Rackets & Runners

I’d always heard good things about Rackets and Runners, but today was the first time I’d been in.
It was one of those store visits that turns you into an instant fan.
Buying a tennis racket is one of those purchases where you can pick right and be super happy, or you can completely blow $ 300.
Keith walked us through the selection process, teaching us about balance, tension, head size, and all the things that help you choose whether you need a power racket or a control racket
Keith then allowed us to check out two rackets on two different ends of the continuum, and we test drove his recommends. They were absolute game changers.
Keith absolutely nailed my friend’s playing style, and my friend ended up buying his first recommendation. RNR easily matched online retailers’ prices, but provided boutique service.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would go again.

I’ve been back to Rackets and Runners since I wrote this review and WOW what a difference, the staff was went out of their way to make sure I got the right gear for my needs, very attentive but also no pressure. Happy customer!

I love this place! They are so friendly & helpful & they know tennis!
Had my racket re-​strung & my grip repaired, awesome job.

Just an absolutely wonderful family run and excellent service-​oriented establishment for all your racquet needs. They certainly go the second mile to give you their time and attention. A happy shout-​out to Nadya who took the time to help me try on a million tennis skirts and shirts to successfully buy 2 outfits the other week. Prices are so reasonable that I don’t bother ordering on line and prefer to go there to shop when I get my racquet restrung.

The staff at Rackets and Runners is very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. I needed to string my racket and they explained the strings and tensions to me in details. I also recycle my used tennis shoes to them instead of throwing them to garbage. They have great products and services I am looking for, and I would recommend Rackets and Runners to everyone!

Periodically, I get it into my head that I need more exercise, but now as I’m cresting over 50, I dread going into those generic sporting goods stores looking for sensible «cross trainers» with music pumping and indifferent 20 something service staff. I’m sure the problem is with me, but it is what it is.
This time I went out of my way to find a local shop that seemed comfortable in its shoes.
This mufti-​generational family run business has been In the same location on Oak St. since 1978 and, after 36 years, they’ve learned a thing or two about fitting running shoes.
Yes, you can probably go on-​line and find cheaper shoes, but wouldn’t you want to pay a bit more and get the proper fitting shoes the first time? Your feet will thank you.
What impressed me with Nadia, the sales person who assisted me, was that she listened to what my needs were and took the time to explain why the pair I finally chose were right for me. No up selling, just a pleasant shopping experience that left me feeling slightly elated.
The best thing about Rackets & Runners in an ever changing city like Vancouver is it isn’t going anywhere. Nadia mentioned they just signed a 7 year lease extension so I know where I’ll be getting my running shoes for the foreseeable — I just need to use them!

I’ve only visited the store 3 times and I’ve been greeted with fantastic customer service each time. All of the staff were helpful and courteous. They took the extra mile to make the customer felt taken care of. A pair of my new shoes started to tear after a few wears and I brought it back to the store for an evaluation. They reviewed the defect and gave me a new pair immediately. On any future purchases of shoes or gear, I will definitely make the trip to Rackets & Runners first before any other.

I am blown away by the customer service at this store. The staff go above and beyond to find what’s right for you. Very helpful staff helped fit me with an ideal sports bra. I’m quite curvy and I was pleased to see a female staff who is curvy like me. They even said I could try it out for 2 weeks and kept my second choice on hold for me in case the first one didn’t work out. I will definitely be a repeat customer.

I rarely review on Unilocal but had to with the excellent service I have received from this location. I’m looking to buy a new racket and the guy working Kevin has been nothing but helpful. I have demo’d numerous rackets and he gave the time to discuss each and how it can help my game, and explaining the effects of different strings on each.
Ive almost made my decision and will be buying from them 100% the service they provide is worth any extra dollar I will have to pay as opposed to ordering online and moving forward knowing I will be trying new string types confident they will be helping with that!
Thanks Kevin

More than just tennis, cricket gear too.
Impressed by selection of high quality of runners, even Mizuno & Sugoi naturally.
Very knowledgeable staff, this guy sure knew his stuff about compression wear, as that was what i was looking for. you won’t get this from Sport Chek lol.
Running wear too. You get the feeling that if you need to get shoes fitted, you;ve come to the professionals.
decent sized parking lot, Oak St. too.

To be honest: I dislike the «journey» of getting a pair of workoout shoes. Thank goodness Rackets & Runners offered a broad range of shoes and sizes. The prices are on the steep side for me. Since I take a long time to wear out a pair, then I’m ok with it. It’s not easy finding size 5 shoes.
When I walked in, a nice lady offered to help me because I looked overwhelmed by all the selection. She got a few pairs for me to try and examined how I walked. That help her narrow down choices for me. In about half an hour, I came out with a good pair of shoes. When I paid, the cashier told me the person who helped me out was the owner of the store. Cool.
I’m enjoying my cute brand new blue shoes.

After 15 years, I decided it was time to get back into playing tennis and needed a racket and tennis shoes.
I’m the type of person who is more than willing to walk out of a store if I don’t like the service — or it’s non-​existent. Conversely, if I walk into a store and am helped by a clerk who’s knowledgeable and friendly, I’ll be a customer for life even if I have to pay more than some discount store.
Having no clue what I’d need as far as a racket and shoes go and wanting to stay away from a chain sporting goods store where I figured I wouldn’t get expert advice, I turned to Unilocal.
Enter Rackets & Runners and their 5-​star rating: «knowledgeable staff». «super friendly», «helpful»… I’m sold.
I walked in today and was greeted warmly by a couple of staff members who were helping other customers try on shoes. «Perfect», I thought, «this is the spot.»
I stopped at the wall of tennis shoes and started browsing while two clerks stood by the counter. After a couple of seconds, one of them approached and asked if I needed help. He proceeded to explain what made tennis shoes different from runners, and what the differences were between the less and more expensive shoes.
I told him that I was getting back into the game and would need a racket as well… At that moment, another customer walked into the store, came up to the counter, and started talking to the other clerk there.
Right when the last word of «I’ll need a racket as well» left my lips, the clerk helping me promptly his back on me, walked to the counter and started talking to the other customer!
I was in shock.
It sounded like he had dealt with the customer previously. I continued looking at the shoes for another 30 seconds or so to see if the clerk would turn around to get back to me but he never did.
So I promptly walked out of the store.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression and Rackets and Runners sadly failed. I’ll never go back. Too bad.
Ironically, I stopped by a Sport Chek chain store on my way home to see what they had and got some decent, friendly service and bought two rackets (one for my wife) on sale.

Excellent service. Fastest pair of sneakers (or any type of shoe, at that) I’ve ever purchased, and with confidence. Knowledgeable staff. I took my shoes to the orthotics place afterwards, and they told me how awesome the shoes were, too. I don’t buy runners very frequently, but I’ve purchased my last two pairs here, even instead of going South!
A bit on the pricier side, but you get what you pay for; I believe their prices are certainly comparable to any other sneaker shop and they only sell the best. They offered to exchange them for me no problem if I changed my mind. The tennis clothing looked pretty nice, too, although I didn’t have much time to look.
Note-​the owners are athletes/​runners themselves, I believe, so they should know. Comes highly recommended by me! Now, if only I could make myself work out and/​or wear the damn things more frequently…

If you need tennis equipment this is THE place… very knowledgable staff and super friendly…

The staff sit on those shoe fitting stools and actually discusses what you want, need, price range, etc. I did not feel rushed. The staff is extremely friendly. I will definitely come back.
Parking is easy because it is like a little strip mall next to subway.