No. Standard in-store footwear fittings are walk-in friendly. If you have a complex need, want extra time, need a particular accommodation, or prefer to plan ahead, contacting the store first can still be helpful. Virtual fittings are also available.

Most standard fittings take about 10–20 minutes. Some are faster and some take longer depending on the customer, the number of shoes compared, orthotics or braces, accessibility needs, and how much troubleshooting is involved.

We start with your activity, current footwear, fit history, comfort, and goals. We can measure length and width, consider foot shape and volume, and observe gait or movement when useful. Then we compare appropriate footwear options so you can feel the differences.

Yes. Gait and movement observation can be part of our fitting and education process. We use it as context for footwear decisions — not as a medical diagnosis, prescription, or guarantee that a shoe will prevent an injury.

Yes, through footwear fitting, movement observation, product education, and evidence-informed injury-prevention education. We do not diagnose or treat injuries. Persistent pain, significant swelling, numbness, trauma, or other medical concerns should be evaluated by an appropriate licensed healthcare professional.

Yes. Bring both orthotics or braces, your usual socks, and any current footwear that helps explain what has or has not been working. We can help find footwear that accommodates the device or recommendation. We do not alter prescription orthotics or replace medical advice.

The printed size is a starting point, not the goal. Fit can vary by brand, model, foot shape, volume, socks, orthotics, and activity. Our Footwear Size & Width Guide explains the basics, and a fitting is the best way to compare when you are unsure.

Eligible standard-priced merchandise is generally returnable or exchangeable within 30 days. For in-store purchases, the period begins on the purchase date; for online purchases, it begins on the delivery date. Eligibility is subject to condition, proof of purchase, and inspection.

A refund to the original payment method is reserved for eligible merchandise that remains brand new and has only been tried indoors on clean carpet, with original packaging, tags, accessories, and shoebox where applicable and no signs of use.

Any use beyond a clean-carpet try-on—including a treadmill, indoor or outdoor track, gym or training area, work, everyday walking, outdoors, running, or similar use—means the item is handled as an exchange rather than a refund to the original payment method, if it is otherwise eligible within the 30-day period.

No. Clearance, last-chance, discontinued merchandise marked final sale, and other Final Sale merchandise is final sale and is not returnable or exchangeable except where applicable law provides otherwise. Defective, damaged, or incorrectly shipped merchandise is reviewed separately from a normal return.

No. Confluence Running does not charge a restocking fee for eligible returns or exchanges.

The customer is generally responsible for ordinary return shipping, exchange shipping, and additional shipping created by a customer-requested order modification. If the issue resulted from a Confluence Running shipping error or an accepted product defect, contact us so we can review the appropriate solution.

Re:do supports our online return and exchange workflow and may also provide optional return-label or package-protection coverage depending on the order. The merchandise eligibility rules—including whether an item qualifies for a refund or an exchange—come from our Refund Policy and Returns & Exchanges page. Package protection for qualifying lost, damaged, or stolen shipments is separate from merchandise return eligibility.

Most online orders are processed within 1–3 business days, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Processing time is separate from carrier transit time.

If an order experiences an unusually long Confluence Running handling delay before carrier acceptance, contact us. After reviewing the order timeline, we may provide a $20 Confluence Running Gift Card as a customer-service courtesy. A courtesy does not replace any rights or remedies available under applicable law.

Once a carrier accepts a package, transportation is handled through the carrier network and can be affected by weather, routing disruptions, holidays, address issues, and other circumstances outside our control. If a shipment appears lost, damaged, stolen, or materially delayed, contact us. We’ll review tracking and help determine the appropriate next step through Confluence Running, the carrier, Re:do protection when applicable, or another appropriate process.

Optional Re:do package protection may be offered at checkout. If selected for an order, qualifying lost, damaged, or stolen shipment claims are handled under the provider’s current terms and claims process. Package protection is separate from merchandise return eligibility, and purchasing or declining optional protection does not eliminate rights that cannot be waived under applicable law.

Contact us as quickly as possible. We will help when the order has not progressed too far in fulfillment, but changes are not always possible after processing begins. Any additional shipping created by a customer-requested modification is generally the customer’s responsibility.

Contact us promptly with the order number and what you received. Wrong, damaged, and incomplete shipments are fulfillment issues and are reviewed separately from a standard return.

Confluence Running is a New York specialty running, walking, fitness, and footwear retailer built around fitting, education, and community. We serve runners and walkers, but also workers on their feet, athletes, medical and orthotic customers, families, and people simply looking for more comfortable footwear.

Lake Placid Running & Triathlon is our performance-focused running and triathlon retail identity in Lake Placid. It brings specialty endurance-sport footwear and knowledge into the Ruthie’s Run retail environment.

Ruthie’s Run is our fashion-forward Lake Placid retail business focused on ski, outerwear, apparel, and lifestyle. Lake Placid Running & Triathlon is nestled within Ruthie’s Run, so customers can access both performance specialty retail and a broader fashion/outdoor assortment.

We serve Binghamton/Johnson City, Corning, Hudson Valley/Middletown, North Country/Watertown, and Lake Placid. Store hours can change, so use the current location page before making a special trip.

Confluence Running Events is our race and event arm. Signature events include the Belmar Parade Day Mile, Southern Tier Cross Country Series, Carousel 5K, Sunset Runway 5K, and 1812 Challenge Weekend.

Yes. Our Race Calendar helps runners find road, trail, cross-country, and community events across the regions we serve.

Yes. Use our Submit a Race page to share an event for review.

We maintain group-run and training-community information across our regions. Schedules can change, so check the current Group Runs & Training Groups page before heading out.

Yes. Our Community Coaching Network helps athletes explore coaching options based on location, sport, goals, and coaching style.

Visit our Race Photos archive and Race Reports & Reviews for event coverage, recaps, and community stories.

The Confluence Running Elite Team is our competitive athlete team. It replaces the older ambassador-program concept and focuses on athletes who combine meaningful competitive performance with sportsmanship, reliability, and positive community involvement.

Our Feedback & Employee Recognition page gives you direct Google review links for each store and a separate way to recognize a specific team member. For a Google review, leave whatever rating and comments genuinely reflect your experience — there is no required rating, wording, or staff mention. If you want a specific employee recognized internally, send us their name through the direct recognition option. Customers are not paid, discounted, or rewarded for leaving reviews.

Visit Confluence Cash & Loyalty Rewards to join or sign in. The loyalty account is the preferred place to view current rewards and offers, maintain your profile, and manage the communication options available through the program.

Yes. Our blogs and product reviews cover footwear, training, performance, recovery, running science, injury-prevention concepts, and race/community topics. Educational content is not a substitute for individual medical care.

Yes. Our Better Bins program helps collect eligible used shoes and apparel for reuse or recycling. See the current Shoe & Apparel Recycling page for details.

Promotions and eligibility can change over time. We only promise discounts that are currently published or confirmed for the customer. Check the current site and loyalty program, or contact us if you need help with a specific offer.

Yes. We welcome requests for extra time, adaptive fitting support, reduced-stimulation approaches when practical, mobility considerations, virtual assistance, or other reasonable accommodations. See our Accessibility Statement or contact the store so we can plan with you.