Sportswear shopping in North America
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A
Niketown
It’s no longer the unique, museum-ish store it once was (outlets have cropped up in many other cities), but this Nike temple has all the flash and sparkle you’d expect from the shoe giant. It remains hugely popular, with every swooshed T-shirt, sweatshirt, jersey and high-top imaginable. A free running club takes off from here every Thursday at 6:30pm.
reviewed
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B
Columbia Sportswear
Flagship store for local sportswear company; outlet at 1323 SE Tacoma St in Sellwood.
reviewed
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C
Uprise Skateboards
Looking for a Street Sweeper or a pair of Lakais? Uprise is the city’s top spot for skateboarders to pick up gear, boards and tips on the local scene. Drop in for a rad T-shirt and to find out where the action is. No attitude here: they’re friendly and patient with newbies.
reviewed
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D
Moda
Boston’s most eco-savvy sun salutations take place right here in the North End. We love the Anjaly line of yoga gear, made only from organic cotton, and Manduka’s travel-light biodegradable yoga mats. Suit up at Moda before heading over to the sister studio, North End Yoga.
reviewed
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E
Puma Store
Visiting Puma’s minimalist, white-walled store has been described as daytime clubbing. DJs spin tunes (mostly on weekends), and buff young bodies bounce to the beat while checking out men’s and women’s shoes that are impossible to find anywhere else. The 1st floor is devoted to the brand’s sporty urban clothing line.
reviewed
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F
Windward Sports
One-stop shopping for sporty board gear, whether you’re into surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, snowboarding or skateboarding. Windward carries the requisite apparel labels, too (Quicksilver, Billabong, Split etc). Staff members are clued in to local boarding hot spots. Ask about various beach rentals of windsurfing equipment during the summer.
reviewed
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G
Burton Snowboards
Hey, Midwesterners shred the slopes too, and this is where air dogs come to get their gear. Burton, of course, is the biggest brand in the business. Its multistory Chicago shop carries a sweet selection of boards, jackets, watches and other accessories. There’s a chill-out lounge on the top floor where you can check email and watch snowboarding films.
reviewed
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H
Lululemon Athletica
Canada’s famous yoga-wear maker opened shop in Chicago, giving locals access to its colorful togs made of organic cotton, hemp and bamboo. They’re flattering, too: the Boogie Pants and Groove Pants ‘give every girl a great-looking butt,’ swears one devoted customer. Bonus: the shop offers free one-hour yoga classes at 10am Sunday. Call ahead to register; mats are provided.
reviewed
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I
Boston Running Co
Note that this is a ‘running company’ not a sports shop. Here, former Olympic athlete and marathon record-holder Mike Roche brings his expertise to average-joe-runner. Using Video Gait Analysis (basically, he films you on the treadmill then replays in slow-mo), Roche will evaluate your stride and determine the best sneaker for you. All footwear and apparel meet his rigorous requirements.
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J
City Sports Outlet
The outlet has the regular City Sports T-shirts and other stuff, but the basement is a treasure trove of factory seconds, irregular sizes and last year's models. It takes some patience to sift through the racks, but you're likely to find cool workout gear and specialty sports shoes at deep discounts.
reviewed
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K
Sports Authority
In a classic rags-to-riches story, Morrie Mages got his start in his family’s store in the old Maxwell St Jewish ghetto, where some of the city’s leading retailers launched their careers by selling clothes in the period between WWI and WWII. Mages built this into the world’s largest sporting-goods store, eventually moving it from Maxwell St into its own renovated eight-story warehouse here. Though Morrie sold the company for a fortune back in 1994, and the store is now owned by national chain Sports Authority, it still continues his discounting philosophy.
reviewed
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L
New Balance Factory Store
The New Balance Factory Store sells the most comfortable, supportive running shoes at discounted prices. Runners rejoice over these shoes, but regular people wear them too. This warehouse of a place also carries factory seconds and overruns of fleece jackets and synthetic clothing made by New Balance. You may have to search for your size, but you can easily save 50% or more off any given item. This place is not so easy to get to: take bus 64 from Central Sq (about 20 minutes).
reviewed