Born To Run

The woman who owns this store is rude and arrogant. While I believe she is very knowledgeable about running, she has no people skills whatsoever. I am not knowledgeable about running which I told her when I entered the store. She diagnosed my run/​walk and told me I needed a certain type of shoe. I did not care for the very limited styles of shoes that she presented me with and when I asked if a shoe on the wall would work for the type of run she claimed I had she replied «Sure if you want to cripple yourself…» She also tries to sells with fear. I explained to her I just need shoes for occasional walks or to walk around the city in she responded that if I didn’t chose the shoes she recommended that I would get all of these crazy ailments and injure myself. It was insane. I’ve walked miles around Philadelphia in flip flops before I’m pretty sure I won’t need hours of physical therapy or end up a cripple because I bought the wrong type of sneaker. I am positive she is very qualified in finding the right type of shoe for experienced runners but I felt that she was being condescending, rude and obnoxious. She ended our conversation by saying «Well, we are a store, we can sell you whatever you want, but it’s on you then if they don’t work out» and then she handed me off to another gentleman (who was really nice) because I guess she was tired of talking to me? Needless to say I won’t be coming back here.

Love this place for gym shoes. The Owner Is Very Friendly and I always have stellar customer service.

My aunt recommended this place to me.
I’ve become more serious with my running and have not found a perfect fit, my right foot would cramp up and i would have to stop running. Hilary listened to my concerns analyzed my run, and foot, and returned with 2 pairs. the first pair I tried on felt like heaven and was 2E turns out I needed a wider shoe. while here I picked up 2 sports bras; they are very supportive, comfortable, and bounce free. Hilary said if there was any problems with my shoes to come back and she would get me in the right pair. I love my new shoes and am so glad I found this place! I will recommend them to my running friends!

I’ve been distance running since I was in 7^th grade (I’m 26 now), including multiple marathons and half marathons. I say this not to brag, but just to make note that I am not a complete running novice. I’ve been through a few pairs of running shoes in my day.
I’d never been to Born to Run before, but a family member gave me a gift card for Christmas, so hey, why not get professionally fitted for my next pair of shoes?
I have NEVER IN MY LIFE had such a miserable pair of running shoes. Literally crap, to the point that they were causing me to stop multiple times during my run to adjust them. Listen, I’m not judging you if you have stop to walk during your runs, but it should be due to your own physical limitations, not because your shoes are so bad that you have to stop.
One of my favorite things about running is that you really don’t need anything but a good pair of shoes. No teammates, no playing field, no real equipment to speak of, except a pair of shoes. This specialty store that focuses on RUNNING SHOES couldn’t get it right. Horribly, frustrating. If only I were made of money and could afford to just buy a new pair of shoes immediately to replace the pair Born to Run sold to me, but shoes are expensive.
As an aside, don’t go to this store expecting to talk about your own running experiences at all. The woman who owns the store seemed incredibly full of herself. She asked, «What kind of running do you do?» at the beginning of our appointment to gauge what kind of shoes I would need, and as I was answering, «Well, I’m a distance runner, I just completed a marath – » «OH! WELL I’VE RUN 12 923 901 892 383 MARATHONS. HERE, LOOK AT MY POSTERS FROM THOSE RACES. HERE, LOOK AT ALL THESE DISTANCES I’VE RUN. HERE, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS I’VE RUN.» We proceeded down this path for the duration of the shopping trip.

I’m not sure what Laurie B. was looking to get out of her «gait analysis» but a real solid running professional doesn’t need dings and whistles to distinguish what kind of gait you have. If you don’t know what you are, simply open your mouth and ask. Many times, store associates don’t know themselves to that which they speak and if you aren’t educated half the time, they tell you something and you won’t understand it anyways.
The store is well stocked, has a lot of great shoe options. They do a really nice job of taking care of the customer and Rob at the Lafayette Hill store is also a pleasure to work with. If you need something they can order it for you. Will continue to patronize Born to Run!

I am a new runner and was looking forward to the experience of getting fitted for a pair of running shoes. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The woman didn’t ask anything about my running, how far, miles per week, paved or trail, or how long I’ve been running. My gait analysis consisted of me running from the back of the store to the front while she watched. I still don’t know if I pronated, supinate or if I am neutral. She sized me by pressing her finger against the shoe to see where my toes where. Then she just brought out a bunch of shoes in my size and had me try them on. Now, granted, the staff definitely has a lot of experience and maybe that’s all she needed to do to direct me to the right shoe, but I felt cheated out of the experience my friends have gotten at different stores. It didn’t help that I did not have the woman’s undivided attention either as she kept talking to a coworker while she was helping me. So, I have run in my new shoes one time, they seem fine, but I could have gotten the same result ordering from Zappos.

So, I must confess my laziness. Because I didn’t want to bother driving 1 more mile south Bethlehem Pike I started buying my running shoes at the «other» running store on 309. Not a bad place if you know exactly what you need.
Last week I decided that I needed a new pair of running shoes but instead of going to the closer one I went back to the tried-​and-​true Born to Run store in Spring House. After confessing my sin, and after being kindly eschewed for being the first customer to dump Born To Run to that «other» store, I was fitted with my new pair. I even got a lesson on how to do a butterfly knot to increase the space on the toebox.
No reason to go the rest when you can go to the best.
Never again. Now, time for a run.

I’ve been buying shoes here for years. The staff is knowledgeable. I’d recommend it to anyone who is looking for the right shoe, not just picking a shoe based on the pretty colors.