Running shoes. One of the most crucial items a runner can purchase. They can make or break you and we don’t say that lightly. Finding the right shoe can seem daunting…. Especially for newbie runners.
Which shoe is good for long runs? Short runs? High arches? Bad hips? The questions can be endless but speaking with someone who is professionally trained in this department will make a huge difference.
Here are San Diego’s top 5 LOCAL speciality running stores!
Milestone Running
Milestone Running has become the social hub of San Diego’s running scene! Their customer service goal is to provide all San Diego runners with a pressure-free shopping environment. They make your experience special, not only do they help you find the right shoe, fit and quality but their staff is known to help answer any training questions you have.
They have two locations in North Park and Pacific Beach! At the very least, come check out their stores for their unique running photos and wall murals.
North Park store directions: here. Pacific Beach store directions: here.
Road Runner Sports
Although Road Runner Sports is a nationwide store- they are headquartered here in San Diego since 1983! Offering a unique user experience, the “shoe dog” a staff member (or online) can help analyze your foot strike in under 3 minutes.
With Kearny Mesa as their flagship store, you’ll get lost exploring this huge space with endless choices of shoes, gear, nutrition and more. You shop regularly for new running gear? Sign up for their VIP program for exclusive discounts!
Directions to the San Diego/Kearny Mesa location, here.
Directions to the Carlsbad location, here.
Directions to the Solana Beach location, here.
Directions to the South Bay location (opening August, 2022), here.
Fleet Feet
Fleet Feet San Diego is a local, family owned and operated store! They also have a unique fit process. The motto? Listen. Watch. Act. Plan. They provide you with the with the right shoes, gear, and knowledge for you to move at your best – whether that’s a 10-minute walk, running a marathon, or anything in between. This is also a great place to build your running community, join in the one or more of the fun weekly events!
Check out their Del Mar store location! Directions, here.
Running Center
Running Center was founded in 1977 as a small running specialty store in an old packing house in Rialto, California. Family owned and operated, we are all about making it personal. We know runners and what they need because here at Running Center, we are all runners. We work hard to insure that we have happy customers. Anything less than excellent is not good enough!
Directions to the Carlsbad location, here.
Directions to the Temecula location, here.
Snail’s Pace
Okay this isn’t quite San Diego. But for our Orange County or North County people, Snail’s Pace has a location in Mission Viejo.
At A Snail’s Pace Running Shops, their staff will make sure you are fit in the proper running shoes that best suit your individual needs. Their 5-Step Fit Process typically takes anywhere between 30-45 minutes in which they conduct a digital foot scan to analyze your foot and arch length, height, and pressure points. Video cameras and treadmills are used to analyze your foot strike, to make appropriate footwear recommendations from over 200 running shoe styles they carry.
Mission Viejo store directions: here.
Now that you have your new shoes, check out our top 5 running spots in San Diego.
