Sportissimo

Had a great experience here. Got a ton of attention from the salesman, who also ran professionally. He watched me walk around, recommended a shoe type and a few styles, and watched me run in all three to help me decide which were best for me. Walked in and out in 20 minutes with a new pair of shoes and am really happy with them.

Valentino did a great job at helping me find the perfect pair of shoes! After examining how I walked he identified the right fit that would help my posture and walking style. The shoes I got are great and I feel the difference in every step I take!

This store and the salesperson who helped me, Ramon, far exceeded my expectations. Over the last five years I’ve been going to Sports Basement to buy my running shoes because I thought I would find good discounts. Unfortunately, the assistance in buying shoes was not knowledgeable and, as such I have been buying shoes that have caused stress in my left knee. Yesterday I decided to go to Sportissimo because I thought they would be much more knowledgeable on shoes and fit — I was right! Ramon asked lots of questions about my running, my pain and then watched me run in multiple shoes. He put me in a new pair of Brooks (which I would have not have even looked at) plus an amazing insole (Superfeet). I felt the difference in my first run.
If you are serious about running well and avoiding injuries, go to Sportissimo and ask for Ramon — you won’t be sorry.

Great selection of merchandise and location! Always get the help we need, they are definitely experts!

First time I went here, I was looking for some new running shoes. The people there were quite friendly and I ran around the store in various shoes while one of the employees noted my pronation and would recommend other shoes, which I also tried and repeated my «run test». I was able to purchase a Unilocal deal which saved me $ 15. The thing I liked most was the good return policy — 30 days to run the hell out of your shoes and really give them a good real world testing to make sure you are happy with them. Bring them back on day 29 and they’ll give you a complete store credit for the purchase price even if the shoes are clearly «used» by then. The liberal return policy made me comfortable to purchase $ 140 shoes knowing that if they didn’t work out for me after a week or two of break-​in that I could exchange them for something else. That’s a nice piece of mind for something like running shoes where you may not immediately know if you really like them or not or if they are as comfortable after a week than they were in the store. The people seemed nice, too.

in keeping with the running theme for every hundredth review, #700 will be no different, and will be written about a local running store in palo alto.
what are my reasons for coming here?
+shop for shoes — this is their main draw, the vast selection of running shoes for men and women. they often have big sales and clearances so this is a great place to check out older models of your favourite shoes. as a brooks girl, i’m always able to find my «shoe of the moment» (i tend to rotate brooks shoes from season to season).
+shop for clothes and accessories — they have all of the popular running brands such as nike, adidas, asics, brooks, and new balance. if you’re a runner, then these brands are likely to be your best friends. they also have an assortment of the best socks for runners. personally, i’m a big fan of the balega running sock which is made with technical fiber to wick sweat away and prevent feet and toes from blistering.
+shop for the latest gadgets — as a serious runner, i gotta have the best technology to help me run better and faster! they have a good selection of timing devices to help you track time, distance, pace, and/​or heart rate during a workout. the gadgets and gizmos keep you on track and ensure that you aren’t overdoing it!
+participate in their run club — while i’ve only tried it once, this group has a free run club every saturday morning at 9am. the group is led by one of the store’s associates and offers a choice of distances that loop around stanford and the neighboring palo alto communities. great way to start off the weekend right and make use of those shoes, clothes, accessories and gadgets!
all of the associates that i have dealt with are runners and extremely knowledgeable about all of the products in the store.
if you are a runner in palo alto who is shopping at town and country, i highly recommend stopping in here! and even if you’re not, why not jog on over and check out this store?
happy running and happy shopping!

Nice place with a wide selection of running shoes, clothes and misc. gear. Friendly and helpful staff willing to take the time to actually answer your questions and offer their opinion. Prices seem pretty decent compared to similar stores. Next time I need shoes I will definitely look around here to see if I find something that works well for me, pretty sure they will have it.

This store is absolutely amazing! Very friendly, helpful staff and this store’s selection is amazing. All the apparel I see at the Nike store, I see on their walls as well, but with saucony, moving comfort and the other brands I love on top of that. Plus they’ve got some pretty cool heart rate monitor and gps selections.

I have shopped in Sportissimo three or four times and each time the staff has been friendly and helpful. I was buying gifts each time, and the staff helped me choose a size and an appropriate item for the runner/​athlete on my list. The store is well-​stocked with a variety of brands and items. Prices are competitive. I have been in several other running/​sports stores and Sportissimo is my favorite. I was in Fleet Feet in Menlo Park recently and was ignored.

When Metrosport closed their doors about two years ago, this store opened up in their place (same exact location). Overall, I’m pretty disappointed. Compared the Metrosport, the store was a lot more crowded with stuff, the staff much less helpful. The guy who was not actually helping me had some decent recommendations and experience to draw on, but the girl who was actually helping me was useless. She didn’t know prices, selection, anything about how the models of shoes have changed (e.g. why is this model different from that one), or what to recommend for me. She didn’t even help me lace up the shoes, size me or anything. Selection of sizes was meh (they were lacking in half sizes and wider shoes). I actually found something I liked in the discount rack (it was old merchandise left by Metrosport). I asked for a bit more of a discount given it was the model «2» of the shoe and the current model is «7» (meaning it had to be from probably before I was born…) and they wouldn’t budge. I thanked them, went home and bought what I wanted in the size I wanted for cheaper on Zappos. Next time I’ll go to Zappos or to The Runner’s High (
).

Nice new store in the Palo Alto Town & Country Shopping Center. I stopped in here to take a look around. Store carries brand name men’s women’s running exercise gear, shoes, tops, bottoms, caps, water packs, sports bag, light back packs, etc. I bought an Xtremen ID Sports band. As I left I grabbed a flyer for Oakland 2011 Marathon. I’ve been in other sports speciality stores in the Bay Area and the prices here, from what I saw seem pretty competitive.