The Right Fit®
Not every shoe works for every runner. Our Right Fit® process matches you to gear based on how you actually move — so you can train with confidence, not guesswork.
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What to expect during a fit session
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Consultation
Whether you run, walk, train, or just want everyday comfort, we take time to learn about you—your goals, routines, and gear—so we can recommend exactly what you need to stay supported, comfortable, and ready for anything.
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Visual gait analysis
We start barefoot to see how your feet truly move—checking alignment, rotation, and pronation to understand your unique gait. Then, using what we learn, we handpick shoes and insoles that fit your body and movement perfectly.
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Curated selections
We’ll fine-tune fit, comfort, and performance as you walk or run, making adjustments until you find the perfect pair that feels natural from the very first step. Depending on your needs, we may also recommend orthotic insoles, injury prevention tools, hydration gear, nutrition, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Right Fit™ is the Marathon Sports custom fitting process that helps every runner, walker, and fitness enthusiast alike get set up for success.
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.
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 of 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.
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.