Where do you buy your shoes?

[Dogmama]

I usually go to a regular running shop, where the prices are pretty expensive. I see similar shoes offered at sporting goods stores (Big 5, Sports Authority, etc) for much cheaper. Are they the same shoes?

I ask because I bought some Saucony's through Sierra Traders that had the instep placed towards the ball of the foot. Definitely a mistake & I sent them back. I've worn Saucony's for 20 years, so I'm pretty sure it was a manufacturer defect.

I don't mind paying for shoes, but if I can get the same shoe cheaper somewhere else...

[Kerry1976]

I frequent Road Runner Sports, but also have had good luck with Holabird Sports and Runner's Warehouse.

(MTA: my main sport is running and I am such a shoe addict that our UPS delivery driver teases me whenever she drops off another RRS box at the office)

[zoom-zoom]

My faves are onlineshoes.com (they have a really liberal 90 day return policy, even if the shoes are worn), running warehouse, holabird, kelly's running warehouse...all good places to find deals.

[tangentgirl]

For running shoes, I generally like to try on 1,000,000 pairs at the local running store until i find the perfect pair. Road Runner is good too.

If you want to buy online, you can't beat Zappos' return policy. They pay shipping on returns, and if you haven't worn the shoe outside, you can return it within a year of purchase. Easy peasy.

[OakLeaf]

I'm so hard to fit that whenever I need to change shoes, I take a LOT of the salesperson's time. Because of that, I always buy replacement pairs at the LRS.

[GLC1968]

When I was wearing traditional running shoes, I would go to a local store, spend a ton of time with them to get fitted for the right pair, and then buy the first pair from them (since they did all the work!).

Then, when I needed replacement pairs, I'd find the same style online. If I could find a good deal, I would often 'stock up'.

[jessmarimba]

I usually try to go to the running store up the street. I'm too impatient to wait for things to ship :)

But I am always boycotting one store or another for not listening to me when I explain why I want a specific shoe. Despite all hosting barefoot running clinics, etc, no one here really believes in minimalist shoes, and I get tired of people trying to push shoes on me that are inappropriate for the way I run. I have a pair of shoes now that I LOVE that I got at the LRS up the road, but I might buy the next pair online.

[yellow]

LRS, pretty much always. I use shoes that are hard to find and while I could get them online for maybe $5-10 less, with my frequent shopper discount and the awesome service I receive, I'd rather go to the store. The store folks don't try to get me to buy something I don't want or need. They always want to chat about training and races. Simply put, they love running and want other people to love it, too. I will have a problem if they quit carrying my (current favorite) shoe, though!

I have gotten a couple of pairs from backcountry.com but that's only because I can go over to their warehouse and try the shoes on before I buy (they are in the city just west of Salt Lake City). I like them (the shoes and bc.com) but I don't think of bc.com first when I think about running shoes.

[skhill]

I stick to my LRS too. They are the heart of the local running community, and I don't know what we'd do without them. Their service is outstanding, and after the discount for being a member of a local running club, I'd have a hard time finding a lower price elsewhere.

I love my LRS!

[limewave]

We used to buy our shoes from our LRS, but they closed--we very much believe in supporting our local businesses. And now the closest one is a 60 minute or so drive. We just don't get over there very often. And if we do, we have two little monsters with us and its nearly impossible to peruse and test out shoes. If I can, I buy my shoes from Running Warehouse. In fact, the shoes I normally buy were just on closeout and I got them for 60% off what I normally pay. And they had free delivery. They arrived in two days!

[chicago]

When I was wearing traditional running shoes, I would go to a local store, spend a ton of time with them to get fitted for the right pair, and then buy the first pair from them (since they did all the work!).

Then, when I needed replacement pairs, I'd find the same style online. If I could find a good deal, I would often 'stock up'.

ditto!!:D

which reminds me, I need to stock up on some new Nimbus.... :p

[nscrbug]

I buy online from Running Warehouse with a 15% discount. No LRS can beat their price and since I know exactly which shoe and size works for me, I see no reason to buy from anywhere else. Now, if I were in need of a gait analysis along with a new type of shoe...then of course, I would visit a LRS for an expert opinion and advice and would buy the first pair from them. But once they fulfill my needs in the "customer service" department, I'm all about getting the best price.

[TinyThings]

The best thing to do if you have an internet connection . Is to look for discount coupons in different stores and after getting them buy the shoe that you like there . That is what i do most of the times .

[Bike Chick]

My LRS. Believe it or not, they sell the shoes cheaper than I can order them off the internet.