I am an everyday walker. I had purchased a pair of shoes, which were not cheap, at a big box athletic store. There was a hole in them by six months. I thought I would try Runners High. Mark was very friendly and very knowledgeable. He found the perfect pair of shoes for me. I felt like I was walking on air today. We should all try to support independent vendors. read more

Mark is a wonderful person to buy shoes/inserts from. He was very knowledgeable and guided appropriately without being pushy in any way

I was training for a 1/2 marathon and needed some new running shoes! My friend recommended me this place! I am so happy that I listened to her. The shoe expert measured my feet and videotaped how I walked on the treadmill. He told me that I was wearing the wrong shoes!!! He helped me find an affordable pair of running shoes that gave me enough support! I really appreciated his expertise and will be using this location for all my running needs! read more

I would give 10 stars if I could. Mark, the owner, provided an awesome experience and was beyond knowledgeable. I have been training for the Chicago marathon and have tried 5 different pairs of shoes which all caused me extreme foot pain. Today was my first run since I started training where I experienced no pain. I highly recommend going to his store for all running needs. Mark is a great person who went above and beyond. I will be back. read more

I'm traveling for work, and my assignment turned into a lot more walking than my sneakers were ready for. Matt was super cool & knowledgeable and matched me up with a pair of Brooks (on the spot) that actually fit, as opposed to me guessing the fit on-line. Really great store. read more

Stopped in here to look at running shoes. Awesome store. Mark (owner) was great! Very knowledgeable and friendly. I'm an experienced runner from Ohio. You rarely find people in running stores this knowledgeable, friendly, and not pushing you to buy something but looking out for your needs. Highly recommend! Jim read more

It's so clear why this place has the reviews it does. We came in from the city to avoid busy Lincoln Park et al on a Saturday, and had the best experience! I bought the pair of running shoes the gentleman picked out for me after hearing my needs, and am happy to say I ran a personal best 10k in them this AM feeling comfy, light, and supported. I'll definitely be back for the authentically kind customer service we got at this shop! read more

So, I was excited to check this place out because of all of the good reviews. While I'm not a runner, I'm a walker and have a weekend job that requires me to to be on my feet for long periods of time. And, I've been having trouble finding a pair of shoes that address my needs. When I walked in, I was warmly greeted even though he (I think his name was mark) was assisting another customer. When it was my turn, I explained what kind of shoe I was looking for and made mention that I "wasn't looking to buy TODAY." His reply took me by surprise and really turned me off. He told me that "I should come back when I was ready to buy." What? Who says that!? I politely explained to him that I had time TODAY. I had time today to shop, try on shoes, ask all of the questions, etc. He informed me that he gets shopped all the time and many people end up buying online after he's spent his time doing the fitting, etc. Ok, I get that, and that's a sad truth of owning a brick and mortar biz these days. But do you know what WILL drive people away from shopping your business? TREATING A NEW, POTENTIAL CUSTOMER THIS WAY. Guess who won't be dropping $150 for a new pair of comfy kicks at THIS store? read more

I had a great experience a few weeks ago when I bought a pair of Brooks shoes. Mark is knowledgeable about fit and cares about his customer's satisfaction! The shoes are comfortable and I'm considering buying a second pair. I will return to "shop local" as the customer service received here is so much more satisfying than shopping online. read more

I stopped by Runners High 'n Tri because I wanted to get back into running. It's had been a while since I'd run a 5K or 10K and I wanted to make sure I had the perfect pair of shoes to do it with. I stopped by this place and they had me take a few running steps in the store to see how my feet land when I run. They picked out a few pairs of shoes to fit my step. I purchased one of them and used them for a day or two, but after exercising, I realized they were cut too high and rubbing on my ankles. I returned to the store and they readily took them back and exchanged them for another pair that were much better, and actually cheaper than my original pair. These people are 100% customer focused and want everyone to have exactly what will serve them best for the exercise they do. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who wants the best for themselves and doesn't make their buying decisions based on cost over quality. You will find competitive prices here, but their emphasis is on the right product for you, not catering to customers who are shopping for the cheapest prices. read more

See all

Incredibly helpful and caring. Came in for a new pair of running shoes, and Mark showed genuine interest in helping me pick the best pair for my needs. read more

This place has great customer service. From the minute I walked in. Even though they can be busy they give every person time and attention. I spent a long time trying different shoes and they never rushed me, they wanted to make sure I was happy with my purchase. Without a question they returned the shoes I purchased after they did not work out. It's hard to find such good customer service these days. I definitely recommend supporting this business. read more

I walked the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk a couple of years back, and one of the things that they said was to go get fitted for proper shoes. I never really thought that was important, and I tried to do the walk with shoes that I thought fit me fine, and then could not walk for the following 2 weeks without looking like I literally had some sort of physical impairment. So when I decided to start a fitness boot camp, I listened to that past advice, and I went here to get fitted for some shoes. You might think, they are just tennis shoes -- how hard could it be? Well, these people will tell you all about the types of shoes, their materials/soles/support, types of socks -- basically everything and anything you want to know about getting the best type of shoe for your activity. I think the best thing about it was that I didn't feel stupid asking questions about the shoes. The staff was warm and welcoming. So, if you have an athletic event coming up, or you just even need new shoes for the gym -- give them a try. You might learn something new about shoes! read more

Phenomenal customer service! The owners are so stinkin' kind and welcoming. I was fitted for my shoes after only a few minutes. She listened patiently and understood my needs so quickly. I true love my purchase! She knew exactly what my aching dogs needed! read more

Mark and team are great, knowledgeable, transparent and very motivated to get you into the right shoe.

Mark and Pom were so awesome dealing with me and my partner and our 2 kids that tagged along. They are honest salespeople who have a true passion for what they do. We were fitted with the perfect running shoes for both of us and the prices were just right. If you are going to get shoes or running gear this should be your place. read more

Excellent customer service! I called to place a phone order. Caitlin looked up my previous order, let me know my size was in stock and had me ready to checkout virtually in no time. Then I added 3 pairs of socks to the order. Caitlin rolled with the request asking questions to make sure I received socks that would work for me. I admit I was pretty vague and really appreciate the trust and willingness to just go for it and pick things out for me! An hour later, I pulled up to the store and Caitlin brought my purchase out to the trunk. Easier, faster and better service than a 2-day shipping online purchase! Thanks, Caitlin! read more

Can't say enough good things about Runner's High'n Tri. After recovering from a long injury and baby, I was having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. Pom helped me find the most perfect running shoes which helped turned everything around. After wearing these shoes down, it was time for a replacement pair. I tried a new pair and it wasn't working out well so Pom let me exchange the used pair, no questions asked. She made it clear they want their customers to be happy. It's clear they love what they do and genuinely love serving the community. read more

I have always bought off the shelf running shoes and decided to check out an actual running store. As soon as my fiancé and I walked in, we were greeted with a smile by Mike. He set us up with Pom who was extremely friendly and helpful. She had me walk a few times to get a feel for my movement and then started bringing out shoes for me to try. She determined that I have wide metatarsals and brought out some wide NB shoes. I tested them out and they were perfect!! She also helped my fiancé find the best type of shoe for her foot type, as well. I can't say enough nice things about this store and its employees! read more

I'm not a runner. Nor am I in shape. I need comfortable shoes that don't hurt my feet. These guys are super knowledgeable and gave me great advice. Don't buy the junk at big box stores. Go see these guys. read more

Nice running store in downtown Arlington Heights. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They have pretty sweet store branded merch as well. Definitely worth stopping in. read more

I enjoy running. Sometimes. I often relish the 30-45 minutes trotting about my neighborhood and few things make that time more enjoyable than good tunes, nice weather and brand spankin' new gear. Even a new pair of running socks will get me in the mood. Thus, you can imagine my delight when I walked into Runner's High 'n Tri. They have just about everything a running, triathlete or fitness enthusiast may want. And while you won't find *everything* fitness related here, they sported some great brands that will ensure you're ready for a race. Even if you're just racing down your street. Staff is extra friendly and knowledgeable - and is more than able to fit you with a proper pair of running shoes. As for other merch, you'll find sports bras from Moving Comfort (*the best IMO*), clothing from Nike, Prana and more, socks from Balega, endurance snacks and tons of other goodies. When I'm ready for my next pair of running shoes, I definitely plan to come back here and support this sweet local shop. read more

Absolutely A+ Amazing I went into the store to buy my sister a birthday gift. Not knowing a darn thing about what a marathoner in the making would need, I was met with sharp, friendly people that were very wiling to help. Armed with a few suggestions from Yelp talk, I started spatting out product names. Like lightning, the staff collected and presented me with options. Here is the kicker....... They actually asked me what my budget was, and were more than happy to stick to it. After eyeballing the carefully picked options, I went with about half of the items, as I knew she would definitely use them. There was no scoffing, frowning, pushiness, or protest when I did not buy everything offered. At the end of my sale, Theresa walked to the front of the store (Instead of pointing me there), grabbed a few magazines and flyers detailing local races, and added them to my bag. The neat, clean, well laid out store is surrounded by free street parking, with a garage nearby. You would be silly to pass them up. SILLY. read more

My experience at Runners High 'n' Tri was so great I had to write a review. Kathy was, by far, the most patient woman I have ever met. Ladies, you know when you are having a crazy day and need to try everything and still cannot make a decision? Well, welcome to that sort of day for me today. Kathy watched me run in about 10 pairs of shoes and ultimately I bought the shoes I went in there to buy, which we agreed upon in the first 5 minutes of my being there. Anyhow, the poor woman was amazing. I couldn't commit to a size or color, changed my mind a gajillion times, and finally left with my new little foot darlings. And, I most certainly will go back tomorrow and get the size 10 that she recommended instead of the 9.5 I insisted upon because my right foot was doing some sort of phantom moving inside the shoe. This review does not cut it by any stretch of the imagination, but I had a great experience at Runners High 'n' Tri and recommend it for any beginner or expert runners. Both Kathy and the other sales lady were very knowledgeable and respected my price point and just wanted my tootsies to be happy. Great place. read more

This is the BEST running store I have ever been to. I stopped by on election night about a half hour before closing. I needed a new pair of shoes but didn't know where to begin, I just knew that I like my current brand. The woman who helped me (I wish I remembered her name!) was amazing! I have never been fitted so thoroughly with running shoes. She had me walk back and forth with just socks on, had been able to predict that my knee probably hurts when I run and explained why. She had me try on one pair of shoes, watched me jog, said they weren't good enough, so she bought out a second. She still thought they weren't good enough and brought out a third. The third was the pair she recommended. I glanced at the price tags, and they were the priced in the middle of the three; which really sold me on not only the shoes, but the store, and the employees! I feel like they care more about making sure that you find a good pair of shoes and making you a happy (and long lasting customer) then the price of the sale. I can't say enough good things about Runners High 'n Tri. The store is amazing, the employees are amazing, and I felt so comfortable in there. My husband even watched the election results with (whom I think) was the owner, while I went through the process of picking out my new shoes. All in all, this store has great products, informed employees, and a wonderful business model. I've told many people about Runners High 'n Tri and will continue to do so. P.S. The new shoes are fabulous, and I haven't experienced any knee pain since switching to them. THANK-YOU! read more

Between my wife and I, we have fifteen plus shoes from Runner's High over the years. Yes, we and been buying them since before the Tri. The time they have spent with us over the years making sure the shoe fit is perfect is what has lead me to recommend them to people from all over Chicago to go see them if you have any question on how to find a shoe that fits. As long as I need running shoes they will be coming from Runner's High. read more

Short Story: They know their stuff! A+ Customer Service! Long Story: 1. LOCATION: It is conveniently located close to the parking lot, and they also have street parking. 2. STORE: The place is clean and organized. things are easy to find. 3. ATTENDANTS/CUSTOMER SERVICE: The staff know their stuff. Seriously!!! When I first started running a little over a year ago, I didn't know what kind of shoes was best for me. I just new I needed new running shoes. I walked in there with ZERO knowledge of my running form, feet size, and feet shape. - The attendant was very helpful, and very patient in helping me select the best shoe for me. I think i tried out at least 10 different kind of shoe before we could narrow down which one was right for me. - The attendant also made me run up and down the street just to see how i look running with those shoe. After that, she also gave me tips on my running form and how i can correct it. 4. PRICE - At initial sticker price, their shoes may seem too pricey than your average Foot Locker or Sports Store. But then you realise: (1) These are REAL running shoes. Not some mass produced shoe from china. (2) You cant beat the customer service. Where else can you get an attendant to spend 45 minutes with you, to help you pick 1 pair of shoes? (3) They do have sales and discounts. I believe they offer AAA and Military discounts. - This last time, the owner gave me a discount on my shoe -which made it cheaper than buying the shoe online. 5. YOUR HEALTH MATTERS TO THEM - I cannot stress this enough. These people really do care about your health when you are picking shoes. They are not there to sell you what ever gets them the biggest commission. They are there to help you run at your best, and help you not get injured. I mean thinking about it! Would you rather have a cheap pair of shoes, and then get injured while running, or would you rather pay a little extra for a quality pair of shoes made specifically for your type of feet -that will help you get more fit? Overall: I will definitely come back here again whenever I need new running shoes. read more

Fresh off a new PR set at the North Shore Half Marathon, I found myself wanting to freshen up some of my gear as I train for this fall's Maui Marathon. Erin helped me select a pair of Newtons, my first, after asking thorough questions about my training and previous footwear selections. Next, sports bras. Erin immediately led me to the Moving Comfort bras. Holy comfortable! Being a small chested gal, I thought Moving Comfort was only for the D/DD set that needs extra support. Was I wrong! All in all, the best runnng specialty store I've been to. Support this fabulous small business! read more

What a pleasant shopping experience! I was in the market for a pair of running shoes to get back into running and left the store with an amazing pair of shoes. The owner talked to me about my style, goals, etc. and explained why he was choosing the shoes he had me try on. When I asked questions, he answered them honestly. No pretense or snotty attitude, just good down to earth, common sense dialog and I appreciated that. I highly recommend making the trip to purchase your running supply needs, they have it all and you will be satisfied with your purchase. read more

It is so refreshing to find a shoe store that has friendly, knowledgeable people that care about your needs. They're patient as well for those of us who aren't sure what we need and need to make an exchange or two. :) This is my new go to running store and I live 15 miles away! read more

Came here for a one-piece tri suit for an upcoming race. Phenomenal customer service. They helps me find exactly what I needed as soon as I walked through the door. I found the perfect suit for a fair price, and they threw in a free body glide stick. Support your local small business! read more

Runners High 'n Tri - Placed 2nd in my age group! Thanks, Runner's High & Tri! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

I'm just starting out running and the main reason I haven't before is because I was getting shin splints all the time. I signed up to do the Bacon Chase 5k because of the bacon, but I wanted to actually run the 5k so it can cancel out some of the negative effects of the bacon. so per a friend's suggestion and because of all of the 5 star reviews, I decided to check this place out since I wanted to make sure I got a good shoe that would help me avoid any leg problems. I walked into this store not knowing what to expect, but I thought I was going to be paying out the nose for a pair of running shoes. Everyone greeted me immediately when I entered the store and Kathy helped me out picking out a pair of running shoes. I told her about my shin splints and that my feet are a bit irregular and regular shoes don't fit me so well. this was not a problem for her. she spent a good amount of time trying to find a shoe that would fit my feet properly and support my legs. she'd analyze the way I'd walk in them and even took me outside and watched me run to make sure that they were the right shoes for me. she even let me go run for a bit to try out a few different pairs of shoes to see if they felt good. so after about 45 min of trying on shoes and taking them for short runs, Kathy finally found the shoes that fit right and felt good running. I was expecting to be shell shocked on the price of the shoes, since at no time did we discuss price while we were trying on shoes. I thought I would be spending $150+... ok, so in the end I did spend $150+, but the shoes itself were $110, and then since my feet are somewhat odd, I needed to buy inserts also, and they were $50. Kathy tried to find me shoes without inserts, but what worked and felt the best were a pair of Brooks with inserts. since she wasn't able to find a shoe for me without inserts, she gave me 10% off, which was awesome! the customer service and expertise on running here was awesome, prices aren't too bad either and this is a place I'd highly recommend to any newbie and experienced runner. read more

"Go to a specialty store!" I got into running 4 years ago and kept reading articles about where to buy my shoes and the line above stated where I should have been buying my shoes the whole time. At Runner's High 'n Tri, not only is the staff friendly and helpful, they are very knowledgeable and they encourage you to test your running shoes. I should have listened to the advice from all those running shoe articles from the get go because when I did most of my running shoe mess ups were rectified by a little friendly, personalized service at Runner's High 'n Tri. See you all on the pavement. read more

I have been running a long time and have tried a bunch of different running stores across Chicagoland. There are none that are as good as this store. I've been coming here exclusively for years now and they have always went above and beyond to listen to my concerns at the time and help me work around some of the recurring running injury issues I've developed in the past (probably as a result of poorly recommended shoes from other stores). Actually, they even recently got this really sweet measurement station that helps them make better recommendations. I feel their prices are in line with other similar running stores - good shoes aren't cheap. That said, I'm sure anyone that has had to throw away race registration fees because of injuries would have much rather spent $20 more on properly fitted shoes to avoid the injury in the first place (as I can attest to). read more

Came in and told the lady what my goal was and what issues I have with my current running shoes (purchased on my own off shelf at sporting store). She grabbed me a pair of mens shoes and they fit perfect. I did try on an additional pair but the first one she grabbed was the winner. Turns out mens shoes work better for my big feet. Ran this morning and my feet didn't ache like they usually do. Very happy with the purchase will definitely return. read more

I managed to shrink both of my compression sleeves so I needed to pick up new ones while I was on the road. After a couple of unsuccessful stops at other stores I found Runners High 'n Tri. I'm very glad I did. The store doesn't have the largest selection of gear I've seen (thus the missing star), but the staff is just fantastic. Friendly, knowledgeable, and they all clearly love working there. And the prices were very reasonable for a specialty running store. read more

One of the hardest things about triathlon training is staying on a swim training schedule while on business travel. Not only did I forget my goggles and suit this time, but had no idea where to find a training pool around Schaumburg. The children working at a huge big box sporting goods store were no help. Plus, their google selection was, shall I say, decimated. I found Runner's High 'n Tri on Yelp and figured they would be just what I needed. Not only did they help me find not one but two nearby pools but put me in a new pair of Kaimans. I wanted to spend more time perusing all their accessories like lighted reflective wristbands but self control prevailed. In summary, cool shop, great service, would definitely recommend! read more

My favorite running store, hands down! The staff (especially owners Mark and Pom) are so friendly and helpful, and always recognize me and ask what race I am training for. Visiting the store feels like visiting my family! I frequent this store for everything - running shoes, accessories, nutrition, laundry detergent, you name it! The store is well laid out - they have plenty of the standard products, as well as the latest in running clothes (very fashionable! Wish I could afford everything here!). Additionally, the store provides information on training clinics, and offers weekly Tuesday night runs (and Monday night women's wine runs in the summer)! I've only taken advantage of these runs a few times, but it's nice knowing there will be a group of people to run with, no matter what. I plan on starting triathlons next summer, and know this will be the store where I shop and get advice on tri gear. read more

Great customer service. Very friendly and patient to ensure you get exactly what your foot needs. Also didn't break the bank!

I came in to visit my Grams last weekend and wanted to continue my training for a half marathon in a couple of weeks. I immediately felt warm upon entering the store with a family owned feel. I spoke with one of the owners about some new running shoes and received excellent customer service and attention. The owners really have a love for running and fitness and it shows in their customer service and knowledge of the merchandise. 17 Ironman finishes from one of the owners....WOW! I am new to the sport and am seeking to do a sprint triathlon in April. I just finished my first trail Ragnar last month and am really excited to continue moving forward. The training advice that I received along with the merchandise was priceless! How often do you get to pick the brain of someone that has so much experience with the sport? I asked for some deals on triathlon biking/swimming shorts and received a pair for half off! After purchasing some Nike Pegasus shows I went on Amazon to find them only 5 dollars less which is quite amazing for a small business. Great find and I would recommend this store to anyone I know! read more