“We ask them what the primary function for the sneakers will be: walking, gym use, standing all day at work, needing more support etc.,” Mike Petrina, manager of Smithtown Running Company, said in an email interview.
Walking, a gym visit and a day spent standing at work ask different things of a shoe. Petrina said that everyday use is where a fitting starts.
Petrina had raised the hesitation that prompted Debjo’s questions: someone needs footwear help but doesn’t think of themselves as a runner. The Sayville/Smithtown company’s own description includes walkers in the communities it serves.
“We are here to help anyone looking for comfortable well fitting footwear or insoles,” Petrina said.
He described a fitting that combines measurements with questions. Staff use a Brannock device for foot length, arch length and width, then a pressure-sensitive mat and an observation of the customer’s walk, he said.
“Throughout this process, we ask questions about the intended use of the shoes and their history of injury or discomfort,” Petrina said. “From the information we gather, we pull a few recommendations for the customer to try on.”
The measurements don’t finish the conversation. The person trying the shoes still has to say what feels different.
“While the customer tries on the shoes, we discuss the differences between them while listening to their feedback,” he said. “Every brand has its own unique shape and materials, so shoes will feel slightly different from each other.”
Asked about someone changing their mind during a fitting, Petrina offered a possibility rather than an account of an identifiable customer. Someone might arrive asking for the most cushioning, then prefer a combination of cushioning and support after trying options.
“Based on what the customer prefers, we then offer to show them more options from that same brand or a similar brand that we would also recommend,” he said.
There is something useful to bring before any of those choices: the shoes already being worn. Petrina said staff can inspect their wear patterns, and he recommends trying new footwear with the socks the customer normally uses.
“We want to be a resource for the community, our staff is made up of runners, walkers, and footwear enthusiasts,” he said.
Petrina also said he would suggest advice beyond the store for severe pain or a problem that had persisted for several weeks. That describes his referral practice; the fitting process discussed here doesn’t establish a diagnosis or a treatment for pain.
Smithtown Running Company’s shop is at 91 E. Main St., Smithtown. More information is available on the shop’s website.