If you’re wondering exactly how to get running shoes in Fire Red, you’re in the right place. Before you can dash through tall grass, you need to make a quick trip back to Pallet Town after receiving the Parcel. This guide will walk you through every step.
Getting the Running Shoes early is crucial for saving time. They let you move much faster on the map. This simple upgrade makes your entire journey through Kanto smoother.
How To Get Running Shoes In Fire Red
The process for obtaining the Running Shoes is straightforward but easy to miss. It is not an item you find in a Poké Ball. Instead, you receive them from a key character after completing a specific early-game task.
You must finish the initial errand for Professor Oak. This involves delivering a parcel from Viridian City back to his lab. Only then will you be rewarded with the ability to run.
Starting Your Journey In Pallet Town
Your adventure begins in your room in Pallet Town. After talking to your mom and setting up the clock, head downstairs and leave your house. Your first destination is Professor Oak’s Laboratory, located at the north end of town.
Try to leave town to the north, and Oak will stop you. He will take you to his lab where you will choose your first Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. He then asks you to run an errand for him.
The Parcel Quest
Oak’s request is simple. He needs you to go to Viridian City and retrieve a parcel for him. This is your first official task as a Pokémon Trainer.
- Leave Oak’s lab and head north out of Pallet Town. You will enter Route 1.
- Walk through the tall grass on Route 1. You will encounter wild Pokémon, but you now have your starter to battle them.
- Arrive in Viridian City. The Poké Mart is the building next to the Pokémon Center.
- Enter the Poké Mart and talk to the clerk at the counter. He will give you Oak’s Parcel.
Do not try to buy Poké Balls yet, as the clerk won’t sell you anything without a Pokédex. Just take the parcel and leave.
Returning To Professor Oak
With the parcel in your bag, you need to backtrack to Pallet Town. This is the return trip where you’ll get your reward.
- Exit Viridian City to the south, back onto Route 1.
- Travel through Route 1 again, avoiding or battling wild Pokémon as you wish.
- Enter Pallet Town and go directly to Professor Oak’s laboratory.
Walk up to Professor Oak and speak with him. He will take the parcel from you. He will then give you a Pokédex and ask you to complete its entries by catching Pokémon. Your rival will also recieve one.
Receiving The Running Shoes
After the Pokédex ceremony, the most important part happens. Oak’s assistant, who is also your character’s mother, will make a special delivery.
Before you leave the lab, your mom will walk in. She will talk to you and give you a pair of Running Shoes. The game will notify you that you can now run by holding the B Button.
It’s that simple. The shoes are automatically equipped; there is no need to find them in your bag or select them. They are always active from this point forward.
How To Use The Running Shoes Effectively
Now that you have them, using the Running Shoes is easy. Just hold down the B Button while you are moving. You will see your character shift posture and move at double the normal walking speed.
Running does not use up any energy or have a downside. You should run almost everywhere to save a significant amount of time. It also helps you avoid some wild Pokémon encounters in grass, though it does not prevent them entirely.
Key Benefits Of Running
The Running Shoes change the pace of the game completely. Here are the main advantages:
- Faster Travel: Cover long routes like Route 1 or Cycling Road in half the time.
- Escape Encounters: While running doesn’t prevent grass encounters, moving faster means you spend less time in grass, reducing the overall number of battles.
- Timed Events: Helps with in-game events that have time pressures, like the Safari Zone.
- General Convenience: Makes backtracking through visited cities and routes much less tedious.
Common Mistakes And Troubleshooting
Sometimes players think they have missed the Running Shoes. If you cannot run, here are a few things to check.
Did You Deliver The Parcel?
The most common mistake is forgetting to actually deliver Oak’s Parcel. You must pick it up in Viridian City and then speak to Oak in his lab. If you just picked up the parcel and continued your journey, you won’t have the shoes. You must return to Pallet Town.
Are You Holding The B Button?
The controls are simple but can be overlooked. You must hold the B Button down while pressing the directional pad. Tapping B does not work; it needs to be held. Make sure your B Button is functioning correctly.
Checking Your Inventory
You do not need to check your inventory for the Running Shoes. They are a key item that is automatically and permanently activated. You will not find them in your Bag under Key Items or anywhere else. If your mom gave them to you in the lab, they are active.
Advanced Tips For Early Game Movement
With your new Running Shoes, you can optimize your early game strategy. Here are some tips to get the most out of them.
Route Planning
Plan your trips to minimize backtracking before you get other travel options like the Bike or Fly. Since you get the shoes so early, use them to quickly complete tasks in Viridian City, like facing the Gym Leader after you get the proper badges later, or returning to heal at the Pokémon Center.
Combining With The Bike
Later, you will get a Bicycle in Cerulean City. The Bike is even faster than the Running Shoes. However, you cannot use the Bike indoors. The Running Shoes are your primary speed boost inside buildings, caves, and other interiors. They remain useful for the entire game.
Speed Comparison
- Walking: Base speed.
- Running Shoes (B Button): 2x walking speed. Usable anywhere.
- Bicycle: Approximately 4x walking speed. Only usable on outdoor routes and certain cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get Running Shoes Before The Parcel?
No, it is impossible. The game’s event flag for receiving the Running Shoes is triggered only after you deliver Oak’s Parcel and recieve the Pokédex. There is no sequence break or glitch to obtain them earlier.
What If I Missed The Running Shoes In The Lab?
You cannot miss them. The cutscene with your mom is mandatory and happens automatically before you can leave the lab after getting the Pokédex. If you can leave the lab, you have the shoes.
Do The Running Shoes Work In All Areas?
Yes, they work in every location in the game, including tall grass, caves, and inside buildings. The Bicycle has restrictions, but the Running Shoes do not.
Is There A Way To Run Without Holding B?
In Pokémon FireRed, no. You must hold the B Button. Later Pokémon games introduced a toggle option, but for this Generation III title, holding the button is the only method.
Can You Get Another Pair Of Running Shoes?
You only get one pair, and you cannot lose them. They are a permanent upgrade to your character. There is no need for a replacement.
Understanding how to get running shoes in Fire Red is your first step to mastering the game’s pace. By delivering Oak’s Parcel right away, you ensure you spend less time walking and more time training your Pokémon and challenging Gyms. Remember to hold that B button down and enjoy the speed boost throughout your Kanto adventure.