No, we don’t have a foot scanner. You’re welcome.
But how do you know if you’re buying the right shoe?
It’s why you go to a running shoe store–you need help finding the right shoe/shoe size. Maybe you have pain in your feet or elsewhere, or you want to have a shoe that matches your stride (and also matches your outfit). Maybe you’re just starting your running journey and want to finally get some “real” running shoes.
A lot of shoes feel good in the store, how do you know which one is right?
Foot scanners are presented as the solution, but are they? How do they work?
The Main Thing About Shoe Fitting
Whatever you classify yourself as (walker, runner, jogger, prancercizer, etc), keep this in mind when you’re thinking about your shoes–it’s complex, but that’s a good thing.
If it really was as easy as stepping on a mat with a machine spitting out a shoe, people would stop shopping at our store, right? The truth is, we get a bunch of new customers after they try out the recommendations from a machine… Yay for us, sad for people who had to suffer before finding us.
All in all, trust us to help you figure out the best shoe for you today, and we’ll stick around to keep helping you tomorrow. Running is wonderful, but for most of us, it’s pretty tricky sometimes–just like running shoes. Things aren’t always as they’re made to appear, but having some experts in your corner makes everything better.
Don’t wait too long to see us, or you’ll be another customer saying, “I would have saved so much money if I knew this before!”
TLDR Takeaways ("too long, didn't read" aka, “ain’t got time for this”)
You run with your entire body, don’t focus only on the feet.
Shoes are more dynamic than ever, so you have to know how the shoe moves, not just how it fits.
Scanners are subject to programming and inventory.
Running is complex, shop with experts to save yourself heartache and money for life!
How do foot scanners match your foot to a shoe?
3D foot scanners take a bunch of measurements (standing and/or walking), including foot length, width, girth, instep height, arch height, and more!
Then what?
What happens with that information?
Also, does it tickle?
We know a few things about how scanners match your foot to a shoe (because we have looked into it, this isn’t all made up). It’s based on the dimensions of the shoe and the dimensions of your foot. So you should get a shoe that fits very, VERY well. Right?
Only if it’s in stock, and if the store owners haven’t told the scanner to prioritize another brand gasp.
To be the best at recommending shoes, you have to understand the big picture of running and how running shoes work in motion. Neither shoes nor your body are static, running and walking involve dynamic systems working together.
Why can’t I trust a foot scanner recommendation?
Ultimately, the problem isn’t even the foot scanners, it’s the promise of a quick-fix solution to the beautiful, mystifying, bittersweet complexity of running.
Even at our store, which has a shocking amount of experience amongst our staff (over a century of combined run specialty retail experience and MORE than that of running experience!), returns happen. A shoe that feels awesome for all the right reasons may not perform as expected. Obviously, we have a return policy for those situations.
Humans have been trying to “solve” running for decades. Using foot scanners is the same approach that other failed solutions employ–they ignore the complexity of human running.
Scanners focus on your feet/ankles–an area of the body with some of the most mobility in the human body. But that’s rarely where the core problem is. Foot scanners like to point fingers at the part doing its best in spite of an issue caused elsewhere.
A Solution To The Problem Of Fitting Running Shoes
The solution is to embrace the complexity and find someone you can trust to guide you in your lifelong running journey. THAT is why RunnersWorld Tulsa exists!
We are an independent, locally-owned and operated, little running store. No one gets commission because education and teamwork are more valuable than sales. We won’t sell you something you don’t need or that could hurt you–because we care about keeping you running.
When you shop with us, you are entering a relationship with some of the biggest running nerds on the planet. We obsess over everything that touches running and all we want is to give you advice on the best shoes, gels, socks, foam rollers, ice cream, races, books, headlamps, local coffee, shirts, podcasts, shorts, jackets, vests, trails, running bottle, or watch for you.
This digital era makes it way too easy for shoe brands and influencers to try to convince you their shoe is THE BEST shoe for you. How do they know? The best thing you can do is take the information you have and come to the experts!
That sounds nice, but how are you better than a scanner?
We zoom out, watching you walk and run in our store and taking the time to listen to your story.
Scanners focus on your feet/ankles–an area of the body with some of the most mobility in the human body. But that’s rarely where the core problem is. Foot scanners like to point fingers at the part doing its best in spite of an issue caused elsewhere. If you “fix” a problem that started somewhere else by doing something at the foot you might be fine for a few miles. But the problem hasn’t been solved, and your running might suffer.
We look at the systemic issue, not just the consequences. We can do that because we’ve been at this fitting business for a while. We know what we’re looking for and what shoes are capable of doing for/to your body.*
Plus, shoe sizing is ridiculously inconsistent. For example, even within the same brand, the Hoka Gaviota 5 fits wider and longer than the Hoka Bondi 8 Wide in the same number size. They’re completely different shapes. If you get locked into a number size you will have problems getting the right shoe, which can prevent you from running! We know how shoe fit changes between models (and in rare cases, even colors!) and will make sure you get the best possible shoe. Trust us with your shoe fitting!
*We are not physicians or physical therapists–but we do know some great ones!
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