Buying running shoes can be tricky and I was quite interested in trying out the new Up and Running store in Milton Keynes, hence this review. We have bought running shoes and other bits and pieces from their old store over time, so would this new site be an improvement? In fairness to Up and Running, the shop was new when I visited and has probably settled since…..
The new shop had apparently only been recently opened and it looked very smart. The great thing about buying shoes on a Monday morning is there’s a good chance you can have plenty of attention. And that I got!
This is how it went, blow by blow (or should it be ‘step by step’?)
- walked in, greeted by a member of staff. I explained I wanted some new shoes to replace my old, worn out Sauconys
- she checked the wear pattern, thought it was okay and I was almost certainly in the right shoes
- invited me to try on some neutral shoes. I queried this and helpfully it was explained it is good for the staff to see how I run in these, to know how much “correction” I need
- I stepped onto a treadmill and ran for about 20 seconds (this is a gait analysis)
- the assistant played back the film in slow motion and stopped the film at one point so she could see the angle of my leg. As this wasn’t straight, I was indeed pronating a little and needed shoes to correct this
- although this confirmed what I already knew, the assistant didn’t know for sure and it was helpful for her to know what kind of shoes I was looking for
- she checked the size and in a few minutes came back with a selection for me to try
- ”DON’T TELL ME THE PRICE!” I said. I wanted the right shoes, I did not want to be tempted with some cheaper shoes which would lead to problems later on
- I spent ages running up and down the shop in different shoes and comparing them to my worn out Sauconys
- it was an easy choice in the end; another pair of Saucony shoes
- the next bit was new to me with being asked “what distances do you run?” I explained I’m wanting to build up from my 1 hour runs to a half marathon etc. This led to the suggestion of having a bigger size, as our feet can splay out a bit. So I went up half a size
- then the power went off and the emergency lights came on! They had no means of taking a card payment and they really needed to close the shop
- I came back later with the cash and went off very happily with my the Saucony running shoes.
My new running shoes fit well and control my feet well. They’re not perfect and I will write about this in another post. It isn’t a reflection on Up and Running.
Overall I am really pleased with the process. I was pleased I had a gait analysis as our running form can change over time and simply having the exact same shoe is not always the best thing to do.
It really is worth buying running shoes from a proper running specialist, such as Up and Running. Sure, you might get shoes a little cheaper on the internet but you won’t get to try out different types or have the expert eye on your running form.
When I started running, all those years back, I almost gave up because of knee and ankle problems. It was through getting the right shoes which made the difference and since then I have benefitted from running thousands of miles, all relatively free of injuries.
So make sure you buy running shoes from a specialist shop peeps!
The good bits:
- having a gait analysis
- no ‘up selling’
- having confidence in the member of staff who had expertise and was polite and very pleasant
- there was a good choice of running shoes, no rush to make up my mind
- a pleasant store – bright and modern, free parking outside (though you have to register your car to avoid a parking fine owing to its proximity to the railway station)
- offer of joining their running club and evidence of staff being runners themselves
- suggesting I had a half size bigger; I believe this is good advice
- having a genuine interest in what I was wanting, what kind of running I did etc
Areas for improvement
- having a power failure almost brought the process to a close. As it was, I had to leave the shop before I could complete the purchase (obviously I did return). In all fairness, this was probably out of the shop’s control
- the choice of clothing seemed a little limited. I often like to treat myself to new running socks with a new pair of shoes but there wasn’t an obvious range to choose from
- not a great selection of other accessories- perhaps inner soles, gloves etc. Perhaps now the shop has been open longer, this has been built up more
- a nice shop but a bit new for much “character” to be built up
- I wonder if a second go on the treadmill would have totally confirmed the right shoe? This is me nitpicking!
Conclusion: I’ll be back for another pair in 600 miles!