Toby's Sports is one of the biggest retailers of sporting goods in Metro Manila. You will find…read moretheir stores in leading shopping malls here in the big city. Whatever type of sports and fitness apparel or equipment you need, there's a big chance that you can find them at Toby's Sports, particularly in their big branches at SM Mall Of Asia and Glorietta. If you're a die-hard UAAP fan, you can also get genuine UAAP apparel and accessories from Toby's. My branch of choice is in SM Aura Premier. Although the store is smaller compared to other Toby's Sports branches, I like it here because the display racks are clearly organized by theme or sport. The last time I visited was when I bought swimming goggles for the summer. They have a wall of different types, brands, and colors of goggles. The choices can be a bit overwhelming. It's a good thing that a salesperson approached me and guided me on what type of goggles would best fit my needs.

You can buy everything inside a health store and you still wouldn't be healthy without exercise…read more And if you're not naturally athletic and the thought of free running is making your joints ache then it's best to buy equipment that will help you achieve your goal. Welcome to Toby's- your one-stop fitness store filled with the latest exercise equipment in Manila. I've made a little home gym from buying their merchandise and so far it's been a worthy investment. I have a couple of weights, a yoga mat, a medicine ball and boxing gloves all purchased at reasonable prices. I wish somebody would give me a P10,000 gift certificate in this store because there's so much here that I want to take home. (Okay, maybe I'm being cheap, let's raise it to P25,000) I don't know what else to say except that I hope my wish comes true because Toby's is great and I'm a fan.

Nike doesn't need any explaining. One of the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and sports…read moreapparel sponsors many athletes and sports teams around the world, that's why we all know nike and that's why many of us like nike. After watching shia labeouf saying 'Just do It' for over a minute, I somehow felt like visiting the Nike store last time I was in SM Aura. They don't carry all brands here (e.g. Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Nike+, Air Jordan, Nike Blazers, Air Force 1, Nike Dunk,Air Max, Foamposite, Nike Skateboarding), they mainly focus on running shoes. I just love how Nike showcases all their shoes on the wall. It makes it so easy to have a look at the shoes you like and this makes for a great shopping experience. The staff lets you browse around without bothering you, but are there to help you if you want to try on some shoes. Just a great experience, so go and visit, just do it!

#SwooshLove is one of the ways I like to describe myself. I might not show it often to my friends,…read morebut I love frequenting blogs that show the latest shoes by the sporting apparel giant that is Nike. My brother loves it just as much, and even says "Nike" in place "Just do it" to us siblings when he's asking for a favor (not the best way to ask for a favor, by the way). Nike has got the most popular sporting or working out apparel in the Philippines, if not the world. I literally can't go out without seeing at least one Nike product, be it a shirt, cap, pair of shoes, bag, etc. Aside from their workout apparel, people have been buying casual wear from Nike as well, particularly their SB and Janoski selections. Their shoes are of incredibly high quality and last years with proper use. While I like this branch (it's right next to an Adidas and New Balance so there's plenty to look at and compare), there are plenty of outlet stores out there, so find one and join the #SwooshLove movement!

I had the impression that, during the early stages of my relationship with SO, I always had to…read moreimpress him. During that time, I would sneakily peak on what he's browsing on his phone or what's going on in his newsfeed. I found that he's really into this certain blue Roshe sneaker and I thought to get it for his birthday then. Long story short, I didn't find it. But I ended up in Sole Academy and got him an Internationalist with the same color scheme. Did he like it? He was ecstatic. He wasn't expecting it at all and when I told him the story of how I looked far and wide, high and low for that Roshe, he was touched and simply said that, whatever it is as long as it came from me, he'd treasure it. :) PROS: They're very active in social media! Make sure to follow them to know when Sole Academy releases new selections. Hurry though, because they run out quick, especially the Roshe and Airmax. Sneakerheads line up and buy a load, so if there's one you really like, you may order/reserve online or make sure you're first in line; Their store's interiors is so beautifully designed that I literally gasped upon entering. And so many handsome shoes!; They have a lot of exclusive selections that you literally cannot find anywhere else. CONS: You may get lost in the jargon or be mesmerized by their ultra-hip store. Don't worry though, their staff's so friendly and helpful, they won't make you feel like a noob. TL;DR: It may be for you or for your sneakerhead significant other/friend/whoever, but whatever lifestyle brand apparel you're looking for, follow or visit Sole Academy for their amazing and expansive choices.

I am really obsessed with shoes. I consider shoe buying as one of my guilty pleasures. It's the…read moremain reason why I am having a difficult time saving money. Every time there are new shoe trends, I would immediately go to the nearest shopping mall to buy myself a new pair. One of the shoe stores I regularly visit is the Sole Academy branch in Katipunan. Whenever I am waiting for my sundo, I just go here to check out new shoes that I may want to buy. The best thing about Sole Academy is that they sell more than one brand of shoes. They have Vans, Nike, Adidas, Puma, and many more. I think every person who visits this place is just tempted to buy a new pair of shoes. It's like a haven for all shoe lovers out there. They also have seasonal sales, which is really great if you wish to save more money. If you don't have time to visit this store, you can always go to their website to buy their products online.

If you think about the name Surplus Store, I'm sure what comes into your mind is an image of…read more.. actually, no one thinks about the Surplus Store. Especially if you're the type who needs for things to have brands on them, this place will be that store in SM you never bothered to enter. Not me, though. I actually love places like these as they ACTUALLY have good stuff. This branch in Megamall is the one I've gone to with the most pieces that caught my eye. If you're looking into upgrading your wardrobe with more basic, staple pieces, stop by this place. Best things to get here? PANTS! Maong your whole closet away! Also they have a lot of selection of shorts, basic tops, cover ups... For those going abroad to winter countries, you can find winter jackets, scarves and gloves here at prices way lower than those designer brands who offer them. I mean, if you're not the type who will purchase these at an ukay-ukay for around 30% of what they cost, then this is your best bet for cheap winterwear. You know what this place is also good for? Holiday shopping! I buy a lot of things here for my family. I normally don't have a lot of money, and I can get a lot of good pieces here with a decent brand at a really good price. This place takes a chunk of names out of my Christmas list. TIP: When purchasing anything, do keep in mind that this place sells export overruns, to there may be something wrong with what you're purchasing. Most of the time it's just inconsistent sizing, but sometimes it may be a deformed button, a button hole that needs to be punched out, etc. Mostly nothing serious, but do inspect your purchases before heading the checkout to be sure.

You know a store is dirt cheap and good when my father loves taking me there. Shucks, it's the only…read moreplace that my father agrees with and the man is a penny pincher when possible. There's nothing wrong with being practical after all. The Surplus Shop is a great place to buy overruns. Overruns, for he benefit of the unknowing, are basically extra copies of shirts or whatever article of clothing that seems to have been overproduced. Companies try to reduce the cost of production by selling the excess (typically last season's stock that didn't sell) at an extremely low price. Surplus Shop is a shop that basically buys thee in bulk from other brands and takes the risk of selling them to the consumers. You'll get to see a lot of good brands being sold at a really low price. If you're brand conscious but on a budget then give this place a try. You can thank me later.

I always saw New Balance as kind of like a boring brand. They have been around since 1906 and I…read morecan't remember they every modernized their logo. My mom always swore by New Balance shoes when she was playing tennis, but as a teenager I always wanted cooler and hipper tennis shoes. Now that I have grown a bit older I actually understand where my mom is coming from and I found myself buying New Balance tennis shoes last month. Now I understand it is actually a good thing that this company has been privately held for more than a 100 years. Where other brands focus on the latest trends, this company really just focuses on quality and giving your feet the best support. Especially for tennis where you make a lot of quick turns, these shoes are perfect. So if you look past the boring brand, maybe you'll actually learn to appreciate the quality just like me.

Back in the 90's, I remember still having to go all the way to the small and cramped Soccer World…read morestore in Robinson's Galleria just to even get a glimpse of legitimate soccer (football) kits. Local Nike stores carried some, but at that time, there were only a handful of big clubs and national teams that were inked with the Swoosh (Inter Milan and the Netherlands National Team to name a few). As the world's most popular game finally gained a bit of steam in terms of popularity in the Philippines, stores like Bootcamp finally were established. While I still get my kits from England or elsewhere through kind people (I'm a Manchester United boy through and through), there now is at least Bootcamp in Quezon City to fill my needs, should they arise. The boot/cleat selection is adequate as well, as the store carries the usual lines of major brands such as the Mercurials of Nike, or the famous Predators of Adidas. The store is also aesthetically inviting and pleasing as well. If you're in a Nationalistic mood, you can also always find Philippine National Team (Azkals) gear in here.

Urban Athletics is an athletics store that doesn't really focus on one particular brand or sport…read more It drew my attention cause I've been looking for a new pair of shoes to repair the old ones that I ruined. They have a lot of different shoes to choose from. I saw basketball shoes and shoes for skaters when I walked in. I didn't have the time to check out what else they had but I bet that they have a huge collection. I was drawn to the store because they had this huge TV that greeted passerbys. I got to see one of the shoes that I was looking for and decided to walk in. Effective marketing I would say. That said, the staff was friendly enough and knew enough to give me good answers when I asked questions. If you're on the search for a particular shoe and you can't seem to find it anywhere else, then Urban Athletics would be a great option I feel. The price of their shoes are the same anywhere else, or at least I didn't notice a difference.

Urban Athletics was the shoe store I would frequent before becoming a patron of Sole Academy…read more Located at Greenbelt 3 in Makati, I would make sure to drop by their store and check the latest sneakers available. I love that they have a wide range of stuff in the store compared to Sole Academy that has limited goods. Urban Athletics doesn't just sell sneakers, but goods like bags, sunglasses, flip flops, headgear and many more. They have stocks of famous brands all over the store. I usually drop by here when they have new arrivals since the chances of me getting my size is still high. The staff is accommodating even if I fit a couple of pairs before deciding which pair to get. Urban Athletics has limited branches though in the city so if you want to check them out, do drop by their Greenbelt 3 branch instead.