Proper shoe fit plays a measurable role in comfort, efficiency, and injury prevention for both runners and walkers. Research and in-store data consistently show that factors like foot shape, arch height, pressure distribution, and gait mechanics influence how cushioning, stability, and support should be matched to an individual. Shoes that align with a person’s natural movement patterns can reduce unnecessary joint stress, improve energy return, and delay fatigue over long distances or extended daily wear.

The =PR= Fit Process combines 3D foot scanning technology, video gait analysis, and expert shoe selection to evaluate these variables in real time. This approach allows our specialists to identify fit issues that standard sizing alone can’t address, such as asymmetrical feet, excessive pressure points, or movement inefficiencies. The result is a much more accurate shoe recommendation tailored to walking, running, training volume, and surface type.

When you arrive, a team member will learn about your goals, habits, and the surfaces you train or walk on. Maybe you're ramping up mileage, easing back into activity, chasing a PR, or simply trying to stay comfortable at work. Every detail helps us understand what your next pair of shoes needs to deliver.

We’ll look at your current shoes, talk through any recurring discomfort, and get a sense of what you want your footwear to solve. You don’t need experience or a training plan. Just an honest picture of what you do and how your body feels doing it.

Find the closest PR Run & Walk location near you on our Locations Page.

Your fitting begins with a full 3D Volumental foot scan. It captures length, width, arch height, pressure distribution, and unique variations between your left and right foot. These insights highlight the small structural details that influence your comfort.

The scan is especially useful if:

• Certain shoes collapse or rub in the same spot

• You’ve dealt with issues like plantar fasciitis or arch fatigue

• Your feet feel different on long training days versus easy days

• You’re switching to trail routes, winter conditions, or treadmill sessions

Results can be emailed to you for future reference.

Before assessing your gait, we start with a pair of technical socks that help standardize the fit. Socks play a larger role in comfort than most people expect, influencing moisture control, friction, and how secure a shoe feels around your midfoot.

Shop our full sock collection for styles that fit you.

Next, we watch how you naturally move on a treadmill. A short walk or run in a neutral shoe is filmed in slow motion, giving us a clear look at your mechanics. We observe how your foot lands, how your knees track, how your hips stabilize, and how your stride behaves when you settle into a rhythm.

This step is especially helpful if:

• You feel new aches as mileage increases

• You’re returning to running after time off

• You’re mixing surfaces like road, trail, or treadmill

• You’re figuring out how to run more efficiently or breathe comfortably at pace

If you’re curious about pacing, our treadmill pace conversion chart comes in handy for indoor and outdoor consistency.

This is the fun part!

With your scan and gait analysis in hand, we curate a lineup of footwear that match your natural mechanics. Some will offer more cushioning for longer distances. Others will provide structure if your stride needs more support. Some will feel smooth and soft for walking, and others more responsive for speed-oriented days.

This step is where many people feel a difference they’ve never experienced before: the moment a shoe truly lines up with the way their body moves.

If extra support would improve your alignment or reduce pressure points, we’ll explore insole options. Even a minor adjustment can ease calf tightness, reduce arch strain, or improve comfort when standing or walking for long stretches.

This step often helps people who’ve struggled with recurring discomfort or who spend long hours on their feet. Additional recovery tools are available in our Health & Wellness collection.

Now you take everything into motion.

Testing multiple shoes back-to-back on the treadmill helps you compare cushioning, stability, and responsiveness under the same conditions. Some feel softer, some feel quicker, and some feel like they vanish under your stride.

If you’re training for school athletics or competitive racing, this is also where cross country spikes become part of the conversation.

You choose the model that feels the most natural and supportive. Some people leave with one pair that handles everything. Others pick different shoes for different activities: walking, speed sessions, long runs, or work shifts.

Whatever you choose, the goal is simple: shoes that help you move comfortably, confidently, and consistently, no matter your experience level.

Common signs include:

• Shoes feeling flat, uneven, or less supportive

• Aches appearing earlier in your run or walk

• A new routine or mileage increase

• Seasonal shifts or weather changes

If any of these feel familiar, it’s time for a refresh.