What makes a running shoe store, "great?"

1.Service.

2.Run by runners.

3.Large choice of brands.

Those that are run by runners who understand the demands on body and mind.

Winners who train hard and give honest personal views on shoes, and not try for more commission on any sale!

They are probably members of your local athletics club anyway if they are serious about running and work in the same environment!

Knowledgeable employees! I live in Eugene and Salem, Oregon and both cities have outstanding running stores where the employees know the ins and outs of every shoe in the store. Everytime I go in, I am confident that I will be getting the best product for me because of the service and knowledge of the staff.

Prices.

Serves beer and pretzels and female employees wear under armour with bare midriffs.

There is one of these in Appleton WI, I forget the name I think it is HooterRunners

Inside Track in central PA is NOT a "great" running store.

But we sure could use a store where there is a good variety, the people are knowledgeable and where the staff fully supports the runners in the area.

Inside Track has a spotty record in the latter area.

My top:

1) Comps fast local guys for races

2) Free gatorade and energy bars after runs

3) Posts local results/pictures inside the store to promote the local running scene

REAL running shorts/clothes/singlets.

Better (and cheaper) to buy online, if you know what you need/sizes.

see Pacers in Arlington, Virginia. Was in Virginia for work last week and went to Pacers to buy some shoes (I left mine back home). Best running store I have been in.

1. Prices that can compete with online retailers\'s prices and their lack of sales tax.

2. A good selection of shoes.

3. Truly knowledgable, polite, and ***experienced** staff (HS kids just don\'t cut it).

Sadly, I don\'t think that any store exists that meets all three criteria.

Hojo wrote:

1. Prices that can compete with online retailers's prices and their lack of sales tax.

2. A good selection of shoes.

3. Truly knowledgable, polite, and ***experienced** staff (HS kids just don't cut it).

Sadly, I don't think that any store exists that meets all three criteria.

That is because they can't. Online stores don't have near the overhead that brick and morter stores do. Typically though, if you are a member of a running club, you'll get 10-15% off. This will take care of tax and a few more bucks. But it is unreasonable to expect $15 plus no tax on a pair of shoes. The running store would no longer be around.

You want knowledgable and experienced people to help you at an online store? Good luck with that.

Selection, selection, selection - not only the new stuff, but also a decent set of discontinued or old versions of favorites. It seems like every running store I go to has one or the other - ie, they get all the new releases but you can't find your old stand-by favorites, OR they have the same 2001 Supernova control or 2004 Pegasus and NO new releases!

Knowledgeable staff is also very important, but typically I know basically what I want. I do like, however, when they can surprise me with a shoe I had not researched that is in the same category I always buy (performance trainers under 11oz).

really? wrote:

You want knowledgable and experienced people to help you at an online store? Good luck with that.

Running stores provide nothing that a keen, observant, and well-read runner cannot determine for himself.

Yes, the RRCA/club/etc discount eases the pain, but cannot overcome the markup of running stores.

Good luck indulging in your antiquated attachment to obsolete brick and mortar stores.

Hojo wrote:

Running stores provide nothing that a keen, observant, and well-read runner cannot determine for himself.

That is very true. That is why nobody ever goes to a running store to be fit for a pair of shoes. It's a good thing that all the running stores have shut down in the last couples years due to the internet!

Hojo wrote:

Running stores provide nothing that a keen, observant, and well-read runner cannot determine for himself.

Yes, the RRCA/club/etc discount eases the pain, but cannot overcome the markup of running stores.

Along with internet stores came internet information. I can find just about everything I need to know on the internet. Been buying stuff online for years now and I've never steered myself wrong.

Although I've visited a few different stores from time to time, I've never needed "fitting" and anything the staff has told me is never something I didn't already find out for myself online.

And, in several cases, their "expert opinion" has been proven wrong because I had already run several hundred miles in a shoe model that would, "never work for me because of my noticable pronation." Odd advice since I don't really pronate, the wear on my shoes substantiates that I don't, and I normally run in lightweight, neutral shoes and flats.

Yeah, I don't feel that I'm really missing out on the supposed benefits of the "local running shop." Same goes for bike shops. Well, I am missing out on the massive price markup, but I'm OK with that.

BOB LEECH

squggie53 wrote:

I'm trying to evaluate local running shoe stores - real running shoe stores - to find the best one. What criteria should I use to accomplish this?

Great service by knowledgeable employees, and extensive variety of merchandise. The more "hard-to-find" shoes, etc., the better!

If you're marketing to the guys and gals here, they know what's going on in the shoe world. Most are going to look for good service and, most importantly, good prices.

For the average runner, it's going to be friendly service readily available so you don't have to hunt a person down, and someone who knowledgeable about what you need.

I was at Dicks last week and there wasn't a sales person in sight. I high school girl was with her mom and asked me if I knew what pronation was. I said of course. She asked if I knew what shoe was good for that because her coach said she needed a shoe for pronators.

With my knowledge, I guided her to the correct shoes and she went home with a pair of Asics, smiling and thanking me all the way to the register.

Having that kind of helpful and knowledgeable staff will go a long way to a successful store.

I liked The Runners Market in Knoxville when I was down there a lot. The people were friendly and the selection was pretty big for that kind of store.