Texas Running Company

I had been having pain in my legs while training for a marathon and figured I needed to go into a running store (rather than order my shoes online like I had been doing). I wanted to talk to someone about my stride, measure my feet, etc. I first stopped in at Rogue Running and I wasn’t able to do any of that (a separate review for another post).
I came down the street to TRC, walked in, and was immediately greeted by a friendly salesperson. I was also very pleased with the HUGE selection of shoes. The salesperson was very friendly, extremely helpful, talked me through everything and I am SO, SO happy with my new shoes.

Bad customer service

I bought shoes at the Texas Running Company today and was helped by the most informative, lovely salesperson named Amy. She was genuinely interested in the process of finding the right shoes for my feet /​body and understanding the challenges that brought me to their store. It was one of those few store experiences where I’m motivated to look up my Unilocal pw to give a shout out. Thanks Amy!

Great selection of the latest shoes and apparel.
The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. No pressure sales approach.
I will return when I need a new pair of running shoes.
Ps. Free parking in the garage overhead.

The guys working here are über cute! And who doesn’t love athletic runner guys! :)
On to the service. I came in here looking around for some shoes and the guy there spent so much time with me analyzing my needs. My skinny, narrow feet make it difficult to find a pair that is comfortable. It is super great to try on a few pairs and never feel like being pressured to buy something. While I did not find the perfect pair of shoes, I did leave with some great looking neon-​fluoro colored tights that’s all the rage! I will come back again next time I am shoe shopping.

I came in 10 minutes before closing on a Sunday because I had forgotten some running clothes on a business trip. Everyone was very nice and helpful but not pushy. No one tried to rush me out the door. The selection is great and I’m very happy with all of my purchases. I’ll be back next time I’m in town!

I went in with my wife to get both of us new running shoes. James, the clerk, seemed to be quite knowledgeable and was very patient. I had brought my old shoes with me and he looked at the wear patterns and recommended a few styles.
My wife ran on the in-​store treadmill while James watched a close-​up of her feet on a nearby monitor to check the amount of pronation.
James then brought out two armloads of boxes and patiently helped as we tried them all on.
We both found shoes we liked and then browsed around the shop. Lots of running-​related specialty items (clothes, socks, water bottles, sunglasses, etc.)
The bill was about $ 240 (tax and everything) for two pairs of this season’s running shoes, so I would say this place is even-​with or below other places that sell running shoes and gear.
This is not the first time I’ve shopped here and I’d definitely shop here again.

Disappointed with my last running shoe experience at another store, I gave them a try. Love the monitored treadmill run. Just one more way to ensure a good shoe fit. Great customer service from Rory. He even recommended a good ½ marathon to run. Thanks for the help!

Not the largest running store but quite adequate. Prices? I tend to say more like $$$-$$$$ depending on the product… and that is based on examples like a store logo tanktop priced at $ 69. I’ve never seen a tanktop/​singlet, especially with a store logo, priced at $ 69. I love my gear and my fav brand (s), and I’ve love to provide free advertising for Texas Running Company because they support races, BUT… not at $ 69. I have very few premium Under Armour items that price in that range, and those are things like the annual limited runs of NFL COMBINE products. Those are typically compression with specialized bands of compression, etc. So, nice folks. Helpful. But a bit pricey on some items, which is why they only get 3 Stars. Maybe the rent is high at that location. Better prices and online sales might mean more volume business and better profits.

The Ice got some sweet new kicks here recently.
These guys really know their stuff. They are so good it’s dangerous.
And you know what? That’s a good thing.

I needed some shoes on short notice, so I headed to RougeRunning on East 5^th… out of business (or moved), then I headed over to Hill Country Running on S. Lamar. also out of business. I looked on Unilocal and found this place, Texas Running Co. I decided to give them a call since my other attempts were unsuccessful. It was 6.40pm and they said they closed at 7pm. I was close, got there, parked, and was in by 6.50.whew…
Except, they have a yoga class that starts at 7pm that completely takes over their entire space, and in fact, it does not start at 7, because everyone was already there at 6.50. When I entered the door I was met with «uh…you’re not here for yoga, are you?»…I explained I needed some shoes for a run I was to go on that evening. «Well, do you know exactly what you need?»…and while I liked my previous shoes I was hoping to get a little more personal service/​help with a new pair. I proceeded to head over and look thinking I could make a quick decision. But as I saw the options (and the prices), I decided a super quick decision was not going to be in my best interest. I mentioned to the person trying to help me that I may need to try on a couple pairs to ensure the right ones, and also acknowledging that, due to the yoga class that may not be an option.
I was hoping for a response like «Non-​sense, you are here before close, we are going to get you into a pair of shoes»…but what I received was a shrug and an offer to come back another time.
As one star rating says: «Eek! Methinks not»
A running store must be a low margin, niche business that is hard to operate due to the myriad other places (online and offline) one can get running stuff. Perhaps why the other two I tried were out-​of-​business. The way to differentiate is service. This place has a ton to learn on that front.

Excellent customer service, friendly and helpful. Great selection of shoes, and prices are comparable to other specialty running stores. I’ll definitely go back when I’m in town and need running gear!

The first time i came in here was random, we were new in town and walking down 5^th and stopped in to check it out. The manager was amazing and kind, she left a fantastic impression and I left knowing that when it was time to buy another pair of running shoes that this would be the place.
This week the time came to invest in new shoes, and i arrived at 7:09 pm on a Tuesday to find that the store was already closed (they close at 7 pm). Very strange since the entire neighborhood is full of gyms and people working out at this time of day. Luke’s Locker is also closed at 7, and so is every other running store in town, so they must all think the same way, that people who work all day must not care to buy running shoes after dinner?
The next day I returned at 6:40 pm and was greeted nicely, but as soon as I began asking questions about shoes I was met with yes/​no answers and a very clear unwillingness to actually HELP me find the right shoes. I had an awkward exchange with the salesperson, who didn’t have the shoes I wanted and tried to substitute two other styles that didn’t have the cushion or level of support that i need. It was clear that he wanted to go home and get rid of me, i decided on a pair of shoes. I looked around for socks and other things for a few minutes, and when i got to the register, he was doing his end of the day paperwork and hadn’t even brought my shoes up to the front. And then assumed I was going to walk to the back of the store and get them myself.
I love my shoes and all is well, but next time it’s time to spend $ 160 on a pair of running shoes, I think I’ll go somewhere else where they care.

Solid, solid store. I usually go to the north store since they’re close to me, but I kept hearing about the wonders of Hokas, and this is the only store that carries them, so I made the trek down and arrived here. NOTE: Although I’m dumb and paid for parking, they have a free garage you can use.
I was greeted immediately upon entering the store. I wish I remembered her name, the petitie gal with the long brown hair, but she was super nice and got me hooked up with a bunch of shoes to try. My husband, who hadn’t planned on buying anything, decided to try some on too. After a bunch of deliberation (and never feeling rushed), I walked out with TWO pairs of shoes and my husband one.
As we sped off down the road, we remembered to check in on Unilocal,and… dang, there was a 10% off coupon! Ack! Normally I would just save it for next time, but that’s about 50 bucks, yo. We doubled back, and they were super nice about honoring the coupon, and just crediting me back the difference.
I’ll probably frequent the north store much more often because of it’s proximity, but I encourage ANYONE who needs some good running shoes/​gear to check out these folks.

TRC has a good selection. The staff are always ready to help find whatever it is that you are looking for. I went in to find the «Stick» massager for my IT band and there was an array of selection to choose from. They were helpful at helping explain the different oens. In addition, gave me a free sample of the KT tape. (I was considering buying some but had never used it before… and it’s not an inexpensive item.)
Thanks TRC!

I used to really love this store and the amazing customer service I received here every time I went in, whether it was for a new pair of running shoes or just to pick up something quick, like some Shot Blocks. However, I had an extremely bad experience with two employees I’d never seen before (and I am a pretty regular customer… the (now former) manager Daniel knew me by name and so did other employees.)
The first time I went in the store on Sunday, August 11, half of the power was off and I couldn’t even tell if they were still open at first. No big deal, the power is out of their control, but then it took them 15 minutes to even acknowledge me. I understand if you are with a customer, but at least say hi! Then it took another 5 or so minutes for them to help me in the shoe area. Again, neither of them knew how to multitask at all. They were not even that busy. There were maybe 6 customers in the whole store.
I explained what I wanted (basically, the exact same shoes I already have, just another color so I don’t get the new and the old ones mixed up.) They told me, without checking in the back, that they only had that color. I asked them to call the Gateway store and see if they had another color. They said that Gateway usually had the exact same stock and did not call for me. I said «fine, I’ll drive up there and check for myself» and left.
Went to the Gateway store… they were extremely nice and helpful. They did everything right. They greeted me right away, asked me what I came in for, listened to my needs, checked in the back, and when they didn’t have another color, they offered to order them for me. Even if the idiots at the 5^th street store were right about the stock, they could have saved me the trip up there by just calling. I decided to go back to the 5^th street store (big mistake) to buy a pair of shoes that were on sale instead. (Older model of my same shoe).
The second time I went in, just my luck, they had sold my size in the sale shoe. I asked if they could special order me the newer shoe in a different color. They told me that they no longer special ordered shoes because it «was a waste of manpower» and a whole bunch of other stupid excuses. I told them that the Gateway store had just offered to special order for me and they told me to go on their website to order them. I told them I was just going to another store to buy them and walked out.
On my way up the stairs to the parking garage, another customer said to me «that guy completely abandoned me to start helping you, so I just walked out!» So because of their lack of multitasking, they lost two potential shoe sales! How hard is it really to say «excuse me sir, I will be right back» and ask me what I need, and then help both of us simultaneously?! Instead he just completely ignored the customer he was helping first to help me.
This exact kind of behavior is why I hated Run Tex and refused to shop there. The one time I was in there, I was treated similarly.
Note to management… Train your employees better! Why they let those two knuckleheads be alone in the store together on a Sunday on tax free weekend and during their shoe sale is beyond me. Those two guys are not capable of helping more than two customers in the store at the same time. What incredibly lazy employees! What ever happened to the customer is always right and going above and beyond for their customers (like I have come to expect from them)?! I worked retail for a long time (all through high school and college), and if I ever acted that way, I’d have been fired. I won’t be back anytime soon. They lost a $ 175 sale that day and they’ve lost a great customer. If they’re looking for me, I’ll be at Luke’s Locker, or if I happen to be up north, I’ll go to the Gateway location from now on.

I like to run, a lot. My shoes/​clothes disintegrate in the process, a lot. So I decided to see which place was open on Unilocal.Texas Running Company is located centrally downtown. They have a parking garage that customers can use, so no parking issues! Hooray!
So, obviously it’s cheaper to get stuff online, but that’s not the point. When you talk to some of the people that work here, it’s pretty clear to me that they actually care about the customer and can relate to everything about running. They make some pretty well informed recommendations.
I was at this location to pick up some new clothing before the Capitol 10k. One of the employees came up and I started chatting with them. They were running the Capitol 10k as well. It was a normal conversation. I didn’t feel pressured to buy anything at any point.
They have a lot of dry-​fit type products from a range of companies. Saucony, Nike, Brooks, etc. There is some winter running stuff in there too.
This place is a good alternative to Runtex. I had nothing but bad experiences with Runtex.

Another great experience at Texas Running Company. I had an issue with a previous purchase and staff member Harlan took the time and effort to understand my problem and make it right. I love this store, the energy that Harlan and Daniel show to every customer is outstanding. I can’t imagine getting my running shoes anywhere else.

Great staff, great selection (most of the time), and great store layout. They have no problem doing runner analysis on your stride, for free. And they more than occasionally have awesome events with food and booze. Overall great place.

I decided that I wanted to take up running, so I went to the 5^th street location downtown to buy some shoes. I knew that they had the ability to do gait analysis, and this was a big plus because I wanted to make sure that I got the right shoes for my body.
Claire gave me a pair of neutral shoes to try, put me on the treadmill and ascertained that I had a neutral gait. She then showed me a variety of shoes that were appropriate for me. She patiently advised me while I tried them on the track that runs around the store, and helped me select the best pair. She even went to the sale rack and found a pair there for me to try. I ended up with the Brooks Pure Flow in an eye-​catching red. She also helped me with socks and a sports bra. It was a great experience, and I feel like Claire was very patient and attentive to my needs. I would definitely recommend Texas Running Company to anyone who needs running gear.
After I made my purchase and checked prices online, I was pleased to note that TRC’s prices were about the same as the online discounters like Zappo’s. That combined with the excellent customer service they offered means that I’ll never shop anywhere else for running shoes, at least not when I’m in Texas!