Rating: 5/5 Stars If you're heading to Sports Basement Berkeley to gear up for the season, do yourself a favor and ask for BRANDON C. I came in needing a full "head-to-toe" setup for winter sports, and Brandon provided the kind of elite, professional service that is rare to find. His technical knowledge of snowboards, skis, and bindings is extensive; he doesn't just know the specs, he understands how the gear actually performs on the mountain. What really stood out, however, was his approach. He took the time to listen to my specific needs and concerns, making me feel both seen and heard throughout the process. I walked out (after 2.5 hours that flew by) not only with the right equipment but with the confidence I needed to get back out there. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, I'd recommend Brandon C. to anyone. He's a true professional who knows his craft inside and out. Thank you again Brandon C and SB and NIN. read more

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My biggest issue here is no longer the exchange itself -- it is the people representing your company at the counter. The reality is that rude, dismissive customer service drives people away. Customers can tolerate mistakes. Customers can tolerate policy issues. What people do not tolerate is being treated as though they are an inconvenience when they walk into a store prepared to spend money. I spent nearly 50 minutes looking for replacement shoes after following the instructions given by your staff. I returned to the counter and was met with an attitude that made the entire experience feel unnecessarily unpleasant. That kind of interaction leaves a much bigger impression than any return policy ever could. You should seriously consider the long-term impact of allowing employees to interact with customers in this way. One negative interaction may seem small in the moment, but over time those experiences absolutely cost business. People remember how they were treated. I can say with certainty that experiences like this make customers question where they want to spend their money in the future. If I have to choose between dealing with rude and dismissive interactions versus shopping somewhere that values customer service and basic professionalism, the decision becomes very easy. I think your management team should understand that poor customer interactions do not simply create one unhappy customer -- they create people who share those experiences with family, friends, coworkers, and others making decisions about where to shop. read more

I came here specifically to leave a review for Brandon, and it's clear I'm not the only one who's had a great experience with him. Buying snowboard boots is usually a daunting process for me because of my wide feet, but Brandon made it easy. His knowledge of boot fit and foot shapes was incredible, and he patiently walked me through what would work and what wouldn't - no pressure, just genuinely helpful guidance. I ended up with a pair of K2 Maysis boots, took them up to the slopes this past week, and they were excellent. Best boot-buying experience I've had. To Sports Basement management: you've got a star on your hands. Take care of him. Five stars all around. read more

Really appreciate Brandon and Brian at the snow department helping me and my gf with our snow equipments, they are super knowledgeable and know everything about ski and snowboards. We ended up coming back multiple times and got multiple snowboards, skis, bindings and boots. read more

Stopped by today because we have a Sports Basement membership and they offer free propane refills for members if you have a refillable canister! Super quick and easy. Just walk up to the counter and they'll exchange your empty canisters for two full ones! If you don't have a membership, they'll still refill your tanks at a very low cost. I forgot to double check the exact cost, but it was less than $10 for sure. The propane refill station is located at the same counter as gear rental. I'll definitely be coming back for rentals! They offer wagons, tents, bike racks, water sports equipment, etc. Great selection for those who can't store larger gear at home! All team members throughout the store were very friendly and ready to answer any of our questions. I had stopped right at the register when we walked in to see what kind of recycling services they offer. Right now they only accept shoes and reusable water bottles. Hopefully they'll eventually accept batteries and other recycling, it's so hard to find a place that recycles batteries nowadays. Parking in their lot is free but it's limited. There's plenty of paid street parking. If you're okay with walking a few blocks, you can park in the nearby residential for 2 hours for free as well. One thing that keeps me coming back to sports basement is that they are truly dog friendly. They have a sign at the register that says dog friendly and they even offer water bowl stations by the drinking fountains for your furry friends. read more

Sports Basement - Dog friendly! - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

Behold, an outdoor store that still has things you actually need to dive deep into your favorite outdoor activities, not just the (R)ecreation (E)quipment (I)nterests that make people look pretty when they think about going outdoors. Don't get me wrong, this place has all of things you might want to strike a fashionable pose on the slopes or the hiking and biking trails, but, importantly, it has all of the gear that you actually need to thrive while engaging in your favorite outdoor pursuits. My (R)ecreation (E)quipment (I)nterests have long been abandoned by other popular outdoor gear stores that now chose fashion over function but my needs and dreams are still alive at the Sports Basement! The prices are great, there are always terrific sales and the employees are beyond friendly and helpful. Thank you for truly being there for us! read more

I am officially eating my words and couldn't be happier to do so. While my initial experience involved some major communication hurdles and shipping delays, the way this business handled the aftermath was truly above and beyond. It is rare to find a company that puts its money where its mouth is when they make a mistake. I am beyond grateful for their transparency and the quality of the items I received. I'm happy to say I'll be back. Huge thank you to the team for making this right. read more

Enormous store but a surprisingly sparse collection of hiking shoes, especially given that this region has some of the best hiking on the planet. They're not getting any awards for value. All their hiking shoes are cheaper online. This is a fun store to just walk around in. I was about to pick a pair of ski gloves marked 50% off, then I realized I have to join the club first. Club membership is only $25, but given their selection of things I really needed today, I don't see myself coming back here to take advantage of my membership. There really was no service. Didn't see any employees on the sales floor. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I'm just pointing out a fact. read more

Sports Basement - Trying on overpriced shoes - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

Marmot Mountain is long gone and REI is a lifestyle boutique. But we have our own local chainlet in Sport Basement. They have offer a fine selection of outdoor gear, including many technical items, at reasonable prices with excellent customer service. The member discount is at purchase, too, not as a "dividend." read more

Sports Basement is the closest bike rental location near the Golden Gate Bridge. It's not only convenient for a bike ride on and around the iconic bridge, but it's affordable and has so much to offer. They also do snowboarding and skiing rentals and have a warehouse of sportswear. The customer service was excellent- when they didn't have a bike in their immediate stock that would fit our middle kiddo, they went to their other storage facility to make sure our middle kiddo had the proper sized bike. Highly recommend the Sports Basement for your bike rental needs! read more

This is a review for our outstanding service that Brandon gave us today through the visit from the sport basement at Berkeley. He is one of the kindest crew during the multiple visits that we had from this location. He almost put 2 hrs to select , review , and guid us to choose a correct size for my snowboard , bonding and shoe. The value is great we had 40% off season discount , the board selection was vast and Brandon made the process easy. My husband wants new gear and bindings as well so we recommended this location to everyone Great experience and highly recommended read more

Sports Basement - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've had both REI and Sports Basement memberships, but I always find myself going back to SB. It has the best deals and the kindest staff who are always available to help. I also love seeing local communities and run clubs come in to host events, and it's great to see the culture SB is helping to build. My fiancée and I went in for snowboard boot fittings (he has a tricky situation where his left foot is a full size bigger than his right), and Brandon absolutely went above and beyond, spending over 2.5 hours helping us find the perfect fit. The boots fit us incredibly well. Everyone was helpful and professional without ever being pushy. On top of that, there are so many services before and after purchase like heat molding, sole fitting, demo programs that go toward your purchase, and great return and price adjustment policies. You can really tell that everything about this store is customer first. read more

They seem to employ very knowledgeable staff who love the outdoors, but hate people. They can definitely answer any questions you may have, but not without a hint of attitude. I can't say that it's a good experience to shop here. read more

5/5 service today when I came in to have my wife's new ski boots heat molded and fitted. In particular I want to thank Brandon and Chase for their help. They went out of their way to educate us about the ski boots and the best ways to ensure fit and did a very thorough job. Cannot recommend Sports Basement enough for ski boots. read more

Love the folks at bike shop/repair area. Good service, knowledgeable, sarcastic sense of humor, reasonable prices. Also, people at check out are nice with good attitude. read more

This is my go to SB. I always walk out with something and the staff help me with anything I need. I always get a good deal on apparel and sports equipment, too. They have a great selection of Vuori! read more

Excellent place to buy equipment for most sports. Customer service is fantastic, special shout out to Brandon and Brian, on the Boots/Board section! They provided outstanding advice and service. Highly recommended! read more

TL; DR: Fantastic service, knowledgeable staff, and good value! This is a long delayed review for my wife and I visited here in Dec 2024. However, I wanted to take the time to finally write this review as we really enjoyed our visit and the service we received, despite the busyness of the holiday season. I was looking for some particular shoes from Hoka and Vivobarefoot. Sports Basement fortunately had both in store so I could try them on. I was able to find the right model/line and sizing that fit best and felt most comfortable for me. Shout out to Vi and Nathan for their awesome customer service, patience, and helpfulness with shoes! Thank you. read more

Don't know if I should post this here or for the San Ramon store because of Dominic helping me, so I'll post in both. I had previously stockpiled my old favorites and had finally run through them, so I went to the Snowfest in Berkeley today intending to buy some new pairs. With the array of new shoes, I was quickly overwhelmed with all the new lines so I enlisted the help of Dominic, on loan from the San Ramon store. He patiently walked me through the different lines, their respective pros and cons, and helped me choose some new pairs for my tempo and recovery runs! Shoutout to him for such a pleasant experience! This is why SB will continue to be my favorite sporting goods store! read more

My boyfriend and I came here to rent e-bikes for our anniversary, and I had major deja-vu when I stepped in here. I was wondering why this Sports Basement seemed so familiar and soon realized that this used to be the old Iceland ice skating rink that I visited when I was a kid. No wonder this place is absolutely massive and still retains a few things back from its ice skating rink days! The wait time kind of takes a long time, especially on a Saturday when there are so many people coming to rent equipment for ski trips. But we got our ebikes, and they took the time to make sure that they worked for us and were properly fitted for our heights. It was so easy to rent and return! Boyfriend and I had a lot of fun biking around Berkeley for our anniversary and revisiting old haunts and exploring new places together. read more

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I have been coming to Sports Basement for years now. I've always thought the staff here was super friendly and knowledgeable. They have a good selection of inventory and there's always a sale to count on. I prefer them to REI. I went in today an hour before close just to see if I could quickly get sized or check out how much inventory was left. I wasn't expecting to get any boots because I wanted to be mindful of the closing time, however, Brandon was super awesome and helped me out! I was able to try on a couple boots and he taught me some new tricks on how to get out of the shoe quicker. It was fun chatting it up about snowboarding with him and the mom/son duo next to me who he was also helping. Brandon is incredibly knowledgeable on getting you the right fit for your shoe and answering any questions you may have about the sport. He was able to explain to me the different benefits of each shoe which was helpful in my decision making. I was outta there with new heat molded boots and I could not be more excited to try them out. Anyway, if you're looking for great snow gear deals and you have a pretty average shoe size, you better get in there quick. I am a size 7 and there's not too many left around this time :). read more

Customer service sure went downhill. I called and spoke to a representative from the Berkeley location @ 11:07 a.m. I was inquiring to see if they had the Asics Resolution 10 in a size 11 for my youngest son who started playing this year ( by the way my oldest plays tennis and I always gets his shoes and equipment here and I recommended this store to all his friends to get their tennis shoes and equipment. Sometimes I would actually take his teammates there and help them get their equipment because they wouldn't have a ride ) The representative was obnoxious saying that their inventory is incorrect and they don't have it. I asked what saves they do have and he replied a 11.5 and 12. I asked him to put the 11.5 aside ( my knee is bothering me so i didnt want to go on a blank trip and wanted him to put it aside at the register so I can be in and out ). Then he said he will check if he had it. 30 secs later he said he didn't have any sizes available. Now I know he's lying. So I literally drove down there went upstairs and found a sz 11 in 30 secs. It wasn't hard to find matter of fact they have like at least 6 sizes in the bin. And when I asked to speak to a manager in the front register and I explained what happened she some what defended her employee ( I also told her I am a Store manager ) and that the reason why I found it so fast was because of my experience and he may be lacking. 1.) Maybe if tried and not lied that he looked for it I would be more sympathetic 30 secs on hold and saying you dont have it is not looking. And 2.) It's literally upstairs at the spot it was supposed to be in. Seriously I would love to continue to support this store but they need find better help. Again my knee is bothering me and that's one of the reasons why Im upset. I didn't want to go up stairs and get it and as a customer he could've put it aside for me but the main reason why is because he lied. What I teach my employees is we don't (fill in the blank i.e shoes clothes etc ) we sell service. Definitely going to a different store or shop at Amazon as my #1 choice now before I shop here again. The only reason why I bought it there is because I was shopping at IKEA and it was along the way. I am so disappointed. I used to love going here. read more

Sports Basement - He said they didn't have a sz 11 and after he checked nothing at all. He lied. And there was at least 6 more pair in the bin - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

The guys helping fit snowboard boots are amazing!! Above and beyond helpful. (I think their names are Brandon and Brian?) Everyone here is always so helpful and friendly and the store has a customer-first attitude that is rare in this day and age. read more

I've never been professionally fitted for a snowboarding boot and my Burtons were 15 years old so I thought it was time for an upgrade. Let me tell you: if you're like me and feel like a lost lamb with a high risk of decision paralysis, ask for Brandon. Brandon is a walking Wikipedia of all things snowboard. Not only that, this Snowboarding Sensei can tell you with utmost detail how your foot fits, lands, and responds in various boots to ensure you'll have the best ride possible, according to your skill level, terrain, snow conditions--you name it. He'll dispel common misconceptions, teach you proper boot maintenance, and explain the purpose behind the feature of his carefully curated selection of boots--hell, I felt like I even got a free snowboarding lesson with all the tips and advice he had. Ended up buying TWO pairs of boots because my partner who was with me got literal FOMO as he watched me get this bespoke consultation more detailed than your wedding dress or suit fitting will ever be. Honestly, I walked out feeling like I had been guided through an epic learning experience by a master shaman, feeling enlightened and confident to shred the slopes this season. Brandon's exceptional service is something I look forward to seeking out again when I upgrade my board and bindings next! His attention to detail, extensive industry knowledge, and great sense of humor deserve a raise read more

For those of you old enough to remember Berkeley's Iceland, the building is still standing, and it's now a Sports Basement. The artwork still adorns the walls, as does the big clock display at the back. Whatever sport you're into, they've probably got it here, including lacrosse and frisbee golf, among other things. The one thing I didn't see were snowshoes. Looked for them amongst the ski gear and came up empty. Prices are comparable to REI, but there are good discounts to be had if you're lucky. Great place to spend a rainy day browsing. I wish their parking lot were bigger. read more

Sports Basement - Use the force - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

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First time coming here instead of REI and it looks like it will be my last as well. Such a bad first impression. The rental person I asked about where I needed to stand to get help for a reservation and he responded rather short, pointing to a general location not addressing the specifics of my question. Finally got called, was spoken to condescendingly about not leaving stuff in the fitting room, which I suppose is big problem here? The gear was dirty and the jacket had items that were used by the previous renter. It was simply unacceptable, gross, and showed lack of care before recycling to the next renter. After waiting an abnormally long time, even with a reservation, I cannot come here again. After fitting myself with the clothing items, I was told to go sit on the bench and wait to be fitted. Statistically, if my first time here was this bad, it must be a common theme. If I have a reservation, it shouldn't have taken over an hour. read more

Sports Basement Berkeley is a family favorite and established hub in the community. This review is in praise of Brandon in snowboarding. Across multiple visits, Brandon has provided guidance on board size, shape, availability, and value, weighing important personal considerations like how often the rider will be on the mountain, their current comfort level and aspirations, and budget. Brandon offers a patient, friendly approach, no matter your experience or pre-existing knowledge - he can start from square one and take the customer through their entire selection, or pick up wherever the customer is research-wise and share more detail or alternatives. Unless it's significantly cheaper elsewhere, which is unlikely, I plan to make any future snowboarding component purchase at or through Sports Basement after running it by branding. The sport is a serious investment, and Brandon's insight resulting in lasting gear is invaluable. read more

I've been a basementeer for many years now. After spending copious amounts of money in the store, I finally had the pleasure of running into Brandon in the ski and snowboarding department. That guy is a snow god. He knows everything about ski and snowboard equipment. I've certainly leveled up my equipment game because of him. Cannot say enough about how cool is. Suffice it to say, I'll be spending more money here because of him. Well done, Brandon, well done. read more

Sports Basement - Brandon is too cool. - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

Donated shoes in the front of the store have been a godsend and staff are super friendly. They never make me or my girlfriend feel unwelcome or uncomfortable even when we come in just to pick out new shoes from the donation bins at the front of the store. thanks too sports basement staff read more

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I have been to several Sports Basements. This has to best of all. Every time you run into an associate, you warmly greet you and ask if there is anything you needed. I was there to find my 79 year old mother to find a great pair walking shoes. Our luck, we met the store's "Shoe Whisper" Brandon. The gentlemen spent over an hour to make sure my mom left with a great fitting pair of shoes. Thank you again Brandon and your colleagues at Sports Basement Berkeley! read more

‼‼Came in for some snow gear.. Brandon is the go to guy !!!!! Helped me and gave me knowledge on everything I had a questions on .. Give this guy a raise!! His customer service is read more

Hector helped me in customer service and went above and beyond - even Admist the crazy Black Friday sales he took time to help with my online order. (UPS had seemingly lost the package) and got me squared away very promptly. many thanks! will purchase from here again read more

The best place for gear in the bay! People working here are passionate about their outdoor lifestyle. They are really friendly and actually helpful. I especially love the membership program, return policy, and the rental program. A gem! read more

Came for snowboard gear. Left 100000% happy. Excellent service. Received custom fitting support within 20 minutes during a busy morning eith only 1 staff on duty. Thank you Brandon. Great prices for high quality products. Everything I wanted was in stock. Couldn't be happier. Just in time for the storm. read more

I found what I needed in this store.... new tennis apparel I definitely could use. What attracted me into the store was a discount coupon. Upon closer inspection I wasn't going to receive a 20% discount. That is reserved for existing "basementeers ". To become one you have to pay $25.00. Since I don't frequent thus establishment that often it didn't make much sense to shell out that. Instead I was eligible for a 11% discount. That small print really was a downer. I was happy with the quality of my purchase but really paying just about full price. Think of the discount as covering tax. The service was good there. read more

Sports Basement - Tennis apparel - Sports Wear Near Me - Berkeley, California

Brandon knows shoes! He also reportedly knows as much about snowboarding, but he is so knowledgeable about running, walking, and casual dress shoes. read more

Came in for some quality shoes. There is a small parking lot to the side of the store which is nice. The hours are great. It appears that they are a bit multi-purpose - upon entering there was an art sale off to the side (looked like pottery) which was fun. Everything is broken up by the sport which is nice since the space is large. The items are not cheap but if you join there is a nice discount to be had. If you are buying enough even the $25. to join is negligible because you might save well beyond that. For instance upon check out we could receive a $60. discount so subtracting the dollars to join still made it a good deal. The staff were awesome and the next time I need specific sports gear, including shoes and apparel, I will be back. read more

My wife and I went to sports basement in Berkeley on Sunday night to learn more about replacing our aging backpacks and plan for some upcoming outdoor adventures. We were very lucky to meet Shawn! Shawn was super patient, knowledgeable, and sized us to perfection. He was incredibly thorough and even had me climb up and down the stairs with weight in the pack. Wonderful experience and we will definitely be back. Thank you Shawn! read more

Review based on Customer Service Experience Went to look for snow clothing on 2/5 in the afternoon and had one of the worst customer service experiences happen to a friend. We asked a Sales Associate who was a male approx 40-year-old, with dark semi wavy long hair to his shoulders a simple question about the sale in the men's section and was given the rudest response. His response was "What does the sign say?" We're not dumb, we can read the sign but it amazed me how we were trying to clarify a question since Sports Basement has so many different sales posted throughout the store and were given a response with a smart remark. He could have given us a simple answer but he ruined the experience for us at this specific location. It truly felt that he had the attitude of a DMV Worker. If you are going to be in the customer service industry and work with people, please don't be a D**K. You choose to work with people and help them and it is a part of your job description. read more

A little crazy on the inside. It wasn't very easy to find stuff. Staff was nice, that I spoke with. Customers seemed grumpy.