One of the challenges I have had is finding a comparable running gear partner for readers outside of the US that offers similar service and selection. I’m happy to announce that Running Warehouse is expanding into the European market with the launch of Running Warehouse EU (headquartered in Germany). The site will look familiar to anyone who has visited the US site, though currently the selection of shoes available is not identical. I have been informed that selection will expand significantly as this year progresses.

Running Warehouse EU ships throughout Europe, and they offer free shipping with a minimum purchase amount that varies by country (see shipping details here).

As I have for the Running Warehouse US site, I have also arranged for a 10% off discount code for Runblogger readers at RW EU – enter RUNBLOG10 in the VIP code entry form at checkout to activate the discount (some brands are excluded).

Side note: Running Warehouse Australia is coming later this year.

You can visit the new site at www.runningwarehouse.eu or click the image below:

SALE IS NOW OVER

And below are the regulations and restrictions:
1. Free gift card is only valid for shipments within the U.S. and can only be redeemed for shipments within the U.S.
2. Gift cards are limited to the first 2,500 customers.
3. Each customer is limited to one free Running Warehouse gift card.
4. If the qualifying item(s) is returned, the free gift card will be voided.
5. If the qualifying item(s) is returned and the gift card has been redeemed, the total value redeemed from the gift
card will be deducted from the refund of the item(s) being returned.

You can click here to go to the sale page, or simply click on the image below.

In addition to the existing markdown, you can take an additional 25% off using code AUG25D. Sale ends on August 17, 2014.

THE APPAREL SALE HAS ENDED AS OF AUGUST 17

Additionally, Running Warehouse has marked down some models of Hoka One One shoes for liquidation (20-40% off). Given that MSRP on new Hokas is pretty steep, this might be a good entry point if you have been curious to try a pair.

View men’s liquidation Hoka shoes (scroll to bottom of page after clicking over).

View women’s liquidation Hoka shoes (scroll to bottom of page after clicking over).

As always, thank you for your support!

I have a pair of Kinvara trails on order from RW that should arrive within the next few days, and I’ll try to get a first impressions post up later this week. I also have reviews of the Merrell Mix Master 2 and Brooks Pure Grit in the works, both of which I like a lot!

Here are the two other Saucony Kinvara TR color options available at Running Warehouse:

A major impediment to being able to do this for most people is that it’s simply cost-prohibitive to buy multiple pairs of shoes just to try them out in the hope that one will meet your needs. The two best ways to get around this are to either go to a good running specialty store that will let you take shoes on a short test run around the block (as my local store, Runner’s Alley in Manchester, NH does), or buy from an on-line store that allows you to return shoes that don’t work out even if you have run in them. A few stores have had such a policy, and I was pleased when I opened an email today from my advertising partner Running Warehouse that announced that they are starting a 90-day “No Sweat” return policy. Basically, the new policy allows you to buy a pair of shoes, run in it, and if it doesn’t work out you can return it for store credit or an exchange for another model. Sounds like they will place a limit on how often this can be done, so don’t plan on trying every shoe that they sell (which seems completely reasonable to me).

My big question is what happens to the returned, lightly used shoes? Seems like there could be a market for such shoes to be sold at a discount should they still be in decent shape (I’ve given away a bunch of lightly used shoes myself, and it really can help people for whom extra cash to spend on running shoes is not abundant). Hopefully the used shoes will get put to good use.

Here are the rules posted on the Running Warehouse returns page:

90 Day No Sweat Returns

Running Warehouse wants you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Items can be returned at any point, new or used, within 90 days from the original invoice date.

• To receive a refund or exchange for the full value of your purchase, products must be returned in new, store-bought condition within 90 days from the original invoice date.
• Products returned in used or worn condition within 90 days from the original invoice date can be exchanged for another item, or are eligible to receive a store credit for the full value of the purchase. Please note that while we want you to be happy with your purchases, an excessive number of used returns within a twelve-month period may limit your eligibility for exchanges or store credit.
• Products returned beyond 90 days from the original invoice date may be eligible to receive a store credit at the sole discretion of Running Warehouse.
• Please note: PayPal refunds made more than 60 days after the original payment are considered new payments and regular PayPal fees for receiving money will incur. Running Warehouse will refund the value of the product returned; the total amount of money received will reflect the refund less any PayPal fees.
• Shipping charges are non-refundable.