Road Runner Sports aims for acme of shoe fitting

Road Runner Sports is making a wily effort to obtain the perfect shoe fit, with help from 3D technology.

The 40-store specialty fitness shoe retailer is launching the 3D Fit Drone, a shoe-fitting solution that captures an accurate three-dimensional scan of customers' feet in seven seconds. 3D Fit Drone records six critical foot measurements, including foot size, length, width, arch height, instep and heel width.

The 3D Fit Drone is the newest technological addition to the Road Runner Sports Perfect Fit Zone, a free, in-store shoe fitting experience. Perfect Fit Zone is a six-step system designed to find correctly fitting shoes, socks and custom insoles in under 10 minutes. Store associates ask customers a series of introductory questions, such as fitness activities and goals and any aches or pains.

Customers then step on the 3D foot scanner to generate an accurate three-dimensional scan of their feet, after which they walk or jog on a treadmill for a slow-motion video and biomechanical analysis, measuring foot flexibility, gait and stride. Associates guide customers through their results and customize a plan for their shoes. Shoppers are then molded for custom insoles.

"Every foot is unique, which makes the fit of a shoe so important no matter the activity," said Todd Velazquez, Perfect Fit Zone director at Road Runner Sports. "We know shopping for running shoes can get complicated, especially when you start to consider all options from brand to shoe type. Our new 3D Fit Drone is the answer to everyone's shoe fitting woes, simplifying the entire fitting process and making it incredibly easy to find the right shoe for every customer."