Inside Track

This is the only place I’ve been where the staff can accurately tell me what my needs are for my type of foot and running style. You can’t go wrong here.

Scott & Kasey were amazing. I tried on a million pairs of shoes and they patiently helped me with every question! Thanks guys!

Just bought my second pair of running shoes from IT. When I entered the store the sales person was already helping another customer with some shoes. I figured I’d just browse while she helped him but I was greeted promptly and she helped both of us with our questions and shoe fittings. A third customer who was also looking for shoes came in shortly thereafter and she helped all three of us expertly. Although she was helping three customers at once she was attentive and pleasant. Needless to say I love the shoes I bought and I attribute that to the expert advice I received at IT. I wish I could remember the salesperson’s name because she was top notch. As far as their prices, their shoes are no more expensive than bigger retailers and you get hands on, expert advice, while also supporting a local small business. I’d definitely recommend IT to anyone looking to get into running and needing the gear to start.

I visited Inside Track looking today looking for new walking shoes. I was helped by Ruth. She analyzed my gait and made several recommendations. I tried on 6 pair and made my choice. Ruth and I chatted about mutual friends making it a very enjoyable experience.
Because of the time she spent with me (and the fact that the prices were not obvious), I assumed the price would be a little steep, but probably worth it for the personal service. But I think the price was better than I would find at a big box store with no personal service.
I just got back from an 8 mile walk and the shoes were perfect. No more purple toes from now on (I hope).

I purchased my first pair of running shoes from Inside Track. Casey and Scott did an incredible job helping me find the right shoe. They watched me run and analyzed my form before bringing out many different brands and types to choose from that would fit my running style. I eventually settled on Brooke’s Ravenna 5’s. My first run on my new shoes, I was able to accomplish my goal of 5 miles for the first time! Thank you Inside Track, and Casey and Scott for introducing me into the world of running!

I visited Inside Track on Wednesday. I was especially pleased with Michelle’s service and knowledge.
I went in for a pair of running shoes and left with a pair of comfortable and supportive Nikes. I overpronate, so I needed an extra supportive shoe.
Michelle knew exactly what to get me, and she watched how I ran in different shoes to see how supportive they were on me. She was very knowledgable about the shoes themselves AND their impact on my overpronation.
I never felt like I was being up sold on anything. I just came in for some help in picking out a pair of shoes, and I got exactly that, plus some terrific customer service.
Overall, I’m a very happy customer. I’ll definitely be returning to Inside Track when my shoes get worn out.

Awesome store, great help, really happy with my new asics purchase!

Had a great experience here yesterday! I went in needing some running shoe recommendations and Evan was such a great help. He watched me walk to see my stride and run in all the shoes I considered. He was very helpful in getting me in the right size and the right shoe. He brought out many shoes for me to try on and then helped me find a ‘cute’ color in the shoe that I liked! Prices were similar to all other stores, but it was so nice having the help of a professional to pick out my shoes. Great store and I’ll be back for my next pair of shoes when I need them.

Great local running store. They have a pretty good selection of shoes aimed at running, walking, and triathlons and biathlons. They have good assortment of equipment from shoes, compression sleeves, socks, wet suits, sandals, nutrition, and supplements. I stopped by on a Sunday to get shoes for my GF and the staff was really helpful. They helped find the shoes that work well for her. She’s already worn them for Zumba and going to use to for her jogs.
I’m a neutral runner and Scott showed me a few new shoes, once I’ve worn through the 3 pairs I already have I’ll be back to purchase those Brooks Pure Flows! ;-)

Knowledgable owner!

Wow, I just left this store without making a purchase and was pretty aghast at the service. I want to start running, so I really wanted some expert guidance on shoes, support, sizing, etc. Didn’t get that here. The salesperson waved his hand at two columns of shoes on a big wall of shoes and telling me ‘any of these are going to give good support’, and then he disappeared, leaving me wondering, ‘was it this column he waved at? or this one?’ as I stood staring dumbly at dozens of shoes.
My specific questions about where the toe should hit, how well the soft cushioning might hold up, etc, got a lot of ‘Ummmmm, I guess’ and ‘Just whatever feels best…’ type answers.
There was one other salesperson in the store and I was hoping he’d come to the rescue since the service was so painfully terrible, but he didn’t. (I was the only customer in the store by the way.)
The reason to go to an expert running store is to get expert guidance, which I would gladly pay extra for. But that is sorely lacking at this store (at least on my visit), so I may as well go to a discount sporting store if I am going to be left to ‘guess’ at the best shoe, the best fit, etc, anyway.
Or just use the ‘Shoe Dog’ wizard on roadrunnersports website to find out what type of shoes are best for your arch type, foot mechanics, etc. Even that is better service and more information than what I got at Inside Track. :-(

I wish I’d come in 3 months ago when my chiropractor first suggested this place. The owner was extremely helpful when I came in for a pair of shoe inserts for my work shoes (I have horribly flat feet), as well as a new pair of light weight shoes for Zumba. She spent a lot of individual time with me, taking into account what type of work and long hours I have, as well as what types of issues I’ve had with previous shoes.
I’d mentioned that I was having some hip/​back pain this week and the first pair she suggested immediately took the pressure of the sore spots. She made a few more suggestions that were less expensive but also explained their disadvantages (heavier, less support, etc.). The pair I selected were pricey compared to the New Balance outlet shoes I was there to replace, but I think they will be worth it. Even though I love a bargain I really believe you get what you pay for, and you NEVER get this kind of help inside of a larger chain store.
When I jokingly wished there was a way to «rent» shoes/​orthotics on a trial basis, she suggested I wear them inside to give them a try so that I could still return them if they didn’t end up working out for me. I wore them for several hours yesterday and today my hip is almost completely back to normal — I’m pretty sure those shoes had at least some role in that.
I think I made a worthy investment and will definitely be back the next time I need work shoes.

Both my husband and I had a great experience buying shoes here. We have similar strides, and after doing some internet research, we 100% *sure* we wanted a certain Nike shoe. Went over to Inside Track, tried them on, and I would have bought them, but the salesperson suggested he watch us walk. He did, and brought us out some more shoes better suited to our steps. What a difference from the first pair! I appreciated that he brought out cheaper shoes as well (not just trying to up-​sell us).
The staff is very knowledgable, attentive and let you take your time. They seemed to have a lot of water bottle belts, clothing and swim stuff as well. I highly recommend this store over the chains.

This is Inside Track’s new location, in the shopping center on the corner of Seaward and Harbor between Vons and Starbucks. Pretty much the same store as when it was located in downtown, but now it is easier to get to as well as having plenty of parking available. Same people in the store so once a fan, always a fan.

Paid this place a visit today, looking for some new running shoes. Good place to go, as long as you have a few minutes. The salesman was helping some talkative customer that was there before me. Like any good sales person would do, he gave her his full attention, thorough advise and expert help. Being only one sales person on the floor when i got there, this is where a minute or ten was appreciated by the staff. During this time I took it upon myself to browse through some of the shoe aisles (big no-​no) apparently, whoops! So obviously clueless I was to the store rule, no customers in the shoe stock shelves, I didn’t know. The owner (I’m guessing) politely advised me I was not welcome to browse the shoe stock. So I waited for assistance some more.
When it was my turn, the man helping me asked me to walk across the store to observe my gait. Asked where i would be running, and made a recommendation based on this info and my size. He brought out my size in a wide, though I’ve never worn a wide I figured heck maybe he observed something in my stride that told him a wide would be appropriate. I tried them on, they felt alright. I felt I wanted to try more on, but the first salesman wasn’t super willing to bring more out.
The owner however had another recommendation and a few more shoes to try on, including my size in a regular width. Now those felt good, nice and snug around my foot with good support. Definitely the fit I was looking for, but not really the color as it was pink and white. I had hoped to get a darker color shoe as they tend to get dirty quick. The owner had left to help other customers at this point, so I asked my salesman if he had another color, which he quickly replied, «no». Having picked up on his unwillingness to dig through stock earlier, I told him I needed a minute with the shoe to walk around the store and make sure the fit was what I was looking for. At this point the owner walks out and i asked him if they came in another color, he replied, «yes, blue and white». Ok, a little better, not the dark sneak I’d hoped for but they fit so well, I’d take it.
The owner also cautioned the salesman about grabbing wide shoes on accident, when people really just wear regular width shoes. Moral of this story is, even at a professional establishment like this, the «help» isn’t always efficient.
I was pleased for the most part, not ecstatic about my shoe. I’m sure it will do just fine for running. It had better it wasn’t cheap, but not overly expensive either. I picked up this pair of Brooks for $ 99.00. A little more than i had planned on spending, but worth it since it felt great.

Came here after drinks at Paddy’s, which is on the same block, hoping I didn’t reek of cocktails. The first time I ventured in, only one other customer lumbered in the cluttered athletic shoes section. The personable woman who worked there helped me considerably, showing the latest or most popular running shoes. She urged me to run down the street wearing various shoes until I decided on a very comfortable, albeit uncomfortably orange, pair of New Balance to move me towards Weightlossville.
The second time, I went in to pick up a pair of black Vibram shoes, which feature individual toes and are available only through specialty stores like Inside Track. A large family basically took over the shoe section, so I was relegated to the fancy bicycles and loud clothes. Personally, I don’t know why these companies make athletic gear so obnoxiously unattractive, assaulting our visual senses with overbearing fuchsia, bile yellow, and grody lime green – and they weren’t even on sale. Actually, I wouldn’t expect this place to have sales at all. Probably a good thing, as the store’s too small to house a bunch of flabby bargain shoppers.

Growing up as a runner in Ventura, first with Tigres Track Club, then with Ventura High, when it came to buying running shoes it always meant one thing: you forewent the slightly cheaper prices and limited selection of big chain sports stores like Big 5, or Sports Chalet out in Oxnard, and supported your local running store. Yes! A store for runners by runners: Inside Track.
Formerly owned by former City Councilman and professional runner, Gary Tuttle, in 2007 after thirty years of ownership, Tuttle sold the store to Josh Spiker. Although always a great shop, tucked away on the little sliver of a block where E. Santa Clara Street merges with E. Main Street almost across the way from Cemetery Park, Gary hadn’t changed a thing in those thirty years! You could tell. The store, although always stocked with the latest and greatest in running shoe technology and the most knowledgeable staff to help you pick the right shoe for you, was dingy, dusty and, well, dated. Upon changing ownership last year, Josh immediately spruced up the store and brought in new running related inventory. Recently, he moved the store to a new, bigger, and better location on W. Main St. (across the street from the Avenue Vons). The inventory has expanded to not only include running items but also triathlon items for cycling & swimming, and equipment for other endurance sports.
Josh, a world-​class long-​distance runner himself, knows his stuff when it comes to running shoes and equipment and, not to mention, is just one of the nicest people around to talk to about running or anything really. I’ve been supporting Inside Track for over fifteen years and love it.