Great service from knowledgeable people. The employees are friendly and welcoming. They know the merchandise and they know how to properly fit you. The store is clean and organized and the prices are fair. read more

Super awesome staff that is very helpful and knowledgeable. Approach you when you come in so you have 1:1 help for your whole visit including gait analysis, shoe try on and purchase. read more

Excellent service. No upselling but they do try to match your purchase to your exercise routine. Have been wearing conventional exercise socks until they suggested something more suitable to my daily routine. Noticed the difference immediately read more

The store was very crowded I stood for quite a bit of time w no acknowledgment, no "We'll be right with you" I was disappointed because I know that Marathon Sports is one of the best businesses for runners, read more

THANK YOU SOPHIA for providing excellent customer service today when I brought my Aunt to get a great sneaker to help her back ache. Sophia is not only friendly, but also very knowledgeable! They had to order the color sneaker that my Aunt wanted so when I go back to pick hers up, I am going to have Sophia go thru the right fit process with me so that I can purchase a good pair of sneakers for myself! Thank you again! read more

I came to Marathon Sports in Melrose to try and find a good running sneaker plus a sneaker I can wear at work. I work in a hospital which requires a lot of time standing on hard unforgiving floors. Lily was happy to assist me in the process. They had this really cool tool that helps you learn about your feet. You step on this pad and within seconds the screen will display all this information about your feet including what your shoe size should be, your arch, etc. It was really neat! Lily then picked out a few pairs of sneakers for me that she thought would be an excellent fit. She was right! I tried on 3 pairs, and they all felt comfortable and cushioned. Something I never felt before. With her expertise and advice, I ended up with a pair of navy Brooks. They are the most flexible yet form fitting sneaker I have ever worn! I am so happy I came in and was lucky enough to have Lily help guide me in the right direction and narrow down on the perfect pick for me. She was kind, helpful and professional! Excellent customer service and will definitely be back! read more

Marathon Sports - Navy Brooks! So comfty! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Melrose, Massachusetts

Recently purchased a pair of Hokas, after trying a few other styles at the store. I liked the other options, but the Hokas just fitted/felt the best to me. Unfortunately, after a month, I noticed a piece of the sole broke off. Minor, but worth bringing it to the store's attention I thought. The salesman I met with was terrific. Not only did he offer to replace the pair I bought, but also let me try other options in case another pair worked better for me. Minor touch? perhaps, but I think it's telling of how the store values the customer. Support your local merchants! read more

I've been going to Marathon Sports for years. They're the best. I went today for shoes for the first time since their change in ownership. I stepped on their Aetrex technology and was told that my shoe needs were average, no pronation, arches were proper, pressure evenly distributed. No special shoe requirements. But, I was told that I now needed an orthotic in addition to shoes. Why? Don't orthotics respond to specific identified concerns? No explanation beyond the benefit additional cushioning in a well cushioned running shoe. Bottom line - I always counted on Marathon Sports for honest recommendations. I hope they're not now unnecessarily upwelling. read more

Both times I have been here, Dianna has been EXCEPTIONAL! She is so knowledgeable about the different types of sneakers, and which would suit me most for my upcoming race. She brought out a variety of different sneakers and sizes for me, and was so patient during my indecisiveness. I will continue coming back to this location solely because of how amazing and attentive Dianna is! read more

Such a great experience from start to finish. Staff is attentive, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. In this day and age of large box stores and online ordering, it's so nice to support these smaller stores like Marathon Sports for personalized service and quality products. We would never think of buying sneakers anywhere else! read more

I just went to Marathon Sports in Melrose to get my son sneakers for him to run cross country as a Freshman in HS. They were fantastic at fitting him with the perfect sneaker. They had him walk and do a couple of other things to check his feet out to make sure they got the sneaker with the right support and had him "test" run with them. I dont think I would have got that type of service at Dicks Sporting goods. read more

You will find the most comfortable pair of running shoes here with the help of staff. The guy who helped my son took the time to see how he walks, how wide his feet are, what his preferences are for comfort and size. My son says they are the best fit ever! It is s small store on a corner with not too much available parking but loaded with options and accessories. We were helped without feeling like they were pushy. Comfort and fit take priority over color, brand or style but they do carry many of the top nsmes in running shoes. read more

Marathon Sports - Shoe Stores Near Me - Melrose, Massachusetts

I have been doing a lot more running since quarantine began both outside and on on my treadmill, it was time for new shoes. I saw something about the virtual fittings and signed up. So easy, hopped on zoom meeting and the man evaluated things and we discussed 5 different shoes. My current ones are really not right for me which is why I have had some knee pain. Selected shoe. Bought shoe. Was so excited. Then I received the receipt and they sent the wrong size. Half the discussion was about the fact I was wearing the wrong size. Wrote back to customer service and they said sorry, you will have to figure out getting them back to us before we will send the right pair. Umm, this was your fault not mine. I have not even gone to a store since like March 20th. Now, I have to venture to the post office in the middle of a pandemic to fix YOUR mistake. And then, I need to wait until you get it to have you ship new ones. I wrote back to express my disappointment and no one even responded. I get it is tough times but this wasn't my mistake. read more

Really excited to get back into running now with my new running shoes, thanks to Adam! Love their new machine that analyzes your foot so you can get a personalized fit (even more so than their gait analysis alone!). Adam shared with me a few different options, and helped me to choose a new pair that would be right for me. They didn't have my size in stock so he helped to ship my size shoe to me. I wish every shopping experience in every store could be like this - attentive, knowledgeable, friendly staff, who even when busy, give each person the time they deserve. Thank you! read more

I've shopped here for several years now both for every day sneakers and also for running shoes. I've also occasionally bought cheaper shoes online from time to time. Ultimately I keep coming back because I really want my shoes to fit right and meet my needs. I'm on my feet for work most of the day and it's worth the little bit of extra money to get a professionals opinion on what sort of arch support, pronation support, and cushioning I need or don't need. The technology they have for assessing your needs all appears to be top of the line. In summary, I've had a great experience shopping here and will keep coming back! read more

I wouldn't buy sneakers anywhere else! I had a very thorough gait analysis and fitting from Jen on Saturday. She was great! Very patient, knowledgeable and experienced. She offered suggestions about sneakers and insoles to give me more stability and balance. I tried a bunch of pairs and settled on the one that fit best, and I couldn't be happier. A great value and worth every penny. I highly recommend Marathon Sports! read more

Marathon Sports is saweeeeet! From the outside it may seem like your standard City Sports/EMS-type place, but I promise you 'tis very unique and far superior to all its similar competitors. I was referred to Marathon Sports to scoop up every pair of running sneaks for the rest of my life by my smartest and most clinically respected professor. Being a Physical Therapy grad student, I decided to be nosey and inquire about what kind of training is required to work there, given my extensive "evaluation." When I first walked in and meandered over to the shoe wall, I was approached by the most helpful and un-aggressive saleswoman I'd ever met (Alison, the manager). After a quick interview about what I was looking for (new running sneaks), she asked me to throw on some socks and watched me walk, which in PT terms is called "Gait Analysis." Based on her findings, she recommended a couple shoes most suitable for my gait pattern and foot type. After I figured out which of her 3 suggestions was most comfortable, she took me outside and watched me jog about 100ft to check for any abnormalities. I must also make note of the fact that she did *not* try to upsell me on the more expensive brand or style of shoe. She gave honest, no-nonsense recommendations, which can be rare, but refreshing nonetheless! Getting back to what I started talking about before, Alison told me that the owner of all 7 locations has an Orthopedic background (Kinesiology and Biomechanics, to be exact), and requires all of his employees to go through an intensive 6-month orientation before they're allowed to perform gait analyses and recommend shoes. I'm glad I was nosey, because now I can both recommended and shop at Marathon Sports confidently for the rest of my life! I also got a 10% discount for being a student! For a $105 pair of Asics, 10% can put a much-needed dent in the final price. Now that I know my ideal shoe type and brand, it may not be necessary for me to return to Marathon Sports, but I'm gonna anyways. You should, too! read more

I have only been to this store once, but I cannot say enough good things about it. -Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. -Huge array of running shoes. -It's a RUNNING store - not just a shoe store for people who like to wear sneakers with jeans. I came in with a sort of abnormal situation - experienced barefoot runner who has been injured and needed something a little more cushioning but still pretty flat, etc. Every other store I went to, even if they had Vibrams on the walls, were so sub-par with the advice and offerings. This sales chick didn't bat an eye, she went in the back and started pulling out shoe after shoe for me to try on, explaining why she selected them, tested the fit, watched my gait in them, and even let me take them for a spin outside! I mean, seriously?! Why doesn't every store have this level of service? It's almost like the old fashioned Mom-and-Pop stores...where they help every customer and they ring up your purchase the old fashioned way (no scanners - interesting). I didn't feel like I was at some big chain store, what a breath of fresh air! I watched the sales girls help other customers as they came in, as well. They asked each person questions that would help them select the right shoe. No opinionated, pushy salesmanship. And somehow they were able to help me and the other customers without ever making me wait or feel ignored. As I bought my pair of Saucony Kinvaras I thought: "WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN GOING TO THIS STORE ALL ALONG?" read more

Wow! Outstanding customer service at the Melrose location! They take their time to fit you right. They will check measure your feet, visually check for any anomalies that might affect your fit, will make you walk back and forth to understand how your foot strikes the floor/pavement all in order to guide you into the proper fitting sneaker. This is not your average mall store, or a place where you go to buy a cheap pair of sneakers, but a place of well educated associates interested in fitting you with the right product. You can buy a cheap pair of sneakers, or a sneaker on-sale, but you will find a superior range of product here! Well worth the time, energy, and most of all....money well spent! read more

Came here on advice from a friend and I am certainly glad I did. Even though I am not a runner the staff was still able to help me out and find me the correct foot ware. We went threw about 12 pairs of sneakers before we could find the proper fit - it really makes a difference.. The staff member who was working with me was working on 3 other people at the same time. So as you can see it does get a little crazy in there but it so worth it. read more

These guys are the best around if you want knowledgable advice about any kind of running gear. Their prices are a bit more expensive than what you'd find online but the level of service you get more than makes up for it, in my opinion. read more

Great service and stellar inventory, just like every Marathon location. Highly recommend!

I went in to try on some shoes and I asked to see the pair in a specific size, and after several minutes they finally went to get it, only to be told they didn't have my size. They didn't offer to order me the size or to try on a different pair of shoes or even bring up an alternate size that might fit. The store has a great selection of running accessories, but the staff seemed to not care even though I was the only person in the store. I would return, but would advise the staff to be more responsive, especially for such an easy sale. read more

Excellent service and Excellent selection. I went here a couple of years ago to get a good all around running/walking sneaker and they watched me walk and noted that I walk to the sides of my feet. They found me great sneakers and they are the best ever. We went here recently to get Hubbie a new set of sneakers since we have recently took to running each day. They found a great pair for him, although they showed him a couple of pairs, the first one was the one they showed him was the winner. Decent price for sneakers. read more

Love this place. I was a bit bummed when the old store 'Runner's Edge' was taken over by marathon, but (hate to admit it) I like the new store even better. The staff does a great job. They must only hire serious runners and train them well since they all take the time to find the right shoe for you, encourage you to try other options, etc. Minor complaints: They can get busy on weekends and you may have to wait for help. But that's probably due to the time they take to fit everyone, so it's tough to count that against them. They also are a bit pricey, but most 'good' running shoes are expensive. Weird thing: They write up orders manually. Uh, not sure if you heard, but there's this new thing called a scanner that really streamlines the whole sales process. Tip: There are almost always coupons from various races or sponsorships floating around. 15% makes the prices a bit more palatable. read more

I'm not a bit surprised that this shop has 5 stars across the board. All of the reviews are accurate. I visited them on the weekend of Mother's Day and despite hosting a race registration I was helped immediately upon walking in. I received a one-on-one consultation with Nick who evaluated my gait and gave me a healthy number of options to try out. Prior to visiting Marathon I was a casual runner and wildly inconsistent. Ten weeks later I'm comfortably laying down 5-6 miles each time I run, a few times weekly. Many thanks to Nick and the team at Marathon Sports for helping me make a healthy lifestyle change! read more

If you are trying to find the right running sneaker go here!!!! They help you try on many different pairs and even watch you run around the block to see if your gait is correct. They have an excellent return policy. For any reason if you don't like your sneakers you have 17 days to return them for a different pair. Awesome! I was helped by a really nice man who has ran many marathons and will help you achieve your goals. Excellent passionate service! read more

Awesome shopping experience. All three gentlemen working there when I went, were awesome. They were prompt to greet us and get someone helping us, they were thorough and patient as we tried to figure out each of our confusing feet, and they were super knowledgeable. I typically have buyers remorse, but when we left, I was smiling and confident in the transaction. I wish more businesses showed this kind of dedication to quality product, service, and support. read more

I love this little location! Anytime I need to try a new pair of shoes Marathon Sports is happy to suggest some shoes which are new and excellent to the market. Being a Marathon Runner myself I have yet to be disappointment by their suggestions in trying different shoes. read more

I give three stars because of who I think was the new manager. A young woman who told me the other day I could not exchange shoes that had clearly never been worn that a family member didn't want. She wouldn't do anything without a receipt. She wasn't very friendly. I feel bad about this review as I have been going to MS for a few years now. A very different vibe in the Melrose store now. I have never had a problem with MS before (I have only exchanged a pair of running shoes once within a week) and the previous manager, Allison was fantastic. I have also met the store owner once who was very nice. I will now order my shoes online I guess as I cannot bear at this moment to go back to the Melrose store anyway. read more

I really love Marathon Sports! I've been coming here since they were Runner's Edge. There is one gal who does my fittings (Lucy), and I must say, she is fantastic. I have been a runner for 15 years, and I'm completely loyal to this store! Am swinging by tonight for some compression sleeves. I always rave about this store, and I think it's a shame I haven't posted a shining review sooner. read more

You know, it really *doesn't* get better than this. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just about to embark on a couch to 5K program, the folks at Marathon Sports will watch you walk and run, observe your conformation, do a gait analysis, talk to you about what running issues you might have and then suggest the right shoes for you. And there's *no* pressure. Go there. They're awesome. read more

I didn't know they made shoe stores that fit your shoes for you anymore! That blew me away. Also, the staff is quirky and fun.

This place has amazing service. I needed track spikes and the guy went back and forth to the locker and back five times bringing ten different pairs of shoes until I found the perfect one. Amazing. read more

I ventured into Marathon Sports a couple weeks ago in search of some Inov-8 sneakers and was greeted right away by the super friendly people that work there. They spent lots of quality time with me asking questions about the types of workouts I do and what was comfortable for me, which was so great. I never felt rushed and really appreciated how they helped me find the best fitting, most comfortable sneaker because most of the time when I buy shoes I don't get that type of attention to detail. I would highly recommend shopping here for all of your sneakers/sporting goods needs! read more

I absolutely love it here. I'm returning to running after a much too long hiatus (mostly spent on the couch) and went here for help dealing with my never-ending shin splints. The staff are incredibly knowledgable and helpful and really put in the time to analyze your particular gait and potential issues you need addressed. I never felt rushed or pressured in any way and walked out with what I hope is a great pair of sneakers (haven't had a chance to get out there yet). I particularly love the 15 day return guarantee - used or unused - so that I'm not stuck with shoes that ultimately don't fit my needs. Talk about putting the customer first!! I will definitely be back again and again! read more

Very helpful staff! Great variety of gear for muscle injuries and all sorts of swag!

Incredible employees who are always there to help. I was having issues with my left arch and right away after I stepping into the store I knew I was in the right place. All are upbeat and professional staff who were able to really go above and beyond in trying to find the best sneaker for me. Were so professional and bent over backwards through three returns to help me. A+++ service and products and highly recommend Marathon Sports in Melrose as your place to go!!! read more

The sales people here are runners and know a lot about feet. They are incredibly patient and nice. The prices are the same or lower compared to the big box stores. I highly recommend going here. My wife and I have bought our shoes here for several years and will continue to come here. read more

This place is amazing. Not only are they extremely helpful with picking out shoes, but their staff is incredibly friendly and understanding. I purchased a pair of shoes here and was having problems with how I felt after running with them, but due to a vacation I wasn't able to come back within the 15 day return period. However, they were super understanding, helped me pick out a new pair, and allowed me to do an exchange. I recommend this store to all my friends and anyone else who wants a good running shoe with great customer service. read more