Bows and Arrows

Great spot! They always have a wide selection of sneakers and the staff is hella cool. I used to get kicks there all the time now usually just go in there and lurk but the staff is still friendly. Definately one of the better spots in the bay as I’ve copped some great kicks there over the years.

All the shoes here are of quality look and feel; only place I’ve found so far that sells Converse CT IIs, and at sale price too. Only downside is their limited inventory for some styles, but honestly a gem that I stop by every-​time I pass.

As a sneakerhead who used to collect Jordans and Nike SB Dunks back in high school, I was delighted to find this sneaker boutique very close to campus my freshman year. From my experience, to find a place that sells quickstrike Jordans/​Nikes, Vans CA, and other exclusive is very rare. In fact, I have driven from San Diego to Los Angeles to buy shoes. However, this place is only 10 or so minutes away walking from my place.
My first purchases here was a pair of Vans California Authentic, which is the only type of Vans I buy by the way, in green with bird prints. To this date, these shoes were one of my favorites of all times. Since then, I always stop by here when I am walking on Telegraph for one reason or another. The people there are always welcoming and helpful. Several times through the years, I came in, looked at some shoes, and contemplated about purchasing one. However, I’ve retired from the sneaker game and now mostly wear white leather or canvas Converse Purcell’s, which they do carry but not my size. Once Vans decides to release some nice Vans CA Authentic shoes again, I will definitely be here to buy a pair.

I’ve been a fan of this store’s online shop for a few years so while I was in Berkeley, I had to stop by and see it in person — the shop is decent sized but features clean displays and the most recent shoes from nike, new balance etc. They also had a bunch of Reigning Champ sweats, which I appreciate. Overall chill shop, stop by if youre around!

Super knowledgable staff – this is probably the dopest clothing boutique in berkeley.

This place is awesome! The staff is always inviting and friendly. Killer sales that they roll out every month it seems too. They just recently renovated including dope street brand clothes to add to their repertoire. I recommend this place if you’re looking for the latest and greatest in sneaker culture.

Friendly staff and quick phone orders. Parking may be difficult on weekends, but there are parking garages 1 – 2 blocks away.

My favorite shoe store hands down. Really nice shoes from brands such as Nike, Adidas, Jordans, Vans, ect. These are not your regular shoes you will find at a Foot Locker or Shiek. Shoes here have a lot of personality and quality. Definitely the place to find shoes that come out with collaborations. I ALWAYS leave happy. Staff is young & have lots of knowledge on the shoes they sell. I heard they just had some renovations at the store. I have not yet went but i can guarantee you its Awesome. Definitely a place to visit if you’re looking for something different. Best shoe store for sure.

The collection of shoes is pretty small, but it works. I love the raffles they hold every so often to get limited releases.
What impresses me is that they are on top of things on social media. I am always informed of their new releases — being an independent store isn’t easy and I commend them for their effort.
If you don’t care about the social media aspect, remove one star from this review. I can imagine the small selection being a turn-​off for some people, but the excellent service regarding limited releases is enough for me to bump it up one star.

Popped in here on a whim, the place is legit. Very nice selection, definitely in the privet side of things. Didn’t find anything I warned but appreciated the selection. They were having a 50% off sale, though I heard someone say they were going under. Dunno, will be back if they’re not.

How does this place stay in business?! The selection in minimal to say the least. The employee are pretty busy talking to friends. So you are likely to enter and leave unnoticed.

well, it’s a nice store. the few sneakers they have are nice. but the selection??! i’d call it the anti-​selection. they hardly have anything there! and honestly, even though the sneakers they did have were just fine, they weren’t that awesome.
i walked in all ready to buy a pair of shoes and walked out with nothing. but you know what? that’s ok. i spent $ 60 on that incredible socks shop right next door. D’OH!

I’m originally from the bay but live in San Diego now. Whenever I’m in town this place is always a must stop spot! On my recent trip, Crystal (sorry I probably slaughtered how your name is spelled) went above and beyond helping out my friend and I with some shoes. The rest of the staff is always helpful and knowledgable. If you go anywhere for shoes, you gotta hit up this place first!

Dope spot for some limited and QS Nike kicks. Cool people always friendly and helpful my go to spot when I am trying to find a New Balance or a Nike.

My favorite place to go for kicks in the east bay. Staff hella chill and helpful.

shoe selection fairly small — unable to find anything we were looking for. no adidas — some nice nikes on display. For me, i would rather buy online but the selection of backpacks is pretty fly. I might be back for the rucksack

At the very least, Bows and Arrows is worth a browse. I’m not much of a sneakerhead myself, I live in Docs and platforms, but I’ve come here to buy a few pairs over the years to give as gifts. Their selection for men is far superior to the women’s but they seem to always have new inventory. It would be a crime to go to Telegraph and just pass by.
The shop is small, very clean, and has a lot of natural light. The sneakers are on display like any high end boutique, spread out and organized in a way that could make any obsessive compulsive smile. They carry Vans, Nike, Adidas, Converse, Reebok, Asics, and more. It’s not just a sea of plain classics, they showcase trendier, fresh from the factory pairs that make a great addition to any shoe collection. They stock plenty of styles to suit a range of personalities but they certainly cater most to skateboard enthusiasts and the urban fashion conscious. I’d say that the buyer has pretty good taste.
The prices are completely within reason and I think it’s much nicer to make a purchase from an local independent shop but the customer service can be hit or miss. Sometimes, it’s proper but other times, I’d be lucky to even get a hello. I guess they’re not hard up for customers.
I’ll definitely keep them in mind for the rapidly approaching holiday season.

Bows and Arrows is where to go when you need some kicks that could be hard to find. I have been obsessing over the Flyknit Chukkas at Bows and Arrows… and they’ve always gotten to me. I have been ordering shoes from Cameron, an employee at the store and he has ALWAYS hooked me up. I’ve always gotten great service from him, and the others there. The only thing that sucks is I’m all the way across the country in Connecticut… I I haven’t had a chance to visit the store, which I hope to one day get out there.
Funny enough, I JUST got a pair of shoes from them today, maybe a half hour ago. These shoes actually were lost in transit because the UPS driver missed the scan. so I had no idea if they were going to get here or not. Luckily, Cameron kept an eye on this and called me to give me updates and what he has found out and BOOM. They came the exact day he said they would. I appreciate all Cameron has done for me and everything the store has offered me. They friendly people at Bows and Arrows and I don’t think I’ll stop buying my Flyknits from Bows and Arrows (even though I’m a 90min train ride from NYC). Bows and Arrows is the place to get sick kicks.
Disclaimer (I’m not related/​affiliated with the other Robert M. who wrote a review)

Great friendly service and some sleepers (shoes) can be found in this hipster boutique.
For my four years at Cal, I’ve been shopping at Bows and Arrows for the go to spot for trendy, modern footgear. Not to mention, I’m a shoe head and I manage to find dope kicks at this venue.
Furthermore, I just found out that this store now has a Jordan account meaning they sell Js. I bought the Olympic 6s, Uptempo air and barkleys here. This compelled me to write an even more positive review! Good stuff fellas! Keep up the good work.
Will be using this store as my destination for Js and my ever growing show collection.

I feel like the selection /​style at Bows & Arrows has changed over the past few years. It’s definitely more guys shoes than girls, and the girls selection has been pretty weak lately. I bought a pair of Nikes here in 06 that I loveeeee, but since then I keep coming back but can’t find anything special.
The guys working there are super nice and they usually carry my size or offer to order it if they don’t (I wear women’s 5.5). But, the shoes just aren’t my style anymore… there’s a lot of canvas in there, and one pair of Keds is enough for me.