Find Your Perfect Fit: Boston's Best Running Stores for Top-Quality Running Shoes
By: Sarah Lapinsky
Boston is a city home to one of the greatest running cultures in the country. From the boston marathon to runs along the esplanade, this city provides a multitude of ways to get involved with this incredible sport. To cater to the large interest in running, there are many amazing running stores in the Boston area to provide you with all the gear you could ever need. One specific product every runner must prioritize is a good pair of running shoes. The right footwear can make all the difference in preventing injuries, achieving your goals, and maybe even a boost of motivation! In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best running stores in Boston, so you can find your perfect fit to hit the ground running!
1. Heartbreak Hill Running Company
652 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
638 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02459
294 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Heartbreak Hill Running Company is named after the infamous heartbreak hill on the Boston Marathon course. With a Boston representation in the name itself, this store caters to runners in the Boston area. Three convenient locations are available to shop at, making Heartbreak Running very accessible. A variety of top notch brands stock each location with quality products. Some of these brands include asics, brooks (my personal favorite), nike, mizuno, saucony, and more!
Staff is trained to help you find the perfect footwear based on your foot anatomy as well as the type of training you are looking for. Shoes are available for numerous types of training including racing, track & field, cross country, trail running, or casual running. In addition to the type of activity, each shoe is designed to support a different type of foot whether you have high arches or roll your feet inwards. Finding your perfect fit can be tricky. Therefore, we highly recommend checking out several styles in person and asking the knowledgeable staff for assistance to find the best option for you!
While this store provides exceptional options for footwear, they also sell apparel and gear to complete the fit. A membership with the heartbreakers gives you access to team gear, training portal access, discounts, free shipping, and connection to a social network. Audioguided runs and training plans are also available to help motivate you to achieve your running goals. This store truly has everything you could need to start your running journey!
2. Marathon Sports
671 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
1638 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02445
1654 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Marathon sports was founded in 1975 in Harvard Square, making this company a Boston centered business. Since then it has expanded to 22 locations consisting of Boston, central and western Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Each one of these great locations is stocked with all the gear, apparel, and footwear needed to feel your best!
When you walk into a Marathon Sports store looking for footwear, a process called the right fit will help make it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. This is all completely free with no prior appointment needed! The first step includes learning more about the type of training you are looking to partake in as well as a bit of history including exercise frequency and injuries. The next step is an analysis of how your feet look visually to identify things that might indicate the type of fit that would work best for you. This is followed by a gait analysis to assess bone structure, foot rotation, pronation, stature, and foot shape. All this information is taken into consideration so staff can help you find the perfect shoes! This hands on approach is something that we really love about Marathon Sports!
3. HOKA
800 Boylston St #161, Boston, MA 02199
The HOKA brand is known for making high quality running shoes that are both extremely supportive and lightweight, making them a very popular choice for runners. This company has a location in the Prudential Center, right in the heart of Boston. While the store is limited to just shoes of the HOKA brand, with so many models to choose from there’s bound to be the right footwear to fit your needs! Each model has unique technology such as rear crash pads, carbon fiber plates, and EVA frames to offer optimal support. HOKAs also have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. The seal is given to products proven to benefit foot health.
The HOKA location in Boston has received 5 stars on google due to both the incredible products and staff. The staff at this location is knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. Their expert guidance leaves customers both excited about their new shoes and satisfied with the experience. My experience with HOKAs felt like I was running on clouds, and I highly recommend giving them a try for yourself to see why these running shoes have become the talk of the town!
4. The Trackhouse
285 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
Located in the scenic Back Bay Neighborhood, the Trackhouse provides Boston with an incredible storefront and community. The store is organized, clean, and very aesthetically pleasing. It also embraces the history of running giving the environment a special authentic feel. The second floor of the store replicates the Eliot Lounge, a renowned runner’s bar in Boston. From its establishment in the 70s to its closure in 1996, this bar was a space where runners found community, whether they were professionals or amateur. The second floor of the Trackhouse strives to emulate this community feel by hosting events that bring local runners together.
When you first walk in you will see the seasonal collections for both Men and Women. These collections consist of the newest running gear, clothing, and accessories. The prices of their products can be steep, but the high quality and timeless design will make it worth your while.
The Trackhouse sells 2 styles of running shoes that both come highly reviewed. The first is the Tracksmith Eliot Runner. This shoe is a neutral trainer that is an ideal fit for the vast majority of runners looking for a shoe that can handle New England terrain. Whether you're out on the roads or running on the Esplanade, these shoes are soft, resilient, light, and crafted with some of the best materials. The next style of running shoe is set to come out sometime this year, 2024! This style is called the Eliot Racer. This carbon plated shoe is designed to effectively handle the speed of a race along with the endurance needed for distance running. We are excited to see how this product fairs, and you are able to sign up today to be one of the first to give these shoes a go!
Conclusion
Boston is home to a vibrant running culture, and the multitude of running stores in this city help make this sport even more accessible to locals! Running is a great way to stay active and improve your cardiovascular fitness. Proper footwear provides the right cushioning, support, and technology to take your running to the next level while preventing injuries. The stores on our list excel in offering quality shoes, a knowledgeable staff, and connection to an amazing community. I hope this list inspires you to lace up and head out for a run, as in my opinion, there’s no better place to run than Boston!
