Running Shoe Stores?
I'm looking for minimalist running shoes but really want to physically try them on before buying. Ideally something like Vibram FiveFingers, Merrell Vapor Glove or Trail Glove, Xero shoes, Vivobarefoot - at this point I'd even settle for Altra Escalantes or other low-stack traditional trainers.
I've searched the online inventory of Browns, Iowa Running Company, Fitness Sports, Dicks, Scheels, Finish Line, SOKO, etc. and the closest thing I'm finding are Altra Escalantes at Iowa Running Company, but they have literally one size in stock per their website. Am I missing somewhere that could possibly carry these types of shoes?
EDIT - the Topo Sports ST5 is available locally, but reviews say that has aggressive arch support, which is a non-starter.
EDIT 2 - tried Iowa Running Company, Fitness Sports, and Browns. They are all able to order Escalantes for me, but of course I can do that myself. They had Altra Torins and Lone Peaks in stock, but those have double the stack height I really want. Besides Escalantes, Iowa Running Company had the next good option in the ST-5s (which they had in stock). Unfortunately, the reviews mentioning aggressive arch support are correct and it immediately felt like a blister waiting to happen.
Long story short, Escalantes would already be settling for something more cushioned than I want, and I can't even get those locally. If I'm going to have to go online just to get those then I may as well get Vapor Gloves, Trail Gloves, Xeros, or Lems. REI, here I come.
Alternatively, I may literally just find a pair of cross country spikes with a wide toe box and call it a day.
EDIT 3 - I found a gently used pair of Vapor Glove 4s in my size on eBay - the exact model I loved running in, just in a different color. Overnighted those and will hopefully get a few hundred miles out of them, giving me time to take a trip out to REI or somewhere else that actually sells the shoes I want and can try on in-person.