I am a marathon runner and was in frequent PT and Chiro. My Chiro doctor sent me to Richard just to check my shoes and orthos affect on my hips and shins. Richard spent time with me and advised no ortho usage needed. He fitted me to Narrow shoes that were a few sizes larger than what i was wearing at the time. I was game to experiment as I already knew my current state and issues. It was one of my best decisions I ever made. I have been in his fitted shoes for 10 months now and have been great. All my adaptations happened as he said they would. I am walking and running totally ortho-free for the first time in decade and a half. I just ran the Newport marathon with a Boston Marathon qualification time. My hips, shins and feet are doing just fine. I can't Thank Richard enough and I highly recommend him to anyone even slightly interested. He carries some of the top lines and fits them to you after you pick out which one you like best. I admire that he can stay open given the big store competition. Remember he is alone and tries to accommodate everyone. He is without doubt very knowledgeable about shoes and feet. Plan just a few extra minutes and you will be well serviced. I save up for my trips to see him. Right now, he is getting spring and summer shoes in and I can't wait to see them. BTW - I live in New England not CA... :0 read more

The owner doesn't listen and interrupts you by stating "you're going to learn something... I'm going to teach you...." He tried to convince you that all your problems are from your shoes being 2 sizes too small. There are 2 other reviewers that had The same experience. I'm now searching for an actual podiatrist. read more

In short, Mr. Johnson is about helping people have a better life through shoes. Today, getting a pair of shoes that fits is more important than ever. And yet, there are fewer and fewer stores with the staff and knowledge to assist people in getting getting shoes that fit comfortably and ergonomically. Although adequate shoe fitting has become a practice only upheld by specialty running stores like Rhode Runner, Mr. Johnson brings this much-needed expertise to everyone that walks through his door. The first thing that he does is sit you down and measure your feet in three ways: Foot length, arch length, and foot width. He chooses a shoe based on your foot length and width, and then does something that nobody else does: he builds a custom insole based on your arch type and length to ensure that your foot strikes the ground naturally, consistently, and in a way that prevents strain. I have been going to Mr. Johnson for shoes for the past five years, and I can't think of going anywhere else. In years past, I've been in the store while he's been helping a father prepare for a 1000-mile hiking trip through Nepal (no joke!) in honor of his sons struggle with cancer. But today, he did something that showed that he was in business to do more than sell shoes. While I was waiting for my custom insoles, a mother and her physically/mentally disabled daughter walked into the store. Mr. Johnson stopped working on my insoles and measured/built a custom insole for the girl's shoes (which he did not sell). He watched her walk with the insoles, and then said that she was good to go. The mother opened her wallet, and Mr. Johnson said, "No charge". He built custom insoles for non-customer, and didn't even charge for them. read more

Helped my boyfriend with his sneakers that he loves With the fit and style no more pain

Great experience. Recommend calling ahead, they take their time and fit you with the best possible shoe. I have never had anyone spend as much time to ensure the fit was right and address any issues that developed from previous shoes. This is a must go to store for me whenever I am in New England. read more

The owner of this little gem of a shop, Richard Johnson, is a shoe genius! My foot and knee issues have virtually disappeared since first getting fitted 2 months ago! Knee pain is gone! Black toenails are healing! I am bringing all my friends and family to be fitted by Dick so they too can finally walk, run, and dance without foot agony. Make this your next stop when shopping for shoes that really do fit!! Call for a fitting appointment - he spends lots of time with you to make sure you get the Proper Fit! read more

Quite an experience, I just stopped in to the store ask directions and the next thing I know Mr. Johnson sold me one of the best pairs of shoes I have ever purchased. Very professional and friendly. read more

Best fit shoes of my entire life! I was wearing shoes that were apparently too short and too wide. Mr. Johnson fixed me up with shoes that were narrower and longer. He diagnosed my foot problem that two podiatrists had neglected to mention or had overlooked. I call him the shoe whisperer! If you're having knee or hip problems see Mr. Johnson ASAP. You won't regret it! read more

A Proper Fit...should be a Proper Fail! Let me be frank, I was very excited about going to this location to FINALLY be fitted correctly for shoes and hopefully work to solve my foot issues. I heard many great things about Mr. Johnson from many people. I have weak ankles, swollen feet, bad arches and have had surgery on one foot. My initial visit was fine. Mr. Johnson told me I was a size 11 regular, not a size 9 1/2 WW that I have been for the past 20 years. I was a bit skeptical, but decided to try it. I was only offered one pair of shoes to try on. These shoes needed major modifications to fit my feet with inserts and pads to "stretch" my foot. I kept saying that the heel was slipping on one side and he didn't seem that concerned about it, even though I was concerned about it. He also told me not to wear my custom orthotics anymore (that were made professionally by a podiatrist). When we left the store, I wasn't completely 100% sold on the shoe, but I was hopeful that the $170.00 I had just spent would be well worth it. I was wrong. After only wearing the shoes, on and off, for only two days, my feet were SO BADLY SWOLLEN AND SORE that I had to sit down in the middle of Stop & Shop and was in tears from the pain. I decided to go back to see Mr. Johnson the next day (once I could walk again) to see if I could return or exchange the shoes to see if I could get something that would fit better. This is where things went badly. Mr. Johnson was very rude and condescending. He made me feel like what I had to say had no merit and that he sold me the correct shoe and size for my foot. I kept trying to explain to him that in my business I was on my feet all day and how was I supposed to do this when I couldn't stand or walk without being in horrible pain? He told me that I just had a low pain tolerance and that I would have to "deal" with it in order for my feet to get better. How do you squeeze a double wide foot into a regular shoe and say it is good for you? Wouldn't it be better (if I really was a size 11 regular) to GRADUALLY work your way to your actual size? This is like telling a size 16 woman she is really a size 10 and that she should squeeze into a size 10 pair of pants and suffer until her body adjusts. This was no better than torture. He would not take back the shoes nor exchange them even though nowhere on his website, the purchase receipt or verbally the day of the purchase was this made clear that shoes were not returnable or exchangeable. I left there feeling very deflated and sad with a $170.00 pair of shoes that I will never wear again. Even my podiatrist, when he looked at the shoes later that day, was shocked that Mr. Johnson would say that squeezing my feet in those shoes was a good idea. I tried to communicate with Mr. Johnson one more time, before I wrote this review, via a message on his website, but received no answer. So, here are my recommendations to people going there: 1. make sure you are 100% happy with your shoes before you leave, because even if they hurt a few days later, once you have had a chance to really walk in them (more than just up and down the hallway), he will not take them back or exchange them for you. 2. don't try to tell Mr. Johnson that he may be incorrect or that you need a different shoe, he doesn't like that and will make that perfectly clear. In closing, Mr. Johnson does know shoes and I really liked the pair he gave me...I just wish they actually fit, didn't cause me unbearable pain and that he felt his customers health and happiness were more important than his large ego. Beware before going to A Proper Fit. You have been warned. read more

I wouldn't even give this guy one star. I've always been and 8.5 shoe and medium feet. He tells me I'm a 10 and narrow feet. I've had orthotics in my sneakers for the past few years. He tells me "It's my job to help you with the feet God gave you and you don't need orthotics. You just need a sneaker that fits properly." Ok I was skeptical butt went with it. Coincidently around the same time I started getting sharp pains in my heel. And even worse I had pain in my arches a few hours after wearing them even while driving. I go see my pediatrist who I trust foot wise over feet than a guy selling shoes his whole life. He really should retire. I've got plantar fasciitis and back in the RIGHT size shoe with my orthotics. Don't go there! Plus he charges you for a "fitting fee." The shoe store I went to (and always had before I decided to try this nut job was Savon Shoes in Warren, RI). Funny (not really I guess) is that BOTH my pediatrist and Savon Shoes are familiar with Mr. Johnson at The Proper Fit for NOT properly fitting people. read more

Forget about going to various podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons and other "foot specialists"..Richard is more than a shoe salesperson..He is extremely knowledgeable and works with various runners, athletes, etc to get them fit into a right type of shoes that will eventually get their foot into its natural shape...every visit is entertaining and he is definitely a remnant of the type of service that doesn't exist anymore... read more

Dick Johnson, helps you with your whacked out feet! back in the day, shoes were made to fit your feet! Now a days a shoe comes out and it fits everyone! ( uggs are my weaknees!) so the shoes are too wide throwing our feet off kilter, than our knees, then our hips. It's a shame because now a days you have a lot more back problems, a lot more knee and hip surgeries. It's so important to make sure your feet are aligned and this is where Dick comes in! He gets you into the shoes you should be wearing! He has fitted many professional athletes ( they adore his wall), and he's helped may people, there's notes of gratitude, and newspaper articles decorating his wall. He fits your shoes with proper inserts to help your feet be more balanced, it's amazing and he's so super cool, like an old fashion classy experience. Best off all I took like 300$ because I wasnt sure how much Id spend, i knew i wanted a new pair of shoes for work and hed custom make the insole, however I spent like less than $100 bucks. How awesome is that? Invest in yourself folks! Those are the wise words Dick told me that has resonated in my life. read more

I am amazed that there are so few reviews of this store. I can't praise this place highly enough. Dick Johnson made my shoe buying trip the best such experience I have ever had. Here is what he does: He measures your feet, explains the problems you might experience with poor-fitting shoes, and makes recommendations based on your preferences. You should definitely visit this shop before going anywhere else for shoes. read more

My feet have been a problem to fit my entire life. I was visiting a friend and she wanted to go to the store. She had been advised by a friend of hers. I started discussing my feet with Mr. Johnson. He sized me correctly and I bought the most comfortable pair of sneakers I have ever owned. I also got two pair of sandals. He placed the pads under and on the inside linings. They are so comfortable. This was well worth the time and money! I recommend him to anyone. read more