Goettelmanns Gary Ryans Sport Shop

 

0

1

Antony N.

San Jose, CA

If you want to get the right gear from the folks that have been there, you can't do better than Ryans. This is a family owned business where both father and son have made their mark in running. The son has run a 2:40-something marathon, and the elder was one of America's elite master's runners during the 80's, also claiming to have coached more sub-2:40 women marathon runners then anyone else in the country. Not only do they know their shoes, they offer a generous discount to returning customers. They carry Asics, Mizuno, and other brands.  This is the real deal.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

3

Rob I.

Morgan Hill, CA

I haven't been in this store, but, based on other's reviews, I gave them a call when I was looking for basketball shoes.

The *only* reason that I am giving them four stars is due to the extremely limited selection of basketball shoes - only two or three models in stock.

Otherwise, the saleman's on-the-phone help was excellent: I didn't feel rushed, he offered infomation without me needing to dig for it, and he seemed really knowledgable. He also mentioned some things that I know going into a shoe store, but places like Foot Locker, Payless Shoes, etc, etc, would never tell you. (Not to mention that most of those stores' sales people, if they know ANYTHING at all, just get their info from sales literature. Ask them for the lightest baskeball show and they have no clue.)

Anyway, they suggested I bring my shoes in for them to look. (I presume they may be selling orthotics - it's really a good idea to look into that to avoid future joint and back problems, BTW.)

All in all, I'd expect any experience in this store to be excellent. When I need to update my running shoes, I will go here.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

108

364

Flor D.

San Jose, CA

"If it ain't broke...then don't try to fix it..."  No...I am not quoting Will Smith via his "Summertime" song, but I am quoting one of the owners at Ryan's Sport Shop.  Although Running revolution had some 50+ reviews and a reputation for "filming and critiquing,"  I figured I would go back to the place that started it all.  

Back in 2006 I was running like Forest Gump.  The San Jose Mercury 10k race was my catalyst.  How I miss that race and running through SJ.   Truth be told, I had never ran in my life, let alone partake in a race. My tired 5 year old New Balances were growing old, and running for hours on end constituted getting a more "supportive" shoe, literally.  I headed to Ryan's almost 2 years ago(they kept me on file) and picked up some Brooks.  
And to think that this little purchase started it all....

The back story:
My fuel=a broken heart.
Getting over a relationship was exactly what I needed to cross the finish line. Who knew heart ache would be as powerful as a power bar?  I started running like crazy. I did them all: bay to breakers, wharf to wharf, and the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon in SJ on it's first year to the bay area.  I was beating my times and was really getting into running.  After almost a year, I got derailed and stopped hitting the pavement.  

Flash forward to 2008, where an insatiable hunger taps at my feet.  Treadmill is calling and my feet need new shoes.  
I headed back to Ryan's with my sad worn out Brooks, where a simple question was posed, "want to stick with what you know or get something new?" I thought back to all my sweat, hard work, and  determination, and figured I would stick with the shoes that made me move.  

Knowledgeable staff with a reputation of helping runners for over 20+ years.  Plus, bring in your old shoes and get a  small discount.  Yes, for your first purchase, they do the whole evaluation/run outside thing.  However, once you know what you want, you can be a more educated consumer.  They don't accept AMEX, and this place is around the corner from frozo's.  Lot's of  gear to make that inner runner in all of us happy and prepared to get back out there with a vengeance!    

At the end of the day...no one can tell you what shoe works for you...but YOU.  I highly recommend Ryan's shop...and here's to another great journey, another awesome adventure, and another year of running with my brooks-pink 08 edition!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

10

28

Justin L.

Santa Clara, CA

My friends call this place the Nazi shoe store simply because they know their stuff here. I've brought numerous pairs of running shoes and none by far had come to close to what they have recommended me here.

They gave me about 3-4 different pair of shoes here just to see how it feel. They actually make you run in them to see how it really feels in action. Not much like any other shoe store where you just put on the shoes and you buy it only to see that it fits. Not at this place, they make sure they have the right shoes for you.

I'm amazed with their knowledge here and their excellence customer service. HIGH RECOMMENDED for serious runners out there.

TIP: Bring in your old running shoes so that they can check on how you have been running, but this is not necessary.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

18

15

Lynn C.

San Jose, CA

The. Best. Running. Shoe. Store. Period. hehe Seriously! I've been coming here since 1998, so this year makes 10 years ... I started coming here in high school on the rec of my coach (Hank Lawson) to get running shoes.

It amazed me at first that they let me try the shoe out. They give you one pair they think will fit you (your build, shoe size, width, etc) and you take it for a test run, then you take off one shoe and try a different brand, etc etc and it goes on until you are fitted with the one that is perfect for you.

It's like the way your optometrist says, "better or worse" with that little eye checking machine.

I cannot recommend them highly enough. The friendly staff is knowledgeable and runners also so they know what's up.

Go check them out! ^_^

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

1

5

melanie w.

San Jose, CA

I have been through a few purchases of running shoes from various local running stores. Finally, after many attempts and purchases at different places with different advice, the sore feet and knee pains despite cross training made me re-think who's advice I should listen to. I was desperate at this point. Big Sur marathon is coming up and not being able to run even mile without pain isn't helping my training. I tried Ryan's.

The staff though intense at moments, were extremely helpful. How do I mean, "intense" ? Let's just say they really know their stuff and will argue with you about it. Why don't we call that passion? Deal. Let's call it that.

They spent a good 45 minutes going over shoes, having me try two different pairs while taking them on a test run. They went over the science of running shoes, and with my height and weight, we realized I had too heavy of shoe for my build. They even went over my training schedule and how I am training.

I finally got a great pair of running shoes and will never buy running shoes anywhere else!

They have a fairly large selection of running gear as well and various sports gear, however, I have only purchased shoes here. I heard that it is a son and father owned business which makes me feel better about my purchase. Try them out!

He (the owner I am guessing) gave me some good advice, "I have been a running coach for 20 years, I gave some good advice and some bad advice over the years but running is about trial and error and never giving up, you will make the 26.2 miles kid"

ahhhhhh, thanks Coach. I left with a smile.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

8

238

Nobody M.

Sunnyvale, CA

Like most ordinary fools, I used to buy shoes randomly at various mega-sports-equipment stores.  I had some nagging problems with my knee and ankle and a friend recommended I check this place out.  I waited a couple of months....and continued to train until my injuries put me in a position where I was either going to have to stop running or spring on REAL running shoes.  I opted for the latter and the owner recommended shoes that corrected my footstrike issues (we all have them).  Within a week I was injury free and have been ever since.  I started out just wanting to complete a couple 10Ks  and maybe a 1/2 marathon (I hate running).  A year later I ran a full marathon and now will be doing an Ironman in two months!  Would have never happened had I not had a free consultation with the experts here at Ryan's.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

13

51

Joe D.

San Francisco, CA

Good, knowledgeable running store.

They listened to my requests and comments and gave me a bunch of potential shoes to try.

I bought my usual again anyway. But they tried.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

1

5

franklin r.

Oak Park, IL

very knowledgeable people!  they took their time, had me try on several different shoes, and watched me run until they found the right pair.  and once i wore those shoes out in a year, i came back and they gave me a discount for being a repeat customer (...or something like that).

i'm due for a new pair and will definitely go back!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review