Fleet Feet?

[marcyiam]

I can't remember if I've asked this before, but has anyone used them for their LRS to get shoes?  I'm thinking of stopping by to get fitted for new shoes.

And if anyone has particular experiences at the Wolf Rd., Albany branch, that'd be great.

(Ignore - I just saw on their site that they do - Also - do you know if they also offer the "if you don't like the shoes you can bring them back for a different pair" I've seen people talk about before at other LRSs?

Thanks!

[lb2006]

I've used them in NC and they are great

[kimmib77]

I am in CT and I use them as my LRS and they are great! And I know that you didn't ask this but I also did their No Boundaries program and it was very well run...they are a fantastic store in my opinion, never had a bad experience there!

[jamalynn]

I have used them in the past and had great experience.

[jordylee]

I use them in Chicago and am happy. They do have a very generous return policy, which is nice when you're switching to something new.

[libbygrl109]

Text me later. It's the only place I've gotten shoes.

[Mushe]

Yes! I love Fleet Feet.

[ebeth]

yeah. it's my favorite store in DC.

I believe it's franchised though, so I"m not sure that it would qualify as a 'LRS' unless subway qualifies as a local sandwich shop.

aside from the semantics, this also means that fleet feet experiences will vary and you should ask a local for feedback.

[emuni04]

Yes, I have both in Chicago and Baton Rouge. I haven't used them in a while, but have always had a positive experience in the past. And I second ebeth, I wouldn't consider them a LRS (unless I'm totally misinterpreting what LRS means, which is possible ).

[Susie]

Apr 24, 2014 10:04:38 GMT -5 marcyiam said:

I can't remember if I've asked this before, but has anyone used them for their LRS to get shoes?  I'm thinking of stopping by to get fitted for new shoes.

And if anyone has particular experiences at the Wolf Rd., Albany branch, that'd be great.

That is where I go.  Honestly I don't know where ELSE to go around here!  

I have had ok luck with shoe fittings.  However, I also have learned to take what they say with a grain of salt.  At one point (a number of years ago), they fit me in a stability shoe WITH an insole for even more motion control.  That is... pretty aggressive correction.  A lot more than I needed.  After a few pairs of the same shoe/insole combination and increased mileage, I wound up with a stress fracture 2 years ago (in an ankle bone over the stabilizing post), and my doctor suggested that I try a neutral shoe + insole (or stability shoe with no insole).  Now I run in a neutral shoe + insole like my doctor suggested, and I'm doing fine.  I was fitted for the neutral shoe at Fleet Feet too.  The person who fit me badly the first time may very well not work there now, and it could've been a one-off thing.  In the meantime they've been patient with me trying different shoes, even trying shoes and not buying sometimes, because nothing felt like it was fixing whatever felt wrong.

I have a different opinion of their No Boundaries program from a pp; mine is fairly negative.  But that's a separate story.

[texassmith]

Fleet Feet is my fave out of all the running stores we have here.

[Mushe]

sexycarrot - that's disappointing! I've frequented 4 different Fleet Feet through my various moves and travels, and I did get the insert push once. I bought them, but the next one I went to (current and foreseeable future local FF), they were great and helped me to just get new socks, instead of inserts. They were definitely trying to help me save money that way.

[marcyiam]

Thank you, ladies, I really appreciate it!

[naldridge]

Apr 24, 2014 11:02:18 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

Our fleet feet was ranked one of the top 50 LRSs in the country. I happily drive 35 miles each way to go there.

I used to work there and whole-heartily disagree. Bleh.

[bluedaisyus]

I love our Fleet Feet franchise. I also did their No Boundaries program (3 times actually, our goal race is next weekend) and will be doing their half marathon training program starting in June.

My FF doesn't try to upsell the inserts as far as I can tell. In fact I was having a specific foot issue at one point with some shoes I hadn't even been fitted for there, and instead of selling me new ones she just tied my shoes a different way to see if that worked. That might have just been the person I talked to though since she was also the coach of my NoBo group, who knows, but I've had really good experience at ours.

[naldridge]

Apr 24, 2014 11:53:38 GMT -5 sexycarrot said:

Wondering if anyone else has has this experience. I found them to have great customer service, very friendly and helpful with the shoes, but at my local one they really, really push the expensive inserts. With everyone. I had a friend who worked there, and she confirmed they were told to do that, needed or not. So, that has turned me off from them a bit. Or maybe those who know more than me would agree the inserts are a good thing for everyone...

I have had several fittings as my favorite shoes have been retired, and have found them to be bit or miss. I actually found my favorite pair by calling Road Runner sports and letting them do their phone evaluation.

I have a LOT of problems with our local FF and am skeptical of pretty much everything they do, but the insole thing is actually one that I am sold on. Granted , I'm only a mild runner at best, but I have seen a lot of feet and and the difference a good insole makes. The stability level of the shoe really is irrelevant to the level foundation that an insert provides, which sets your whole body up for success. If you think about it, you're putting 100% of your body weight on your feet, whether you are running, walking or just standing still. Having a consistent foundation in running shoes or heels or flats or whatever helps keep your spine straight and more evenly disperses your weight on your feet.

[bullygirl979]

I love my local FF and am a NoBo grad! I found them to be honest and helpful. They've actually steered me away from spending money on stuff they didn't think I needed.