FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We get this question a lot! Selling online (or even creating a complete digital catalog) is no small task—but more importantly, it’s not what makes Benders special. At Benders, we believe in the value of personal connection. When you visit us in person, our team takes the time to measure your foot length, arch length, and width, listen to your needs, and provide personalized recommendations—something you just can’t get from a website. You’ll also have the chance to try on your shoes before you buy, meet with a Certified Pedorthist at no cost, and experience the level of care and customer service that sets Benders apart. We choose to prioritize quality, comfort, and connection over convenience. That said, we’ve started creating a Lookbook featuring select outfits and products to help inspire your next visit!

There is no “one best shoe” for anything, but there are lots of great options out there! Plantar Fasciitis pain comes from micro tears in your Plantar Fascia, which means that your Plantar Fascia cord needs more support. We recommend that those that suffer from Plantar Fasciitis pain: • Don’t go barefoot – even in the house • Wear footwear that has support for your specific arch height and length • Warm up and gently stretch your Plantar Fascia cord before putting weight on it after periods of non-weight bearing activity (long periods of sitting/standing in one place, in the morning before getting out of bed, etc.) At Benders, our knowledgeable sales associates can properly measure your foot and arch, and provide recommendations to support your arch and ease your pain.

Many shoes can be paired with orthotics, but some key things to consider when searching for orthotic-friendly footwear is: • Choosing a shoe with a removeable footbed to provide room for the orthotic • Select from “neutral” shoes, meaning that the shoe itself is not designed to correct your posture or gait. At Benders, our knowledgeable sales associates can give you a professional fitting and provide recommendations of orthotic-friendly footwear options for your needs.

Yes we do! We have a wide variety of shoes for different occasions that fit both wide and narrow feet. Select shoes also come in a range of widths and if we don’t have your size available, our team may be able to order the correct width straight from the company. Stop in for a professional fitting and our knowledgeable staff can help you find the right pair for your feet.

Yes, we have several options of footwear and orthotics that are suitable for people with Diabetes. Stop in for a professional fitting and our knowledgeable staff can help you find the right pair for your feet.

Youth shoes (only at Hibbing and Grand Rapids Locations): Infant size 5 to Youth size 7 Women's shoes: size 6 to size 12 Men's shoes: size 8 to size 15 We generally have several options in all these sizes, however, we can special order from many of our vendors if we do not have your size in stock

We may not get asked this question all the time, but we know our customers are thinking it. While it may be “convenient” to be able to order shoes, clothing, and gifts with the touch of a button wherever you are, we know that there is more to a product than just how it looks on a screen. When you buy from Benders, you: • Have the ability to try on, feel, and test out the product before you make your purchase (even if you get a professional fitting and try on shoes in our store and then buy them online, we know that we are offering you a service and value that you can’t get from where you ultimately ordered from) • Have the opportunity to make a connection with a real human being that has your best interests in mind when recommending solutions to your needs with top-notch customer service • Have access to free consultations with Certified Pedorthists • Get rewarded with our Frequent Buyer Reward Program • Are taken care of with stress-free returns and exchanges • Support local businesses

The solution may be different for everyone, but in general the best thing for people that are on their feet all day is support, not necessarily cushion (contrary to what most people think!). A supportive footbed, whether it’s an orthotic or just the support built into a shoe, will help distribute your weight evenly and help to avoid pressure points in your feet.

Our buyers select the colors of a style to carry based on recommendations from our vendors and what colors have been most popular with our customers. There may be other colors in a certain style available, and when you come in for your professional fitting by one of our knowledgeable associates, we can discuss all solutions available and may be able to special order the desired product in a different color.

Women's tops: size XS to size XXL in some brands Women's bottoms: depending on the sizing of the style, we carry size S to XL, size 0-16, or waist sizes 24-36 We do carry some brands in Petite or Plus Sizes Men's tops: M-XXL Men's bottoms: M-XXL, 30-40 We do carry some brands in larger sizes, and may be able to special order an item in a larger size if available

We have more than one “foot guy” now! You can schedule a free appointment with one of our Certified Pedorthists (CPEDs) here: www.bendersshoes.com/consultation.(http://www.bendersshoes.com/consultation) Nina and Mike take extra time to evaluate your foot, gait (walking stride), and pain issues and can recommend products to help alleviate issues. They can also alter out-of-the-box orthotics and utilize other devices to customize footwear solutions to your specific needs. All of this is free; the only costs associated are the products you decide to purchase that are right for you. Please note: if you are being referred by a medical professional or are looking for customization of out-of-the-box products, please bring a prescription from your medical provider with you to the appointment. You can reach out to Mike (Mike@BendersMN.com) ((Mike@BendersMN.com))or Nina (Nina@BendersMN.com) ((Nina@BendersMN.com))with additional questions.

We carry many of your favorite brands, and also some that may be your new favorite! Some brands come and go with the seasons, but our most popular are Brooks, UGG, Dansko, Birkenstock, The North Face, Keen, Archies, Sorel, Hoka, and so many more!