THE REQUIREMENTS Trainers must be comfortable, yet durable, and be suitable for both indoor and outdoor training in preparation to run the 13 mile Great North Run.
THE TIME AND PLACE Croydon town centre, Tuesday afternoon.
JD Sports, Croydon
Selection: vast amount of trainers, but only two pairs for running
Prices:£29.99 Sale prices to£59.99 full price
Staff knowledge: limited
Trainers bought: did not buy
Rating: 1/5
The store itself was cramped and it was hard to distinguish between staff and customers. From a group of people hanging around the till I identified a sales assistant and asked him for recommendations for trainers suitable for running.
He started off by saying that the stock was geared mainly towards fashion, rather than performance, but then pointed out a pair of Nike Air Max, which were on sale at£29.99 and said they would do. He also pointed out a pair of Nike Free, costing£59.99 and said they were like 'running barefoot'.
When I asked if the trainers I was already wearing were suitable for running, with a view to getting a new pair, he simply ignored the question. The assistant then recommended that if we wanted a better of selection of performance trainers we go to JJB Sports. His lacklustre assistance did not inspire confidence and I left dissatisfied.
All:Sports, Centrale shopping centre, Croydon
Selection: good selection of women's trainers, but only three suitable for running
Prices: from£40 to£50
Staff knowledge: good
Trainers bought: did not buy
Rating: 2/5
A sales assistant greeted me as I walked in and within minutes of standing in the footwear section another sales assistant approached to ask if help was required.
After explaining what I needed, the assistant directed me to a shelf of trainers and ran through the only options, but did so in detail, taking care to explain the merits of each style. She asked how many hours I would be training, what type of training and whether it would be mainly outside or in a gym?
Having listened to what I had to say she advised against one pair, saying they were only really good for indoor training and instead recommended the Reebok Runner at£40, saying it was the most versatile of the three trainer suggestions they had in stock.
However, she did not ask if I wanted to try on the trainers to get a feel for them and seemed content to let me just look at them and even leave without buying anything.
Nike, Centrale shopping centre, Croydon
Selection: fantastic, about 10 different styles of running trainers
Prices:£60 to£110
Staff knowledge: excellent
Trainers bought: Air Pegasus,£60
Rating 5/5
The first assistant I approached with my query apologised that she was a new starter and didn't have enough knowledge, but she would get someone who could help. The next assistant was very attentive, he asked questions and then explained the different trainers on offer.
I showed him the trainers I was already wearing and he said my feet must have been very uncomfortable and sweaty as they were completely the wrong trainers for performance. He recommended the Air Pegasus and explained how they allow the feet to breathe and how they absorb the weight of the body, thanks to a cushion of air in the sole.
He then offered to get a pair for me to try on, ensured I was comfortable in them and made sure that his recommendation was what I really wanted before suggesting that he boxed them up for me to buy.
Sports world, Whitgift shopping centre, Croydon
Selection: Great selection of trainers, but again only one pair suitable for running
Prices: Nike Shox£90, in the Sale£62.99
Staff knowledge: limited
Trainers bought: did not buy
Rating: 1/5
Like JD Sports, the store was cramped and the trainer section didn't seem to have any order to it. Distinguishing between staff and customers was easier, but gaining their attention was difficult.
After five minutes, I got hold of a sales assistant and explained what I wanted, to which his reply was 'we don't really have that kind of thing here'. He then said that they had Nike Shox in stock, adding that they would be suitable for running.
He asked how intense my training would be as this style was designed for high impact. However, he admitted that if I wanted a better selection of running trainers then I should go to Foot Locker, situated downstairs.
The assistant was very helpful, in the sense that he walked me to the store entrance and gave me detailed directions to the rival store where I could find a better range.
The Verdict
It became quite obvious that, apart from Nike, when it comes to trainers the shops were geared towards fashion purchases and therefore staff knowledge of such styles was low.
However, if the sales assistants had shown a little more enthusiasm for the limited stock, had suggested I at least try on what they had and extolled the value of such purchases compared with what I would have paid in the Nike store, then Imight have bought something from them.
The Nike store service was excellent and even more so because the assistant didn't push the most expensive trainers, but the ones that would truly suit my needs.
As I am just starting to increase my level of training, the right footwear is important and so is the right advice and help when deciding which style to purchase.
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