For Those Who Have Been to a Specialty Store for Running Shoes...

[mjaclyn]

I just went to a local store that specializes in running shoes. The owner seemed very knowledgable and recommended some custom made inserts and shoes for me. The total will be about $240 for both. Is this normal? I want to make sure I'm not being taken for a fool by paying more than I need to. Is that what I should expect to pay for a pair of custom made inserts and running shoes?

 

[APrunner]

I just went to a local store that specializes in running shoes. The owner seemed very knowledgable and recommended some custom made inserts and shoes for me. The total will be about $240 for both. Is this normal? I want to make sure I'm not being taken for a fool by paying more than I need to. Is that what I should expect to pay for a pair of custom made inserts and running shoes?

Seems like a "huge" recommendation. Why are the recommending custom inserts? Did they watch you run? What shoe are the recommending? You can often get away cheaper on shoes by picking up "last years" model. This can come in handy if they are recommending a pricey shoe. Would an off the shelf insert (e.g. superfeet) not work for you? Custom inserts are expensive though, if you really need them. The good thing is that they should last for a while. You do not replace inserts as often as you do shoes.

 

[J-2]

Hmmm.. my first thought is that seems really expensive. I would try just the shoes first and maybe some off the shelf inserts like PP stated and then see if you really need to invest in the custom inserts.

 

[Dug720]

Yeah...custom inserts (emphasis on the custom) are usually what I think of as orthotics - which would be prescribed by a podiatrist and not a running store salesperson.

I agree with the others...if he's not a podiatrist who knows how to examine your foot for exactly what is custom needed, I'd try just the shoes. If you feel like you need inserts for whatever reason (usually something with arches) and you couldn't find that kind of support in ANY shoe you tried on (not just whatever color you liked - I've seen that before, people getting the not-right-for-them shoe because they didn't like the colors available in the right-for-them shoes, and then end up with foot and leg issues), but haven't been diagnosed by a podiatrist, I'd go with something like SuperFeet which is more generic and should cover minor arch things and so forth.

 

[EddieMccoy2]

I think I would go to another store and get their recommendation. I find it hard to believe that he would have you start with custom inserts to begin with. That just doesn't smell right. I've had great success at running stores with shoes, and they have been dead on, but this just doesn't sound quite right.

 

[dcr]

I just went to a local store that specializes in running shoes. The owner seemed very knowledgable and recommended some custom made inserts and shoes for me. The total will be about $240 for both. Is this normal? I want to make sure I'm not being taken for a fool by paying more than I need to. Is that what I should expect to pay for a pair of custom made inserts and running shoes?

There is a chain of specialty running stores, who shall remain nameless, who really push inserts on every shoe sale, especially to new runners. There really isn't a reason for it, except that it boosts profit.

Think about it for a minute. You are buying a shoe from a company who spent a lot of R&D money to make this shoe work in a certain way. Then you change the response and feel of that shoe by adding another device. If the shoes need to be changed, then I think that you are looking at the wrong shoe.

There are specific foot problems that can be helped with inserts, but I would only rely on the opinion of a physician, and only a physician who is also a runner. A doc who runs will understand what you need, and why. But I wouldn't even go there unless you have a problem.

I second the suggestion that you need to find another running store. Hopefully you will find one who will fit you to the correct shoe, and not one who wants to adapt the shoe to something that wasn't there in the first place.

Derek

 

[saysay]

I find it strange a running store would suggest CUSTOM inserts. I have Plantar Faciitis and my Podiatrist AND sports ortho said it was a good idea but not a necessity, so wondering how a sales person would know. I mean sure if you have flat arches you might need something.

To me this is fishy.....I would go to another store and see what they say if you have the opportunity. When I was first shopping they gave me 2 options....one of which was cheaper, but both supportive. I love them for listening to my "I am on a budget" comment.

 

[BethBell]

A friend of mine who runs all the time told me when I asked him about shoes that the store are good for telling you a brand of shoes that good based on your arches and how you land, but to never buy from them. He told me that he gets them to give him the information and he then goes online to get the shoes. You can find fantastic deals for under $200.

 

[EddieMccoy2]

A friend of mine who runs all the time told me when I asked him about shoes that the store are good for telling you a brand of shoes that good based on your arches and how you land, but to never buy from them. He told me that he gets them to give him the information and he then goes online to get the shoes. You can find fantastic deals for under $200.

Most big brand / quality running shoe can be found for $100 at the stores. Yes, you maybe able to save a couple of dollars online, but not as much as you think. I like supporting the local running store because I depend on the, for other things such as gels and just their recommendations on other things. You can usually find a 10% discount on most anything by just asking. I understand you can save online, but you will find the local running store to be the heart of some running communities and I would hate to see the, go out of business.

 

[Tabetha]

Most big brand / quality running shoe can be found for $100 at the stores. Yes, you maybe able to save a couple of dollars online, but not as much as you think. I like supporting the local running store because I depend on the, for other things such as gels and just their recommendations on other things. You can usually find a 10% discount on most anything by just asking. I understand you can save online, but you will find the local running store to be the heart of some running communities and I would hate to see the, go out of business.

I love the sentiment of this. I feel exactly the same way. If the price difference isn't too crazy, and I get good help and information when I'm at the store, I'd much rather shell out a few extra bucks for good, local service.

But to address the OP - I was just quoted $500 today for custom orthotics at a doctor's office (don't actually need them, but that's the going rate here apparently). So to me, $240 for custom orthotics AND shoes sounds pretty cheap (aka, too good to be true).

 

[BethBell]

Most big brand / quality running shoe can be found for $100 at the stores. Yes, you maybe able to save a couple of dollars online, but not as much as you think. I like supporting the local running store because I depend on the, for other things such as gels and just their recommendations on other things. You can usually find a 10% discount on most anything by just asking. I understand you can save online, but you will find the local running store to be the heart of some running communities and I would hate to see the, go out of business.

I can see your point there. There is not a running store near me, so online work better for me, but I definitely appreciate your point about a running community. It certainly is fun to be able to talk in person to someone, rather than just add to a cart. Excellent point on your part.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I go to a running store that videotapes you while you're running barefoot. They also put you on a sensor pad that you just stand on to find out what part of your foot you exert pressure on. I've had multiple issues with my feet, from plantar faciatis (for which I have orthotics from a podiatrist and have used while running) to a current achilles issue, to a knee issue. I wanted to stop using the orthotics while running, as they are very very hard, and my plantar faciatis was doing ok. However, I ended up with a knee issue that I just couldn't shake. The last video of my running at the store identified that my foot and ankle were bowing in...it was painful just to watch!

Anyway, I was fitted for a new pair of shoes (that were actually on sale), and some custom inserts were molded to give me the arch support that I needed without having to use my orthotics. The inserts were $75-ish. Worth it. And, this store has a 90-day guarantee. Can't beat that. Knee problem solved.

 

[cloudnut220]

A running store shouldn't be telling you that you need inserts! Run away! My husband once had one of those scans done at a store just to see what it said and it gave him the OPPOSITE advice that he had gotten from an orthopedic doctor and a podiatrist! If you buy shoes, then you have problems, go see a medical proffessional!

 

[APrunner]

Actually, I do not think inserts are necessarily bad. Yes shoe companies spend alot of money and time designing their shoes, but it is probably still ideal for a limited number of feet. If I get the best fit from a particular shoe, but I want more arch support, I am probably better off with an insert versus finding another shoe with the arch support, but maybe a less than ideal fit. Arch supports give you a chance to better customize your fit. Not sure you need a custom orthotic though.

I use superfeet green in my shoes when weight lifting. I like the support when doing squats for example. Having my arch collapse and knees turning in seems like a bad thing when squating.

However, I do not run with them. My complaint is that they make my otherwise flexible feeling shoe feel stiff. Superfeet are not really stiff, but for some reason, my shoe feels stiff with them in.

To me, a shoe company may be wise to make shoes with little to no arch support. You can add arch support, but you cannot take it out. I used to like the Nike Lunar Fly, but could not stand the Lunar Fly 2 because it had too much arch. There was nothing I could do about it. I think they have fixed the problem with the Lunar Fly 3, but now I am in a pair of Mizunos.

 

[JCH]

In my short amount of experience, I found the shoes to not be too much more. I would have saved a whopping $10 dollars ordering the shoes online, which would be even less after shipping. I just didn't feel morally okay with using up a half hour of the time of the runner store employees to then order online to save all of $6. Not to mention if everyone just uses them, then they will go out of business and then who will I go to for advice??

Inserts were another matter. I have flat feet. Terribly flat feet. I knew I needed inserts, but they were $75 dollars at the running store! I got them online for $30. I didn't feel bad about it that since I had already given the store my business for the shoes themselves.

Did they tell you what you need the inserts for? Perhaps you can find alternatives to custom that aren't as expensive.

 

[elaine amj]

A friend of mine who runs all the time told me when I asked him about shoes that the store are good for telling you a brand of shoes that good based on your arches and how you land, but to never buy from them. He told me that he gets them to give him the information and he then goes online to get the shoes. You can find fantastic deals for under $200.

I don't run, I cycle. I'm all for saving money - but if the store has given me thr trouble helping me and giving me advice, I give them my business. I shop online for pretty much everything - but when I need advice from somewhere I do my best to buy from them. I bought my bike from my local bike store because I wanted their advice and support. I bought my bike shorts, water bottles, etc from a cheap online place because I didn't need advice for those. Even when shopping around, I avoided asking for too much assistance from places I knew I wouldn't end up buying from. I don't feel that is fair.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I started running with the regular shoe insoles. Then after an injury I saw a physical therapist who suggested off the shelf orthodics. Then after awhile I decided to try custom made insoles from a running store (not custom orthodics). It was my own decision and not based on anyone's advice. They're just a little more than generic inserts and in the grand scheme of how much I spend on running per year, it's not that much to keep my feet happy. I like the support that the custom insoles give for my high arches. I've tried switching back to the insoles that come with my shoes a couple times and it's just not as comfortable.

But that's not to say that custom insoles are necessary for everyone. I'd say it's better to start with the standard insoles first and then only try other options if there's an issue.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I don't think the custom insoles are necessary for most runners. I personally buy them, but it's because I have an odd quirk in one of my feet where my arch is set too far back for most shoes, and so many running shoes will slowly but surely dislocate my cuboid bone over the course of a long run. The custom insoles solve this problem because they are tailored to my quirky arch, so it means that I can can wear any shoe (well, any narrow stability shoe for high arches.... ), no matter where the arch is placed.

So the custom insoles are great for situations like this where the "stock" shoe won't necessary fit your feet..... but for most people, they are just more money to be spent.

 

[mjaclyn]

Thanks for all the feedback!

The local store I visited is definitely not a chain. The owner actually holds the world record for the fastest crossing of the United States on foot and he is the one who recommended the custom inserts. His name is Frank Giannino and is a certified Pedorthist. I did not know this going in and was a little skeptical because my mom's podiatrist said that he didn't like him for some reason, but that is the only running store in our area so I went to him anyway. I have to say that I was very impressed with the amount of time he spent with me. He studied my feet, watched me walk and run and even looked at the wear on my old shoes to see if I had any problems. I was there for almost two hours. When he recommended the custom inserts he was not talking about orthotics, but something else that was added to a regular insert that is first heated and then molded to fit my feet specifically. It sounds exactly like what this poster had:

Anyway, I was fitted for a new pair of shoes (that were actually on sale), and some custom inserts were molded to give me the arch support that I needed without having to use my orthotics. The inserts were $75-ish. Worth it. And, this store has a 90-day guarantee. Can't beat that. Knee problem solved.

In the end I chose not to buy the sneakers from him because he only had one color in stock (which I didn't like), but I did buy the custom inserts, moisture-wicking socks and a SPIbelt. The bill came to about $170. Looking back, I definitely could have gotten the socks and belt cheaper online, and maybe even the inserts, but this guy spent a LOT of time with me, studying my every move and doing his best to fit me with a shoe that would work. I ended up buying the color I liked through Amazon.com, getting them cheaper and shipping them overnight for $3.99. After training with my new custom inserts, socks and shoes yesterday, it felt like a completely different experience. My first training session I had a really difficult time running because my feet hurt and I felt like I kept having to adjust my ankle. With the correct shoes and more arch support I did not have one problem. I ran faster and felt better and I'm extremely satisfied with the shoes he recommended for me. He even showed me a different way to lace the shoes so that my heels felt more secure. Honestly, I wish he had carried the color I wanted because even though I saved about $25 by buying them on Amazon instead of through his shop, I agree with a PP that said I would happily pay extra for great service and to help support a local shop. I will definitely be recommending his services to friends and family that are looking for comfortable shoes.

 

[scoolover]

I bought my inserts from Frank over 5 years ago. I have to get in for another set soon. The current ones are finally comming apart a bit. I would like to use the origional set to keep in my work boots.

My mother lives in Middletown and got me a gift certificate when I started running 6 years ago. When I went there it was a pretty hard sell for the inserts and there was another big guy that came in while I was there and swore by them. Since the $ was sort of free to me, I went with it. Whether or not I have needed them all this time, I have gone 5 years essentially injury free and like I said, I'd like another set.

One thing he tought me is that you really cant go too big with shoes. He put me in a 14 while I am about a 12.5 and they felt really good. Since then: if in doubt, I go bigger.

My brother went to see him once while he was running and was really put off but the whole insert thing. He left and didn't go back. I am more naive and believed the pitch. He is also friendly with my father so I figured that he wouldn't screw me.

I don't know if I needed them or not but I don't like to run without them.