Eastbay.com calls these “used” and will not accept them as a return. I bought two sizes, ran 800m in each on a dry track and returned these 11’s because they were too big. They sent them back to me with a note that they are used and not restockable. When I called they said they would review their photos again and told me that there were rocks in the soles and hair on them and that they will not accept them.
I did not clean these up at all after receiving them from Eastbay. There is not a single rock in the soles. I saw one very thin cat or dog hair resting on the upper.
Buyer beware. Boulder Running will let you do a real run in a pair of shoes you buy from them and if you do not like them, they will take them back with a smile and help you find something you like better.
I bought the non 4% from RunningWarehouse. I gave them repeated chance after repeated chance but they just were not working for me. I didn’t even keep the original box as I have never returned used shoes but I was so disappointed that I inquired with RunningWarehouse about a return. They were happy to take them back.
You have to keep in mind that Eastbay’s main buyers are sneakerheads… not runners. Used would simply mean you can’t lick the bottom… because that is literally what they do.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, just giving their perspective.
I also bought the 4% on Eastbay, never used them but was able to sell for $15 over cost (after eBay fees). You could easily post these as ‘New’ on eBay and get your money back.
Going off topic - Do you like them? Do they live up to the hype? What shoes have you run in previously? I haven’t been in Nike for a long time, and was thinking about the cheaper version but I have been running in mostly 4% drop with 8% thrown in the mix sometimes.
For the previous 16 months or so I had been training and racing in Hoka Claytons, which I was happy with. Before that, Adios Boost (yeah, I’m all over the place). I liked the boost also, but for Ironman racing I like more cushioning.
I have both the Zoom fly and the 4%'s. They feel very different. There are similarities in the drop, the rocker sole, and a stiff plate in the sole. But with the vaporfly, the rocker feels much more extreme, the foam is much softer (way softer than the Claytons too), and the arch dives way under the foot and you can definitely feel that. The shoe causes me to pronate a lot, which has made me nervous, but I’ve raced in them anyway.
However, anecdotally, it seems I run faster in them. I switched between them and my hokas and my zoom’s several times on 800’s on the track and I ran significantly faster in the 4% - but could have just been I ran harder because I expected them to be faster. But it sure did not feel like it.
I raced in them at 70.3 St. George, which has 1100 feet of elevation gain or so. I expected to run 1:35-1:36 but I ran 1:31:19. Did I underestimate my fitness or are the shoes faster? Maybe both?
It’s interesting in that everyone talks about the plate in the shoe, but the stiffness is not something I notice at all. The thing that feels like it makes the biggest difference for me is the steep rocker.
You wore shoes outside and expected to be able to return them? I have always understood that the moment you wear shoes outside, they are unreturnable (even if otherwise they look fine)
You wore shoes outside and expected to be able to return them? I have always understood that the moment you wear shoes outside, they are unreturnable (even if otherwise they look fine)
Runner wearhouse will let you run around for 30 days and return them. Obviously if you exploit that out of good faith, they will not honor it. But they are very good with it. I’ve had a couple shoes I ran with for a few runs till I was sure they were not comfortable at all and returned them for either different shoe or size.
It helps that they don’t pay any rent so have capital towards these kinds of things.
This, can’t understand why you would expect to be able to return them.
You wore shoes outside and expected to be able to return them? I have always understood that the moment you wear shoes outside, they are unreturnable (even if otherwise they look fine)
This, can’t understand why you would expect to be able to return them.
You wore shoes outside and expected to be able to return them? I have always understood that the moment you wear shoes outside, they are unreturnable (even if otherwise they look fine)
I guess I’ve just become spoiled by shopping at reputable stores like fleet feet, jackrabbit and Boulder running, and many others…
I’ve just always been under the assumption that if it’s worn at all, it can’t be returned. Or at least that’s the default setting in my mind. I know certain sites and stores have better policies that let you test them out, but I look at that as the exception, not the rule. Good thing is I doubt you have difficulty recoupling most of your cost.
I actually find it odd that a number of running retailers take back shoes after you’ve worn them outside for a run. But… I guess it’s what they need to do to compete in the marketplace these days. As a runner, I like the idea, but I also know it opens the store/website up to problems when people abuse the policy.
Personally, store policy or not, once I wear the shoes outside or run in them even for a couple min, they’re mine. if i end up not liking them, that’s my prob. I’ve bought an awful lot of running shoes in the past 30 years, so i should be able to figure out what is going to work before I head out the door (or wear them around the house for a week). Usually, when I buy a new model, I buy from the local running store so i can try them on in store, run on the store’s treadmill wearing them (if the store permits that), etc. I usually only shop online when I’m buying a model I’ve purchased and worn before.
