At Dick Pond, we’ll be the first to tell you that anyone who gets up, gets out and runs is a runner. Anyone putting in the miles is an athlete, plain and simple. That said, there are simply some tips, tricks and best practices runners know from experience. We’re here to share.

When you walk in the door at Dick Pond Athletics looking for a pair of running shoes, we don’t just point you at the shoe wall or leave you alone to browse (unless you ask of course). That’s for a reason. We have a process for finding just the right shoes for the runner, it’s called a gait analysis.

Dick Pond staff members are all athletes and runners trained in this process, which involves watching you run on a treadmill in just a sock. We use a video taken in slow motion to assess the degree of over-pronation in your gait. Then, we take into account the shape of your foot, your strike pattern, injury history, past preferences and future goals. We match you with just the right amount of cushion and stability chosen from a range of brands including Brooks, Saucony, New Balance, Hoka One One, Nike, Asics and more. We spend the time with you and help you make a decision you’re confident with.

Once you find a shoe that works, we don’t have to stop there. Running outside all winter? We can explain layering, the secret to assembling the perfect outdoor outfit for year-round running. Shoe fitting not quite perfect? Try a Currex or Superfeet or Aetrex insert to add comfort and arch stability. Long run training for a marathon or half? We carry a full range of nutrition and recovery products from Gu, Hammer, Theragun, Trigger Point, and more.

A selection of products and range of experience and knowledge unparalleled in the Chicagoland area has made Dick Pond the serious choice for athletes of all levels for 50 years. Click here for directions or give us a call at 630-357-6883. Visit our store today and tell us about your goals, we’d love to help you find your secret weapon!