Santa Cruz Running Company

The guys at Santa Cruz Running Company went above and beyond to help me with my feet issues. They ended up recommending a pair of shoes which I wore in a marathon and had no foot pain! I love my shoes. Thank you!!!

Great experience at the running store. Very knowledgeable staff who helped me find inserts and a pair of running shoes. I would definitely recommend.

Great to see a dedicated running shoe store. I just bought some shoes and there is not substitute for a knowledgeable sales person that can help you identify the right running shoe. Sure you can buy cheaper products on-​line, but it worth it to support your local businesses and get some real service!

This is a review of two fabulous experiences within 8 months.
First experience was with a female sales woman (sorry I forgot her name), who was very knowledagble and scanned my feet for the first time ever. I was so happy with my experience and learned so much about shoes, posture, socks. I wish I would have come in here a long time ago. Second experience was fanaminal, I believe the owner helped me. He had an app on his phone that tracked the angle of my ankles and feet while running on the treadmill. I then learned the type of shoes to always buy that works with the way my feet fall while running. Excellent customer service. Another great pair of shoes. Will always come back here. I have already recommended this business to all my fellow running friends. If you are looking for a huge variety and cheaper prices don’t come here. They sell only the best and really know their products.

I’ve been back here twice now and can say that I am dealing with a much more knowledgeable staff. My choice wear monochromatic running shoes over rave shoes is respected — though if I ever decide to go to burning man I will totally take them up on the fluorescent options. They know what kind of corrective fit I need based on what I tell them. And they even knew about my favorite running socks,“Darn Tough”, and are looking to start carrying them. They have been nothing but competent, understanding, personable, and entertainingly funny. Definitely worth giving them a try.

Santa Cruz Running Company is by far the best and most helpful running store I have been to in the Santa Cruz area. I went in here for advice on my first marathon and the staff so helpful and encouraging. I can’t wait to go back!

Very knowledgeable staff. The service and expertise are much better than you will find at the warehouse stores.

I found the staff member who assisted me very helpful. He provided thorough explanations about each shoe, was low key/​low pressure, and was open about pricing.

Never have I received such excellent customer service while buying shoes. Upon entering the door I was greeted and asked if there was anything he could help me with. He offered me a complimentary digital sizing and then asked me what sort of activities I would be using the shoes for. He then picked out six pairs of correctly sized shoes with varying types of arch support and weights. He helped me pick out a great pair of shoes, and while at $ 110 they were pricier than what I would usually buy, I feel like I got a great deal considering the high quality of customer service and shoes. ⁵⁄₅

What a great experience. The staff was super knowledgable and helpful and got me into the best fit shoe.
The shop is small, so I was a bit wary at first that they wouldn’t have the best selection, but it was quickly obvious that they had exactly what I need.
Here’s the process:
–arrive at the store, the staff is busy helping other people but say hello
–staff become available. Ask me what I’m looking for, watch me walk across the room without shoes, have me step on a device thing to check my arches, and distribution of weight.
–measure my feet
–come out with three option to try on. Explain what I should be looking for in terms of fit, how the shoe should feel, etc. they help me put the first pair on and send me to a treadmill to check them out while running!
–I tell them my notes and they either bring out a different size, or I’m happy with the shoes.
I couldn’t be happier with this experience. Getting to talk to people with real expertise is so important, I will never shop at a Big Box store again, and as long as I live in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Running company will have my business.

Decided to stop by for some new running shoes due to my inner ankles hurting with my old shoes. I believe the manager helped me and he made it a breeze to find a new pair of shoes fit for my needs! Told him my problem and he was very knowledgable. Highly recommended! My new go to spot now! Thanks!

The service here is spectacular. They really know feet and running shoes. I recently ran the Wharf to Wharf and was concerned about running on pavement for six miles. The lady, whom I am guessing is the owner, helped me with a pair of shoes knowing I would be running in the WtW. After the run I had no issues with my feet or knees. I was very pleased and very thankful for my running shoes. Happy Feet!

Eric’s a real stand-​up kind of guy. Much respect to him as an individual, and also for what he’s doing.
He seems to be pretty much an expert when it comes to this «running shoe» shit.
I can recommend that you go see him for all your running shoe (and accessory) needs.

Great experience, love my marathon running shoes.
I went to Santa Cruz Running Co yesterday because I’d bought shoes online that gave me blisters and wasn’t sure how to find the right ones quickly. I’m five weeks away from a marathon and have no time to waste. Susie helped me and was fantastic. She assessed my over pronation quickly and had five options for me to try on within a few minutes. She walked me through the benefits of all of them and helped me decide how well they performed as I tried them out in the parking lot. I left with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 and ran in them last night. They were great and I feel confident I have the right shoes going into my race. I’ll definitely go back here when I need new shoes.

The Santa Cruz Running Company is the best running store I have ever been too! I am all about service and nothing makes me madder than feeling like I am invisible. The first time I walked into the Santa Cruz Running Company, they treated me like they have known me for ever and treated me like a friend. I talked to Tim about shoes and a running watch the first time I went into the store. He actually let me borrow his watch to try for a race I was running 2 days later. When I returned, Tim greeted me by my name as I walked into the store. The time they take to make sure you are getting the best product for you, and making sure this is the product you actually want is amazing. You are never rushed and they will spend as much time as you need helping you. This will be the only running store I will use!!! They know how to run a business!!!

The folks here were fantastic. I’m just starting training for a tough mudder with no previous running experience. They took the time to examine my feet, how I walked and then had me try on multiple shoes until we found one that was absolutely perfect for what I needed. I will recommend this place to everyone.

This place deserves all the five-​star ratings. They really know what they’re doing here, and their customer service is top-​notch. I just bought my sole-​mate shoes — they fit my feet like a charm, and made a huge difference to my running (no achy feet or knees for me!). The socks that I got there today are great too! Now it’s just the fact that I’m out of shape that I can’t run very far…
They’ve got a great selection of shoes, and after looking at the pressure profile of your step/​gait, they pick out several pairs for you to try on. There’s a treadmill in the store, but they’ll even let you run on the concrete in the parking lot! You can try on the socks with the shoes too, to get the perfect fit. They also have some nice clothes and running gear (sunglasses, snacks, water packs, visors, etc.). Prices are reasonable, and pretty much what you’d expect to pay for good quality running shoes and gear. I would recommend this place to anyone who is looking to run more comfortably, marathon runners and casual joggers alike.

I had a fantastic experience here today. Great, knowledgeable customer service. My right ankle had started to hurt a few months after I started running again, and felt it was time to upgrade my 3 year old pair of shoes. I described my running history, my current regimen and upcoming goals, and my existing pair of shoes.
Melinda (?) studied my gait, looked at the wear pattern on my shoes, then had me stand on their pressure mat which showed a visualization of the pressure profile of my feet. She pointed out how the arch on my right foot was flattening out, and showed how it’s causing my right foot to be slightly longer than my left foot. This matched up with my right ankle pain. She also recommended that I go up a half-​size to account for foot swelling during my long runs.
She picked out a pair of Saucony shoes which was more appropriate for feet. I then tried on other shoes in the same category (Asics, Brooks, Nikes, New Balances). I tested them on their treadmill, and ended up going with the Sauconys (her first pick!).
I ran five miles with them tonight and my feet feel great.
I said at the beginning that I wasn’t looking for super high performance competitive shoes, but at the same time I wanted a good pair for the health of my feet. The final price was right on the money for this kind of shoe, and I thought totally fair considering the great customer service received.

Excellent customer service — very personable staff that goes out of their way to provide insight into whatever it is you are looking for. We came in for specific basics (note to self — don’t leave packing for the last minute!) that we needed for this weekend’s firecracker run.
While we were there, the woman helping me started a foot/​gait analysis for another customer… I might have to come back for my next pair of shoes!

This place is sweet! I had run the Turkey Trot 2012 and wore a pair of shoes I shouldnt have… running in a NIKE not intended for street runnin and 46* didnt help… so in turn i hurt myself really bad… havent done a run except for in the gym since…
After driving past this location, researching what It had to offer I decided my health is a great investment and so I went…
I cnanot recall her name… dark, hair about 5’5 really sweet young woman assisted me with about 45 mins left to closing.
She went through the process, explained it all to me, answered all my questions.
After viewing my stride in my current running shoes I was shocked! I finally knew what was happening… about 4 pairs of shoes later I had found my match!
no no knee pain!!!
I got a sweet student discount and plan to go back for more!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this location!
Jessica C

Ein wirklich grossartiges Geschaeft!!! Perfekte Beratung, super Service und auch der Preis stimmt — komme gerne wieder