You walk into the store. It’s loud, the lighting is aggressive, and there is a literal wall of neon foam staring you down. Picking out running shoes at dick's feels like trying to choose a favorite child, except the children cost $160 and might give you shin splints if you pick the wrong one. Most people just grab the pair that looks the fastest or the ones their favorite influencer wore in a reel last week. That is a massive mistake. Honestly, the "best" shoe doesn't exist; there is only the shoe that doesn't make your feet scream at mile three.
Dick’s Sporting Goods has become this weirdly essential hub for runners because they’ve hoarded almost every major brand under one roof. You have the legacy players like Brooks and Asics sitting right next to the "new" disruptors like Hoka and On. It’s a lot to process. If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been pounding pavement for a decade, the sheer volume of inventory can lead to decision paralysis.
The Myth of the "Best" Shoe
Stop looking for the top-rated shoe on the website. Those ratings are subjective and usually based on how the color looked in person. Running is mechanical. Your foot has a specific way of hitting the ground—maybe you roll inward (pronation), maybe you stay on the outside (supination), or maybe you’re one of those lucky "neutral" people who can wear just about anything.
When you're looking at running shoes at dick's, you have to understand the categories.
- Neutral Cushioned: These are for the folks with high arches or stable gaits. Think Brooks Ghost or the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus.
- Stability: If your ankles collapse inward, you need these. The Saucony Guide or the ASICS Kayano are the heavy hitters here.
- Maximum Cushion: This is the "marshmallow" trend. Hoka Bondi or the New Balance Fresh Foam series. It feels like walking on a cloud, but some people hate the lack of "ground feel."
I’ve seen people buy stability shoes because they liked the blue accents, only to end up with knee pain two weeks later because their feet didn't actually need that extra rigid post under the arch. It’s not about the brand. It’s about the geometry of the midsole. If you don't know your arch type, wet your foot and step on a piece of cardboard. If you see the whole footprint, you’re flat-footed. If you see just a sliver, you’ve got high arches. Simple.
Why the Nike Pegasus Still Dominates the Floor
It’s impossible to talk about the running section at Dick’s without mentioning the Nike Pegasus. We are currently on the Pegasus 41 (or 40 depending on which shelf you’re looking at). It is the Honda Civic of running shoes. It isn't flashy. It isn't the softest. It isn't the lightest. But it works for almost everyone.
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Nike has this "Air Zoom" unit which is basically a pressurized air pocket. It gives you a "pop" that foam alone can't quite replicate. Most serious runners keep a pair of Pegs in their closet for "junk miles"—those easy midweek runs where you aren't trying to break a world record. If you’re standing in the aisle at Dick's and you’re totally lost, the Pegasus is usually the safest bet for a neutral runner.
However, don't let the brand recognition blind you. Hoka has snatched a huge portion of the market share recently because people realized that joint pain isn't a mandatory part of running. The Hoka Clifton is a beast. It looks bulky—like a moon shoe—but it’s surprisingly light. The "rocker" geometry helps roll your foot forward. It’s a very different sensation than the Nike. You kind of have to try them both to see if you prefer the "bounce" of Nike or the "roll" of Hoka.
Don't Ignore the "House" Brands and Mid-Tier Options
Sometimes Dick's has exclusive colorways or slightly older models like the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 at a discount. Brooks is the "dad shoe" of the running world, and I mean that as a high compliment. They are incredibly reliable. They don't take risks. They just make shoes that last 400 miles without falling apart. The Adrenaline uses "GuideRails" which act like bowling alley bumpers for your feet. They don't force your foot to move a certain way; they just stay there in case you start to wobble.
The "Fit" Secret Most People Miss
Here is a fact: your running shoes should be a half-size or even a full-size larger than your casual sneakers. Your feet swell when you run. If your toes are touching the front of the shoe in the store, you are going to lose a toenail by month two.
When you are trying on running shoes at dick's, bring the socks you actually plan to run in. Don't use those little nylon peds they provide. If you run in thick cushioned socks, wear those. You want about a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
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Also, shop in the afternoon. Your feet are naturally larger at 4:00 PM than they are at 9:00 AM because you’ve been standing on them all day. This mimics the swelling that happens during a 5k or a marathon.
The Tech: Carbon Plates and Super Foams
You’ll see some shoes behind the glass or on the top shelf that cost upwards of $250. These are "super shoes." They usually have a carbon fiber plate embedded in a very high-energy return foam like PEBA.
Are they worth it?
For the average person? Probably not.
These shoes are designed for racing. The foam is often fragile—some of these shoes are only rated for 150 miles before the "pop" dies out. If you're looking for an everyday trainer at Dick's, don't get sucked into the carbon plate hype unless you are specifically training for a PR (personal record) and have the budget to replace them frequently.
The New Balance SC Trainer is a good middle ground you might find. It has the plate but enough rubber on the bottom to actually last a few months. But honestly, for most of us, a standard daily trainer like the Saucony Triumph is more than enough.
The Return Policy is Your Safety Net
One thing Dick's does better than almost anyone is the ScoreCard loyalty program and their return policy. If you buy a pair of shoes, run in them twice, and realize they make your arches ache, you can usually bring them back within the return window. Check the specific terms at your local store, but generally, they are much more forgiving than a boutique running shop that might only take "unworn" returns.
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This is huge. You can’t truly know a shoe by walking ten feet on a carpeted floor. You need to feel the impact on pavement.
Looking Beyond the Foam
We spend so much time talking about the midsole that we forget the upper and the outsole.
If you live in a rainy climate (looking at you, Pacific Northwest), look for "Shield" or "GTX" (Gore-Tex) versions of shoes. Dick's usually carries a Gore-Tex version of the Pegasus or the Brooks Cascadia. These keep your feet dry, but they also run hotter. If you’re in Florida, a Gore-Tex shoe is a literal oven for your foot. Avoid.
Check the rubber on the bottom. Some modern shoes (looking at you, Skechers Performance and some Nike models) leave a lot of exposed foam on the outsole to save weight. This is fine for a treadmill. If you’re running on rough asphalt or gravel paths, that foam will get shredded. Look for "Continental Rubber" (on Adidas) or "Vibram" (on some trail models) if you want the shoes to last more than a season.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't go in blind. Follow this workflow to ensure you don't walk out with a $150 mistake:
- Perform the "Wet Test": Determine if you have high, medium, or low arches before you leave the house.
- Bring Your Socks: Wear the exact socks you run in.
- Identify Your Surface: Tell the associate if you are 100% treadmill, road, or hitting the trails at the local park. Trail shoes have lugs (teeth) on the bottom; road shoes are smooth.
- The Two-Brand Rule: Pick two different brands in the same category (e.g., a Brooks neutral and a New Balance neutral). Put one on each foot. Walk around. The difference in "drop" (the height difference between heel and toe) will become immediately obvious.
- Check the Clearance Endcaps: Dick's often moves last year's models to the endcaps. A Pegasus 40 is 95% the same shoe as a Pegasus 41 but often $40 cheaper.
- Run in the Store: Don't just stand there. Do a literal sprint down the aisle. If the heel slips even a little bit, it’s going to blister.
The right pair of running shoes at dick's is the one that disappears on your foot. If you're thinking about your shoes while you run, you're wearing the wrong ones. Go for comfort over aesthetics every single time. Your knees will thank you when you're 60.