Fit Process

Locally owned since 1983

Your Fit Starts Here

At Athletic Annex, we believe the right pair of shoes can change how you move - and how you feel. Our fitting process is built to help walkers, hobbyists, first-time runners, and competitive athletes feel comfortable, confident, and cared for from the moment they walk through the door.

Visit Us In Store Talk to Our Team
For people who move

A better running store experience

We have been helping people find the right shoes since 1983. Over the years, that has meant serving every kind of customer imaginable - walkers, nurses, parents, students, first-time runners, Boston qualifiers, and professionals who simply want to feel better on their feet.

Our team reflects that same range.

You’ll work with a staff that includes a mix of ages, backgrounds, and experiences - from runners and coaches to movement-minded professionals.

What connects us isn’t pace or performance. It’s perspective.

We believe the best fitting experience starts with listening, understanding your goals, and meeting you where you are.

Who we serve

  • Walkers and travelers
  • People on their feet all day for work
  • New runners and hobby joggers
  • High school, collegiate, and professional athletes
  • Customers navigating pain, discomfort, or training changes
  • Anyone who wants a better shoe-buying experience

What matters to us

  • Comfort over hype
  • Education over pressure
  • Confidence over confusion
  • A fitting experience that feels personal
  • Helping every customer feel seen and respected
Athletic Annex in-store shoe fitting experience
What to expect

Our fitting process

Every visit starts with a conversation. We want to understand what brought you in, how you move, what has worked before, and what you want your next pair to feel like. From there, we guide the process with a mix of experience, technology, and attention to detail.

1

A real welcome

When you walk in, you will be greeted like a person first. We start with a simple conversation, learn why you came in, and make sure the experience feels approachable from the beginning.

2

Discovery before product

Before we bring out shoes, we ask a few thoughtful questions. What are you using them for? What has worked in the past? Any pain, discomfort, or training changes? This helps us make better recommendations from the start.

3

3D foot scan with Scannex

We offer a 3D Volumental foot scan to better understand your foot shape, length, width, arch, and overall volume. It is a helpful tool - not a verdict. We use it to educate, explain fit, and guide the process in plain language.

4

Motion analysis

For walkers and runners, we can also use a short treadmill video to look at how your foot moves as you land. This is not about diagnosing injuries. It is simply another way to match you with shoes that feel more comfortable and more natural for your movement.

5

Trying the right options

Based on what we learn, we bring out a small set of shoes to compare - usually two or three to start. We talk through what you notice, what feels better, and what you would change. The goal is not to push you toward a shoe. The goal is to help you feel the difference and make the right choice for yourself.

Human-first, tech-supported

Technology that supports the process

We love good tools, but we never let technology replace conversation. Our foot scan and motion analysis are there to support a better fitting experience, not to make decisions for you.

The best shoe is the one that feels comfortable, fits your activity, and gives you confidence.

That is why our team explains what we are seeing, asks what you are feeling, and keeps the process collaborative the whole way through.

What our tools help us understand

  • Foot size versus shoe size
  • Arch height and instep volume
  • Forefoot width and fit preferences
  • Movement patterns during walking or running
  • Which small changes may improve comfort
3D foot scan and gait analysis report from Athletic Annex

See What Your Fit Looks Like

Our Scannex technology provides a detailed look at your foot shape, sizing, and structure. Combined with in-store expertise, it helps guide smarter, more confident decisions.

View an Example Report
The difference you can feel

The subtle details that set a great fit apart

A great fitting experience is usually made up of small moments. Sometimes it is a lacing adjustment that fixes heel slip. Sometimes it is the right sock. Sometimes it is us realizing that when you say you want more support, what you really mean is a more secure fit.

Thoughtful adjustments

We make small fit tweaks that can completely change the feel of a shoe - from lacing techniques to subtle changes in cushion, support, or brand shape.

Careful listening

We pay attention to your words, your goals, and your reactions. That helps us translate what you are experiencing into better recommendations.

Personal connection

We remember what brought you in - whether that is marathon training, a Europe trip, work shifts, or simply wanting to feel better walking the dog.

Why Athletic Annex

What makes our fitting process different

Your Feet Know Best

A great fitting experience should not feel like a sales pitch. It should feel like someone listening carefully, making thoughtful recommendations, and helping you leave more confident than when you walked in.

That is what we aim to deliver every day - across every store, for every pace, and for every kind of customer.

Athletic Annex team member helping customer find the right fit
Come see us

You do not need to know exactly what you need

You do not need to be fast. You do not need to be experienced. You do not need to have the right words for what you are feeling. You just need to walk in the door.

We will take it from there.

Visit Us In Store Talk to Our Team

Serving customers across all Athletic Annex locations with the same thoughtful, human-first fitting process.