Bows and Arrows

This is my favorite menswear store in the bay area. I really did the vibe of the place that they've…read moreput together and everyone on the staff is super friendly. I've gotten a pair of nice denim here from Warehouse as well as fatigue pants from Orslow. Both times, the staff was on point with helping me nail the sizing. I'd highly recommend this shop to anyone looking to update their wardrobe or add a few pieces to their collection.

Jake was really helpful & we had an excellent shopping experience. We came for jeans for my partner…read moreand we left with the perfect pair -- as well as getting all my questions about denim answered. Overall, the trip was one of the better shopping experiences I have had. They know their stuff and pack a lot of selection in a relatively small store. The one comment I have that doesn't have to do at all with the customer service (which was top-notch) is that the website makes it look like there are fewer options in the store than you actually have (because of what it says is "unavailable for pick up"). So, I'm extra happy we live nearby and made our way in to look.

See all

Roark

4.0(20 reviews)

What a great outdoor clothing store. The service here is excellent. They will help you find…read moreanything you need. The prices are a bit high, but that is to be expected these days. It's no more expensive than the higher end stuff at REI. Great selection of jackets.

Shoutout to the workers here--I was looking for a specific product in particular that they didn't…read morecarry, but they were kind enough to share what they knew and direct me to a few other resources, both local and online.

Frontage

The storefront sits across from Pete's coffee shop

See all

Buck Mason

5.0(2 reviews)

Buck mason in general is such a great place to shop. Many of the clothes are made in the US, and…read morewith really great quality. We've had Mason help us multiple times, and he's always incredibly attentive and helpful. I highly recommend checking out this buck mason location.

Honey. Take all my money!! You ever walk into a store and feel like your presence is a burden?…read moreStaff dry, monotone, and barely interested? Well, this ain't that store. The store and the staff are a whole vibe! Me and my daughter stopped in on a whim and left so glad we did. First off, the clothes are top-tier--you can feel it in the weight, fabric, and craftsmanship. And the staff?? 100 out of 10. Genuinely friendly, stylish, and actually helpful (a rare combo these days). They give honest opinions, make thoughtful style suggestions, and make the whole experience fun instead of transactional. If you're looking for quality closet staples that will last--and want to support a business with a team that cares and knows their stuff--swing by the Fourth Street location. Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to catch Mason (cool as hell), Kelsey (all that and then some), or ZuZu (style goals). Oh, and did I mention? They offer complimentary tailoring with your purchase. Quality + service = worth every penny.

Marine Layer

4.3(9 reviews)

Great store with friendly, helpful staff and big big selection. Marine Layer's apparel is soft and…read moreretro-casual, t-shirts at the center of their aesthetic. This Fourth St location gets inventory and styles that other stores in their network do not. Look also for well-stocked sale racks, generally 20% off. There's great parking just behind the store, accessible off 5th around the corner from SoulCycle. (The smoothie place across the walkway is good, too!) Good place for gifts for kids, school clothes, a shirt to fill your casual wardrobe.

Impeccable service from Amina and Chastity. These 2 ladies are total complete sweethearts! The…read morecorduroy velour v neck is STUNNING.

Lots of parking behind store

Stopped by to browse, and lo, a rainbow! Happy Pride Month, Yelpers!

See all

Men's...AND women's

Vuori

3.8(16 reviews)

Everytime I have been to this location. The customer service is on points…read more The minute you walk in, staff greets you. Have to shout out the wonderful staff. Annika, Ellie, Jose, Nick, Jojo, Luke, and so many more. They'll turn your shopping experience into an amazing retail therapy session. They literally made me feel like I was getting fitted for a wedding. They recommended all of their fave articles of clothing, gave me their input on what would fit best for me. Thank you Vuori staff for making this such a memorable shopping experience. (Retail therapy does work)

Exceptional clothes with amazing styles. The staff is super friendly and very helpful finding the…read moreperfect fit for me and gifts for my family. A special thank you to Ellie and Josiah for helping us out on todays shopping adventure.

See all

Rabat

2.7(98 reviews)

Love this store! Great deals today 2/7/23; better than I've ever seen and I've been a customer for…read more10+ years. Marta is my favorite - she knows her shoes. Can be pricey, but 100% worth it for amazingly stylish well made shoes.

This store closed back in December 2024. Although it was sad to see a local store close, they…read moreattributed it to the owner retiring and decided not to renew their lease. I shopped there for at least 15 years. The service was always hit or miss, mainly and consistently a miss. During their close out days, I purchased two knitted hats. And the service was well, awful.

See all

Amazing!!! Back again!!!!

American Giant

4.3(13 reviews)

I called the Berkeley store to get advice about how to navigate a fulfillment issue with an online…read moreorder. I spoke with Jessie who, much to my surprise, came up with a solution while I was on the phone. He was friendly, empathetic, efficient and solved the problem--saving me a great deal of time and effort. Great employee. As far as the clothing goes, I own two Classic Full Zip hoodies, which I bought in 2017 and have been stalwarts in my wardrobe. They're solidly constructed, wearing well over time and fit my lanky athletic build perfectly. When these two wear out (still a few years out), I'll definitely replace them with two more American Giant hoodies.

Final update: I was wrong they're perfect…read more Updating to 3* because they shipped it. Will update to 5* if the order is as expected. -old review Buyer beware, charged my card the full amount and didnt ship my items. CS phone number is a joke.

See all

Madewell

3.6(32 reviews)

During my last visit, I was tipped off that there was a sale (an additional 40% off sale items). I…read morewas ecstatic. Tbh, not much excites me these days. Days are long and uneventful. *Welcome to COVID World* a world reminiscent of the Spanish Influenza and Great Depression eras. Working in a hospital, I see the casualties first-hand and let me tell you, it is a big reason why some, if not many, of us like to go out and yolo. The hospital is a constant reminder of our fate and that death is inevitable. This is COVID times, people are afraid to step outside their homes, afraid to come in contact with this invisible, yet omnipotent pathogen. And for good reason, it is novel and unknown. With that being said, I needed some fresh air and some form of a return to normalcy even if that meant mask on, hand sanitizer out. I walked into a familiar, yet cautious environment. I saw the mannequins thoughtfully dressed in trendy outfits (I used to work at BCBG and dressing them was probs my fav part of the job). I saw three masked women organizing racks, folding clothes, diligently working. One of them cheerfully greeted me as I entered the tiny store. To my surprise, fitting rooms were open! I had gone to Nordstrom Rack in Emeryville the day prior and fitting rooms were off-limits. That day, I was the only shopper which made my experience worthwhile. It was an unintentional, yet pleasing private shopping experience. This is what celebrities must feel like when stores shut down a whole store for them. It really did feel like the red carpet was rolled out in front of me. I got special attention and I enjoyed it. Every time I pulled clothes and laid them out across one of my arms, one of the ladies asked if I wanted it set aside in a fitting room while I continued to shop. *excellent customer service* Other than that, I had minimal contact with the Madewell ladies. At one point, I did ask for a smaller size of the jeans, which she was able to find me + I ended up purchasing. During the fitting, I was sure to keep my mask on. Maybe I was in a good mood that day, but I really liked a lot of the clothes I tried on. I came out with some pretty cute outfits. I felt pretty whimsical purchasing a long floral skirt. Although I don't recall a plexiglass shield separating me from the cashier, I would say the environment felt very safe. This was def the new normal.

Highly recommend this location! I normally avoid shopping at Madewell bc other locations were a bit…read morestuffy and not very friendly. But the employees here are so welcoming, down to earth and knowledgeable. They helped me find a perfect pair of jeans! Amazing thanks to Sose, Gabby, Hannah, Monica, and Serena. Seriously everyone working today was so helpful and cheery. They deserve raises for going above and beyond :)

Madewell shoes

Denim Jeans Sign at Madewell on Fourth Street

See all

Window Display at Madewell in Berkeley

Cotopaxi

4.8(4 reviews)

Great little store. Some cute bags/hats. A friend was in town and she really wanted to go here…read more Staff was friendly and helpful. Offered to order the items my friend was after and have them shipped direct.

I had such a great experience at the Berkeley store with Khalid helping me. I've been researching…read moreonline for a new lightweight puffer jacket for an upcoming backpacking trip to Havusu Falls in the Grand Canyon in November. Even though I came into the store knowing what I wanted, Khalid helped me figure out what size actually fit me (medium over size large) and helped me to locate the hooded version that was behind hidden some vests. He was kind, helpful, and honest with his advice. I'm so excited to wear my new gear in such a gorgeous color combo!

See all

Road Runner Sports

4.4(390 reviews)

0.7 mi•West Berkeley

Lots of parking in this small shopping center. I am here to…read morereturn a pair of shoes that are too small. No problem with returns. I was waited on promptly and got fitted for a bigger size shoe without hassle. I had custom orthotics that I bought with the original shoe. I was told that my orthotic would be too small for the new shoe. They promptly made me a new bigger orthotic at no cost. Thank goodness for no hassle VIP membership I purchased. I appreciate the excellent customer service provided by Gabriel and Samuel. These guys are well trained with making it hassle free for me. Yes, I could buy shoes elsewhere, but with flat , senior feet, I want to be sure I get the proper fit. My only sad comment wss that they did not have my shoe size in stock and they will ship it to me. This happened to me last time too. They had to ship the shoe to me.

Updating this review to a one star because of their shady membership business practice. We never…read moresigned up for the membership ourselves and gave the points to a family member that shopped here often. When the billing cycle came we were charged the highest membership level under our own name on our card. When we tried to call customer service to cancel they basically told us there wasn't anything they could do and we had to dispute it through the credit card company. If you need a fitting use their free service and take your business elsewhere. You can find better color options, customer service, and even products at competitors without worrying about membership fees.

Nike Zoomx and custom insoles

Shoe fitting area

See all

More inside pictures.

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

12 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Hamza K.

3 years ago

Bows and Arrows in Berkeley is a hidden gem for fashion aficionados, and my recent visit only reinforced this belief. Stepping into the store is like entering a stylish oasis, with its carefully curated selection and inviting ambiance. What truly elevated my experience, however, was the impeccable service provided by the staff. The Asian gentleman with a mustache, who also happens to be incredibly handsome, went above and beyond to ensure my visit was nothing short of exceptional. His keen eye for style and attention to detail helped me find pieces that perfectly complemented my wardrobe. Beyond his expertise, his friendly demeanor and charm made the entire shopping experience a delight. Bows and Arrows is not just a store - it's an experience, and one that I eagerly look forward to returning to. If you're searching for both fashion-forward finds and top-notch service, look no further than Bows and Arrows. Trust me, you'll leave feeling as fabulous as ever. read more

Robert M.

13 years ago

Bows And Arrows is your typical sneaker boutique that APPEARS to only exist for the well connected hype beast. Hell I could care less what my fellow reviewers or Jerry feel about my comments. A few of the staff members suffer from the god complex, if you're under the influence of some good purp and believe that you have a fair chance to win the Jordan/ some other hot release bless your heart if you do not play for the tarnished golden bears. Why not draw raffle tickets in view of your perspective sheep?This is how Family Affair does it in Denver save us from sanctimonious words as if you're doing us a great service. read more

Sarah D.

152

154

18 years ago

I am in love with this store. The staff has always been really helpful and the selection is always fresh and new. I love that this locally owned business has provided me with well priced quality shoes time and time again. Thanks bows and arrows and keep up the good work. xoxo read more

Chase H.

14 years ago

Bows and Arrows has a great selection of Vans (some regular ones, and the nice 'vault' line) and Nikes as well as many other smaller brands. They carry shoes for both Men and women and have a very helpful staff. If your in the area, stop by, its well worth it. read more

Angela P.

16 years ago

Good collection of shoes, they were very helpful and patient as I was not sure which one to buy, they were showing me as per my style. I am planning to visit them again as I need some more for my sisters. In all great pace and good customer service. read more

Carina C.

4 years ago

There are grown men working at this shoe store, but will look at you like you are the filth at the bottom of their shoe. The guys who work here are arrogant no bodies, humble yourselves. read more

patrick b.

16 years ago

Nice selection of both casual and formal shoes and it has a good variety of sneakers aswell . Sales person are very helpul and they give us good varieties to choose from. read more

Ryan L.

9 years ago

Amazing Product. Amazing staff! They always have exactly what I'm looking for!

Matthew T.

19 years ago

clean store, nice staff, good selection, huge mirror.

Robin L.

356

259

19 years ago

Friendly staff. Always stop by when I'm in the area. read more

David R.

18 years ago

Nothing but love for this place. Check it out.

Shawn S.

18 years ago

Great selection, love this store!

Bows and Arrows - shoes - Updated November 2026

Browse Nearby

BEST of Berkeley, California Restaurants near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Coffee near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Things to Do near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Men's Clothing near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Breakfast near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Birkenstocks near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Travel Store near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Restroom near Bows and Arrows

BEST of Berkeley, California Motel near Bows and Arrows

Related Cost Guides

Florists

Browse Brands

Brands by name

Browse Articles

Articles by date

People who viewed Bows and Arrows also viewed

True Oakland

4.4

(14 reviews)

Excellent service. Amazing quality and variety. Fair pricing for such high quality pieces. The…read morecuration of clothing and shoes is super unique and rare.

This store combines Oakland culture and sneaker culture in one store 5 stars. The customer service…read moreis incredible and they have a great selection of sneakers and apparel.

Standard & Strange

4.6

(93 reviews)

Tootsies

3.4

(98 reviews)

Today I had such a great experience at Tootsies on College Avenue. It was a fantastic experience…read morefrom start to finish. The store had a great atmosphere--clean, well-organized, and the variety of shoes was impressive. I did not expect them to have such a wide variety. Liz, the owner, was amazing. She is so easy to work with and no pressure. She just kept bringing me shoes I was interested in and we worked together to find my size. She is incredibly knowledgeable and has been at this a couple of decades. Another plus was the price range--there were options for every budget. I left with three pairs of shoes and one was even on sale. My shoe selection had suffered in the pandemic and it was time to freshen up my closet. Thanks Liz. Store also owns Crush clothing next store and has purses, wallets and some jewelry for gifts.

Loved my first buying experience at Tootsie's. I've always seen the store but thought it was…read morelimited to women's shoes, until I spurted some unisex boots I liked. With all the downpour we've been having I needed a strong wellie-style boot, with a cool factor. I showed Liz, the owner, which styles I liked and she immediately started to pull sizes and make recommendations. Liz even checked her system to see when additional colors would be shipped in, and shared the return and exchange policy in conversation. Liz was great, super helpful, very friendly and shared her thoughts on which boot she likes best on me. Quality shoes here, with great prices for what you get. Not a commercial retailer, the stock list here is very special. I'll be coming back for some socks soon. The boots I got? Love em! I did not need to utilize the return or exchange policy, superb. Shout out to Liz. Shopping is about being social, making new friends and knowing what you want while being open to new things. I got all of that with Liz at Tootsie's. I was even able to put the boots on hold for a couple of hours, and came back to purchase. Looking for some kicks? Stop by Tootsie's.

Elmwood Village Shoes

3.9

(74 reviews)

We came here because my son's teacher recommended Tsukihoshi shoes, which are these shoes made in…read moreJapan. Supposedly, they fit well and are comfortable and easy to put on for young toddlers. My son seems to like them. I think this store is the only place in the East Bay that sells them. The salesman there was very thorough and helped pick out the right size for my son.

I appreciate the selection of comfortable shoes and the great Service offered by the staff there!!read more

Elements

3.9

(52 reviews)

RIP Elements. They are currently having their retirement sale as they are going out of business…read moresoon. 30% off everything except jewelry which is 20%. Overall, a solid little boutique selling womens ware. I picked up some tevas at the 30% off and the staff were so nice and welcoming. Style isn't necessarily mine, but definitely some good staples in there.

I love this shop. It's my neighborhood place to go for everything I could possibly want when it…read morecomes to shopping for new clothing, shoes and accessories. I love popping in at least once or twice a month. When I visit, I like to survey the store and I always seem to find something new or what I want. The merchandise is of quality brands , with trendy and unique items that make it the boutque it is. The staff and owners are friendly and helpful, and are a long time buiness. I kind of consider them a neighborhood institution. They are a huge anchor in this distric. One of my go to's.

Sole Terra Shoes

4.7

(33 reviews)

I'm one of those people who orders a dozen shoes from Zappo's hoping to find a cute comfortable…read morepair only to return all of them sometimes. I walked in to Shoes on Solano during a sale years ago, and found my go to shoe, the Sole Terra Camdyn Flat. I can walk miles in these shoes! They are cute with both pants and skirts. I'm on my 4th pair. They last a long time because they are so well made. Colors rotate - you can always get black - but I'm hoping they will make the red ones again. Sole Terra Camdyn Flat is designed and produced by Shoes on Solano. This is the only place you can purchase these awesome shoes.

Great service! Needed size 14 shoes & they quickly located a pair of at their other store & had…read morethem available a day later.

Halmar Work Clothes Centers

4.1

(80 reviews)

Back again. Love this shop and you will see why if you go check it out. Always feels like ur with…read morefamily here. Ben Davis, cathart, bladerack, pendleton....old school, high quality gear. Glad this shop is here ...

Roy is the man. Check this place out, great selection and he will surely have a great conversation…read morewith you as well

Understory

4.3

(6 reviews)

Understory occupies a unique place in the Oakland fashion landscape. It carries unique brands from…read moreall over that are impeccably curated. If you're looking for, what can only be defined as, post-gorp-core clothing, this is the spot to go to. You won't find any clothing stores even remotely close to it in the Bay Area. Not only that but Wes, the owner, is the kindest person who has always been warm and welcoming any time we've visited the store.

Tucked in the trendy Temescal alley. this is a carefully curated boutique for outdoor related,…read moreclothing and items. Went with my husband who bought a pair of socks and pants. There is a little fitting room. There were two people working there at the time but it's a tiny shop.

Ali Golden

3.7

(13 reviews)

Customer service in the Oakland Ali Golden store seems to a hit or miss…read more I visited this past Friday and talk about DGAF customer service. My friend and I were literally the only patrons in the store (though I was the only person shopping) and the sales person could not care less. No eye contact. Cut me off when I asked questions about sizing. Somehow looking down was more fascinating to her than trying to help out a customer. I quite liked one outfit but rude customer service was telling me I should just purchase elsewhere. I was in the area again on Sunday and decided to peek in to see if someone nicer was working that day as I refuse to make purchases when a sales person has a bad attitude (thank you internet for the opportunity). Lo and behold, there was! Laurin was the gal who helped me out and she was superb! I'm new to the world of raw silk and she was SO helpful to explain what raw silk was, how it differed from regular silk, and how to take care of it. THIS is what good customer service is. Laurin totally made up for Friday's poor experience in the store and I decided to purchase the outfit I'd been eyeing that day. On a different note, I've only spoken to Ali Golden's online customer service once (Jocelyn) and she was also superb!

On 12/19/2025, I saw a sticker price of $10 per glass and wanted to buy two glasses. At the…read moreregister, the cashier told me the glasses are sold only in a set of four for $51. When I showed her the sticker price, she said it was their wholesale price, without apologizing for the incorrect or confusing labeling. This response was disrespectful. Customers should not be shown wholesale prices, and products should be clearly marked with the correct retail price and selling terms. Displaying incorrect pricing and dismissing a customer's concern shows a lack of basic business knowledge and poor management. This reflects a business that does not understand how to properly run retail operations.

Maple Street Denim

4.4

(84 reviews)