A No-Love Letter to Foot Locker

Dear Foot Locker:

I have never been into running, in any sense of the word, but I have recently decided to try again anyway. The last time I bought any sort of athletic shoe was in 2004, and my PUMAs don't look older than 6 months, but they don't fit the way a running shoe should. So I went into your store yesterday with the sole purpose of buying a new running shoe, one that would be good for both treadmill and trail running.

First of all, I was appalled at your choice of shoe colors. I understand that this isn't your fault, but don't you think a muted shoe color (that ISN'T black) should be available? Can't you suggest that to shoe manufacturers? Not everyone enjoys running around in neon pink, green, purple, etc. There was ONE shoe that I could even see myself in: mainly grey with some dark orange laces and detailing. This was, in fact, the shoe I was immediately drawn to in the neon swirl of colors that made up your limited female selection.

Sadly, this particular color was unavailable in 7 1/2, my desired size choice. It was available in neon purple, so I put it on, only to be disappointed that it was a full size too big. I tried on the grey/orange size 7, and it seemed to fit, although a little tightly. I discussed this with your boy on the floor, and when he saw how I was ready to buy a shoe that day, he eagerly went about grabbing a size 7 in every female shoe you carried. Almost all of them were a little tight, just enough to be uncomfortable when I walked. while the 7 1/2 sizes were, for the most part, too large. Your boy then told me that this was just how shoes fit nowadays, because of the new "minimalism" belief when it came to running shoes.

Since I was assured that most of these shoes were designed to be worn without socks, and I was not about to try on a shoe with no sock, I purchased the original grey/orange pair that drew me to begin with. I was told repeatedly that the New Balance Minimus Trail shoes were supposed to be worn without socks, and that was why they were a little tight. And the fact that it said "Winter Run" inside the shoes? A complete non-issue according to your boy! That just means that they don't slip on ice, but they're perfectly acceptable as a summer running shoe!

Goodness, I really wish I hadn't been so eager to purchase a new running shoe. Wearing them about town was fine (although the promise that they don't slip on ice proved to be untrue when I almost took a tumble on a normal linoleum floor), and I was happy with the feel and weight of the shoe, so very different from my 8 year old PUMA clunkers! I decided to really break them in, I should take them on the short circuit of the nearby Nolan Trail. Just a short, walking jaunt with the dog, nothing extreme.

Almost immediately, I noticed that my feet were hot. Disgustingly hot. Like they couldn't breathe at all. Then, the dog and I were not even halfway through the 1.5-mile short circuit when I started to feel a twinge in my right foot. A very painful twinge. I was forced to turn around and limp back to the car when the twinge became full out pain in two different places on my right foot.

I have learned two things about this shoe. Clearly, Winter Run means just that, for running in the winter. By no means should these shoes be worn in the overly hot summers in Virginia. I can't *believe* how badly my feet were sweating the moment I stepped outside. It's also pretty clear that these shoes should be worn with socks, and your boy on the sales floor sold me shoes that do not fit my foot correctly. I have three very painful blisters, one on my right foot pinky toe, one on my right foot heel, and one on my left foot arch. I was only walking for a steady 10 minutes before they started to develop, so I know there is no way I could run anywhere in these shoes.

So Foot Locker, I could look past this little predicament, if it wasn't for your store return policy, which clearly only allows *unworn* merchandise return. Thanks to this, and your unknowledgeable sales boy, I now own $100 shoes that I will never wear again. I can assure you that I will take my business to one of the 3 other athletic shoe stores in the mall, and will tell all my friends to do the same, unless they wish to purchase shoes that will completely maim their feet.

Thank you very little for your non-help in purchasing a running shoe.

Love,
Me