VA Runner

Had a great experience here today! After not running for a few years I’ve started back up. Sales associate spent a long time with me helping determine what would work best for me and I learned a lot about running and shoe fit. Thanks VA Runner!

I am new to being healthy and an athlete, but I’m making progress. I needed some new walking/​running shoes and when I read these reviews, I decided this would be the place. I met Connor, a young man who was full of knowledge about running shoes. He watched me walk and run and suggested shoes based on the results. He helped me narrow down to the right pair and even had them transferred from another store. They arrived the next day. Fantastic! And the shoes? I love them!

Really expensive shoes but decent service. However, they don’t accept returns which is the major let down in my opinion. Just because the shoe feels good in the store doesn’t mean it will after a 10 mile run. Otherwise, this store is good place to gain more knowledge about different brands of running shoes.

I was having some foot, leg, hip, and back pain when running. I figured it was a sign I was out of shape, too fat, and/​or getting old. I can’t remember now who referred me to VA Runner, but I’m glad they did. A young man (now I sound old) analyzed my running style. I had no idea such a thing existed. Afterward, he recommended 2 different shoes. The better shoe was ugly as sin, but they did the trick. I could continue running and built up stamina. I’m proud to say I can run 3 miles without falling over, crying. When I got my replacement pair, I again had a very pleasant experience. I had the misfortune of getting a defective pair, but the staff was so helpful– a lost art. Let me say, I have Amazon Prime, which would save me $ 15 on a pair, but I will never buy my running shoes anywhere else but here at VA Runner. They have genuinely earned my business with their expertise and outstanding customer service. Thanks guys!

I needed some new running shoes, so I figured I would give this place a shot. The staff was really helpful and friendly and the sales associate spent about 20 minutes helping me to determine what shoes would fit best based on my gait. I was about to buy a nice pair of Saucony’s that fit like a glove, but I figured I would check online first.
Unfortunately, they charge full retail for all of their shoes and I was able to find them for $ 40 cheaper (plus no sales tax and free shipping) from a reputable online dealer. I’m all about supporting local businesses, but a $ 40 price difference is a bit of a pill to swallow!
I would definitely recommend buying running shoes here if you’re not on a budget and don’t like dealing with online retailers though.

I literally cannot say enough good things about my experience at VA Runner. I went in after suffering shin splints (and recently having recovered from a stress fracture as well). I’ve tried different shoes and running coaches, nothing has helped. This was my last-​ditch ever before I took a break from running for a while.
I, too, walked in and was a bit skeptical based on the age of the associates (sorry guys!) but was FLOORED with their knowledge. The woman who helped me watched me run and immediately said «you’re pigeon-​toed … you don’t need a support shoe.» Something that had never been said to me before! She tried me in a few neutral shoes, I paid for a pair, and walked out feeling relatively comfortable.
Just went on my first run in the shoes (7 miles), and while it’s early, I have to say I won’t be shopping anywhere else ever again. The neutral shoes are FANTASTIC and i had no increased shin pain and BETTER YET, when I returned home my shins weren’t screaming! So thankful for their knowledge and their ability to catch something small many other running stores had missed. Can’t recommend it enough!
Sadly, her name isn’t on the receipt so I can’t call her out specifically, but to the woman who helped … THANK YOU!

Good store… good people. This is the second VA Runner I’ve ever been in. Looks like they keep the standard up all around.

My husband and I regularly buy shoes from VA runner. Everytime we come into the store, we are promptly welcomed by a sales person. I realize these people are not foot doctor’s but they seem at least college educated and knowledgable about the most basic of running questions. Our salesperson the last time we went suggested intsert for my husbands ongoing shin splints. He took the time to watch him run with and without the inserts and so far, he is pain free. Keep up the great customer service — awesome store!

My wife and I decided to each buy a pair of running shoes from here because they do the gait analysis and we like to support local businesses and I had not had a gait analysis in about 5 years. We went on a Sunday and the store was quite busy. I did not expect to be greeted immediately but it wasn’t long before one of the young associates came up to us. My wife and I both went through the gait analysis and then the associate had us try on a tester pair of shoes and then brought out a few new pairs of shoes for each of us. After picking the ones we liked we went outside and did a bit of a jog to the end of the shopping area and back. We both decided on a pair of shoes and checked out. I ran in the shoes for a 2.5 mile jog/​run during the week and my feet were a bit sore. I ran again on Friday but went for 5 miles. My feet were killing me but I wasn’t sure if it was the shoes or just me getting back on the pavement. I was limping around for about 5 days. When I was able to run again I used my old shoes and did 2.5 miles and felt fine after the run. I tried the other shoes again for 2.5 miles a few days later and my feet were sore again. At this point it had been about 20 days since my purchase. I checked the return policy and saw that it was for 14 days. Since I had only worn the shoes 3 times and they looked brand new I figured it wouldn’t be a problem to exchange them. I explained everything to the associate that answered the phone and he said it would be fine but wanted to check with the manager first. He got back on the line and said that they couldn’t do anything for me. I asked if I could get partial credit and after putting me on hold and checking with his manager again I was told no.
Having a return policy is fine but when the associate does an incorrect gait analysis that almost results in a hospital visit I would expect a bit of leniency. As a result, I spent $ 230 there but will not give them any more money. Had they allowed even a partial credit then I would continue to buy shoes from there for the foreseeable future and recommend them to my friends.
+ friendly staff
+ decent selection for small store
— not all of the staff is knowledgeable regarding gait analysis
— strict return policy
FYI — I checked with the running store I used to go to in Pensacola Florida, Running Wild, and asked what their return policy is. I was told that they accept returns within 30 days for worn shoes and even that is flexible. I wish they had a store up here.

Our salesperson was very pleasant and after assessing my wife and I she brought out multiple pairs of shoes for us to try on. I came here specifically because of my oddly wide feet and they were able to hook me up with a shoe that fits pretty comfortably. With our military discount the prices were comparable to the same shoes on amazon.

I am a plus size woman who recently decided to run. This idea is usually met with ridicule when I have mentioned it in the past to runners because of my size. I decided the first step was shoes. I went to Va runner to be sure that i had a proper gait assessment done and some help in understanding the different kinds of shoes and why runners choose them.
I had a fast but extremely thorough gait assessment. Mindy was awesome and the rest of the staff was friendly and helpful. While I was initially embarrassed with my very basic questions and concerns, their professionalism and candor put me at ease. While we tried on shoes, I learned a great deal more than I thought possible while my husband and four kids waited in the minivan right outside. Maximizing every second of my precious time, during checkout Mindy even pulled up some helpful running websites, blogs and other fun things that only «real» runners know lol.
I highly recommend Va runner for the newbie like me but m with all the running lingo flying around to customers that came in and amongst the staff, I’m sure the expert runner would be right at home.
Check them out today!

I will say of the bat that I am no longer a seasoned runner, but I know conventional bullshit versus true body mechanics. I was a track runner and ran quite a bit during my military career, and have had enough experience with injuries, physical therapists, orthopedists, and podiatrists to know more than just the basics. I make a conscious effort to run on my forefoot/​midfoot and the guy said during his running assessment I had a perfect heel roll. I don’t even land on my heels! I have run over a mile barefoot on the street and don’t want padded, supportive shoes where I can’t feel the ground. He then tried to sell me shoes with a 12 mm rise and highly padded heels. If you get shin splints this is a big no-​no. There is more but you get the idea. When I asked for 0−4mm rise shoes, they said «oh that’s a new fad and we can’t give the 14-​day guarantee on those.» The idea of minimalist footwear has been mainstreamed to mass production for at least two years now, so if you work at running store you need to know about them. As I asked more detailed questions about them, the salesman admitted he didn’t know much about minimalist footwear.
Not only that, but another woman went in looking for walking shoes but said she could not afford more than $ 80. The lady told her that they did not sell any shoes less than $ 110 [the shoes I was looking at were $ 80, not only that, but I found them for $ 60 doing a local search on my phone] and then proceeded to try to sell her a few pairs. Still less than convinced, the woman asked about some rather plain looking shoes off to the side and how much they were. The sales lady said they were very basic and not «feature rich» [wtf?] and were about $ 70. The customer was pissed at that point and said, «they’re within my price range, why wouldn’t you show me those to begin with?» and walked out. I don’t blame her.

They don’t have a huge selection, but I did find something good for me. I went in looking to replace the running shoes I currently own and love. They didn’t have the same model of shoe, but the sales associate showed me another version of it. I tried it on, along with two other similar sneakers. They told me to run up and down the sidewalk a few times to test them out, which really helped. I was undecided between two different sneakers and they said if I wasn’t completely happy with the one I purchased, I could bring it back within two weeks to exchange them. I ended up keeping them and I’m happy with them. The store is a little pricey though — I ended up finding the exact model shoe I was looking for originally at Potomac Mills Nike Outlet the following week for $ 25 cheaper — but since they only do exchanges, I was out of luck.

Expert assessment of ones running posture!
I’ve been a satisfied, loyal customer since 2004 when a couple of coworkers in Quantico, VA recommended this store for running shoes.
I’ve bought Orthotic support inserts from both Podiatrist and VA runner and found the product line and expert outfitting by VA Runner staff to be a superior product and fit.
Owner diagnosed my condition as over-​pronation and recommended a mid-​priced ($ 82.00) running shoe in 2004 instead of the $ 180 shoe I felt would better address my in-​efficient absorption of shock as explained in Wikipedia.
His recommendation proved to be so precise that I still wear a walking shoe version of the running shoe he suggested during my initial consultation. I’ve only added orthotic support inserts to the Brooks Addiction in the last six months.
Much better experience than when visiting an orthopedic shoe store in Woodbridge Virginia!
When enquiring with my Podiatrist about both the Addiction and the Beast, I was amazed to find he was familiar with the product line.
Note: see these folks first!

This store is awesome. They have a great selection and the staff really knows there shoes and feet. I got there at 6:45pm (they close at 7) and they spent 30 minutes testing different shoes out on me. I highly recommend this location to any who are looking for an expert assisted shoe fitting.

I went here for the first time last week needing to replace my running shoes for the first time since moving to the area after hearing it recommended by my supervisor. When I went in, the store was empty and there were two associates working who looked like they were in high school or young college age, so I was a bit skeptical about their knowledge and experience until I started talking with them. They helped me pick out a similar, but much more affordable ($ 85 versus $ 139) style to the shoes I was looking to replace, and had me try them on and then jog around the parking lot in them, and had me try several different sizes of the shoe to ensure I got the best fit.
I also had to have a sports bra in my size custom ordered, and at a place I’ve shopped before, a male associate made some very crass and flirtatious comments (which were completely rude) towards me while asking about this. I had the complete opposite experience at Va Runner– they were professional, courteous, and asked legitimate questions about training routine, fit preferences, and pointed out similar products other customers had bought. They also were able to special order two different sports bras for me to try on, with no obligation to buy if they didn’t fit. I was very impressed, and will definitely be back.
Although their prices might be a bit higher than Dicks or other chain stores, its a minuscule difference and everyone here knows what they are doing– I have been back twice since my first visit, and plan on continuing to use them in the future. Also, as I mentioned above, they helped me find a more affordable option that fit my running style and needs rather than encouraging me to purchase the more expensive ones I came in looking for. And supporting locally owned (they owner has 3 stores in Northern Virginia) is always ideal for me. I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone, experienced or novice for their running needs.