FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please connect with us at the store if you are unable to see the answer to your question below.

Don’t shoes need to be broken in to feel comfortable?

Definitely not. New shoes should feel comfortable as soon as you put them on, with no pinching or pressure, nor loose or sloppy in the heel or forefoot. Usually, the shoe that feels most comfortable on your foot is the best shoe for you.

Are running shoes good for walking?

There is a lot out there championing the benefits of walking – both physical and mental. Running shoes offer superior cushioning, stability and forefoot support compared with a walking shoe. Walking is a lower impact than running, so a running shoe readily meets the foot’s requirements for stability or motion control, as well as cushioning. Trail runners have become an increasingly popular choice for hikers, or for fall and winter walking, as they are lighter weight than traditional hiking boots and made with more breathable materials.

What’s the difference between running shoes and trail shoes?

All shoes cushion the foot against the impact of hard surfaces and provide support to the arches and joints of the feet, as well as the joints of the lower extremity. Shoes are generally categorized as either neutral or stability (motion control) shoes. Stability shoes come with built-in technology, usually high-density foams, or GuideRails to provide motion control.

Trail shoes offer all of this plus have extra features for greater traction and foot protection. Trail shoes utilize bigger and deeper cleats, or lugs, on the sole and are often made with sticky rubber materials for better grip. The size, placement and pattern of the lugs will affect the performance of the shoe in different conditions. Consider what type of terrain you’ll be running on – dry trail, or slippery, wet mud? Will the terrain be exclusively trail or a combination of trail and pavement? A shoe with an aggressive tread won’t feel as comfortable on a harder surface.

The midsole of a trail shoe is constructed with less cushiony foam for greater stability. Some trail shoes use a rock plate or guard under the midsole to help protect the forefoot against hard objects like rocks. The upper of a trail shoe is designed for enhanced protection and made of more durable, abrasion-resistant material than a standard road shoe, to protect from rocks and trail debris. It may also be weather-resistant, helpful if you anticipate wet conditions and warmer in winter, but can feel suffocating in the summer heat, where breathability is more important.

How long should running shoes last?

Under average conditions, a running shoe will last 600-800 km. Over time, shoes lose their shock-absorbing capacity, as well as their ability to provide stability, both of which can increase the stresses on your lower extremity joints and foot arches. Feel free to bring in your current shoes for an assessment, if you are not sure. If they’ve got mileage left in them, we’ll happily tell you!

Why am I a different shoe size in different brands? Shouldn’t it be the same?

Every manufacturer builds their shoes on a particular last, which creates the shape and silhouette of a shoe, so it makes sense that sizing can vary from one brand to the next. Even within a particular brand, technical changes to the fabrics used, especially in the forefoot, can change the fit and support, so sizing can go up or down at least a half-size from one generation of a shoe to the next. The fit and feel of the shoe on your foot are more important –try not to get hung up on a number!

Keep in mind, your foot size changes slightly over the course of a day as your feet slightly swell, and your foot shape can alter as you age (bunions develop, or the metatarsal width splays.)

Why is width important?

The standard width for women’s shoes is B, and for men’s is D. You can usually find this on the label found on the inside of the tongue of the shoe. If your foot feels like it spills over the sides of the shoe, a wider width may offer a more comfortable fit. Some brands of shoes are available in narrow (2A for women, B for men) or wide (D for women, 2E for men) or extra-wide (2E for women, 4E-6E for men.) Gord’s Running Store carries a substantial selection of shoes manufactured in multiple widths, up to size 16.

What does it mean when you talk about drop in a shoe?

This is what happens when we try to balance too many shoeboxes stacked in one hand. Or, we could also be referring to the difference in height from the heel of the shoe to the forefoot. The greater the drop, the steeper the angle. Traditional drop is considered 8-13 mm, and a low drop shoe has a difference of 0-7 mm. If the amount of drop isn’t suited to your natural stride (think biomechanics here: are you a heel-striker, or land on your midfoot?) your lower body will have difficulty adjusting to the impact forces, leading to discomfort or even injury.

What’s the big deal with carbon-plate shoes?

A relatively new technology, carbon plate shoes have their advantages and their disadvantages. The carbon plating comes combined with greater cushioning. The stiffness of the shoe increases running economy, meaning there’s less lost energy propelling yourself forward, because the plate is doing some of the work with each stride. This results in a decrease in oxygen demand required of the runner, and why elite athletes are seeing improved race times.

The downside is you won’t get as much mileage out of the shoe, and they tend to be more expensive than a traditional lightweight trainer or racing flat.

My doctor is suggesting a rocker sole shoe. What is it?

A rocker sole shoe is designed to reduce the load on the forefoot as you walk. The rocker can replace or compensate for missing motion in the metatarsal joints, making walking more natural and less painful. The rocker sole isn’t for everyone, however, so come talk to the team to determine whether it’s appropriate for you.

What is the difference between shoe inserts and orthotics?

Inserts, or insoles, are not custom-fit like an orthotic but can help with a variety of foot needs. Inserts can increase the stability of a road running shoe. Inserts can provide greater support to the main arch, and if it’s combined with a good heel cup, can alleviate the symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Supporting the metatarsal arch with a specifically designed insert can reduce pressure on the forefoot – helpful if you suffer from metatarsalgia, or Morton’s neuroma.

How do I tell if my sports bra needs replacing?

The generally accepted guideline is to replace your sports bra every 6-12 months, but the amount of wear and frequency of washing will greatly affect this. If you can fit more than two fingers under the chest strap (with the bra clasp done up) the elastic band around the chest is no longer providing adequate support and the bra should be replaced. If you can fit more than two fingers under the shoulder strap at the top of your shoulder, the strap, and therefore the cups, are no longer providing support to the breast tissue, and the bra should be replaced.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards may be purchased in any dollar amount you choose, either online or in-person at the store. Please note, gift cards may ONLY be used for in-store purchases.

Do you take special orders?

In certain circumstances, we are able to do special orders. If we are out of stock of an item we typically carry in stock, we are happy to order it in, provided it’s available, and this generally takes 10-14 days to arrive at our store. If it’s a colour we don’t carry of an in-stock shoe, we may be able to order it in. Occasionally, certain colours of a shoe are not available in Canada.

We can sometimes special order products from our current suppliers that we do not typically carry in-store. We will not special order sports footwear for non-running activities, such as soccer or weight-lifting, etc. The decision to special order is solely at Gord’s discretion, and if approved by Gord will require a $50 deposit at the time of ordering. The deposit will be deducted from the purchase cost should you proceed with purchasing the item. When the item arrives, if you choose not to purchase it, we will keep the $50 deposit to cover the shipping costs in both directions. If you initially purchase the item and later return it, we will deduct the $50 deposit from the merchandise refund. If you choose to exchange the special order item for an in-store item, we will add $50 to the cost of the in-stock item, to cover the shipping costs for the special order item, both directions.