Elite Runners & Walkers

I love this place and I’ve got several experiences to contribute to that. First, I went there at the tail end of training for the 2014 Pittsburgh Half Marathon. I took my current running shoes (you should) and was prepared to have them work their magic. It was hectic that day (apparently track season was starting) but I would not have known nonetheless because the level of attention I had was as if I was the only person in the store. The lady fit me for my shoes, had me run outside in a few different pair, and I was off. Really, you don’t know how good a shoe is until you put some miles on it. WOW! You know, it was really interesting to see how well the staff person did with just some information (i.e., «These are old.» «My shins hurt» etc). I found the shoe for me. It had been several years since I shopped at Elite and I was really impressed that time.
Fast forward to winter 2015. I won a marathon entry and found myself in the middle of the third coldest February in Pittsburgh history – figures. I went in looking for some running inspiration and maybe some warmer layers and I had another really good interaction with a staff member there. They helped with picking what has turned into my favorite running pant (after trying at least three from other stores) and it was a good, genuine interaction.
I am happy to say my return visits continue to be positive. I am by no means a die-​hard runner, but I still look forward to going there to interact with the staff, getting expert advice, and genuine service.

I didn’t even know this store existed until after I went to every shoe store in the area with no luck of finding the specific shoes that I needed and in my size. I found this store online and thought I’d give it a shot. So happy I found it! Everyone was very friendly and took time with me. They had the exact shoes I had been searching for and it was a great experience. This is my new spot for running shoes!

After suffering another bout of running related injuries, I finally decided it was time to cave and seek professional help.
I had been torn between trying Elite or Fleet Feet in Mt. Lebo, but seeing as I had some errands to run in Robinson, Elite won simply by convenience.
The owner (I assume) was extremely helpful and nice. He looked over my current running shoes, stated an up front hypothesis on the issue (too much support), watched me walk, run (shoes on/​off for both), measured every dimension of my foot, and finally helped me find a pair of shoes that seem to address an issue I never knew I had.
I would have loved to give Elite a perfect 5, but considering my shoes were $ 40 more than I could of picked them up at the nearby REI, I just can’t bring myself to do it. I’ll consider the $ 40 an investment in my own health and the expertise of a 30+ year runner, but now that I have it figured out, I’ll probably reserve my Elite interaction to once every year or two.

I patronize the Monroeville location of Elite. I LOVE it there. The staff is supremely knowledgable, helpful, and patient. I went for help selecting a new pair of running shoes, and I tried and retried about half a dozen pairs (after being observed walking in the store and running on the treadmill). They REALLY want to make sure you are in the RIGHT pair of shoes for you, so they take the time to help, to explain their recommendations, and to let you compare your best options.

Elite is the go to place in the Pittsburgh for running shoes. Their staff is always friendly and inviting and they go that ‘extra mile’ to ensure that you are in the proper shoes for your gait.
I started shopping at Elite when I was a Middle School Runner and despite the 45 minute trip there, it was always worth the drive. Now, 10+ years later, whenever I return home to the region, Elite is always on my list of places to go. It should be on yours too!

«It’s boring», «It’s a waste of time», «It’s painful» These are the phrases you will most likely hear when talking to a non runner or walker. If you happen to find yourself ever saying «It’s a rush» or «It makes me feel alive» then you may find a special appreciation for Elite Runners and Walkers.
The staff is friendly and oh so helpful when it comes to any questions you have about running and walking. They seem to care more about keeping you healthy than selling you something more expensive or a product in general. They are there to inform you it seems more than anything else and to me that’s refreshing.
The shoes I purchased here are the most comfortable running shoes I have ever known and it’s all because apparently I have narrow feet. Now lets talk about what it means to have narrow feet, are they good for swimming? Nope. Good for kicking? Nope. Good for walking or running? Nope. It’s been decided that the only possible perk to having narrow feet is that they are weapons that the TSA can’t get a handle on. If you see me on the streets at anytime, please be aware that I can cut you.
All in all, Elite Runners and Walkers is a fantastic go to place for someone who needs advice or just wants a great set of shoes. Check it out.

This is the best running specialty store I have yet encountered in the Pittsburgh area. The people who work here are runners themselves and are trained to look at the wear patterns of your old running shoes (if you’re already a runner or walker, bring your last pair of shoes!), as well as your gait on a treadmill, to determine what your needs are in a running shoe. They don’t offer computerized gait analysis, but that’s pretty much the only thing they DON’T do when they’re fitting you for a pair of running shoes. They’re also pretty rigorous about making sure that you’re in the correct size of shoe for your feet, which some local places don’t take all that much trouble to check. Plus, you can take shoes out into the parking lot for a brief test run, which I find better than testing shoes on the treadmill (95% of my running is out on the street, so…)
I run about 20 – 25 miles per week, and I have some biomechanical idiosyncrasies that can easily lead to my getting hurt if I’m not in the right shoes. Elite has done a great job of putting me in appropriate shoes so far. They’re understanding if cost is a bit of a factor in your decision, and I trust that they’re looking to make sure your needs are met rather than trying to sell you the most-​expensive shoe in the store. So don’t be the jerk who goes there, spends an hour getting fitted and testing out different models, and then leaves and buys the shoes on the Internet to save $ 20. Because that’s lame.