FAQ

The Right Fit™ is the Marathon Sports custom fitting process that helps every runner, walker and fitness enthusiast alike get set up for success. For more, see our detailed look at The Right Fit™.

No need to bring anything in. We will be able to get you The Right Fit™ no matter what. If possible, things such as your current running/walking shoes, your usual athletic socks and any orthotics/inserts you wear would all be helpful in identifying the right footwear.

Shoes are a small component to a happy running/walking experience. We’ll go over why the commonly used term “Cotton is Rotten” holds true, and how it applies to socks and fitness apparel. We’ll also show you some other tools that will help you in your fitness journey based on our individual conversations with you. For a full explanation, check out information on The Right Fit™.

Different types of shoes are meant to fit differently. While cleats and dress shoes are meant to fit tight, running/walking shoes are meant to fit a little bigger. While running, blood and fluid end up rushing to the foot and during each impact that food spreads out and pushes the toes forward. For this reason, you’ll want to have at least a thumbnail length of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoes. This will help avoid pesky problems like black toe nails and blisters.

To be fair, some of the shoes we present to our customers are not likely to have won many beauty contests, but if you’re choosing your shoes by appearance alone, the chances of getting into a shoe that is appropriate for your foot type are slim to none.

We fit each and every pair of feet that come through our doors with the customer’s needs in mind first and foremost. Maybe the hot pink and silver color combo doesn’t quite go with your Stewart Tartan plaid kilt for this year’s Highland Games, but if it keeps you out of the doctor’s office, we’re happy with the decision.

There is a popular misconception that walkers are somehow different, or less likely to need good shoes, than runners. This has unfortunately propagated itself within the footwear industry, to the point that a great many “walking shoes” out there are simply detuned, less expensive, and of worse construction than their running shoe counterparts.

The fact of the matter is that running and walking both put a great deal of stress on the muscles, tendons, and bones in the lower extremity, and as such each activity demands a high level of cushioning and a proper amount of support to get the job done right. Running shoes, on the whole, offer a greater variety of cushioning systems, levels, and support systems that ultimately allow us to “dial in” to a particular foot type or need better than with traditional walking shoes. As the dynamics of walking and running are very similar, almost every customer who comes in looking for walking shoes leaves with a running shoe.

No appointments are necessary. Just stop in whenever it’s convenient during our normal business hours and we’ll make sure you get our award winning customer service from start to finish. If you own a pair of shoes that you have had great luck with or has caused you problems, it may help to have those shoes readily available with you so that we may discuss the issues. Also, be prepared to discuss any injury history, training goals, or training hangups you have so that we may fit you to the best of our ability.

If it isn’t working for you, it most definitely isn’t working for us! We believe in the products we sell and in the people who sell them. If you should have ANY TROUBLE with an item purchased from Marathon Sports, simply come back and see us within 30 days for a full refund or exchange.

Any product that is no longer in its original condition can be returned for store credit or exchange only.

Any returns beyond 30 days or without a receipt will be for exchange or store credit only and will be accepted at the discretion of the store manager.

Any marathonsports.com purchase will be subject to the same return policy as our in-store customers.

To return or exchange an online order, visit our returns page to initiate your return. This will provide you with a prepaid return label to send the shoes back to us free of charge. Please feel free to add any instructions in the notes portion of the return process. If you are making an exchange, please add a short message in the notes stating what you would like to exchange your item for. We can then place that item on hold for you, and once your return is received, we will send out the new item free of charge.

You are also able to return any online purchase in-store at a location near you if that is more convenient.

The refund is immediately taken out of our accounts, however, it will not be reflected immediately in your account. The time it takes for the refund to be reconciled depends upon the speed of your financial institution. Generally speaking, this will be anywhere from 1-4 business days.

From time to time your e-gift cards will end up in either the spam or trash folder of the recipient. We recommend you check those folders first. If you still are unable to find the gift card please reach out to us at help@marathonsports.com and we can assist you from there!

The quick answer for how long running/walking shoes should last is 300 to 500 miles.

Shoes aren’t all created for the same purpose though. A lightweight trainer meant for racing or workouts won’t last as long as a durable trainer. There are a ton of other factors that also play in to how long a shoe lasts. Size of the person running/walking; a 90 lb. person will be lighter on their feet than a 250 lb. person. Foot strike is another factor; someone who slams down each and every stride will wear shoes faster than someone with an efficient stride.

Absolutely!

Hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete will put a lot of wear and tear on both the running/walking shoes on your feet and your body. Incorporating running/walking on softer surfaces such as trails or grass (find even grass to avoid a turned ankle) can be more forgiving, even if it’s only every once in a while.

The materials on running/walking shoes today are chosen because they are more flexible and can move a lot more freely compared to shoes of past. This definitely cuts down on the break-in period; however, that doesn’t mean to go run the Boston Marathon® the day after buying a new pair of shoes.

Even though materials today are better suited to a faster break-in period, it’s a good idea to ease your way in to a new pair of running/walking shoes. Start off by wearing them around the house a little bit to get a good feel. Once you comfortable work them in to your running/walking routine by starting with the easier days, eventually getting to the point of wearing on every run/walk. This isn’t a long period, but it’s definitely individual. Go by feel!