Here I am almost 20 years later - and 5 pairs of shoes from Fairhaven Runners & Walkers. I won't go anywhere else if I can help it. :) read more

My first visit and we were so happy with Emily's assistance. She was friendly, encouraging, supportive, knowledgeable. She watched my gait as I walked, learned of my primary needs in my shoes then found me the perfect pair! The space is cozy and packed with everything you could possibly need for your outdoor walking and running adventures. read more

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers - Shoe Stores Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Great service! The assistant was very helpful, immediately understood what I needed and made good recommendations. Very quick and efficient too. read more

I have been here/bought more than a few pairs of shoes over the past few years but this time, I had a gift certificate that I had been carrying around for a long time. I told Sierra (That was the name on the receipt, so she am assuming this is her name) that I was looking to replace my old Brooks shoes that I wore into the store. Quick and easy I thought. Well, not when you have five star customer service and the sales associate knows you better than you know yourself! Sierra brought out the same style/brand as I had requested but she also brought me a few others to make sure I had the absolute best fit. Truly it was not an easy decision as every shoe she brought me was above and beyond my expectations. I ended up with two pairs, thanks to a nudge from my husband. I encouraged my husband to try his luck, he wears an unusual size and for that reason, is very very limited. He also was extremely pleased with Sierra's knowledge and amazing attitude! She was in the back room awhile and my husband was sure she would not find his size. She came back with 3 pairs! He had a perfect fit with one pair and we purchased those as well. I just want to add, there was no pressure to purchase anything here, but such a pleasure to be assisted by someone so knowledgeable and truly caring and eager to help. read more

So happy to find this little shop in Fairhaven, and I don't know how I missed it. I had been looking for my trail running shoes for months, other stores were out of them. I stopped in on a Sunday, I was helped right away, and they had the exact pair of Brooks Cascadia running shoes I was looking for, along with a huge selection of other shoes and accessories. Great prices and very good customer service. Thank you, I'm now a fan! read more

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers are back open for business! They offer quality brand shoes, excellent service, and really know their stuff! I enjoyed getting fitted for a new pair on Kona's and appreciated Conner's help. I love supporting local businesses and Fairhaven Runners is a great store with truly awesome service and staff! Go check them out! read more

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers - Shoe Stores Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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I bought my running shoe at this store. I meet chase he is very helpful for what I am looking for, staff is very friendly too. my personal running shoe for day to day basis he help me to find what is the best for my foot since my foot it's been hurting while running. The service is great and lots of options I do recommend this shop.Thank you Fairhaven Runner. I can't wait until buy another one. read more

Once again I had a wonderful experience purchasing another pair of Brooks, of course with the amazing, Eric to assist. Keep up the great customer service! And Eric you Rock! read more

Following a complete wipeout during winter running, I decided that it was time to suck up and get advice from Fairhaven Runners & Walkers (FRW). Immediately upon entering the store, I was greeted and received assistance for identifying a new pair of road shoes. I explained what I was looking for and asked a few questions; received 3 different road shoes for trial within the store. I opted for my preferred brand, Altra. FRW has a little bit of everything that a runner or walker could need. It would be very easy to spend a large sum of money, high quality=high price point, but you get what you pay for. FRW does well to enforce masks and social distancing. Staff is super friendly and helpful. Tip: check in on Yelp to receive a local trail map. The map is pretty outdated and missing a few trails, but one can't complain when it's free. read more

My PT recommended I go here to get fitted following a back injury. Thank you so much, Brian, for your knowledge, patience and support in helping me to find the PERFECT shoe to help me recover. I never realized I had been wearing an entire size too small for years! I love my new walking shoes SO much, I almost want to sleep in them. The pink elastic laces make it possible for me to slip in to avoid stressing my back. These shoes, thanks to you, will help me heal and enjoy walking! Go straight to Fairhaven Runners, don't even consider buying online with the knowledge available to you here. read more

I keep coming back to this store because what makes it special is the personalized attention when getting fitted for shoes. During COVID I would much rather spend my money at small and local businesses in order to boost the economy, so I once again headed to F. R. Now, they won't even let you In to the store....but "you can try on shoes on that bench over there. Just don't steal them." Verbatim from a sales associate. They're doing the best they can in an unforgiving situation, but to me they've gone beyond the pale. What used to make this store a step above the rest now makes them just like any other online store. It's a travesty. read more

Today was my first visit to Fairhaven Runners. Connor helped me find a pair of shoes that was perfect for me, and he even brought out another color which was brighter and more fun because he thought I might prefer it to the color I'd originally chosen. He was right! Every employee was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Great experience! read more

I went in not knowing what I wanted. Torie was the wonderful person to help me. She brought me approximately 10 different pairs of shoes to try and after all of her effort, I ended up with the first shoe I tried. Thank you Torie for helping me to hopefully extend my walks for a healthier me. I appreciate you, your knowledge, your eagerness to help and your amazing customer service! I will certainly be back! read more

I will never understand why anyone would go to a big box store or a discount store when you can get such wonderful service and products at a local gem like this. I don't even live in this town, but I know from past experience that if you are going to buy running or walking shoes, you should visit a running store to get fitted for the right shoe. I was greeted by and attended to by Chad. He politely asked me questions to learn exactly what type of shoe I would need. He checked out my gait and running style to find out if I needed a special shoe to deal with pronation, measured my feet for size accuracy, and then recommended I try on three different companies' stability shoes. I was allowed to test each out with a run through the shop until I found one that worked best for me. Chad was a delight to work with. He engaged me in conversation the entire time and answered my many questions relating to the shoes, the running trails in the area and other trivia about Bellingham. I did a check-in with Yelp and received a free trail map (normally costs $5). Chad honored the deal and pointed out on the map where I could take my new shoe purchase out for a whirl that afternoon within walking distance of the store. I love this mom and pop store, and highly recommend visiting them and asking for Chad to get your next pair of shoes or running accessories. read more

This is one of my favorite stores in all of Bellingham (which says a lot, 'cuz if you look at all my reviews of BHam stores, most are 4-5 stars). My family and I have been here 5-6 times over the past few years, whenever we're in town. Most visits, we haven't purchased items but just browsed their wares, yet still the staff here (usually Thierry) took the time to answer our questions about walking, running, hiking gear, nutrition, local runs and hikes and hiking clubs, and yes, their product line (which is pretty awesome, for a smaller-scale store). Today we checked out the running shoes and my kid got a bunch of "Gu" packets. Cody was terrific, offering us a price match on bulk Gu's (even though we bought a bunch of individual packets in multiple flavors). He was also super helpful in going over all the upcoming running and walking events (local and not so local!). In fact, they have a wall of literature for the taking, all about all the upcoming events. They also have all events listed on their website, for runs as far south as Portland, so I'll be sure to check out their website regularly. They also sponsor the annual Fairhavens Runners Waterfront 15K which I heard was a gorgeous course and wanted to register for but, alas, it's been cancelled this year due to road closures (it's always held in September). Today a hiking club was meeting outside the store, gearing up for a walk. As my family was leaving town to head home, we passed this large group, walking en masse; they were already miles from the store! How did they get there so fast? I commented to my kids, boy, I wish I lived near here, I would love to join a hiking group like this. I should add that this store underwent a major remodeling a few years back and now is more open, with a cleaner interior space, and a fabulous big restroom/bathroom! Hey, this is important for some of us! Great store, great product lines, great staff, great local resource. Not much more you could ask for in an independent runners' store! read more

Yes, the 5 star ratings for this shop are legit and well deserved. When it comes to any athletic shoe, I have always been the guy who goes into a store and picks out the shoe that fits my foot, looks nice and if it was on sale...BONUS. When I started running last year, I had the same attitude with very poor results, especially as a big guy. Running shoes that were very comfortable during walks would make my feet and shins hurt. I went to a big athletic store and basically the responses were based solely on the use of the shoes. Again, hurt feet and wallet. I then stopped by my neighborhood running store, Fairhaven R/W and they helped me find not just a shoe for the right activity, but for my foot and stride. I tried out seven different pairs of shoes that day and the little store was packed with customers. Not once did the employees make me feel bad for taking long to decide. Just the opposite. They are awesome. I think just about every employee has helped my wife or I at one time or another. They are all so helpful. We have purchased 3 pairs of shoes and various running accessories this last year and the prices are on par with any other retailer for current and outgoing models(they put them on sale too). I could get cheaper shoes at Big 5 or on Amazon, but they'd be a cheaper shoe, a different model. My Ghost 10s cost the same much on Amazon as they did at FRW. It's a no-brainer to keep my money in my community ESPECIALLY when the customer service is as awesome as it is. I have a few hundred miles on this pair and will be buying my Ghost 11s from them as well. read more

Terrific, knowledgeable, patient service. It's a vanishing thing. These folks are awesome, and if you have non-standard foot needs, they will take the time to understand your bio-uniqueness. read more

Helpful staff who took their time to help me find the right shoe for me . We drove a long way to get here and it was worth it. I have a huge problem with all the ugly neon shoes coming out but I love brooks so it was nice to find a pair of non neon brooks! Thanks guys you have a customer for life .. read more

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers - Shoe Stores Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Very great experience. Felt like they really had a COVID system down well. They helped my 83 year old mom, hard of hearing mother very respectfully and took the time to help her. We will definitely be back. The service is outstanding. read more

What a great shoe store! I got the most helpful staff I've ever encountered in a retail store other than maybe REI on occasion. I'm sure I was there for close to two hours and the staff not only never tired of me, they got increasingly more helpful if that were possible. It's great to have them interview you regarding what you're going to do with the shoes you buy because they will steer you in the right direction. They encourage you to take shoes For a walk around the block and let me tell you it makes a big difference. They have a really cool selection and a reasonably broad range. If I lived in Bellingham I consider myself lucky to have this shoe store in town. read more

I called ahead to make sure I could be evaluated for a running shoe. When I arrived, I mentioned that I had called and they brought me right in. They watched me walk and suggested a few shoes. I tried on three pairs and hopped around the near empty store in each one. The staff allowed me this time to feel the shoes and chatted with me. They were all nice, friendly and helpful. The store was clean. All staff had masks on and they worked one on one with customers. They had spots taped on the floor to create separate spaces and it was overall a great time and I loved the shoes they recommended! read more

We have been shopping here for years! The staff is extremely friendly and welcoming. They have extensive knowledge of the mechanics of walking and running to help ensure a perfect comfortable fit. This time, I called ahead to find out about their COVID safety restrictions since a member of our family is immunocompromised. I was delighted by the precautions that Fairhaven Runners & Walkers is taking to ensure ours and their safety! The staff brought us multiple pairs of shoes to try on while we sat on the bench out front of the store. They continued to offer to help us as we walked up and down the sidewalk trying the shoes out. In the end, we made a decision and had to order the shoes we wanted. They charged only $5 for shipping my special order! I am so happy with the service and knowledge of this amazing small business. Thank you FR&W for making us, and our feet, so happy! read more

Phenomenal customer service. I recently started running and it became apparent that my tennis shoes were causing me some ankle pain. After having two separate people recommend I go here, I did. I was NOT disappointed!! Craig watched me walk bare foot, looked at my current tennis shoes, and asked me a lot of questions like how long have I been running, what distances, what reasons, etc. He saw that I have pronated feet (I didn't even know what that meant!). He measured my feet length and width and came back with three pairs of shoes. I have WIDE feet and usually have to try on 15-20 pairs of shoes before I find something comfortable. Lo and behold, the second shoe I tried on was winner winner chicken dinner. It was THAT easy. I guess my pronation was bad enough he also suggested I get orthodics. The combo of the new shoes and orthodics relieved a great deal of pain right off the bat!! Craig also showed me how to tie a running shoe more efficiently- who knew you could do that? He ALSO set me up with an appointment to see a running specialist/PT- a half hour appt is only $15. Seriously. In less than an hour I had the PERFECT shoes for my feet plus a few accessories I needed as well. As someone who has always struggled to find a comfortable shoe of any kind, I could not be more thankful and glad for this store. I'd never been and I really wish I'd gone sooner. Oh and public service announcement- you do NOT have to be a runner to go here. You may want walking shoes or just a comfortable pair for daily wear. :) read more

Went in again a few days ago for a running clinic with Josh and yet again another amazing experience!!! If you've been thinking about going but thought it wasn't for you or that you'd feel out of place put that aside. Everyone was at different running levels and Josh made it very comfortable for everyone. It's a must for anyone who wants to run in comfort and without injury. Also not one sales pitch during the entire clinic and no pressure to buy anything. I think I need to get new shoes but I'm not sure if it's because the current ones I have are at the end of their life or because I just want to go somewhere that I know I'll be treated really well!!! It's so rare to find people that are knowledgeable about what they are selling but to also have top notch customer services skills as well...amazing!!! read more

I'm type of person who prioritizes getting the best bang for my buck - Fairhaven Runners gives you this and more! They have REALLY awesome group runs, their people are knowledgable, personable and all avid runners themselves - it's a community more than just a place to buy running gear. Currently I'm participating in their 30 day challenge and it's been the motivation I've been needing to get back out there. When you shop at FRW, you don't just support local business, you support a mission to keep Whatcom county residents happy and healthy. Thanks y'all for a great place - keep up the hard work! read more

I may not look like a runner, but I can finish a 13.1 race at my own pace. Fairhaven Runners is not just for the running elite. It is also for walkers, first-timers, and joggers who just need support in their active goals. The compassionate staff will listen to your needs and suggest accessories at your price level. I have purchased my shoes, running lights, outwear, and gadgets from FHR for years and have never been disappointed. A strong support system for all. read more

I must give a big shout out to the staff at Fairhaven Runners & Walkers for not only helping me find the perfect pair of shoes, but being oh so patient about it. They allowed me to try a pair of shoes for about a week to ensure they were the right ones for me, and had no problem exchanging them when the first and second pairs were not the right fit. Not only are they helpful, and patient, and knowledgeable, and caring, and did I mention patient? But they also have the best merchandise and competitive prices. My favorite shirt that I workout in is their very comfortable and trendy brand t-shirt with their store logo on it. Go check it out. Thank you to everyone who works here for making this running store one of my all time faves! read more

I love FX Runners & Walkers. :) The store has an honest, kind, and helpful employee, Chad Mullavey, who likes what he's doing and knows how to do it. It was within 20 minutes that I went from 14-month-old shoes to 3-week-old shoes. The shoes look good, feel good, and I look forward to wearing my Brooks Addiction 10, for months. :) (Also, FX is localspeak for Fairhaven. Use FX, and people will think you're a local.) read more

I literally refuse to buy my running shoes anywhere else. I went in, a complete NOOB, and needed a lot of help in getting my feet up and running (ha) after a complete failure in my second half marathon. I needed more support. I needed wider toe box. My feet were going numb and I needed help desperately. The sales girl knew her stuff, and knew I needed more support in my arch and more room in the toe box and let me try running down to the corner with all of them. Not only did they allow me to try on what seemed like every shoe in the store, but they also entertained my kiddo while I was running around. I'll be back in about 4 months, when this pair of shoes dies and I have to replace! (And maybe, one of these days, I will come by for the community run!) read more

I would recommend this place to anyone looking for good walking or running shoes, actually I have recommended it to random people I've talked to about shoes! The people here are so nice and helpful, I overheard the sales clerk helping the woman next to me and he seemed to be just as amazing as the guy that helped me! I went to this store a few months back, I walked in right as they opened and a man named (if I remember his name correctly) Josh promptly greeted me and asked if he could help me with anything. I recently wore holes in the shoes I had been wearing and decided it was time to upgrade to some real running shoes. He was super helpful, my feet are quite wide and a bit uneven as well. He had me try on a bunch of shoes, run and walk in them, and then we narrowed them down and he had me go out on my own and run around in them. He even showed me a way to accommodate my right foot that's a little narrower than the left that kept slipping out; he just looped and tied the laces through the extra holes on top. I'm not a super avid runner but I do enjoy walking and have picked up running. The shoes have been fantastic, I even did a 5k recently! read more

Excellent service, friendly and they really know their products. Surprisingly large shoe selection for a smaller store. Also, great running bras. Very competitive pricing. read more

I love this store and will go back again and again even though it's over a 1 hour drive just to get there. The staff (aka Cody) was friendly, extremely helpful and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to answer all of my beginner runner questions and after watching my running gait was able to find me a shoe that fit my running style perfectly. If you are on the fence about going to a running shoe store, take the plunge and go to FX Runners & Walkers. You will not be sorry. read more

I have been intimidated to go into this store for years because I'm not a pro-runner type. Regrets! Recently, I needed new running shoes. I literally went to every other sports store in town in vain and was disappointed by the selection and customer service. Fairhaven Runners & Walkers was a haven and an asset to our community. I felt totally welcomed and the sales clerk who helped me was incredibly knowledgable and had the patience of a saint (I'm going with a theme here, people, bare with me...). I think I tried on every shoe in the store and the pair we finally selected were like a match made in heaven for my feet (ok, I'll stop). The bottom line is that, if you want the RIGHT running shoes for your needs and you live in this area, you don't really have any other choice. Luckily, this is a pretty awesome choice. Save yourself some time/hail Marys and just go here first! read more

Fantastic store! Knowledgeable staff that makes it a point to take their time with you. Yesterday we had the opportunity to meet Reed, a fine young gentlemen who was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. He did a great job spending time with our son and ensuring he got exactly the running shoes he needed. Great job Reed! Thanks for making it another enjoyable visit to Fairhaven Runners & Walkers! read more

I have bought my last two pairs of running shoes here and have received amazing customer service both times. The employees pay exceptional attention to their customers and are very knowledgeable about their products and what shoes fit best for different feet style. Josh assisted me today and he was so helpful! I came wearing my old running shoes and left wearing my new shoes. They have a program that donates old shoes to people in need. Very happy!! read more

What a great place. I stopped in as I was passing through town (I always try to check out the local running stores wherever I go) and could easily tell this is somewhere I'd frequent as a local. Knowledgeable staff, good selection, friendly to both walkers and runners. Steve, the owner, clearly likes living here- he made a point to show us all the places we could explore. Made me want to linger even longer! read more

I have been a customer of Fairhaven Runners in the past and I am not sure if there was a change in owners, but the service that I received today was atrocious. The door was open and a customer was actively being helped. I waited for about 10 min before asking the gentleman behind the register for help with shoes for my wife and I, to have him explain to me that they were closing and he couldn't assist us, which is out of sorts seeing that another customer was being fit for shoes. In any event it made the decision to spend my money easy and sadly I will never be returning to a locally owned business. read more

Went in for a new pair of running shoes after many referrals from friends. Definitely met and exceeded my expectations! The person I worked with took into consideration the fit of shoe I like (minimalist), even though it's not the best type of shoe for my running type and injuries, and was still able to find a shoe that wasn't too bulky but provided enough support. Staff is extremely knowledgeable about their products. It's obvious the people who work here care about running and know how to fit a great shoe. Picking the right shoe is essential to prevent injuries and going to a store where the staff can help you find that shoe is equally important. Thank you FH running for supplying Bellingham with great running/walking footwear! read more

I've always loved Fairhaven Runners but they blow me away the last time I was in. I bought a pair of Brooks a few months ago and they really hurt my feet so I didn't really wear them. I recently wanted to get back to running so I went back to Fairhaven Runners and wanted to return the Brooks. I went in and I was able to return the shoes after I had owned them for three months and had run with them on several times. I was amazed by how helpful the staff was. Fairhaven runners will have my business for years to come. read more

This is a great shoe store for the athlete. I went in looking for a good pair of running shoes and the staff were very kind and helpful. The gentleman made several knowledgeable recommendations and helped me try on many pairs. I found some that were so comfy with a perfect fit. My feet feel like butter in them! They carry all you classic brands and more. Saucony, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Asics, Mizuno, Merell, etc. Typical prices, and sale shoes are a good deal. Go in for perfect ped heaven. read more