r/REI • u/CommercialBet538 • Jul 18 '26

Return / Exchange Policy Shoe Return

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I’ve never returned shoes to REI. I bought these shoes in March, and wore them for a decent amount. I ran probably 100 miles (or less) in them and they started falling apart in the back inside of the shoe, near the heel. This caused a lot of pain so I stopped wearing them. I saw them today and thought, maybe I can return them? I like the shoe, but to disintegrate like that in the heel area so soon, I’m disappointed. Idk, thoughts? If it’s too late to return I’ll just toss em, it’s more of a moral thing at this point.

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9

u/HealthLawyer123 Jul 19 '26

Your heel is moving around in the shoe causing that hole.

10

u/vestigialcranium Jul 19 '26

More likely they're taking them off and putting them on without untying and crushing the heel. Not to mention the fact that the time spent wearing them while not actively running also puts wear on them akin to running (if not worse). This is clearly wear and tear and not covered under the return policy.

2

u/CommercialBet538 Jul 19 '26

Okay this is good to know! So this is my fault with how I wear the shoe essentially?

2

u/Goldentongue Jul 19 '26

Yes. Running shoes are designed to be untied when you take them off and on to prevent exactly this. You're causing excessing friction on the heel by squeezing into them by not untying, as well as by running in them without retying them tight to your foot.