Finding the right fit

Every runner is different, so whether you’ve put in thousands of miles or you’re ready to start your first mile, it’s essential your running shoes fit properly. Otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment and injury.

When you first step into our store, you may have a few questions. Fortunately, our skilled and friendly sales staff knows exactly how to help. Matt Nyby, Sales Lead at Fleet Feet Chico, recently took some time to answer a few questions about finding the right fit for you and your running shoes.

How long does the fitting process take?

When people come in and we fit them for the first time, generally it’ll be anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes, so we can really spend time to thoroughly answer their questions. Once they’ve been fit, generally they’ll come in and it’ll take about 5 to 15 minutes, because we already know what shoe works, we’ll double-check to make sure.

(Stay tuned for a future post with a more in-depth explanation of the fitting process.)

Should I ever come back in to get fit?

It’s a good idea to get re-fit every two to two-and-a-half years. Many people want to come back in and get the same pair of shoes, without realizing that their feet have probably changed over time, from things like weight gain, weight loss, how much support they need, and particularly for women whose feet ligaments are more flexible. People’s feet can really change. Also, the shoes themselves change over time.

What are some signs I’m running in shoes that are the wrong size?

One can be tripping. We’ve had people who have literally tripped over the ends of their shoes because the shoes are too long. It’s actually more common than you’d think. There aren’t a whole lot of places you can get wider shoes (Fleet Feet Chico is one of them, though). If people have a wider foot, they accommodate by getting a longer shoe, and that feels more comfortable. But it’s not the right fit. We have different sets of wide shoes and we can order shoes to make sure you get that fit just right.

The other thing is using shoes that are too short. Black toenails are one sign, and you can actually get hammertoes from the toes being crunched together. Something that’s common is if you have any type of heel slippage, people typically go down a half size or more to stop the heel from moving. But what happens is that the shoe doesn’t fit right anymore, and that puts pressure on the toes. Unless you’re using the most minimal shoes, most shoes will cause your foot to bend further forward, putting additional pressure on the arch.