Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green have been thrust into the limelight once again after a re-release on Nintendo Switch platforms on the 30th anniversary of the franchise, but obtaining the Running Shoes requires some work.
Originally released in 2004, Fire Red and Leaf Green recreate the original journey from the first Pokémon games, though with a few tweaks. While it was a modern recreation at the time, the franchise has evolved significantly in the 22 years since.
If you’re stumbling around Kanto and want to know how to get your hands on the Running Shoes, Insider Gaming has you covered.
How to Get Running Shoes in Fire Red & Leaf Green
The Running Shoes are not immediately available in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green, they are only earned deeper into gameplay.
To earn the Running Shoes, players must defeat Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, early in the game. While this is one of the first steps to complete in Fire Red & Leaf Green, it’s not a task you can start on immediately, especially if you picked Charmander as your starter.
Defeating Brock will be much easier with Bulbasaur or Squirtle on your team, but if Charmander was your choice, your best bet is to catch a Mankey on Route 22, west of Viridian City.
Once Brock has been defeated and you have the Boulder Badge, head to Route 3, east of Pewter City. Upon entering the Route, you will be stopped by Professor Oak’s Aide, who hands you the Running Shoes.
You won’t be able to visit this spot earlier. Instead, you’ll be blocked by a kid who tells you Brock is looking for new challengers and takes you to the gym.
What Are The Running Shoes in Fire Red & Leaf Green
The Running Shoes are a vital item in Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green that make it much faster to traverse the environment.
Unlike modern Pokémon games, where players can run immediately without the use of the item, the classic Pokémon games are entirely different. In fact, the original Red and Blue games could not run at all.
With the Running Shoes equipped, hold down the B button on your Nintendo Switch console and move the joystick in the direction you want to travel.
While not as quick as the bike, which you get later on in your progression, it does make exploring the early stages of Kanto much easier.
Which starter did you pick in Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green? Share your team composition in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Pokémon, check out everything announced on Pokémon Day 2026, and take a look at what we learnt from the Winds and Waves first trailer.
