Associate Editor Imogen Bailey reflects on her experience using The Athlete's Foot virtual fitting service.
When The Athlete's Foot reached out to me to trial their new virtual fitting service, of course I was interested in having a go.
Whenever a retailer announces a new techy capability, I always have a play around - mainly for my enjoyment but also so I can understand how the feature works and can explain it to you, the reader.
But yesterday's experience was embarrassing.
Not because of the service - don't get me wrong, the virtual fitting was absolutely brilliant.
But because I was doing the fitting with my mum.
She needed new, properly fitting runners, so this sounded like a perfect opportunity for her to get kitted out, while I learned about the capability.
We got onto the website, got connected to Matt via the Live Chat bubble and then got onto a video call.
Mum explained that she'd had her current runners for who-knows-how-long and that they had worn out.
She also needed shoes that would support her feet correctly because she rolls outwards when she walks, which subsequently leads to pain up the side of her calves.
We also went over the sizing requirements and explained that she also has a wider foot, which means she needs a wider shoe - so her tootsies don't get squished.
Matt asked about her usage requirements and how often she'd be wearing them and then asked Mum to walk in front of camera to asses her walking.
So, off Mum went, barefoot walking in front of the camera, so Matt could have a look at her gait, arches and her rolling out - which is called supination or underpronation as we have since learned from Matt.
He also explained how to measure her feet - which we did with paper and a ruler - the categorising of width in shoes and that this information would help her to buy other shoes online too.
Now. This is where we're getting to the embarrassing part.
Keep in mind that I am with her the whole time, talking with Matt and asking questions.
We finish the walking part of the consultation and sit back down to go over what he's observed.
As he's talking, Mum starts to cough.
I hand her a glass of water thinking nothing of it. The water will solve the coughing.
She takes a gulp and instead of letting that be it; she says something so embarrassing, I can't even.
She takes the sip of water, and then says down the barrel of the camera, to Matt - a total stranger who's just trying to do his job:
"Sorry. The stench of my feet is making me cough."
He is so professional. He barely flinches. He smiles, but doesn't react.
I however, am totally shocked.
"MUM!"
She's laughing - hysterically - all while Matt is sitting there patiently waiting for us to calm down so he can explain what the next step is.
Eventually, we calm down enough so he can explain he will send through a few options for us to look at back in the chat, and that the video call was going to end.
I'm sure after that call ended, he had a giggle and maybe told his colleagues about her.
Anyway, we ended up choosing one of Matt's recommendations and checked out as normal.
The experience was great and if it's any sign of what the next step in retail is, we're all in for a great time.