There are plenty of reasons to buy shoes at your local running store instead of online or at a big box store, including a more knowledgeable staff and the fact that you’re supporting your local running community. But another biggie is the fact that many will take returns even after you’ve gone for a few runs in your shoes.
In case you don’t have a local store with this policy, it’s good to know that some larger brands and online stores will also take returns of lightly-worn shoes. Fleet Feet and Running Warehouse are among the bigger stores that offer this perk; some online running shoe stores will include it as part of a membership (like Roadrunner). But several running shoe brands offer a no-questions-asked return policy themselves, so if you know that you love (say) Nikes, you can buy from the brand directly.
Do not feel bad about taking advantage of this policy. The whole idea is that you can trust your body to tell you whether the shoes are working, rather than stressing during a brief try-on about whether you think these shoes will work for you. If you can’t help but feel guilty, you can make it up by buying your next new pair of shoes from the same place. They do it because they’re trying to win you as a loyal customer.
Adidas asks for shoes to be unworn for most returns, but it has a separate policy for its “performance” running shoes, which include all its popular running shoes, from the $65 Runfalcon on up.
Altra prominently advertises “30 day trial runs, guaranteed.” It ships a return label with your shoes and allows returns “for any reason” during those 30 days.
Brooks will accept returns within 90 days, even if you’ve run in the shoes: “Run in it, sweat in it, inside, outside, in the rain – if it doesn’t perform the way it should, send it back.”
Hoka has a 30-day return policy (60 days for members), even if you’ve worn the shoes. “Try them out, that’s what our 30-day Guarantee is all about.”
Newton accepts returns within 30 days “for any reason with as much or as little wear and tear on them” as they happen to have.
Nike will let you return shoes, even if they’ve been worn, within 60 days of purchase. It specifically says you can return shoes, including custom sneakers, “for any reason” within that time period. There are exceptions, including items purchased at Nike Clearance stores.
Please note that policies can change, and that they often vary by country. Customer service staff can sometimes help you out even if you fall outside the official policy, but don’t count on it. Still, if you’ve bought shoes, run in them, and weren’t happy, it can’t hurt to ask.
