Is Road Runner Sports Legit? Review That Exposes All

Ever asked yourself, “Is Road Runner Sports legit?” You’re not alone. We’ve been there too, feeling unsure whether to trust them with our hard-earned money.

So, we decided to buy from them and now have the answer for you. Here’s what we found:

Road Runner Sports is 100 percent legit. It’s a well-known retailer that sells running shoes, gear, and apparel. The company has a solid reputation, verified customer reviews, and a reliable return policy. However, some customers report issues with VIP membership charges, so read the terms before signing up.

Want more info? We’ve tested their shipping, returns, customer service, and even their VIP perks. Stick with us, and we’ll give you all the insider details that you won’t find anywhere else.

Key Points

• Road Runner Sports is a legit running retailer with 40+ years in the business.

• Their VIP membership offers perks but has some hidden fees.

• Some customers reported unauthorized VIP charges.

• Cancelling VIP can be tricky, as you will have to call customer service for help.

• Shipping is usually fast, but can be delayed during sales.

• They’re not BBB-accredited but have a solid reputation among runners.

• They accept major cards, PayPal, and gift cards for safe shopping.

• Their 90-day Perfect Fit Guarantee makes trying new shoes stress-free.

Is Road Runner Sports Legit? (Honest Review)

Road Runner Sports is 100% legit. They’ve been in business since 1983 and now operate over 50 stores in the U.S. They sell popular brands like Nike, Birkenstock, and a lot more. Their secure website, fair return policies, and VIP perks make them a reliable choice as well.

Let’s look at all 11 reasons why Road Runner Sports is a legitimate brand:

Reason 1: Longstanding Business

Road Runner Sports is a legit retailer that has been serving runners since 1983. That’s a big thing, as this means they’ve been around for over 40 years. Note that businesses don’t last that long unless they’re doing something right.

We first found out about them when we were training for our first marathon. Back then, it felt risky to buy shoes online, but their reputation gave us confidence. When we called their customer service, they helped us figure out which size to get.

Back in 1983, Mike G, started Road Runner Sports in a small San Diego garage. His goal was simple: be the best dad for his three boys and the baby girl on the way while sharing his love of health and fitness.

From the beginning, Road Runner Sports felt like family, and it still does. Over the years, we’ve seen them grow from a single garage in California to more than 50 stores across the U.S. We’ve walked into their stores many times, and every time, we felt like part of the running community.

They’ve focused exclusively on running gear since day one. That’s all they do. So when we shop with them, we feel confident we’re getting advice from people who actually run.

Reason 2: Positive Brand Recognition

Road Runner Sports sells shoes of big names like Nike, Brooks, Asics, and Birkenstock. Such brands don’t allow any fake store to sell their shoes.

During one of our interviews with a Bike representative, we asked about what they do when a person tries to sell their shoes illegally. He said the company’s legal team doesn’t let this happen. So, that’s one of many reasons why Road Runner Sports is reliable.

That’s not it.

Road Runner Sports has been in the spotlight recently. In November 2024, Endurance Sportswire shared that they joined forces with OutsidePR to connect better with the customers. A year earlier, PR Newswire reported that the company had improved customer service by cutting call volume by 40% with new technology.

This shows that the media is praising Road Runner Sports.

Also, in 2023, Road Runner Sports was named “Footwear Retailer of the Year” by Footwear Magazine Awards. Amazing, right?

Reason 3: RoadRunnerSports.com Website is Secure

Road Runner Sports is safe because the website uses HTTPS encryption, which means your data is protected during checkout. Online security isn’t something anyone should take lightly.

It’s comforting to know that Road Runner Sports uses the same standards as the biggest online stores.

We’ve placed dozens of orders through their website, and we’ve never had a single problem with fraud or hacking. Every time we order, we get a confirmation email, and our gear shows up on time.

Reason 4: Flexible Return Policy

One of the best things about Road Runner Sports is its flexible return policy. They offer:

• A 90-day Perfect Fit Guarantee for VIP members

• A 60-day return window for non-members.

It means VIPs can exchange worn shoes and gear within 90 days or get store credit. However, non-members can return new, unused items within 60 days.

We had one pair that gave us blisters. We called them up, and they walked us through the exchange process. They even suggested another pair that ended up being our new favorite.

If you’re not a VIP member, you still get 60 days to return new, unused items. That’s plenty of time to try on your shoes at home and decide if they’re right.

One tip: they do reserve the right to refuse returns from people who abuse the policy. So, we suggest not treating it like a free rental program. Use it the way it’s meant to be used, and you’ll get great service every time.

Reason 5: VIP Membership Perks

Road Runner Sports is not a scam because they offer a VIP membership. It’s a legitimate way of giving discounts, exclusive deals, and faster shipping.

We’ve been VIP members ourselves. Let’s be real: it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, we’ve saved 10% on our running shoes. We also get free shipping on all our orders, which is super handy when we’re buying multiple pairs.

But we’ve also seen people complain online. Some feel the membership fee isn’t worth it, especially if they don’t shop often.

Reason 6: It’s Easy to Contact Road Runner Sports

Road Runner Sports is legit because you can contact the company anytime you want to. You can call  800-743-3206 Monday to Friday, 6 am - 7 pm PST; Saturday & Sunday, 8 am - 5 pm PST.

If you don’t have time, fill out their contact form, and they will get back to you.

We once called about a shoe return, and the rep gave us step-by-step help.

Reason 7: Multiple Payment Options

RoadRunnerSports.com is a reliable site, as it accepts major credit cards, PayPal, and gift cards. You can shop confidently knowing they provide a secure checkout process for a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience.

We like having choices when we check out. Credit cards work fine, but sometimes we use PayPal for extra buyer protection. That’s always reassuring when we’re ordering pricey running shoes.

We’ve also used gift cards, especially handy for birthdays and holidays. Their checkout process is easy and secure, so we’ve never worried about payment problems.

Reason 8: Third-Party Reviews

Road Runner Sports has mixed reviews on third-party sites, but overall, they score well. For instance, APIVoid is showing a 100% trust score.

Here’s the complete Road Runner Sports review table:

We’ve read some of those online reviews about Road Runner Sports. Some people rave about fast shipping and great customer service. Others mention issues with returns or feeling pressured to buy the VIP membership. We think every big retailer has a mix of good and bad reviews.

Reason 9: Physical Presence

You can trust Road Runner Sports because the company has more than 50 physical stores across the U.S. California is a key spot, home to 20 of their stores, including the flagship in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa. It is the largest and a favorite among local runners.

Other popular California locations are in Studio City, Santa Monica, Torrance, and Solana Beach. You can go to the Store locator page on their site to find the nearest store.

We love being able to visit a store in person. We’ve tried on shoes, asked staff for advice, and even tested out gear on the treadmill. It’s a big deal to have that option, especially if you’re unsure about a shoe’s fit.

Reason 10: Proper Social Media Presence

Road Runner Sports is not a scam as they have an active social media presence. There are thousands of followers on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and many other platforms. Here’s the table:

We follow them ourselves and love their content. They post running tips, shoe releases, and community events. That shows us they’re engaged with the running community.

Reason 11: Clear Shipping Policy

Road Runner Sports offers fast, clear shipping with free shipping for VIPs and a range of paid options for everyone else.

Here’s the breakdown:

VIP Members:

• Ground: Free, 2-4 business days

• 2-Day Express: $5.99, 2 business days

• Next Day: $14.99, 1 business day

Non-Members:

• Ground: $9.99, 3-5 business days

• 2-Day Express: $12.99, 2-3 business days

• Next Day: $24.99, 1 business day

We’ve tried both free and paid options, and they’ve always delivered on time. Orders placed before noon ship the same day, which is a nice touch.

We also appreciate that they clearly list shipping holidays. It’s good to know when your order might be delayed. That’s why we trust them with our running gear.

Road Runner Sports Complaints

Some Road Runner Sports customers report issues like:

• Unauthorized VIP charges

• Billing problems

• Difficult VIP cancellations

• Slow customer service

• Shipping delays

• A lack of BBB accreditation.

Despite these complaints, many runners continue to shop with them because of their great selection and deals.

Here’s what you should know about these complaints:

Unauthorized VIP Charges

Some customers have reported being signed up for the Road Runner Sports VIP program without clear consent. We’ve seen posts online where runners felt tricked into paying for a VIP membership they didn’t knowingly accept.

We remember reading about one runner who ordered a pair of shoes and noticed a VIP charge on their statement a few days later. They didn’t remember clicking “yes” to any membership. When they called customer service, they were told they had agreed during checkout. This kind of experience can be frustrating, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

We get why this happens. The VIP membership is promoted heavily during checkout. It offers perks like discounts and free shipping, but sometimes the opt-in isn’t as clear as it should be. We think it’s crucial for shoppers to double-check every box before completing their order.

Difficulty Canceling VIP

Some Road Runner Sports customers find it hard to cancel their VIP membership. We’ve also read stories of runners who got stuck in a loop of “we’ll get back to you” emails. That kind of experience can make you feel powerless, especially when you’re paying for a membership you no longer want.

In our experience, the best way to cancel is to call during business hours.

Billing Complaints

Some customers report unauthorized charges, including charges to expired cards, on their accounts. One time, a runner told us they noticed a charge from Road Runner Sports that they didn’t expect. They had no idea where it came from. It turned out to be a recurring VIP membership fee they thought they’d canceled the year before.

When they called, the rep explained it was automatic unless you cancel. So, if you’re shopping there, keep an eye on your statements.

Not BBB Accredited

Road Runner Sports is listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website but isn’t an accredited business. That means they haven’t paid the fee or gone through the BBB’s accreditation process. Some shoppers see that as a red flag.

If BBB accreditation matters to you, you might feel better shopping somewhere else. For us, the key is how they treat us as customers, and so far, they’ve treated us well.

Shipping Delays

Some buyers report delays in getting their Road Runner Sports orders, especially during sales seasons. Once, we ordered a pair of shoes right before a big sale. It took an extra week to arrive, and we were anxious because we had a race coming up. When we called, they explained that sales sometimes cause backlogs.

Other runners have shared similar stories. Some said their orders didn’t ship for days, and they couldn’t get tracking info.

In our experience, orders placed during sales or holidays are the most likely to be delayed. If you need your gear fast, it might be worth paying for express shipping.

Road Runner Sports: How to Use Rewards Cash

Road Runner Sports Rewards Cash is a perk for VIP members, letting you save money on your next purchase. Here’s how it works: every time you shop as a VIP member, you earn Rewards Cash. It’s a percentage back on qualifying purchases, and it shows up in your account after your order ships.

Using your Rewards Cash is easy. When you’re ready to shop again, just log in to your account. At checkout, you’ll see an option to apply your Rewards Cash to your order. Select that option and watch your total drop!

We love that Rewards Cash doesn’t expire immediately. You usually get a few months to use it. Just be sure to check the expiration date in your account, so you don’t miss out on the savings.

Note: Rewards Cash is like a discount, so you can’t combine it with some other promotions.

Road Runner Sports VIP Membership Cancellation

Canceling your Road Runner Sports VIP membership can feel a bit confusing, but we’re here to help. First, remember that VIP membership is a paid program that renews automatically every year. If you don’t want to continue, you need to cancel before the renewal date to avoid being charged.

The easiest way we’ve found to cancel is to call their customer service line at 800-743-3206. We recommend calling during their business hours (Monday-Friday 6am-7pm PST, Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm PST). In our experience, speaking to a live agent gets faster results than email.

When you call, make sure you have your membership information handy. Tell the agent you’d like to cancel your VIP membership, and ask for confirmation of the cancellation. We always suggest requesting an email confirmation for your records.

After canceling, you can still use any remaining benefits until the end of your billing cycle.

Road Runner Sports Membership Fee

Road Runner Sports VIP membership costs $39.99 per year (as of our latest research). This fee gives you access to perks like 10% off most items, free shipping on all orders, a 90-day Perfect Fit Guarantee, and exclusive sales.

It’s important to remember that the VIP membership renews automatically every year unless you cancel.

One complaint we’ve heard is that people didn’t realize they signed up during checkout. So pay attention to those boxes when you buy something.

Road Runner Sports vs Zappos: Which is better for buying running shoes?

Both Road Runner Sports and Zappos retailers offer top brands and great selection, but each has its own strengths. Let’s compare them side-by-side:

Road Runner Sports vs Foot Locker

People often ask for a “Road Runner Sports vs. Foot Locker” comparison. Both stores sell running shoes, but they are different. 

If you’re curious about Foot Locker, then you should read our review of it. Check out: Is Foot Locker Legit or a scam?

Road Runner Sports vs KicksCrew

Road Runner Sports focuses on running shoes and gear, while KicksCrew specializes in fashion sneakers. Let’s break it down:

Road Runner Sports vs StockX: Which one is right for you?

Wondering about StockX? Well, StockX focuses on sneaker resale, while Road Runner Sports is all about legit running gear. Here’s the comparison:

Road Runner Sports vs Novelship

Road Runner Sports is all about helping runners and walkers find the right shoes, apparel, and gear. On the other hand, Novelship focuses on limited-edition sneakers and streetwear. They’re an online-only marketplace with an app that makes it easy to shop.

Final Words

In our experience, Road Runner Sports is absolutely legit. However, like any store, they have a few issues. Here’s what to remember:

• They’ve been around for decades and know runners.

• Their VIP membership can save you money, but watch for auto-renewals.

• Shipping is reliable, though big sales might slow things down.

• Customer service is usually helpful, but hold times can vary.

• Their 90-day return policy for VIPs is a huge plus.

If you’re a runner looking for a reliable store, we think Road Runner Sports is a solid choice.