Runners Need, City of London, London

Very disappointing. They sold me a pair of Asics Nimbus running shoes. Totally unsjuitable for my running style and have a actually caused damage to my ankle that I have needed physio to put right Very offhand staff.

I visited the King’s Cross branch. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Their product range is quite small but very well selected. Great shop.

Just visited the liverpool street branch of Runner's Need and i'm so impressed with the quality of customer service i had to write a review. I've been running regularly for a few years now but this is the first time i've had my gait professionally assessed. They really take the time to talk to you about the type of running you do, how often you train and record and analyse your stride on the treadmill. This is the kind of service i would expect to pay for but its all done free of charge. I highly recommend this to anyone who runs regulary and is looking to purchase the best running shoes for their individual needs. Fantastic.

Excellent shop and would agree with Moonrising.

They are exceptionally well trained and even video your running style so you can see the before and after effect of the trainers they suggest.

Pricey but in the long run (ha) they will help you achieve PB's and not knacker your body.

Also within the same shop is the Cycle Surgery which is also very good.

Great shop with huge variety and friendly staff.

Avril Watson
IgnitePT

GREAT shop for anyone interested in or dedicated to running, from the complete beginner to the serious athlete. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable - they are all runners themselves and know their stuff!

I came here to get my first pair of running shoes and was fitted for them very professionally. My gait was analysed on a special running machine so that they could recommend the correct pair of shoes for me.

The products are expensive, but they are top quality and worth the money. Definitely recommend!

So you need some running shoes… First thing to do is find your way into the shop. Which means walking through the bike shop. Once in, forget browsing the shelves. You need help. No seriously. Fashion is out the window. All that matters here is that you get shoes that fit and suit your gait. The assistant will inspect your current footwear for wear patterns (so it’s best if you wear something old). They’ll then suggest a shoe. If you are very lucky you might even get a choice. But please don’t comment on the colour. Next you get to try them out: maybe on the treadmill, maybe running up and down the pavement outside (yes, in public). If they do the job, you are going home with them. If they’re ugly you’ll just have to get them covered in mud quickly. Clean shoes are not cool in running circles anyway…

Seriously though, the point of coming to a place like this is to get properly fitted. Assistants in many of the chain ‘sports’ stores actually have no idea about the mysteries of gaits and arches, and could well sell you a shoe that can lead to injury. I have especially hard to fit feet (unusually small and broad) and they struggled to find me a shoe first visit. I ended up getting a discontinued shoe from another shop, but what I’d found out at Runners Need helped. Since, with my gait having changed somewhat as I’ve got fitter, they’ve been able to sort me out no trouble. Though it’s strange coming to a shoe shop and being told only one shoe suits your foot! Certainly speeds things up for a terminal ditherer like me.

Of course, you can also get other stuff here, like socks, bum bags, water bottles and sports bars. But it’s the shoes that are the main thing…