Wow. In a world where we've gotten so used to "guessing" at online shopping, how utterly refreshing it feels to go into a store where someone has so much knowledge about the product you are hoping to buy and is so excited to assist you in the process. I have come to running later in life--41 years old...and never EVER did I think this would be something I enjoyed. Well here we are. I run 2-3 miles a day in the same pair of beat up hiking (!!) shoes I've owned since my late 20s. My knees hurts. My back hurts. And I needed help buying something that would absorb the shock of running on pavement day after day. I was timid walking into the store, as I know absolutely nothing about running except that I've been doing it (poorly) for months. Rubin immediately made me feel comfortable and supported and was so willing to engage in lengthy conversation about what my exact needs were. Thank you so much Rubin and to all of you at Transports for being a real pillar of the community. I'm thrilled with my purchases and can't wait to report back about my progress as a "runner" ;). read more

I purchased ASICS running shoes here. The store person took care of me very much. He brought some shoes and I tried all 3 types. The store has running machine so I put each shoes to try. It was very good. I was surprised that the store has ASICS Kayano series which is my favorite one. Finally, I got the one. Thanks for your help! read more

Great local business! I came here to buy a pair of walking shoes for recovery from an injury. I needed a pair of wide toe shoes that has good cushion and arch support. Ruben spent a lot of time listening to what I was looking for and also asked about my injury. He's very personable and compassionate and even shared his mom's injury recovery experience with me. He's super knowledgeable about foot health as he's also a massage therapist by training. He decided to learn massage therapy to help with his mom's recovery. He gave me lots of great tips and recommended insoles and two pair of shoes that feel very comfortable. Unfortunately I have tiny feet and wear kids size 2.5 which the store doesn't carry. I couldn't place an order through the store either because my size could only be ordered online. Sadly this is what corporate greed does to local small businesses. If you want a personalized experience picking out a new pair of athletic shoes, definitely give Transports a try! Ask for Ruben, you'll be in good hands! read more

I love this shoe store. They have an excellent selection of high quality, comfortable shoes!

This place has been around forever and I hope it stays around. Getting to try a bunch of different brands and walk in them rather than waste my time choosing shoes online to find out they don't fit is bummer so I am thankful for this place. Very kind workers here and I never feel like theyre pressuring me to buy anything. I feel that they really care and it makes happy to support local. read more

Ever since Transport left Solano Ave I've been kind of stuck when it came to new athletic shoes. I have a narrow width and have had tightness and pain from my calves to my lower back that has been exacerbated my running shoes. I tried ordering Hoka online on a recommendation and was unhappy. I bought and returned a pair of New Balance from a well regarded running store in NYC. So when I got back to Berkeley I went out of my way to go to the College Ave location. And I'm so glad I did. As others have said, the sales folks are super knowledgeable and took time to understand my issues and preferences. They figured I needed a zero drop shoe with a bit of cushioning. And they were dead on. I bought a pair of Altra Torin and my feet--and legs feel great. Thanks so much to the staff for their knowledge and curiosity. It's so important that we support our local businesses so we can get quality, personalized service. read more

I am so excited to be able to start running again, but I wanted to be certain I had the right shoes. I received great service, which meant the guy helping me knew everything about all the shoes, was patient with me while I tried on 6 pairs and ran up and down the block with me, explained the return/exchange rules of the store, and made sure I was happy with my selection. Zappos is more convenient, but you may not get the right shoes! I highly recommend this store. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES read more

The staff (Brian) and service here were great. I had my walking gait checked, Brian selected a few options (starting with a pair on sale), and after cycling through and testing about half a dozen pairs, walked out with a great fit and comfortable running shoes. There was NO upsell, and no attempt to push me into buying more gear or things like insoles. It's not the biggest shop, and I wish there were more running apparel options there, but for shoes and basic gear, this place is great. read more

I used to be a runner in high school and college. Then I grew a dad bod and the journey ended. Well a quarter of a century later I am back losing the dad bod and moderately moving into middle age. So I walk into the store and the shoe whisperer guesses my size, width and arch While I Had Shoes On!!!! I chose the Brooks Adrenalin 22 and now 3 days later I can sing,"I'm in love with a new management!!!!" Great job read more

Lured in by my team's discount (yay for a business supporting local teams!), I didn't know what to expect going into Transports. It's definitely not a massive Sports Basement or Dick's and I usually like to get my sporting goods at mega stores to ensure lots of options. I was happy to find that although smallish, Transports is awesome at what they do! They specialize in running and swimming, and as pertains to these two sports, there is no shortage of variety. I was even worried I'd get a little lost looking at the wall of shoes, but I was promptly approached by their super friendly staff and offered help. The guy who helped me out was crazy knowledgable and didn't flinch at my thousand questions. He patiently helped me try out at least six or seven shoes over the course of nearly an hour and helped me find a great shoe. I can tell it's a great shoe because they have a treadmill where you can try out the shoes and see how they work with your stride. This was super helpful! He even recorded me so we could analyze my stride together. I've never been treated to this kind of attention to detail buying running shoes before. Although they made sure my shoes were great for me before I left, their return policy was a comfort as I left the store. You can return in new condition (i.e. not worn outside, maybe a treadmill workout or two) with receipts within 30 days for a refund. If you wanna take em for a spin outside, you can still exchange within 30 days with receipt. Won't be back to the store to return my awesome new shoes anytime soon, but I'll be back in about six months when I need a new pair. You can't beat the customer service - and supporting a local small business feels great! read more

This is a great store to have in the neighborhood. I drop by for all my swim equipment which tends to wear out-- masks, snorkels, goggles, ear plugs. They have good swim suits for women. The people who work there are really nice, helpful and smart. You can ask them about your shoe issues and they will help you find shoes that fit you and feel good. Glad they open near me. read more

Good store. Knowledgeable people. Able to help you choose a shoe. Locally owned. Khdkgetekvchmcbchditskgxjgsljfmhc N. Vnckufkyfmhckydkhchmdjydchm. Nchkxjgdtud CX ngdhkfkufljfludkhflhfkhflnv. No khchditdlhfitdkhchlfkhdkydkhdkydkydiyydkgdkydkhfkydiydikhdkydkhdkhckhfkhxkhchkfkhfkhf read more

I was in the middle of a 10-mile run and my beloved (and beat and years-old) pink Nikes split right across the front. I checked Yelp for running shoe stores in the area, and Transports popped up! After walking in and checking out their selection, I decided to come back after going home and showering. First off, I'm really glad to be supporting a local woman-owned business! While Sports Basement and Big 5 and Dick's may have much larger selections of items, the service you get at Transports is truly incredible. As someone who runs 25 miles a week, I was ready to make the investment into great running shoes and wanted long-time runners' expertise. They do gait analysis and have a treadmill if you want to test your new shoes or if they need to further analyze how you run. All of the employees here that I met were super friendly and knowledgeable, and I was NEVER pressured to buy anything - this is a huge point in specialty running shoe places. They also have socks here for you to try on. The employee who helped me brought out at least six different pairs of shoes and gave me advice as I tried shoes on for 20-30 min. I was also encouraged to go test them outside! I ended up buying a long-coveted pair of Brooks Ghost 11s and even got a 10% discount for signing up for their membership program via email. I'll definitely be coming back in the future when I need more running gear! read more

Very knowledgeable friendly and helpful. I will be back for sure. Prices right on market btw but again given superior service all good.

Took Stretch(XC/mid distance)here this afternoon. He has successfully run in Brooks for the last year but found he had tender tootsies while running in Colorado for the last 5 weeks. Our sales guy listened to him and had him in HOKAS, which he found to be cush(worth a try) after running down the sidewalk. He also got us to change socks. He then went onto helping my boy find a new pair of racing flats. Everyone there was getting attentive service from the casual walker lady with bunions to the hipster aged runner. Clearly they all know their product and understand the sport. We got the high school ten percent off which sweetened the deal. read more

Transports - Trying on some HOKAS - Shoe Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

I am a big Transports fan. The people who work here will spend as much time with you as you need in order to find the perfect sneaker for your perfect activity. Even better, they helped me find a shoe that's great for hiking, running on trails, AND jogging on pavement, and they're not awful-looking. I can even wear them for everyday walking (huzzah!). If you jump on the in-store treadmill, they'll do a video assessment of your form, which takes it to a whole 'nother level. They also sell swim caps, bathing suits, goggles, running shorts, windbreakers and red velour track suits (the last one is a lie). The clothing isn't cheap, though. If you sign up for their Loyalty Club, you get 10% off and they can tell you when you purchased your last pair of kicks (not a lie). By the by, if anyone can PLEASE explain to me why women's sneakers are all hideous shades of fuchsia/mint/purple/electric blue, please message me. read more

This is where I go when no one - and I mean NO ONE - has the shoes I'm looking for. Back when Vibram toe shoes were first made and nobody knew what they were, I got mine here. When I wanted an Inov-8 model that no one - including them - carried, they ordered it for me. I've shown up several times close to closing, but the workers still help me like they have all the time in the world. Worth the trip across the Bay from SF. (Incidentally, that's why I'm always running up when they're about to shut the doors.) read more

Transports - Shoe Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

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My husband needed some new running shoes since his were on their way out. Found this place after Yelpers recommended them for their customer service. They were right. One of the sales associates helped Ryan in bringing out some shoes after observing his run in the store. She was incredibly helpful and patient. I noticed that the other sales associates took their time in helping other customers. The great thing about Transport is that they collect used sneakers for recycling. Now that's a business I can get on board with. read more

In terms of a neighborhood sporting goods store, Transports is like a Fleet Feet of the East Bay. Specializing in running and swim gear, it would seem like a go-to place for that upcoming triathalon (in a "kill two birds with one stone" sense). Being a small store, their selection of apparel are hit or miss; the sales are excellent if you can score the right size. Their shoe selection is a lot better, particularly their trail runners. To top it off, the sales staff is great--extremely friendly, cute (!), willing to help, and best of all, they know what they're talking about. If customer service is a lost art, it certainly isn't missing here. read more

Transports - from transportsrunswim.com - Shoe Stores Near Me - Oakland, California

Transports is one of the few places I've reviewed that truly deserves more than 5 stars. I bought a pair of Asics Evolutions from them a month ago, and after running 50 miles or so with them they were causing my big toe to hurt very badly -- to the point where the shoes were unusable. Unfortunately, there was really no way of knowing the shoes would cause trouble without running with them for a decent length of time. In addition, since we no longer had the receipt or box, I figured I was stuck with an expensive pair of running shoes that didn't work for me at all. My wife and I returned to Transports, hoping they could at least help me make my shoes usable in some way. Two of their staff (unfortunately I don't remember their names, but good luck at Brown and on your marathon, respectively!) watched me jog down the street in my Asics and several other pairs of shoes and eventually talked to the store owner, who agreed to allow me to exchange the Asics for a pair of Brooks Beasts at no extra cost. Unbelievable! This was pretty amazing, considering how the Asics were slightly worn and consequently not in resellable condition (not to mention that we didn't have a receipt or box to go with them). The Brooks Beasts have cured the trouble with my big toe, and the whole incident has made us huge fans of Transports and their owner and staff. They have a very nice selection of running gear, and I've purchased several running jerseys and shorts and a running belt from them as well. Their prices are reasonable, and most importantly their staff is extremely patient, friendly, and knowledgable about all sorts of sports equipment and gear. This is an excellent store for all skill levels of athletes -- from novice to elite. read more

We visited Transports to buy my 7 year old daughter a swimsuit, goggles and swim cap for Swim Team and the staff was incredibly helpful, assisted in picking out the perfect gear, had great tips, were very encouraging to our young athlete, and gave us a 10% discount! They also have an incredible selection of running shoes and socks and a different sales person fitted me with the perfect pair. Extra Bonus - they were playing very good music - Snoop Dog "Gin & Juice" :) We highly recommend this store and will be back! Thank you Transports! read more

Today I took my dad here because he has 50 year old running shoes that clearly need to be thrown away. We had the pleasure of meeting Melissa who was very helpful and informative about running and trail shoes which I was looking into to buy for my dad. As my dad told Melissa more about his back pain and numbness/ tingling in his right leg she helped find the shoe that would best fit his needs. She was also very friendly and helped my dad compare his old shoes to these new shoes and compare his old inserts with new ones and how different it feels. She also examined the way he walked and noticed details that he puts more pressure on his big toe and rotates his foot outward to avoid pressure on his back to prevent back pain. She also let my dad run up and down the street to make sure they felt right on concrete. I highly recommend coming here! I myself have been here before and now with the correct shoe I don't have anymore left hip pain which I had been suffering from for over 10 years! read more

Great selection of shoes and helpful staff. Their prices are competitive with online shops and they have a 10% discount if you sign up for their emails. They will also special order sizes they don't have in stock/carry. They also have swim gear, some small size clothing, various braces and supports, socks, etc. read more

Service and selection is awesome. Walked in needing new running shoes and walked out with the perfect pair for my tired feet... Had previously had bad experience buying running shoes, this.plaxe made the process very easy.. I'm extremely happy... read more

If you're a serious runner and like to support local business, then this is the place for you. The staff is knowledgable and helpful and they have an excellent selection of running shoes (I've never had them videotape me run as other people have said, so I will take full advantage of that next time I'm there!). What I really appreciate about this store is the way that they are part of the community. *Tip: They have a weekly trail run every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. If you sign up for their weekly newsletter, you will receive a notification if there are any changes. Their runs get you out and about exploring Rockridge, chatting with others in the neighborhood, and getting to better know the staff. read more

This review is based on customer service. My husband and I came stopped by to check out the running shoes and accessories. None of the staff greeted us to say hello or someone will be with you. Frankly they ignored us. Perhaps we did not fit into thier idea of a customer. Perhaps management needs to teach basic customer service skills. Great running accessories but limited shoe selection. read more

The Caveman has big feet. And when a man has big feet, it often means - Darin! Stop hijacking my review! Now... where was I? Oh, yes - when your Caveman wears a size 14 shoe, it's often very difficult to find shoes in his size, right off the rack at most stores. On occasion, we'll luck out, or have to wait for the store to "special order" a style, just so he can try them on. It can be daunting, not to mention, inconvenient. The other thing is: The Caveman likes to run. He goes through shoes quickly and when you're a distance runner, your feet swell, because of the pressure. The man regularly runs across the bridge, into Alameda, to the Blockbuster on Shoreline Drive... to return/exchange DVD's. I think he's a little Forest Gumpy that way. I'm not a runner. I would be perfectly happy if I could travel everywhere, borne aloft by a shimmering cloud of perfection that would prevent my stilettos from getting scuffed or dinged. But if I WERE going to be a runner, I would definitely spend my money at TranSports. The Caveman had run from our loft (near Jack London Square) up to this store... put a pair of size 14 Nike Free running shoes [that they had in stock!] on hold, and ran back home. We went to the store the next day, to purchase them. Bev was extremely helpful, good natured, and has the enviable body of a runner. Note to self: do more pilates and eat less truffled cheese - at least for the next two weeks. In fact, all of the staff here are athletes who know the product lines, because they train with them. The selection is extensive and well edited for a variety of sports; Caveman says they also send out a weekly email for informal training meet ups, if you want to run with a group or condition for a triathlon. This is a wonderful place to shop local and to avoid the mall-mentality! read more

I came to Transports because I was looking for a new pair of running shoes. I saw they had great Yelp reviews and had been recommended by someone I know who runs marathons, so far so good. I walked in at 3:00 on a Sunday and they were packed with a few families getting service. I stood around for a minute before someone told me they would get to me as soon as they were done with a customer. Again, not an issue I understand they were busy. The clog of people cleared up in not more than five minutes and I got some personalized attention. First the lady had me walk back and forth and looked at my ankles. Second, we walked over to the shoes and talked about what she saw (I pronate) and which shoes she would recommend. She was very thorough with the technical explanation of the shoes. Third, she picked out some shoes for me, I tried them on and I ran on the treadmill. I tried every pair out on the treadmill and got myself taped except the one pair that felt bad at the start. By getting myself taped I mean they video tape you when you run. You can see how your feet and ankles react in each pair of shoes. Also, you can get a side by side comparison of two pairs of shoes. I felt like I had a solid pair of shoes that will meet (and hopefully exceed) my needs. The last pair of shoes I had were a pair of Nike brand that don't quite fit right..they have a tendency to slip off at the heel when I run too much. Yes, it's my own fault for buying something that didn't fit but that is what you get at a place where you just poke through the shoes yourself. I had gone to a place like this before in NY and I will say going to a pair of well fitting shoes from a so-so pair is a big difference. You may not think paying $100 for your shoes is worth it, but try it once and you too may be won over with how much better it feels. read more

So I just got back from Transports and I was very satisfied by the service, running analysis and overall sale. Amy helped my out by first determining that I had flat arches and underpronation. This was done by both walking and jogging on the treadmill. Then she brought out a selection of shoes and recommended that I jog in each to really see which one I liked best. She also made sure to check that each shoe she brought out fit my feet well in both general size and width. I finally settled on the Nike Pegasus+ 30 because it had the best shock absorption and I'm on the heavier side. Overall the process took about 30 minutes and we went through about 4-5 shoes. The service felt more like I was being consulted to rather than being sold on. My final price was 3 bucks less than what I would have paid at Amazon before shipping costs are factored in. Which means I saved money and I got the ideal shoes for my feet. I'd highly recommend Transports to people who want to find the best type of running shoes for their feet and are willing to spend 30 minutes being consulted to. read more

If you are serious about getting the right shoes for your feet or are training for a race, this is the place to go to get your goods. They know their shit and they will let you take the shoes out for a run around the block. After all, if you're planning on logging hundreds of miles on those suckers, you better be sure that they are comfy!! I was pleasantly surprised because I am size 5.5 and have wide feet, which usually means very limited selection in most places. But at Transports, the staff helping me was still able to pull like 6 pairs of shoes for me to try on, all with the appropriate type of arch support for my foot. My shoes were about $100, which I think is pretty standard for some good running shoes. Definitely worth it. read more

Save time and go here if you live in the East Bay and need running shoes. I had a great experience with the sales and customer service. Their prices are competitive, lots of shoes to choose from, and they have lots of good running/exercise gear and apparel. I go here over See Jane Run. More selection and better prices, less pretension. read more

I really appreciated the customer service here. I went in to purchase new running shoes and there was someone there to help me right away. The person fitted me with some shoes and made sure I had the perfect pair for my specific needs. Thank you!!! read more

I love this store and have been buying my running shoes here for years. They really know their stuff, they're friendly, and they have a great selection. They're going above and beyond during Covid, even personally delivering a pair of shoes to my house (!!) because I wasn't able to get to the store in person. Their prices are competitive as well, especially if you join their loyalty program. No reason to get your shoes anywhere else. read more

This is a shoe store for people who want function out of their shoe first and foremost. Up until recently, Magdalena Lewy Boulet worked here, she's on the U.S. Olympic marathon team--she's fast and has great advice. That marathon I ran a few years ago that I still brag about? Magdalena just ran 5 of them this week and it's Wednesday before lunch. No joking. When you walk in, you'll see a wall of shoes, don't be intimidated or get your hopes up on any particular fashionable style. These folks are here to get you fitted and what fits you well may end up being 3 of the 100s on the wall. That's my experience at least. There's a treadmill at the window so you can have your step examined for pronation or if you just want to go on a trial run. You can also go for a run around the neighborhood. (As long as you don't walk in barefoot, looking like you haven't had foot coverings since you lost the pair you borrowed from the bowling alley). If they don't have your size, they will order it and it will usually arrive in the same week; something I do because not many other people have flapjack shaped feet like I do. There's a camcorder hooked up to a laptop to review your running on the treadmill. I've used it but I think the expert advice from watching me step forward and back on my shoeless foot is faster and provides the same info from the staff. It is fun to see your own feet from behind though. There is also a good selection of swimming gear, but that's not my area of expertise unless umbrella drinks are involved. It's a fairly small store, so what they carry tend to be proven, popular items. And what they do carry tends to be better than what I've found in larger stores. If you ask, and only if you ask, the store will save your purchase record so you don't have to remember what style shoe you wear when it's time for a replacement. read more

So thrilled! I started running and my knees weren't getting on the band wagon so a friend suggested that I get a good pair of running shoes. I had no idea how to go about it so she recommended this place... said they even check how you run. I was so very skeptical about the recommended big ass clown shoe/flat footed pair of shoes that Amy recommended but I took her word for it. I'm so sold. These shoes are magical and I'm running with less and less pain and more and more confidence. Thank you Amy. Thank you Transports! You guys rock! Oh! And I loved that I didn't feel as though she was trying to sell me the most expensive shoe. She really did seem to want to get me in to the best shoes for me. I said "I'm not really a runner" to which she replied "Everybody is a runner!" I like her attitude! read more

I used to like this place but they haven't adjusted their service well to the pandemic. It's confusing what the process is to shop there now. When I went there I saw a person outside. They had a shoebox so I guessed they had already bought their shoes and were waiting for someone who was inside. I nodded hello and they didn't say anything about a line. There's no sign on the front door or staff outside telling you to wait to be called so I foolishly started to open the door when the person outside barked at me "there's a line!". There was no info on how long the wait would be so I left. I called later to ask when it was less busy but they had no advice. Suggest going to a more organized store. read more

My dad owned a sporting goods store for a long time so when I'm in the market for some new gear I try to shop locally. Transports is owned by a family that lives in the area, and the care they have for their store shows in the customer service. The employees at Transports are always friendly and knowledgeable, especially when it comes to anything having to do with running. Every time I need to get a new pair of running shoes I shop at Transports. They are careful to figure out what shoe fits the best and works well for your running style (where you run, what your footstrike is, what type of injuries you're prone to, etc.). If they're out of a certain style or size, the employees are also very good at either calling over to the other store on Solano or offering to special order. Though you can probably get cheaper running/swimming gear at some clearance-type place (though the markup at TS is actually not that much higher), the service at Transports is unparalleled and you will leave with a better quality product that is more appropriate for your workout. read more

Came in looking for men's tennis shoes. Based on what I read in other reviews, they had some. On arrival it was clear this wasn't the case. They only offer cross-training shoes which you could use for tennis, but nothing dedicated to the sport. They were quick and helpful rather than having me poke around for 10-15 minutes to figure that out. read more

Absolutely love this store, the service and the selection. Don't be intimidated by high end sports stores or hear the crickets chirp in a discount warehouse sporting store. You'll find exactly what you need with real athletes that run, walk or swim in gear they sell. Sure, you can get a better bargain for the same item on the internet or another store but you can't get the same value from the staff's experience and expertise. Parking can be tough but once you find it, park for a while so you can spend the time trying on the large selections available in the store. You just might be lucky to have your gait analysis done by Olympian Magdalena Lewy Boulet, co-owner of Transport. read more

Why would you come here? 1. You're not patient enough to wait for Amazon's 2-day prime shipping. 2. Your wallet is overstuffed with money and you don't know what to do with your extra pennies and dimes. 3. You're in need of some stupendous knowledge about footwear, sockwear, swimwear, etc. 4. Nothing makes you smile harder than terrific customer service. 5. You enjoy supporting local mom and pop shops. read more