Expert Advice and Old-School Service Ryan's Sport Shop is a true local gem for runners and athletes. It's not flashy, but what it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for in expertise and personal attention. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just getting started, Ryan takes the time to understand your needs and recommend the right gear; especially shoes! I appreciated how knowledgeable and honest he was, without pushing any particular brand. You can even test shoes outside before buying, which is rare these days. It's a father-and-son-run shop with decades of experience, and you can feel that in the way they treat customers. I have a lot of feet issues and Ryan has helped me get the right shoes for my feet for the past year and it has been such a game changer. I HIGHLY recommend this spot. read more

Ryan’s Sport Shop - Shoe Stores Near Me - Santa Clara, California

Exceptional, personal service! We went to the store needing running shoes. After asking questions about his running--trails vs. road, what he's worn in the past, how long a run, his feet, etc. He was shown a pair of shoes that were perfect for him. When I told a friend about our experience, she said, "Ryan's! That's the only place to get running shoes. It's like Olivanders Wand Shop from Harry Potter. You don't choose the shoes, the shoes choose you!" The price was way lower than expected, too. Ryan's made shoe shopping easy and stress free. The expertise, advice, price and service was unbeatable. read more

Ryan's is a no frills running shoe shop. You won't see any fancy machines here. But what you do get is tremendous knowledge and expertise. My high school cross country coach brought the team here for our trainers. Now, many years later I decided to get back into running. There's nowhere else I'd go and no other shop I'd trust. They won't sell or up-spell you on something you don't need. Prices are also reasonable! read more

My partner needed a pair of (expensive) work boots, and since the brand usually takes a few weeks to make, we figured we'd order through a small business and support local. At first, Steve was super helpful--had my partner try on a pair, took his measurements, checked inventory, and said the boots were in stock. He even placed the order over the phone at the end of August and sent a receipt since we don't live nearby. He told us the order was confirmed and should arrive the next week. Weeks went by, and every time my partner followed up, Steve gave the same story about it shipping "soon." By October, we decided to reach out to the boot company directly--turns out, they hadn't gotten an order from this store since June! My partner asked Steve to send the confirmation email, and he left him on read for days. Eventually, my partner went to the store in person and demanded a refund. Steve apologized and refunded him right away. We ended up ordering directly from the company, and the boots showed up within a week since they had it in stock. Honestly, this was such a letdown. We love supporting small businesses, but this was not handled professionally at all. My partner needed those boots for work, and the whole thing could've been avoided with some transparency and honesty. Lesson learned--do your research first. Buyer beware. We will not be buying from this store ever again. read more

Guys, S T E V E, is probably one of the few best salesperson I have ever met in the bay-area.... It's was last minute & I was shopping for an high end boot luckily this place carry's both WHITES & NICKS Hand made boots. I came to the store 5 minutes before closing time & Steve treated me with polite and welcoming service! He is extremely knowledgeable with the product, both the quality built and history of the product!. I have learned so much in a few minutes in time. I literally bought the boots in a few minutes time! Totally worth it! The customer service is just amazing! Highly recommend this read more

Ryan’s Sport Shop - Classic Whites Smokejumper - Shoe Stores Near Me - Santa Clara, California

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It was time to get a new pair of Brooks Beast and my wife also wanted to look for new shoes, so we went back to Ryan's Sport Shop. We were greeted by Steve, who per usual was friendly and informative. I had stopped by a week earlier to order my Brooks Beast 20's and Steve called when they came-in. I ordered the Blackened Peal/Black/Red ones this time. Steve already has me on file, so I knew they would fit perfectly. The Brooks Beast 23's won't be out till later this year, so I'll see if my Beast 18's will hold-out till then. My wife also got a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22's. She's become a Brooks convert and we only get our shoes from Ryan's. Steve's attitude, along with his knowledge make it the perfect place for us to get new shoes. Steve has a no-nonsense approach and is very helpful. My wife and I don't go anywhere else to get new tennis shoes. We were sorry to hear of Steve's dad's passing though. Gary was really knowledgeable and friendly to me over the years. read more

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I walked in looking for some trail runners because I haven't been able to find any that fit without issue, yet. Noticed that there was a good selection of road running shoes but with an admittedly sparse selection for trail shoes. Lucky for me, the Mizuno line they carry fit really well. And this is after some disappointing fits with more mainstream models earlier in the week. Ended up purchasing them on the spot. Service was solid and super knowledgeable. The guy seems to really know his shoes. And a lot more about running in general. Will definitely come back when my road shoes start to show more signs of wear. read more

Amazing service. Friendly and extremely helpful on deciding on a pair of heavy duty work boots.

The owner needs lessons on how to speak to customers. I went in looking for a particular shoe and ended up leaving, with the words "That is NOT how you speak to customers." He told me I had no idea what I doing and shouldn't be buying shoes based on looks. Apparently he is an award winning runner and thinks everyone should think like him. He actually got too close to my personal space and told me I was not a real runner....like I didn't already know that Sorry sir, I just wanted those cool Nikes. I'm not interested in marathons. read more

Value... unbeatable. Exceptional knowledge, friendly service and expert on their stuff. I've gone to Ryan's for years, and will continue to return. The owner's customer service is exceptional. He remembers my size and details from years back. He can get special orders in right away and carries all the top running brands. I walk and he help me find the best shoe for me. He even measures your foot properly to get the right size. read more

This is where I have been buying my running shoes for over 25 years. They have always made sure I would get a good shoe with a great fit. Gary could be a controversial figure (always took good care of me), but he is gone now and Steve has taken over and is doing a great job. read more

They know their products. Very knowledgeable and very helpful to make sure we were happy. Huge help when my teen was looking for running shoes for track. Had him run down the sidewalk to make sure the shoes worked. I'd definitely go there again read more

Knowledgable and helpful staff who got us exactly the shoes that we needed. No overselling of unnecessary upgrades and he listened to our requests. Overall, a good expeience. read more

Always get great personalized customer service at Ryan's when buying my running shoes. Appreciate the no sales pitch just good information to ensuring I'm buying the best shoe. Thank you read more

My physical therapist recommended Ryan's Sport Shop to me. After seeing my running shoes one day, he suggested I go get some "real running shoes". If you skim through the Yelp reviews, you'll see that just about everybody mentions Gary and Steve. I met Gary when I went and I found out that they're a father and son business. Steve wasn't there. Now I'm wondering... who the heck is Ryan then!? (I should have asked, but it didn't come to me until now!) I was happy to find the store empty so I got Gary's full attention. I told him my situation, what I was looking for. I brought in my old shoes so he could analyze the wear on the tread. He gave me a boat-load of information - on why my old shoes were bad, and then, on why the shoes I was about to try on, were so good! He had me try on a few pairs, and with each new pair, he would have me run down the sidewalk outside. With his guidance, I came to a decision on the Brooks shoes I wanted and I'm happy with the ones I purchased. Reading through the Yelp reviews, it's clear that Gary rubs some people the wrong way. I didn't have a problem with him, but after meeting him and experiencing his personality and approach to sales, I understand the reactions some people are having to him. Gary is a no-nonsense, super straight-forward guy. He doesn't mince words. He gives it to you straight, no extra verbiage - and sometimes it comes off a bit rough and some might say arrogant. He's an older guy (he told me he was 75) so he's been around the block and he just has that kind of personality that can come off sort of brash - sort of like a New Yorker. For me, it didn't bother me, it was more comical to me than anything else. He was making me laugh, the way he was ordering me around, "take off that shoe", "here, put this shoe on" etc. But I can totally see how this type of personality and approach could potentially be offensive and not everyone's cup of tea. For me, I'm glad I found a specialty store just for running shoes. That's all they do, so they really do know their stuff. Gary has been running for decades so you can imagine the accumulation of knowledge. When these new shoes wear down, I'm glad I have a place where I can go and get top-quality replacement shoes with knowledgeable staff. read more

Ryan’s Sport Shop - a pair of Brooks "REAL" running shoes - Shoe Stores Near Me - Santa Clara, California

THE place for running shoes. Ive been coming here for about 23 years because this father and son business is all about service and knowledge. Steve knows his gear, he'll watch you road test some shoes, and ask you all the pertinent questions. Theyve always taken 10% off the bill too. You can't go wrong here and it feels good to shop local. These guys (Gary and Steve) are local treasures, for both their running shoe expertise and their stories about running with the world's best and operating the world's first running shop (est. 1949). read more

My kids' coach Mark at his high school recommended we go here. We walked in, Steve asked a few questions, and set my kid up with shoes that my son says are super comfortable and have made his running faster and more fun. He gave me a big discount on the shoes. I'm not sure what else I could have asked for. Very happy customer! read more

The shop has a great selection of shoes and active wear. Steve was very helpful and knowledgeable; he made finding the right pair of shoes very easy. read more

I've been going here for 30 years. Great selection and outstanding service. I got two oairs of ASICS and my girlfriend got a pair of Brooks. Some people are turned off by the owner, but I go here to find great shoes. They have never let me down! read more

Steve is great as he is always happy to help. His knowledge is based on experience that no one in the Bay Area has. It's that Simple. Veni, Vidi, Vici. You come, You see, You Win ! Sincerely Greg Fernbacher read more

The sensitivity of those writing one-star reviews is almost comical. My family had a great experience, learned plenty, and walked out with exactly the shoes we needed. We couldn't be happier. The store is the place to go to get individual attention and the right shoes for your feet. read more

Really nice people. Had an amazing experience picking out my shoe. He made me try a couple of shoes and helped me pick the right pair. The father is a very interesting person as well. Overall had a good experience buying my shoes from there and talking to them. I will definitely go back to them whenever I need another pair. Turns out they are a really old store and have been selling shoes for around 40-50 years. So they definitely know what they are selling! read more

Been going for decades. My feet are hard to fit. Before Ryan's Sport Shop, I was stuck wearing shoes that didn't fit and were uncomfortable. Steve always finds the right shoe for me. And I enjoy seeing his Dad when he is in the store. What a pleasure to walk in and see familiar faces after all these years. read more

They were extremely helpful in fitting me for my first pair of running shoes. I've done 40 miles on them so far and they've been great!

"If it ain't broke...then don't try to fix it..." No...I am not quoting Will Smith via his "Summertime" song, but I am quoting one of the owners at Ryan's Sport Shop. Although Running revolution had some 50+ reviews and a reputation for "filming and critiquing," I figured I would go back to the place that started it all. Back in 2006 I was running like Forest Gump. The San Jose Mercury 10k race was my catalyst. How I miss that race and running through SJ. Truth be told, I had never ran in my life, let alone partake in a race. My tired 5 year old New Balances were growing old, and running for hours on end constituted getting a more "supportive" shoe, literally. I headed to Ryan's almost 2 years ago(they kept me on file) and picked up some Brooks. And to think that this little purchase started it all.... The back story: My fuel=a broken heart. Getting over a relationship was exactly what I needed to cross the finish line. Who knew heart ache would be as powerful as a power bar? I started running like crazy. I did them all: bay to breakers, wharf to wharf, and the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon in SJ on it's first year to the bay area. I was beating my times and was really getting into running. After almost a year, I got derailed and stopped hitting the pavement. Flash forward to 2008, where an insatiable hunger taps at my feet. Treadmill is calling and my feet need new shoes. I headed back to Ryan's with my sad worn out Brooks, where a simple question was posed, "want to stick with what you know or get something new?" I thought back to all my sweat, hard work, and determination, and figured I would stick with the shoes that made me move. Knowledgeable staff with a reputation of helping runners for over 20+ years. Plus, bring in your old shoes and get a small discount. Yes, for your first purchase, they do the whole evaluation/run outside thing. However, once you know what you want, you can be a more educated consumer. They don't accept AMEX, and this place is around the corner from frozo's. Lot's of gear to make that inner runner in all of us happy and prepared to get back out there with a vengeance! At the end of the day...no one can tell you what shoe works for you...but YOU. I highly recommend Ryan's shop...and here's to another great journey, another awesome adventure, and another year of running with my brooks-pink 08 edition! read more

Ryan’s Sport Shop - Front - Shoe Stores Near Me - Santa Clara, California

Conversation with shoe salesman when comparing Asics 2150 and Brooks Adrenaline: (after jogging in shoes) Shoe salesman: So what did you think of them? Me: Well, I think the Asics has more cushion, but the Brooks is def. more cuter Shoe salesman: If I were you, I'd go for the cuter one (because they're practically the same shoes). Lol! This guy is awesome. My shoes are awesome. The owner has been in the business for 50 yrs, so he really knows his stuff. Plus you get 10% off running shoes! Win!!! read more

These guys know their shoes. I needed a shoe for conditioning for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition, and these guys helped me find the shoe that was the right fit for me. 10 out of 10, best service i've ever had in a sports shop. read more

Great place. Patient and knowledgeable. Always welcoming and competent. No pressure. Please be kind. I think the older gentleman suffers from a bit of dementia. He has always been kind to me. read more

My bro in law recommended me here 2 years ago. Since then this is the only place I come to get my walking/running shoes!!!! Steve ( owner , his dad who was the owner passed away) is great with patience and knowledge of shoes. I love this place!!! Thanks STEVE!!!! read more

This is THE go-to place for *serious* running shoes and work shoes. Expect to spend ~$100 or so on a pair (that will be worth every penny once you feel how it's like to step into/work/run in these bad boys). I came here with my mom to shop for a pair of work shoes for her. She was actually a customer of theirs back when they had their Lawrence Expressway location. The gentlemen there were very friendly, welcoming, and extremely helpful. If you can't find the right fit or decide which kind you want, they will help you try on all kinds of stuff. They are real experts! :) Great business. read more

I only buy my running shoes here. The owner is great and his partner too. Always great service and knowledge. I pay more to get the job done right. No matter who is working you still get the same high level of service. read more

Wonderful experience buying track spikes. They were very friendly, and zeroed in on events and corresponding shoe options. Don't let the store exterior (closed businesses next door) deter you. Fun history sharing, no attempt to upsell, and even gave a discount after asking about our school team. My teen son was equally impressed! read more

It's hard for me to overstate how valuable this place is to a beginning runner, in terms of the individualized attention you'll get, along with the wealth of advice you will get from the owners. This is basically a father/son run operation and has been around for well over half a century, so it has a certain charm that you simply cannot get from a large retailer or Amazon. Can I get a lower price for my Brooks/ASICs elsewhere? Maybe, but I know I will never get the experience I have whenever I come here. I visited for the first time 2.5 years ago and I have never gone anywhere else since (I've bought a total of 6 pairs of shoes over 5 visits). And every time, I spend a solid hour at this store (which other store will do that for you?). I like the fact that not only will they let you take the shoes out and run on the sidewalk outside, but they will insist that you try running with different shoes on each foot, so you can learn to appreciate the differences in the make. It's startling to feel the difference when you run with an old shoe on one foot and a new shoe on the other; I would never have thought of doing this, but it makes complete sense. Yes, as many other reviews have mentioned, Gary's approach can be a little unsettling if you've never gone through it before. In my case, I simply shelved my ego and listened to what he had to say. Think of him as Clint Eastwood playing the boxing coach from Millenium Dollar Baby. He's gonna give it to you straight. When I walked in for the first time, he ripped my shoes/insoles a new one and asked me some tough questions about how shoes work. He's got great analogies for shoes (shoes are like tires, the best shoe is your barefoot (but you need shoes for padding, nothing else), different shoes are like different types of cars (a ferrari vs a range rover), etc). You will *remember* what he has to say about shoes and running, because he conveys things so clearly. In an era where *everyone* tries to complicate things to force you to try endless brands, this store is a breath of fresh air in its simplicity. I've never looked at shoes the same way since. Yes, he's going to get into your face a bit and he will tout his accomplishments as a runner/coach, but I personally view that as a matter of inspiration, rather than boasting. And he's got plenty of stories to say about the great runners of the past and the running industry as a whole. I'd say, come with the right attitude (that of a student/athlete, speaking to a teacher/coach), drop your ego at the door (even if you've done plenty of running in the past, chances are, you haven't clocked a sub 2:25 time in the marathon, which is damn near world-class, especially 40 years ago) and listen to what he has to say. It may come off as harsh and your initial reaction may be defensive, but in the end, chances are, he probably has a better assessment of what you need in your shoes, regardless of whether you plan to run seriously or casually. And, like with any coach, under that tough exterior, he's really only got your best interests in mind and he can be awfully nice. If you want a gentler treatment, his son Steve is probably a better salesman. That's not to say he doesn't know his stuff; he's very knowledgable about the latest brands and the minute differences between different pairs of shoes. I don't know how they rotate their hours (most of the times I've visited, they've both been there), but I speculate that his son may be around closer to closing hours (the one time I came an hour before closing, only he was running the shop). I always look forward to visiting this store; I never thought I would take up running as seriously as I've done and this store is part of that reason. Give it a shot, come in with a thirst and expectation to learn and you may come out a smarter runner, with a new pair of shoes to boot. read more

Alongside all the other one star reviews, I came here and this older guy basically lectured me like a drill sergeant for a good 30 minutes about how I don't know shit about anything. Yes and there was a lot of chest poking (on me) and prodding. It threw me off but I tried to put it off to old age. I told him my podiatrist told me size 9s were too large for me and why I got plantar Fasciitis so he fit me in 3 size 8.5 shoes. Then he recommended something with better support at $60 more. I really liked the shoe because it seemed more comfortable. When I was checking out, with more poking in my chest after I paid, he said "son I did you a favor by giving you a larger size. Do you know what happens in your shoes? They shrink after you run in them" I was like what??? When I got home I realized he gave me a size 9!! Precisely what I didn't want. On further walking I realized the shoes were too big! What a d---! So I go back the next business day and a younger guy was there and agreed the shoes were too big for me. And he tries me in a different shoe determined to fix my problem. And determined yet again 8.5 is my size. Then he brings out the original shoes they sold me and I told him it felt weird. Turns out they don't have any 8.5s in stock until maybe next week so he tried to fit me in a size 8! They tricked me and hard sold me into buying a shoe too large for me and then tried the same with a shoe too small for me! I tried to ask for a refund and got the run around twice and he said you can refund for store credit and you can get the shoes you want when they come. What the heck? I don't want to wait two weeks for my feet to get better! I have a doctors appointment in that week of to consult him on my shoes! I left with them taking my number promising to call back but feeling like this establishment is not worthy of it's 4 stars at all! Maybe a two star but my experience was definitely one star. Yes- these guys are somewhat knowledgeable about shoes. However, the older guy is an absolute jerk and they absolutely do not care about their customers - they rather sell me a shoe too big for me and exacerbating my arch pain just to not lose my sale to another store because they didn't have my size in stock. They only care about closing the sale and then refused a basic refund a day after the sale even though I was tricked (and hard sold) into buying their shoes. IMO this is borderline fraudulent. Update... After waiting for two weeks my size 8.5 shoes finally came. I picked it up and never want to return to this store ever again. Good riddance. read more

I was suffering with plantar fasciitis as well as all over foot aching and burning. I was sent to this little shop by my podiatrist. Personal service and personable staff that just know feet and good shoes. I love supporting a small business in my community. My new shoes are fabulous and no more foot pain or fasciitis! read more

If you walk in and see the old man, do yourself a favor and immediately walk out. He's extremely rude and condescending. I walked in for the very first time a few months ago, and as I was browsing through the shoes, he was sitting in a chair with his arms crossed just staring at me. I asked if he had a specific shoe in stock, but he just said "Don't have it" without checking. I felt uncomfortable, so I hastily walked out. Judging from the other reviews, he's just an a--hole in general. How can they expect to attract and retain customers with piss poor customer service? read more

Highly recommend this place for running shoes. Local, father and son shop. No BS, brand agnostic, figures out shoes that fits in minutes, lets you try it out on the block ... will be my running shoe shop once this new pair wears out. read more

I cannot express how much i love this shop and the service. Finally a place that i can go to and be Sure to be happy when leaving. They care to fit your feet and give it comfort. Recommended this to friends and family and they're so happy also read more

I love supporting stores like this one - where it feels like family. My son's had trouble running and they have fitted him twice with great shoes - also bought my other kid wrestling gear. Plan to bring the remaining two here for shoes as well. Down to earth, knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. read more

My buddy and I were having lunch next door at the crepe place today. When we were done, he wanted to walk in to this shop and check out some running shoes for his son. Holy Crap. The owner (old guy) was standing at the register. He asked my buddy what kind of shoes he was looking for and he told him. Then the guy asked where his son was. "Monterey." he says. "oh yeah, WHERE in monterey." My buddy tells him which school. (I think he thought he was lying.) This guy puts his finger into my friends chest and says "You act like I don't know SHIT about it!" "I was a coach at MPC!!!" he says with a pissed off face and a pointy, bony finger. In shock about the sudden turn of personality in this psychotic man, we just stood there smiling. He's an old guy after all (in better shape than both of us (at least me) for sure) but you show your elders respect. He also doesn't give you a chance to get a single word in so this goes on until he stops to take a breath. The 10 minutes that followed was unlike any experience I've ever had in a store. EVER. After telling my friend how stupid he is for wearing his "2000's model Asics and how he doesn't know shit about anything, he starts raising his voice and spouting off like a crazy person. After berating my buddy, he turns to me and starts telling me how stupid I am for wearing Skechers. I wasn't even there to shop. I was just standing there! Some quotes: "You don't know SHIT about shoes" "I'm a FUCKING mechanic!" "I don't give a SHIT if you buy anything or not" "You're an accident waiting to happen!" "How much did you pay for those? Bet you got every FUCKING penny." "We don't sell shit to anyone. We get nothing but referrals" He threw a huge work boot at my friend. Told him his feet were out of alignment. There was much chest poking. He called me a fatty in so many words and stuck a pair of shoes on my feet to show me how stupid I am for wearing my current shoes. He swore at us so much and was so insulting for no reason at all that i can't even remember all of the rude shit he said. I thought he was going to push/hit me at one point when he was all up in my face (like within a foot of my face.) We didn't say ONE rude word to him. We weren't smart asses. We didn't mock him or disrespect him in ANY way. The most I could guess was that he was insulted by a fatty (230lb 6'0) man walking in his door unsuspectingly. On the way (FINALLY) out of the store, he says "You may not have had fun, but I sure did. Get back to work!." I got the distinct impression that he was having a grand time screwing with us. Both of us went out to the car and agreed that we had just been mind raped by a belligerent old man. F you, Mr. Store owner. You are dick of the highest order. Not only did you cuss at me a million times, you were insulting and you put your hands on me, for no reason at all other than to show some "younguns" what they don't know about shoes. You might know shoes like a "mechanic" but you don't know how to talk like a non-asshole to a stranger. To say I wouldn't recommend a normal person stepping one foot inside this store would be an understatement. read more