=== Most comfortable pair of running shoes I've encountered thanks to Chris ===…read more
For context, I got more seriously into running 4-5 years ago. Since my first pair of shoes, I've started learning a little about what seems to work well and what doesn't. But there's still so much to learn and SO many shoes out there.
I've been to a number of sports stores (Sports Basement, Fleet Feet, Footwear Etc.) so was looking forward to trying out Roadrunner.
+++ Chris was incredible. Greeted me immediately but made sure that the customer he was working with was taken care of. Asked if I had been there before (no, I hadn't), offered feet analysis (yes, please) and while we were doing that, asked great questions about context -- activity level, any injuries I had experienced, shoes I had run in before and my experience in them. He made some measured suggestions about what might fit my feet and running style, did the measurements, and then modified his recommendations. He brought out his recommendations, even offering a sequence in which to try them. Then he _gave me space_ to take time with the shoes. He let me know that he was available any time I might need him, and would very periodically check in, but was great about giving me time with the shoes. After the first round of feedback on the shoes, he went and got one or two more, after which I made my decision.
+++ I ended up with shoes I LOVED. After trying out 6-10 different shoes recommended by experience salespeople, none of them felt great. They were all decent and I was getting used to the idea that that's just how it was going to be. I had tried Brooks, Hokas, On's, Altra's. Based on my experience with my previous shoes, he brought out Brooks but also brought out a Hoka and an Asics. I LOVED the Asics (Gel Cumulus). Felt like putting on a glove but with space, felt secure on the run, just the right amount of padding. I didn't know running shoes could feel like this. Did Chris just get lucky recommending these? Maybe, but he's the only salesperson that suggested these. Note: even AI hadn't come up with this which goes to show that sometimes People 1 AI 0.
* Yes, he offered custom insoles that other reviews have talked about. But he wasn't pushy about them at all, and in fact, recommended that we start with the shoes and see how those were before diving further into the customs.
+ He talked about their VIP program. But it wasn't high-pressured, and in my case, it made sense. $20 for the first year of the program with an immediate 10% off your purchase that day (which was already $15). 10% off purchases in the next year. Plus, he made some mention of $20 in store credit in the first year. It's $20 -- I pay almost that much for a burrito (well, burrito supreme and maybe a drink).
+ Don't let their narrow storefront fool you -- the store sincerely feels big inside. Can't compare really to Sports Basement since that's just a section and SB is devoted to lots of different activities. Sunnyvale RR feels larger than Menlo Park's Fleet Feet. Don't know how Sunnyvale's RR compared to Campbell's RR (would be curious to hear from those that have been to both.) What's particular nice is you actually DO have room to run in there.
+ They make you wear their socks for both measurement and trying on shoes. That's actually pretty awesome because it means they're taking care of their shoes. I thought this was clever. They're nice socks so they do simulate what an actual run would be like.
- They don't let you take the shoes outside, or least don't seem to. He offered me a run inside the store or on one of several nice treadmills (I've never found treadmill running to approximate road running so I stuck to the store running.)
-- He seemed to indicate that WITHOUT the VIP membership, you can't return the shoes after you've worn them. This is very different from Fleet Feet, Nike, and other stores I've been to where they will take shoes back as long as they're in decent condition.
* You don't need to check in or put your name on a list when you get there. I don't think that's positive or negative -- this is just about what to expect when you get there. (When you get to Fleet Feet, you put your name on a list so they know whom to help next. Just different ways of doing things.)
Super super impressed with Chris. I hear about people falling in love with their shoes -- grateful that this might happen with my next pair due to him.