..my choice is Runners Need - always had great service, staff are runners themselves and will always give plenty of good, free advice about anything - plus they do video gait analysis which you don't have to have to get the right shoe, but it's nice to see for yourself what you're doing in the shoes you're put into..

Mr Majestic (Runner's World forums) - 07/07/2010

I have just got back from the Liverpool Street store, having gone on my lunch - I have to say the service was excellent - the woman that served me, Svenja, did such a good job that I spent considerably more than I intended yet feel thoroughly happy with my purchases and cannot wait to get out there running! Will be recommending you.

Francis (e-mail) - 25/05/2010

Unfortunately, I have hurt my back and went to see a chiropractor today. He's recommended that I wear trainers to get in and out of work and suggested that I visit Runners Need. I went at lunchtime and I just felt I had to write to let you know what a wonderful experience I had!

...Dan came over and asked if I needed any help. Not at all pushy and really extremely pleasant. He was so, so helpful. Wonderful and faultless service...

I really can't speak highly enough of the help I had today and just felt I had to write and tell you.

Sophie Edwards (e-mail) - 14/05/2010

I just wanted you to know about the excellent service that I received by Thomas when I visited your Oxford Circus shop, Great Portland Street last Saturday.
..I believe I was given top quality service and advice and would definitely use your shops again. In fact, two friends that I've told my experience to, are also coming to visit you.
Great advice and service.

T Tapner (e-mail) - 28/04/2010

I have been a loyal customer of Runners Need since I started running in 2006 and have always been very pleased with my purchases. I have been using the Holborn store for a couple of years and recently I purchased a pair of Pumas to replace my regular Brooks shoes which were not in stock. Having been on a couple of muddy runs with them I realised they were pinching one of my toes and no amount of adjustment of the laces made this any better. I had made the mistake of buying shoes that basically didn't fit but the problem was that only by running outside had the problems presented themselves.

When I returned to replace them for a new pair of Brooks I was incredibly pleased with the friendly service I received. Despite being in a used condition, the Pumas were replaced with no discussion and I am very grateful. I was served by Ryan who was delightful throughout and I promise to ensure any friends I know are looking for running shoes, head your way to reply the kindness.

D Essex (e-mail) - 19/04/2010

I visited your Liverpool Street store on Saturday and was fitted for and purchased some running shoes.

I would like to let you know how impressed I was by the service I received. My receipt says that I was served by Andy R - he was very helpful and knowledgeable without bring pushy at all. My whole experience with Runners Need was relaxed and very pleasant. Andy clearly knows what he is talking about and I left confident that I had the right pair of shoes. I went for my first run in them today and his expertise is evident as the shoes are the most comfortable and supportive I have ever had.

Thank you for making the somewhat daunting task of purchasing new running shoes easy and pleasant!

M-T Maguire (e-mail) - 19/04/2010

Popped into the Camden store and spoke to the assistant there...extremely helpful...decided to go with a pair of Brooks...they feel much more comfortable so look forward to the next run....hopefully these will be great!
So really appreciate your help and support from your staff...it's nice to know that you have a big interest in peoples' needs...something you don't get too often when buying things these days..
Thanks again..

P Leney - Anthony Nolan Trust (e-mail) - 15/03/2010

Could you pass on my thanks to Andy at your Victoria branch for his excellent service today please. For someone like myself who doesn't have much background to running, he explained everything really well and clearly and I seriously love the shoes he recommended. Took them out for a trial run soon afterwards and managed a 5k personal best.

Abhinav (e-mail) - 07/02/2010

...I picked them up on Saturday and tried them out on the treadmill. They weren't the perfect match, so the guy in the shop found another pair and they were excellent. The customer service was fantastic both times I visited - I'll definitely be recommending your shop to my friends.

Niall (e-mail) - 17/01/2010

Thank you for the excellent service. My order arrived in under 24 hours!

Sue Blain (e-mail) - 09/01/2010

I just wanted to write in praise of one of your staff for the great service I received recently.

On Saturday 3rd October I visited your Great Portland Street store and was helped out by a young guy. I explained I has only just started running and had pains in my knees. He did gait anaylsis and talked me through the trainers I needed.


The service was brilliant. Rob was very knowledgable and helpful. He didn't make me feel like an amateur even though I am so new to running. He was totally patient and not at all pushy.

I walked away with a great pair of trainers and the knee pain stopped almost immediately. Two months on, I am still running and loving my comfy trainers. So I just wanted to say thank you to Rob and let you know about the great service.

Ellie (e-mail) - 07/12/2009

Hi Stewart. Shoes received - I must say I am impressed with your service, price for shoes and you have been so quick. I'll be back!

Morten (Denmark, e-mail) - 16/11/2009

I bought my wife some trainers last night from your Oxford Street store and would like to say how helpful your colleague Dan was. He was very knowledgeable and was able to guide my wife through the process very easily. We were both very impressed

Stuart Adamson (e-mail) - 06/11/2009

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Dan, who has helped me out with some problems with my new runners and sorted out a pair of socks for me to try. I'll give them a go tonight and your help and advice is really appreciated!

Rob (e-mail) - 29/10/2009

I popped into your Canary Wharf shop yesterday and bought a pair of Adidas Kanadia trail shoes, this being the first time I have bought footwear from Runners Need.
I would just like to say that the advice and service I received was first rate. The member of staff who helped me was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was a genuine pleasure visiting your store. I will certainly be recommending you to friends.

T Punshon (e-mail) - 14/10/2009

I was wondering if you ship to Japan, and if so, how much?

For the past few years I've been running in Brooks Radius 7, at the suggestion of one of your staff at the Liverpool Street store (they suggested that, although my running stance is neutral, my feet might start to roll when they get tired and the Radius 7 provides a bit of extra support).

Recently, I moved to Japan and I can't find any stores which sell Brooks Radius 7, or any specialist running stores to advise on a potential replacement.
So I was wondering whether the shipping costs from the UK would be prohibitive or not......

......Thanks again for helping me - the shoes arrived today. Perfect!

D McCarthy (e-mail) - 13/10/2009

I recently visited your Great Portland Street store after seeing your advert in Runner's World. I went to purchase a pair of trainers and was greeted by Dan in your store. His customer service, product and company knowledge were outstanding and worthy of commendation.
I felt that after the video gait analysis he didn't just recommend the most expensive pair but those that were right for me, which is refreshing in itself and a great service...please pass on my thanks to Dan. Rest assured I will visit the store again based on the experience I had.

Daniel (e-mail) - 21/09/2009

The laces arrived safely. I would like to thank you and your colleagues for your willingness to order them - and the speed and efficiency with which they were sent to me. Many thanks.

Jackie (e-mail) - 21/09/2009

I returned home from work last night to find the shoes I had ordered were waiting for me. WOW - what a fast service. This was the first time I have ordered shoes from Runners Need. I look forward to dealing with you again. Many thanks.

Graham (e-mail) - 17/09/2009

Thanks for the great service this morning - I will take the new shoes out for a trot along the canal on the way home tonight.

John T (e-mail) - 10/09/2009

I bought my last pair at Runners Need - the Liverpool Street store to be exact, but they have several in London!
They popped me on a treadmill in a pair of neutral shoes and videoed my feet as I ran. Having worked out I over-pronate slightly, they stuck me in a pair of Sauconys with mild support/motion control and, after checking that they were comfy and fitted, videoed me again to check they sorted out the problem.
That's the first time I'd had gait analysis done and I was rather impressed...

Brody (Runner's World forums) - 20/08/2009

Just to say thank you so much for all your help and assistance when I came in to have my ortho insoles fitted...you all helped me so much and the choice of trainer you recommended is perfect for me. They fit like a dream...your customer service was par excellence, nothing was too much trouble and I valued your expertise.

L Whittaker (letter) - 24/07/2009

I went to Runners Need in Holborn and the guy couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. I've been having problems for over 18 months with a sore hamstring after I pulled it at Christmas 2007. I decided I ought to get my gait analysed as it just wasn't getting any better, but didn't want to spend loads of money with a podiatrist. A friend recommended Runners Need.
After watching and filming me run in neutral shoes, he recommended some Asics which felt great. We went on to try a couple of other shoes, but came back to the original Asics. He was great, patient, listened to what I said and now I'm a very happy bunny with a hamstring that's no longer giving me gip.

Lyndylou (Runner's World forums) - 08/07/2009