Gazelle Sports

I used to come here all the time and thought it was excellent. However my most recent experience won’t bring me back– at least not to this location. I was looking for a running shoe but the sales lady was not any help, and that was after standing there for 20 minutes waiting for her to stop chatting with other employees to come help. If you’re going to keep all the shoes away and need a sales person to get you a size, that person should probably be more sales /​helpful type– after all that’s what these stores are all about. Unfortunately I’m going to have to just go try on a bunch of random shoes at random places cause that person wasn’t helpful.

Had an wonderful experience today. The service we received went above EXCELLENT. Because they are so well trained to offer the finest selection I know of no other store in the area that can compete. «Katie» was outstanding with her knowledge and expertise tied for number one. She wasn’t there to only sell but to educate and make certain you had the right shoe!

Gazelle has always been the best place to buy shoes in Kalamazoo. Expert and friendly staff go above and beyond to put you in the right shoe. I once called from out of town about a pair I saw online, and Mary proceeded to take a video of all the color options they had available and send them to me via iPhone. She then held two options overnight when I couldn’t decide. I literally cannot say enough good things about Gazelle!

Today I purchased my fifth pair of running shoes from Gazelle. On my first visit I went in planning to just try in shoes and Cass spent over an hour with me, watched me run, had me try over a dozen pairs of shoes on and ran behind me as I ran up and down the street with different shoes on. In addition he examined my existing (big box store) running shoes in order to get me into the right shoe. I bought them on the spot that day, and had a little buyers remorse that night feeling I had overpaid even though I had received amazing service. Later that night after a lot of online shopping I learned that I paid the exact same price as I could find online.
From that day forward I’ve only «cheated» on Gazelle three times and all three were when Gazelle could no longer get a new pair of a shoe I really liked and had originally bought from Gazelle.
Today’s visit was no exception in that both by wife and I spent over an hour of personal one on one assistance and ended up with what I’m convinced is the perfect shoe for me. We did get the added bonus of watching a shoplifter attempting to steal from the store and then be run down by a staff member (Cass as luck would have it). Humorous side note — don’t shoplift from a store a block from the police station that is staffed by runners.
In response to the previous review — Gazelle is an awesome RUNNING store. They really specialize in running and are truly the leaders of one of the worlds largest running communities. The do ok with other sports, but running is their thing. They do have sales, although they aren’t the most common. Keep in mind that you’re buying higher-​end running shoes. From a price perspective they are going to be a bit higher than your used to, but you get what you’re paying for in both a quality product and amazing service.

This place is so much more that a sporting goods store.
Although primarily for runners, the store sells some accessories for swimming, soccer and other sports.
The staff is very knowledgable. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for running shoes. The salespeople examine your feet and the way they move as you walk and run. They ask you about the type of running you are doing and the distances you are running. They use all of this information to help you select the very best shoe for you.
Gazelle sponsors many clinics and classes such as Good Form Running, Triathlon training, Half Marathon and Marathon Training, Speed Work, and Yoga.
They sponsor many fun runs and 5Ks in the area.
This is a business that cares about its customers and the community.

Great running store that is involved in running community! They sponsor free runs twice a week. Wednesday urban herd, and Sunday dirty herd trail run. Staff is knowledgable. I dissagree with another reviewer about never having sales. Student athletes get a discount and also people involved in local running clubs, kalamazoo area runners, tri cats, etc. they also have a great sidewalk sale.
I’ve done runners yoga at the store, and started and ended many long runs at Gazelles through the beyond and summer safari training program. (gazelles is a sponsor of summer safari) gazelles employees have led classes on good form running and nutrition. This is easily the best running store in West Michigan.

Plan on spending the MSRP if you shop here. They don’t price match and rarely have sales and specials. The staff is usually helpful and knowledgeable about the products in stock and able to make recommendations based on the activity you want to do. However, sometimes they can be off base — for example recommending Chaco’s (sandals) to climb Machu Picchu. If we had been at REI, we probably would have heard, «Let me get Ben, who’s been there before…»
They have a decent product selection, especially for Kalamazoo. They cater to clients who are into high quality outdoor clothing (nice for hiking, looking good throughout the year), running, soccer and swimming. If you are looking for a larger selection of gear, try Lee’s Adventure Sports, where they’ll be able to cater to other hiking necessities (camping stoves, backpacks, freeze dried food), snow sports, etc.
With more consistent staff and better opportunity for deals, I would give them 4 stars.

Just purchased my first pair of dedicated running shoes and I am glad i went to Gazelle’s. Sales staff was very helpful, the young woman who worked with me spent almost an hour assuring i ended up in a pair of shoes that was right for me, comfortable and affordable. i will definitely be returning here for any future running needs.