Nice friendly local shop in historic Market Square with quality selection of bikes, bike-related apparel and gear, local Lake Forest equipment, and shoes. Service is spotty---I bought a bike there last Fall, rode it a few times, and recently the whole derailleur and chain fell off when I was riding it. They charged me to fix it, which surprised me, as I could have been seriously hurt, and the bike was basically brand new which makes me wonder if it had been assembled correctly. That aside, normal service seems fine if slow at times, and of course there is high demand for bike service by kids and adults alike, esp. during summer. Responsive on phone and in person in general. read more

They know bikes. Family owned and operated, friendly. They take their time with customers.

I have mixed feelings about Kiddles. They excel at helping one pick out running and exercise shoes. Make sure you ask for Lee or Aric - they know what they're talking about and have even talked me out of the shoes I originally wanted because a different pair worked better with my feet (and they were cheaper. Kaching!) I don't go anywhere else for exercise shoes. They also offer excellent bike repair. We have our bikes tuned up by them every year and bought my five year old his Trek bike from them (and they were competitively priced on this one). In fact, we thought our son was old enough to ditch the baby seat and move to the tandem attachment. They took off the seat, attached the tandem and off we went in about 15 minutes. And they let me come back and pick up the seat later that week. That said, if you're looking for an overall sports store, you won't find it here. The equipment they carry are really geared toward the teenage crowd that need something for their after school sport. And often, you pay a premium for the locale. read more

Kiddles Sports - Adorable bikes! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Great deals and a good variety of inventory. We go to here over other sporting goods stores every time.

Poor service, ask for a kickstand that ended up affecting my tire, they do more work than what is asked and charge you more than what they told you at first. I know a hand full of people that have had bad experiences with them and would not recommend! If in the are go to Highwood or Lake Bluff, better service with much more great value! read more

Pick up the phone and call these guys outstanding on every level. They know what they're talking about they direct you and when you call and ask for something I'll bring it up to the front counter for easy pick up. The exact opposite of Erik's bike shop in Deerfield and I hate to say that but there's some serious challenges with customer service down there. Going to post the picture because I'm just so happy to have great service and a smiley face wanting to take my money read more

Kiddles Sports - Awesome. Super Awesome! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Kiddles is so amazing!! During a time when a lot is unknown. One thing that is known is that kiddles is awesome! Shop small business. So helpful. My daughter has seen so many kids on their bikes during the pandemic. She has been asking for one and I have heard so many wonderful recommendations about Kiddless! It was such a seemless process. Shop local via curbside/pickup!! Thank you Kiddles!! read more

This week my wife and I purchased 2 bikes from jay An ELECTRA townie w/o motor and an ELECTRA townie with a Bosch drive. Bikes are cruisers. Fat tires. And more of an everyday ride. I am very impressed with the service and selection they had. Jay helped us with the fittings. This is a terrific family run sporting goods store like they used to be. Very knowledgeable on a variety of topics. I rode my bike to work today, as well as the hardware store and home twice. The Bosch motor is quiet and propels u at an amazing pace. We will be going back to visit Kiddles soon. If u are looking for an excellent experience and are tired of the big box sporting goods stores and the big box no service. Go to Kiddles. We love this store and its owners Rich Robertaccio read more

These guys are great. From getting sports gear to fixing a bicycle tire, they always deliver excellent customer service. Fortunate to have this mom-and-pop shop right on Market Square. Highly recommended. read more

Best place that I know of in the North Shore for athletic shoes! Not only do they have a decent selection of all sorts of shoes...read as different sport shoes, they are the most expert at finding the right shoe for your foot. Tell them your problem or concern and they will find the right shoe for you. For them it is about the fit and not the price. Basically I am so happy to have a place to go that still knows and appreciates the value and art of shoe fitting. Bought my last pair of running shoes from New Balance who claim to be experts in shoe fittings, NOT! Turns out they sold me the most expensive pair of shoes in the store and they hurt my feet for almost two years. So happy to finally have great shoes that fit! read more

These guys are unbelievably nice. So patient with customers and SO willing to spend time with you finding the right fit. What a wonderful establishment. Keep up the good work and customer service! read more

We have been looking for a bike for my son for the last few weeks. They are impossible to come by. Bikes finally came in and they held one for us. It would have been an easy, quick sale for them. Instead Aric (The co-owner of this family owned store) said that we wouldn't get enough use out of it as it was an ok size for him now, but my son would grow out of it quickly. We may have left empty-handed today (they put us on a wait list for the correct size bike) but we will happily wait to purchase the right bike from Kiddles. We truly appreciate Aric's expertise and honesty. I highly recommend Kiddles! read more

I don't know of another bike shop that will sell your old bike for you when you are ready for a new one. This is perfect when your kids have outgrown their bikes - ride the old one in to Kiddles, pick out a cool new one and they will sell the old one for you, while you are riding off on your new one. WIN - WIN They also do this for ice skates. Bring in the skates that are now too small, pick out a new pair and they sell the old ones for you. WIN - WIN As soon as your bike or skates sell, Jay calls you and you can stop in and pick up your cash. read more

I really wanted to like this shop. I walked in, looked around, and was asked by the two people behind the counter if they could help me. I explained that I was looking for a commuter backpack. They pointed to the three school backpacks on the wall and said those were the only backpacks they carried. Ok, those certainly aren't going to fit the bill, so I decided to look around a bit. I guess if you live in Lake Forest and have few other options, Kiddles will serve "in an emergency". But, if you have specific needs or want to try several options (whether in bikes or gear), I'd suggest trekking out of town to visit another shop. read more

Happened to be in Lake Forest grabbing lunch and noticed Kiddles. As luck would have it, I had been looking on-line earlier that day for a bike hitch for our recent co-pilot bike attachment that I had purchased and thought I'd see if they just happened to carry it (saving me the time of having it delivered from out of state.) I knew the name of what I was looking for and even had a picture on my phone. I was immediately greeted when I walked in the door, which is a plus in my book because nothing annoys me more than being ignored when I walk in somewhere. However, neither of the people working the front desk could help me and directed me to a guy that was in the back helping a family pick out a bike for their young son. No problem. I was not in a hurry and willing to wait. However, when the guy did finally talk to me, he was extremely rude, condescending and pretty much unwilling to even consider helping. When I told the guy what I was looking for, he asked me what brand it was. When I told him what brand it was, he scoffed and made some kind of comment about "toys." When I told him I didn't understand the comment, he said, "it's something you bought at Toys-R-Us. That's a toy brand." When I corrected him, telling him I actually bought it online from an out of state bike store, he scoffed again and said, "See. That's the problem with people. You buy stuff online and then think you can walk into a professional store and get pieces for it." He proceeded to tell me he's never heard of the brand I had purchased (which *obviously* must means it's not worth his time) and that the only co-pilot bike attachment he carries is Adam's because Adam is the original inventor of that type of bike and comes with him to his show in San Francisco every year ... ?!? Honestly. A simple, "sorry, we don't carry that here." Would have sufficed. Where I bought my equipment really doesn't matter. I walked into your store with money to spend but the condescending attitude assures I won't be doing any future business there. read more

I've been to this store multiple times to browse, and every time I have the same issue. I enter the store and immediately the lady behind the front counter follows me around. Not to see if I need help, she always has a very judgemental look on her face as if I am a criminal. Always uses an attitude towards me, not a "would you like any help?" It's always "do you need something?" In a very annoyed tone. Makes me always resent entering the store, and I question why I go back. read more

What a wonderful establishment. The owner, Jay, is kind, attentive, and incredibly knowledgable. He goes out of his way to make his customers feel like family. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this place -- Kiddles is now my go-to sports shop! read more

Horrible experience. Their mechanic tried to rip me off. A little over three years ago my friend had a bad crash on his road bike and stopped cycling. He gave his expensive road bike to me to train and use in the Chicago Triathlon. The bike was rideable but the gears were slipping and it needed a tune up. I brought the bike to Kiddles and showed it to their mechanic (fat blond guy with a goatee). The mechanic immediately said that it was in terrible shape. In addition to the tune up I asked for he said that it needed new gears, new tires, a new chain, and for the handlebars to be rewrapped. I'm new to competitive cycling but thought that this sounded like a lot as I had ridden the bike that morning with limited issues. He hands me the estimate ($500) and tells me that it will be at least a week before he can get it back. I told him that I couldn't wait a week and needed it sooner and if there was anything he could do. He said no and proceeded to give me attitude about it. Me: "I really can't take a week off training isn't there anything you can do?" Mechanic: "When is the triathlon?" Me: "One month" Mechanic: "Well then you should have brought it here two months ago..." Thanks buddy, really constructive. I walked out on the mechanic and brought the bike to Element Multisport in the city. Their mechanic looked at it for 5 minutes and said that the bike was fine. It needed a new chain and the handlebars had to be rewrapped. They got the bike back to me the next day and the cost was $115. This would not even have covered the price of the tune up at Kiddles. Beware of the overweight mechanic with the blond goatee. He was rude and a cheat. read more

Kiddles has a great selection for bikes and equipment, shoes, athletic gear, and pretty much any other sporting good you would want. The location in Market Square can't be beat... I usually grab a hot dog at Left Bank before heading over to Kiddle's when I need new shoes, equipment, or am looking for a sports-related gift. That having been said, the real reason why Kiddles deserves 5 starts is the staff. You will not find any kinder, more professional, or more knowledgeable staff members at any athletic store. It's a family-run business, and it shows... the staff (Howie, Jay, etc.) treat their customers like family. What a treat it is to shop at Kiddles. I'll be back soon! read more

Great selection and service. I've bought several athletic shoes here over the years for running, tennis and basketball. The salespeople know what they're talking about, and their recommendations have been spot on. Enormous bike selection if you're looking for that, too. Reasonable prices for quality goods. read more

Super friendly and helpful staff. I love going in there and I am assured that I will be taken care off. They are well worth the price give the excellent costumer service! read more

Great family business with exceptional service and expertise. I plan on many happy returns.

The place is a little small, and the selection isn't great. But you can't beat the staff, they not only are helpful but they care, you can only get this with a true family owned business. I hope to take my kids to kiddles for a long time, and enjoy (and sometimes miss) what made america great. read more

Love this store. Have been going here for 50 years. Family owned and so helpful, they will bend over backwards to get you what you need. They order anything that they don't have in the store and it arrives within a day or too. Fair prices, especially for Lake Forest. read more

Had a great experience picking out a bike for my wife and I recently at Kiddles. I was not sure what bike was best for me but got excellent advice and personal attention from Lee. Would highly recommend choosing a bike from Kiddles along with any other sporting gear needs. They have excellent selection and I plan on going back soon. read more

Bike repair at Kiddle's is the best it gets on the North Shore. Had my Cannondale serviced at the dealer in HP. This year, it was serviced by John at Kiddle's as Alberto's went out of business - hard to believe (and I've been riding for 65 years) but the bike felt more alive - it felt really good to ride. The gears changed effortlessly, the brakes were similarly responsive. May sound crazy - but my CX1 never felt this good - even when it was new. Kiddle's price was competitive, service great and Jay is a pleasure to deal with. John always has a bike rebuild underway - usually a legendary British bike from the 60s that he lovingly restores and is happy to share with you and remind you of all the great bike frames, brakes, gears etc. that led to today's bike world. Kiddle's is an experience for bike riders and what a home town store is all about. read more

A great business, with very high quality merchandise that obviously costs more. I live in Lake Forest, so it is my go-to for bike stuff. This isn't the Sports Authority, but a great local shop that has good stuff for cyclists, runners and lazy amateurs like me. :-) The staff is great and happy to walk you through your price options. read more

After years of running in pain after serious ankle injuries, a PTTD diagnosis, and multiple failed attempts at the big sporting goods stores; on the advice of a friend I headed to Kiddles. Within a few minutes, Lee and Aric had my gait diagnosed and suggested three different shoes to assist with my specific level of pronation. Ever the skeptic, I brought the shoes home and was a bit nervous to take them on their first test run without the trusty ankle braces. We're now a month in and I haven't had as much as a twinge - thank you so much Kiddles (and Lee and Aric) - you've given me the ability to get back on the roads and even encouraged me to start racing! read more

Really nice store with a friendly staff. I needed a new pair of running shoes and Jay took a lot of time with me, was really pleasant and helped me pick out a great pair that work great. The selection is what you'd expect (Brooks, Saucony, Nike, etc.) and the staff is very very patient. I can't speak for the other aspects of the store, as I was only looking for men's running shoes, but I'd recommend them highly! read more