience is one that some of us have forced upon us.
I’m a U.S. size 15, and unfortunately, that means finding shoes is always a challenge. Many manufacturers don’t even make shoes in my size, which at least helps narrow down my options. I live in Asia, so you can imagine how much luck I have finding anything locally. I have to ship everything in from the U.S. via a freight forwarder, as brands like Nike won’t ship directly to my country - they have a local website, but it only caters up to around a U.S. size 12.
So yes, I feel your pain. On the flip side, you get used to doing a lot of research before buying running shoes - then you just accept what you can get and make them last until it’s time to replace them.
