As I get ready for my first 5k, Ashli gave me a couple of recommendations for running shoe stores here in Austin that she said provide great service and would be able to help me pick out the right pair of shoes. I’ve been wearing the same style of Nike 4E sneaker for a decade now. Since I can now wear regular people shoes (hurrah!), I wanted to get service from someone who could help me with the right sneaker since I tend to walk on the outside of my feet.
Ashli suggested Hill Country Running and Luke’s Locker – both located in downtown Austin. This post is long so please come inside to read all of it.
Hill Country Running review
I decided to go to Hill Country Running – the store has a boutique feel to it offering a selection of athletic clothing and the sneaker wall had about 50 models. I was greeted by David who asked me what size I wear. I told him I have no idea since I lost weight blah blah. He brought out two pairs of Brooks sneakers. I had to put them on myself (not something I thought about until I went to Luke’s Locker (LL) below) and then walked around the store. The Hill Country Running store has a treadmill and also a concrete outdoor deck so you can get a feel for the shoes on different surfaces.
I explained a few times to David that I walk on the outside of my feet and he said these two pairs were the right shoes for me. I asked if there were any other options from the other brands (asics, nike, etc.) and he told me that one of these Brooks sneakers were right for me and the 5k prep.
I purchased one pair and when I got home I looked up the sneakers online, both on Amazon and on the Brooks website. I was very disappointed to see that these sneakers were for people with the complete opposite condition! In fact, I was told later at LL that if I wore those sneakers, I could actually cause shin splints in my legs!! Grrrrrrr!
I took the sneakers back to the store and David wasn’t as friendly. He asked me why I wanted to bring the sneakers back and I explained the above reason. He said, “you knew what that these sneakers were for and there are very few shoes in your size.” I said nothing, took the credit slip and left. I doubt Hill Country Running will ever see me back again.
Lukes Locker review
The experience was 100% better at Luke’s Locker. First, the store is HUGE and has way more variety. I was greeted by an employee who asked me my name and introduced me to Jeff. He was great – he measured my feet and brought out 6 pairs of sneakers to try. He explained the differences between each style and I tried one on – he watched me walk and then brought out several other styles. I tried on about 14 pairs of sneakers in different sizes, widths and models. David said there were only a few models available in my size but clearly that is not true. Eventually I settled on one pair of Brooks sneakers.
The overall experience at Luke’s Locker was better. I know the review is shorter but there really isn’t much more to say – I was treated very well, I had a salesperson who knew EVERYTHING about the different models of shoes.
I wore the sneakers I purchased today for my first walk around Town Lake and they felt amazing and I felt like I could walk faster than before. Thanks to Jeff and the LL team for the excellent service!
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