If you've just booted up Pokémon Fire Red or Leaf Green on Nintendo Switch and you're already tired of shuffling around Kanto at a snail's pace, you're not alone. The Running Shoes are one of the most satisfying early unlocks in the game, but you won't get them the moment you step outside Pallet Town. Here's exactly what you need to do to earn them and start sprinting.
How Do You Get the Running Shoes in Fire Red & Leaf Green?
The Running Shoes are handed to you by Professor Oak's Aide on Route 3, which sits just east of Pewter City. The catch is that you can't access this moment until you've defeated Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader and the holder of the Boulder Badge.
Here's the step-by-step breakdown:
- Leave Pallet Town and make your way north through Viridian City and up to Pewter City.
- Challenge and defeat Brock at the Pewter City Gym to earn the Boulder Badge.
- Head east out of Pewter City onto Route 3.
- Professor Oak's Aide will stop you at the Route 3 entrance and hand over the Running Shoes automatically.
That's it. No side quest, no trade required. The item is given freely once the Badge condition is met.
important
If you try to reach Route 3 before defeating Brock, a kid blocking the path will redirect you back to the gym. You cannot skip this step.
What's the Best Strategy for Defeating Brock?
Brock uses Rock-type Pokémon, which means Water and Grass moves hit him hardest. Your starter choice makes a big difference here:
If you chose Charmander, head west from Viridian City to Route 22 before going to Pewter City. Mankey spawns there and learns Low Kick, a Fighting-type move that tears through Brock's team. This detour saves you a lot of frustration.
tip
Even with a favorable starter, grind a few levels on Route 2 before challenging Brock. His Onix has high Defense, so extra levels help close out the fight faster.
Beat Brock to unlock shoes
How Do You Use the Running Shoes?
Once you have the Running Shoes, using them is straightforward:
- Hold down the B button on your Nintendo Switch controller.
- Push the joystick in the direction you want to move.
- Your trainer will sprint instead of walk.
The speed boost is noticeable immediately and makes exploring early Kanto routes significantly less tedious.
tip
Unlike modern Pokémon titles where running is the default movement speed, the classic Game Boy era games required this item specifically. The original Red and Blue had no running mechanic at all, making the Running Shoes a genuine quality-of-life addition introduced in the remakes.
Sprinting through early Kanto routes
Running Shoes vs. Bicycle: Which Is Better?
The Running Shoes are your primary speed option early in the game, but later you'll receive a Bicycle from the Bike Shop in Cerulean City (after obtaining the Bike Voucher from the Pokémon Fan Club Chairman in Vermilion City). Here's how they compare:
The Running Shoes are the better choice for indoor areas, narrow paths, and locations where the Bicycle can't be used. The Bicycle is faster on open routes. Both serve their purpose depending on where you are in Kanto.
warning
You cannot use the Bicycle inside buildings or caves. The Running Shoes work in more locations, so don't sell or toss them once you get the Bike.
Why Are the Running Shoes Important in Fire Red & Leaf Green?
For players returning to Fire Red and Leaf Green after years away (or jumping in fresh on Nintendo Switch following the 30th anniversary re-release), the Running Shoes feel like a small but meaningful unlock. Without them, traversing even short stretches of Kanto takes noticeably longer, and the early game pacing suffers.
Getting Brock down as quickly as possible, whether through type advantages or a quick Mankey detour, is the fastest path to putting those shoes on your trainer's feet and picking up the pace across the entire region.