Frequently Asked Questions

FindMyRunningShoes is dedicated to giving everyone access to the best fitter to help you find the shoe that complements your body’s movement the best — combining deep footwear expertise, biomechanical science, and AI — so they can walk, run, train, and move through life longer, better, and more comfortably.

We search across multiple retailers so you can see what’s actually available in your size and width, at the best price, all in one place.

Yes, completely free.

Our AI guides you through a series of questions about your biomechanics, preferences, planned use, and injury history. The questions are rooted in 25 years of footwear expertise and developed alongside leading sports rehabilitation and performance experts — all to find the shoe that best complements your body’s movement.

The result is 3 shoes matched specifically to how you move. We then search across multiple retailers to show you what’s available in your size and width at the best price, all in one place.

No account is needed to explore our shoe catalog and see real-time availability across multiple retailers — filtered to your size and width — all in one place.

To use our AI fit service — which combines deep footwear expertise, biomechanical science, and AI to find the shoe that best complements your body’s movement — you’ll need to create a free account.

Not at all — everyone’s welcome! We built this site for anyone who wants to move: runners, walkers, hikers, gym-goers, and everyone in between. If something on the site is unclear or you have a question we haven’t answered, please reach out. Chances are someone else has the same question, and your feedback helps us make the experience better for the next person.

Your shoe size tells us the length range to search and lets us check real-time inventory across multiple retailers simultaneously — so every recommendation we show you is one you can actually buy right now. We also know that sizing varies by brand, so we can suggest the right size for you in each specific shoe we recommend.

Width is one of the most overlooked factors in shoe fit. A shoe that’s the right length but wrong width causes blisters, black toenails, and discomfort. We use your width to filter out shoes that won’t work for your foot — not just recommend the most popular models.

It also lets us check real-time inventory across multiple retailers simultaneously, so every recommendation we show you is one you can actually buy in your size and width right now. And because sizing varies by brand, we can suggest the right width for you in each specific shoe we recommend.

That’s common. Our size lookup tool can help you estimate your length and width from a simple measurement.

Our scan feature uses your phone camera to measure your foot length and width automatically. It’s currently in testing and not yet available to the public — but you can still get a great match today by sharing your size and width manually.

Our recommendation engine is built at the intersection of deep industry experience and clinical science. It was co-developed by our founders: Tom Pecoraro, a 25-year footwear industry veteran with experience at brands like On, Saucony, and Columbia, and our own Physical Therapist, Dr. Isaac Cowart.

We take a comprehensive approach to finding the perfect shoe, matching your individual preferences with the model that best complements your body’s natural movement. By systematically pairing this data, we help you walk or run longer, better, and more comfortably.

The result is 3 shoes matched specifically to how you move. We then search across multiple retailers to show you what’s available in your size and width at the best price, all in one place. We only recommend shoes available across our retailer network — so every match is shoppable, not theoretical.

We currently pull live inventory from Zappos and Dick’s Sporting Goods, with more retailers coming soon.

We may earn a small referral fee when you click through and purchase. This never influences which shoes we recommend — fit always comes first.

Our AI recommendations are brand-agnostic — we suggest the 3 best shoes for your body regardless of brand.

That said, once you’ve completed the fit process your profile is saved. When you visit our Explore page, every shoe in our catalog will display a match percentage based on your information. From there you can filter by brand, price, terrain, cushioning, support, or category to find the right shoe on your own terms.

Yes, absolutely. Because we aren’t limited by the physical inventory of a traditional storefront, our proprietary algorithm can scan the entire market for your exact size and width.

Whether you need a narrow, wide, or extra-wide fit, we analyze your biomechanics first to find the right models. Then, we search across multiple major retailers simultaneously to find your specific width in stock at the best price available.

When you walk or run, your foot naturally rolls inward to absorb impact and support your body weight. While a certain degree of pronation is beneficial and healthy, rolling too far inward is called overpronation.

For years, the running industry viewed any inward motion as a problem and brands designed stability shoes to limit this natural motion and shops forced runners into them. Today, research has shown that a certain degree of pronation is the body’s natural way of alleviating stress and should not be overcorrected. However, excessive overpronation — often caused by weakness, injury, or unique foot mechanics — can still lead to issues.

To find the best shoe to complement your body’s natural movement, use our proprietary fit process.

Supination (also called underpronation) occurs when the foot and ankle fail to roll inward enough after hitting the ground. Instead of distributing the impact evenly, the pressure stays concentrated on the outer edge of the heel, foot, and smaller toes.

While supination is far less common (less than 10% of individuals) it reduces the body’s natural shock absorption and can lead to injury if not addressed. To find the best shoe to complement your body’s natural movement, use our proprietary fit process.

The main difference comes down to how much support the shoe provides so your foot can move naturally and comfortably.

Neutral shoes are designed for runners whose feet do not roll excessively inward or outward. They focus entirely on cushioning, flexibility, and shock absorption without trying to alter or restrict your stride.

Stability shoes are designed for runners who overpronate (roll excessively inward). To prevent your arch from collapsing too far, these shoes feature built-in guidance systems, such as a slightly firmer foam under the arch or structured sidewalls. This helps guide your foot through a straighter, more efficient stride.

Neither shoe type is “better” than the other; it entirely depends on your unique mechanics. To find the exact balance of cushioning and support your body needs, use our proprietary fit process.

It starts with the needs of the runner.

Road running shoes are designed for asphalt, treadmills, and clean flat surfaces. Their primary job is shock attenuation — absorbing impact mile after mile to keep you running as long as you need to.

Trail running is a different proposition entirely. You’re navigating loose gravel, rocks, roots, tree branches, pricker bushes, streams, and puddles. Trail shoes are built for that environment — prioritizing grip through larger lugs on the outsole, abrasion-resistant uppers that can take a beating, and in many cases waterproofing or DWR coating to keep your feet dry.

The right shoe starts with knowing where you run.

The honest answer: it depends. Heel strikers — runners who land on their heel first — typically do well in higher-drop shoes, which provide more cushion in the heel. Runners who land on their forefoot or midfoot often prefer a lower or zero-drop shoe, which keeps the foot in a more level, natural position.

That said, drop isn’t one-size-fits-all. Injury history, running form, and transition history all play a role. Our fit quiz takes all of this into account and helps match you to the right drop for your specific needs.

Our size lookup tool shows all three conversions alongside the Japanese cm sizing. US and UK differ by about 0.5 sizes; EU roughly follows a different scale. When in doubt, go by actual foot length in mm.

Our AI recommends based on fit, not availability — and that distinction matters to us. Most brands carry up to men’s 15 / women’s 12, with some extending to men’s 17 / women’s 14, though the selection of specific models decreases significantly beyond those thresholds.

For sizes larger than men’s 17 / women’s 14, availability becomes so limited that any recommendation would be driven by what exists rather than what’s truly best for your foot and movement. That’s not something we’re comfortable doing.

Shoe drop — also called heel-to-toe drop or offset — is the difference in millimeters between the height of the heel and the height of the forefoot. Both are measured from the ground to the top of the midsole. A shoe with a 10mm drop has 10mm more cushion under the heel than under the forefoot.

Find My Running Shoes does not conduct its own weight testing. Weight can vary slightly from pair to pair depending on size and manufacturing. Rather than introduce any guesswork, we go straight to the source — the brand. The weight listed on FMRS comes directly from the brand’s published specifications, typically measured on a men’s size 9 or women’s size 7.

Find My Running Shoes does not conduct its own stack height testing. Stack height can vary slightly between sizes and manufacturing runs — so cutting apart a shoe to measure it, without knowing the brand’s sample size and measurement method, tells you very little. We’d rather spend that energy on you.

Stack height data on FMRS comes directly from the brand, measured on their standard sample size (typically a men’s size 9 or women’s size 7) — the most accurate and consistent source available.

A good rule of thumb is roughly a half inch — or about a thumbnail’s length — of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. This gives your foot room to move naturally without the shoe being so large it causes heel slip. For a precise measurement, our size lookup tool can help you estimate your length and width from a simple measurement.

Heel slip is when your heel moves up and down inside the shoe as you walk or run. Beyond being annoying, it can cause blisters and, over time, contribute to injury. The most common causes are an improper shoe size or lacing technique. For an accurate fit, our size lookup tool can help you estimate your length and width from a simple measurement.

Mid-afternoon to early evening. Your feet naturally swell throughout the day due to gravity, blood flow, and the cumulative effect of standing and walking — sometimes up to a half size larger by day’s end. Trying on shoes during this window ensures you’re fitting for your foot at its largest, so your shoes are comfortable all day long. Our size lookup tool can help you estimate your length and width from a simple measurement.

A general guideline is 400–600 miles, but this varies based on your body weight, running surface, and the foam technology in the shoe. At FMRS, we help take the guesswork out of it — once you log your shoe, we track your mileage based on your activity and let you know when it’s time to replace it.

Yes. Because our AI fit service requires a free account, your fit profile — including measurements, preferences, injury history, and shoe history — is saved to help us serve you better over time. We use your data to improve future recommendations, learn what works for you, and alert you when your shoes are approaching end of life so you can replace them before injury occurs.

Absolutely not. You only receive the alerts you choose to turn on, and you can adjust or turn off any of them at any time. We don’t sell your email address or your data — ever.