The best running shops in London for all your needs – including a free gait analysis, community runs and more
Looking for the best running shops in London? Whether you're after a new pair of running shoes and want to get your gait checked, or you want to try on some sports bras to find the best brand and style for you, visiting a good running shop, trying on kit and getting some advice tailored to you can make all the difference.
Plus, many stores now go beyond just selling running apparel, with lots of brands hosting free weekly social runs and training sessions, leaving from their stores, providing the opportunity to meet, chat and train with fellow runners in the capital. Some also serve as community spaces, featuring everything from pop-up bars to top-of-the-range studios for strength and yoga classes.
To help you find the best shop for your running requirements, we've rounded up some of the best running stores in London.
Central
London Trackhouse
Address: 25 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PR
Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 2014, boutique running brand Tracksmith has exploded in popularity in recent years and, this year, opened its first store outside of the US in the heart of London's Marylebone. The brand is famous for its retro collegiate styling, cool aesthetic and premium quality and the store has been designed as a manifestation of the brand – featuring upmarket furnishings and even a terrazzo running track inlayed in the floor to guide the customer experience. It also hosts weekly community and training runs from the store on Fridays, Wednesdays and Sundays, some with complementary coffees and pastries after. Result.
Asics
Address: 527 Oxford St, London W1C 2QL
Asics' flagship store on Oxford Street doesn't just house its much-loved lines of running shoes and latest kit but hosts strength, yoga and HIIT classes, led by PTs and fitness instructors, in a new top-of-the-range studio located on the mezzanine. You can also get a free gait analysis in store to understand more about your running style, and the shoes that are most suited to you. There's also free community runs leaving from the store every Wednesday and Friday, led by the Asics FrontRunners.
Asics also has a store in Canary Wharf Shopping Centre: Unit 23 & 54 B3 FFL, Jubilee Place, 45 Bank St, London E14 5NY
New Balance
Address: 287-291 Oxford St, London W1C 2DR
You can also pick up a free gait analysis at New Balance's flagship store, also on Oxford Street. Be sure to give its perennially popular 1080 shoe range a try, as well its super-responsive FuelCell running shoe collection and vibrant range of running apparel.
On
Address: 169-173 Regent St., London W1B 4JF, United Kingdom
The Swiss brand's flagship store on Regent Street offers an immersive, tech-driven approach to in-person shopping. Running shoes are concealed inside 'Magic Wall' shelves, with hidden gait analysis technology – simply run a few strides on the store floor and you will be matched with the best shoes for you and your running style. And if you want a more detailed analysis, you can test-drive shoes via a one-to-one guided session – just ask a member of staff. The store also has a versatile community space for panel talks, workouts and events – there's even a pop-up bar on the walls – and it hosts a free weekly 5K run from the store every Wednesday evening.
Hoka
Address: 2-3 James St, London WC2E 8BH
In October 2023, Hoka opened its first European store in London. Designing shoes based on their three technologies: propulsion, support and stability, Hoka aims to provide comfortable and endurable trainers that are perfect for both creating momentum and framing your feet into the shoe. Around the store are a variety of experts from athletes to coaches, available to answer any questions surrounding nutrition, trainers, and sports clothing. Hoka is also partnered with JogOn to recycle old pairs of trainers and hosts a weekly 5k social run, offering the chance to test their shoes on a first-come-first-served-basis.
Arc’teryx
Address: 212 Piccadilly London, England W1J9HL, 49 Long Acre, Covent Garden London, England WC2E9LN
Founded by local climbers in 1989, Arc’teryx offers a range of sportswear and equipment in snow sports and running. Named after Archaeopteryx Lithographica, the first reptile to develop the feather for flight, the brand aims to provide durable and environmentally sustainable items to the market. In order to be fit for use, Arc’ teryx conducts field testing, where designs are tested by the designers and athletes in real world conditions. As a brand that focuses deeply on sustainability, Arc’teryx is the store for you, providing innovative designs and concepts to minimise their impact on the environment.
Run and Become
Address: 4 Eccleston St, SW1W 9LN
One of the first running shops in the UK, Run and Become was established with the London store in 1982 by Ongkar Tony Smith and his wife Cherry. It’s still a family-run institution, with additional stores in Edinburgh and Cardiff. Since 2013, it's run onsite Sports Clinics, offering runners not just shoes and kit but coaching and injury prevention advice, too. You can also get a gait analysis.
Runner’s Need
Address: 4 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9QA, plus the following London locations:
Runner’s Need was founded in 1979 by Chris Bould, a late starter who went for his first run at the age of 26. Since then they’ve established many more stores, where customers can get advice on anything from racing to nutrition. It also offers free gait analysis and fitting services in every store. Runner's Need also has a JustRun Run Club – a free weekly club leaving from its stores, where you can also earn rewards by collecting stamps which you redeem as discounts in store.
Ellis Brigham
Address: Tower House, 10-12 Southampton Street, WC24 7HA
If you’re more likely to hit the trails than pound the pavement, you might find what you need at Ellis Brigham. The family-owned mountain sports retailer has a strong selection of trail running shoes, kit and accessories like GPS watches. It also sells hydration packs to keep you fuelled on longer runs.
City
The Running Works
Address: 28-30 Houndsditch, EC3A 7DB
Proudly billing itself as London’s largest independent running shop, The Running Works has pretty much everything you could ask for. It stocks some of the most sought-after brands – think Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Under Armour and more – as well as some lesser-known names like Stance, Ciele and Newline. It also hosts free daily runs and has showers for customers to use.
East
London City Runner
Address: 243 Victoria Park Road, Victoria Park Village, London. E9 7HD
Based right next door to Hackney’s stunning Victoria Park, you’ll want to hop across the road for a run as soon as you’re done shopping here. They pride themselves on their friendly and enthusiastic staff and offer gait analysis to make sure you’re getting the right kit for you.
North
Bike and Run
Address: 128 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9ED
Steve Mckenzie set up Bike & Run in North London after growing tired of a career in the city. Though cycling makes up a big portion of the store’s wares, there’s plenty for runners too, including kit, shoes and accessories, as well as swimmers and triathletes. You can test ride bikes, there's a running machine for trying out new shoes, and the store supports local clubs with advertising.
West
Profeet
Address: 867-869 Fulham Rd, London, SW6 5HP
If you’re serious about comfort, Profeet might be the shop for you. Available by appointment only, it offers a customised experience to find the footwear that’s just right. While it stocks brands like Adidas, Asics and New Balance, Profeet is also involved in international tests and discussions with product designers, so you know what you’re getting is the real deal.
Sporting Feet
Addresses: 3 Lacy Road, Putney, London, SW15 1NH / 9 King St, Richmond, London, TW9 1ND
West Londoners are well-served by Sporting Feet, with stores in Putney and Richmond. It stocks a range of footwear, including most major brands, as well as accessories and insoles. Both stores also offer free in-store gait analysis using sophisticated digital-scanning equipment.
Up & Running
Addresses: 70-72 Broad Street, Teddington, TW11 8QY / 184, Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, SW14 8AN / 2 Ditton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6QZ
Up & Running is an independent, family-run store selling everything a runner might need: shoes, kit, electronics, you name it. As well as three shops in West London, it has a store on Fleet Street.
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