Montclair Sports

I don’t often write reviews, but in this case I am compelled.
Growing up in Oakland, I’ve bought equipment and rented skis from Montclair Sports for most of my entire 30 year life.
Montclair Sports consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty in customer service, especially in expertise when you need some help choosing the right piece of equipment.
This place particularly excels when you need to try something on for fit (like a cleat, helmet etc.) or need some advice from someone who knows the range of what’s available on the market.
Prices are extremely competitive for ski rentals, especially when you factor in how reliable and hassle-​free the rental is. Prices on other items may be a bit more than on Amazon, sure, but when you want exactly the right item, think of that slight premium as the price of talking to an expert and walking out with exactly the right item, same day.
This place is everything a local business can and should be. I always feel good spending my money here.

Bought my first new skis ever @ Montclair Sports. The owner helped us for about 40 minutes, talked through my million questions (didn’t ski much in my twenties, bc. you know… it’s a fafillion dollars). He helped me with getting the perfect boots and skis, all while helping me to (almost) stick to my ridiculously strict budget. He even looked for new skis from a few years ago collecting dust «in the back» so they could fit my budget. Still new skis, and I couldn’t care less about «this year’s designs».
The blue salomon’s and white boots I got are so smooth and perfect my skis go where I want to go without even thinking about it. I’ve already been 2x and have plans for much more this season (YAY snow!).
They were ready for pickup the next day– easy peasy. Thanks, Montclair Sports!

The owner of this place is a real curmudgeon. Most of the employees are super nice so be sure to float around the store until someone besides the owner is available. The employees are helpful and friendly and even give an eye roll when their employer butts in to contribute his negativity. I was trying to rent skis today. Initially the employee said, «Sure. There is no minimum. Come in.» Once I said I wanted to bring in my kids at 3:30 for both a fitting and pick-​up today, the owner said, «Not unless she agrees to a 2 days minimum.» I am going elsewhere. He is a sour dude and drives his business away. Better to let your employees be the public face of your store. The lesson you taught me today is not to come to your store for skis.

Wish I had as good of an experience here as everyone else seemed to. I called beforehand to ask about their women’s shoe selection and was assured it was extensive. I was disappointed when I arrived to find that was not really the case. Only 3 brands with not much variety between them. I had to wait 20 minutes to be helped and the man who helped me didn’t seem too interested in giving me any advice or help, seemed annoyed that I was asking questions. I like shopping local but not for low selection and poor service…

This store is just about the best part of living in Montclair. Everyone is terrific but the owner, Tom is the most caring and trustworthy person ever. While my kids were growing up I would just send them to Tom and tell them to get what he recommends. That includes major purchases like skis and boots, but also tennis rackets and smaller stuff. I get my skis and tennis rackets there too, so it isn’t just for kids.

Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever had this level of helpfulness and service. Went in looking for a shoe for tennis as I’ve had some fit problems with shoes I’ve bought elsewhere. Tom was utterly amazing. He had me try a bunch of shoes and didn’t stop until he found one that fit perfectly. I had never been there before, and really went b/​c they seemed to have more women’s court shoes than any other place between Berkeley and Danville. Now that I know how wonderful they are, I’ll be back! Thanks!

The staff at Montclair Sports really are kind and helpful. A salesman quickly showed us what we were looking for, gave us some tips and patiently helped us with a few different items. I was impressed with the store and the vibe. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is because my wife finally told me how much we just spent on a batting helmet for my son for little league. For that price it should include a uniform, shoes and a personal coach. Wow.

Montclair Sports is a great local sports store. Tom, the owner is a very kind, knowledgable guy. They have a variety of sports gear.

Just had a very positive shopping experience. I needed to buy a tennis racquet. Tom listened to the type of game I play and the current type of racquet I was using. I had done research online as to which racquet (s) I would be interested in. Before I had a chance to tell him, Tom suggested one of the ones on my list. Tom is very knowledgeable about racquets and as important the right strings/​tension to match one’s playing style. I am confident that I am getting the right tennis racquet for my game. Thanks Tom.

Support local business. This is a wonderful store with great selection and knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Great for kids and adults alike.

I’ve lived in Montclair for 13 or 14 years and have been to this store often. My kids have rented ski gear here as well. So, I write with some authority.
I recently had a wonderful transaction when I bought a new pair of skis and bindings. Tom and I have gotten to know each other over the years. I trusted him instinctively to understand my style of skiing and my wants and needs for a new pair of sticks.
No one else in the Bay Area had this pair of Blizzard Bona Fides in stock. Tom didn’t either. So, he ordered for me and then sold them at a discount. This for a pair of skis that have sold out the last two years in a row before Xmas.
When I went in to pay the balance and get the new bindings installed, Tom asked if he could have about 10 days to do the work. Since it was early July, I wasn’t worried about the wait. He called me two hours later to say the skis were. He saw how excited I was and wanted me to have them ASAP. Now, that’s attention to service.

I just had a very unusual and extremely pleasant shopping experience. I’m really having a tough time remembering the last time that I had an experience like this. The owner stopped what he was doing to help me. I was just looking for a new wrap for my racquetball racquet ($ 10). He stopped working on a larger product rather than asking one of his employees to do it. He made a suggestion for what I should install and then took the time to install it himself for free — something I could have done but it would have been with less finesse. It was so enjoyable that I felt compelled to tell others about it. I understand the greater push to maintain the «mom and pops» shops. Thanks Tom, I’ll be in again.

It’s been ages since I’ve logged onto Unilocal to write a review, but the service we received was so good, I felt I needed to. What a great experience we had renting and buying ski gear. We went in to outfit my young daughter and I for a recent ski trip and Tom, the owner, helped us. He was friendly, knowledgeable, found ways to help us save money, was great with my 7-​year-​old kid and walked all the bulky rentals and purchases to our car for us. I left feeling like I’d found a gem in my own backyard that I’d wished I’d stumbled upon years ago.
After I returned the equipment today, Tom followed up with a phone call to see how everything worked out and what else they could do to help us «enjoy becoming skiiers.» Local. Helpful. Sincere. I will remember this place when it comes to buying birthday gifts, sunglasses and all of my son’s future sports equipment. And should I become a real REAL skiier and actually buy the darn skis/​boots/​poles, I’d certainly consider putting my money with these folks as opposed to a big chain. This is the kind of local business we want to keep around. Thanks, Montclair Sports. You were GREAT.

I love this place because they have great service. When I first started running they gave me a lot of advice on getting the best shoe based on my running patterns. The staff is very hometown friendly. I only wish they stocked a little bit hipper men’s clothes, as opposed to Tommy Bahama.

This is a great local business that has a lot of different sporting equipment and other regular clothing wear. The prices are a little high but when I was given a gift from the store and it did not fit they were so kind to take it back and call me when they got a similar running shirt in and make the exchange. I would go back here to get other items needed for any outdoor activities.

Stopped in here earlier in the year (February) looking for a specific style of Ugg snow boots (not the overly popular tan, suede boots — actual waterproof boots). Anyway, they carried them at Montclair Sports. The older gentleman who works there had just finished ringing up a customer and was not busy doing anything. I was obviously in need of assistance and he strolled right past me and went into the back room and closed the door. I was the only customer standing in the shoe department, so there is no way he could have missed me. I was really put off by the lack of customer service. I won’t be back. Oh and I live in Montclair. I MAY have become a regular customer if I had been treated better. I went over to Tootsies on College Avenue and purchased them there.

Montclair Sports is a locally owned sports store that has quite a bit for being such a small store. They have winter sports and summer sport items, shoes, clothes, gear and accessories.
These smaller stores usually have excellent customer service as they know how important it is to keep their customer base strong. I have only come here on Sundays and there is the same girl that works at the counter. She is friendly, greeted me upon arrival, and asked me if I had any questions. She also helped me to find my size in the item I was looking for.
I bought flip flops, and although they were about $ 5.00 — $ 7.00 more than I could find online, I was able to try them on, receive them immediately, and leave knowing that if I had any concerns I could return them with ease. Well, I am in between two sizes, so I ended up going with the larger as this shoe company does not make half sizes. After going home and trying them on a couple of times, I realized that I probably should have gone with the smaller size as the band loosens up over time. I came in to exchange sizes, and I was out of there in about 60 seconds. It was the easiest exchange I’ve ever done (and it was the same super helpful girl working at the counter).
Since they are small I recommend calling first to ask if they have the item that you are looking for. If so, pay a little more to support a local store that will help ya out if you are having any second thoughts or problems!

I like Montclair Sports. It’s a family owned sporting goods store, so they go out of their way to make sure that every customer is happy.
I took a star off because they are a bit overextended in terms of what they offer. More is not always better if it is not the best, or if the employees are not experts on the products. In other words, a little bit of specialization can go a long ways for a small store.

The sales people are very helpful, knows their products and are quick to the point. We realized our son’s foot had grown out of his soccer shoes, 20 minutes before his first game of the season. We rushed over to Montclair Sports. We told her his game started in 15 minutes. She measured his foot, got the shoes, had him run around, it fit, we paid and we were out of there in 8 minutes.
Another visit, same salesperson took the time to fit my son for goggles… more expensive than other large stores, but sometimes, service with knowledge is well worth the extra dollars.

Great store, Great service! They have ski rentals, and other rentals also. Very nice staff, really care about the customer and make sure all your needs are meet.
They often have sales every season, a lot of products in the store also.