Boston is running's most historic American city, and its stores wear that heritage. Marathon Sports on Boylston sits right at the Boston Marathon finish line; Newbury Street is a running-retail row all its own with Tracksmith's Trackhouse, New Balance (the brand is Boston-born), and more; and Heartbreak Hill Running Company in the South End takes its name from the marathon's cruelest climb. Most are walkable in the Back Bay — do it on foot.
4.6 ★★★★★ 418 reviews
Longtime operation offering running apparel & personalized shoe recommendations.
4.3 ★★★★☆ 144 reviews
3.8 ★★★★☆ 126 reviews
Chain retailer stocking house-brand athletic footwear, apparel & accessories for all ages.
4.7 ★★★★★ 80 reviews
Straightforward store offering fitness apparel, plus shoe fittings & gait analysis for runners.
5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews
Between them, Boston's running stores carry HOKA, New Balance, ASICS, Brooks, Adidas, Altra, Diadora, Karhu. Trying a few brands back-to-back is the whole point of shopping in person — read what to expect at a fitting before you go, or find any brand near you in our brand directory.
You think you know what shoe shopping is like… but get ready to have your socks blown clean off 🧦. I stopped by Marathon Sports last Saturday and was helped immediately by Greg—essentially the Beethoven of high-end footwear 🎼👟.
I’ve loved Tracksmith as a brand for years and own several of their standout pieces, so it was great to see the in-store experience at Tracksmith Trackhouse reflect that same quality. On my recent visit, the staff were welcoming, attentive, and genuinely helpful.
I recently visited the store to exchange sneakers for my husband, which we had purchased online, and I can’t express enough how incredible our experience was, all thanks to Zeke. From the moment we walked in, he made us feel completely at ease.
