Exeter has enough sportswear shops that the real question is not where to buy kit, but which shop matches the way you actually move. A runner training for a hilly Devon route needs different advice from someone kitting out a five-a-side team or looking for leggings that work at the weekend.
The five stores below cover that spread. Some suit a quick replacement purchase; others reward a longer visit and a proper fitting.
Runners Need sits at Bishops Retail Park on Sidmouth Road and has traded in Exeter since 1982. Its range runs beyond running shoes into training tops, tights, jackets, football kit, rugby gear and accessories such as water bottles.
This is the store to choose when footwear is the main decision. Say you are ramping up from two short runs a week to a half-marathon plan: the difference between a neutral shoe and one with more support becomes worth an hour of your time. Staff can look at how you run, rather than leaving you to judge a shoe from a box.
It also carries sunglasses and casual layers, so it works if your shopping list includes a Sunday dog walk as well as Tuesday intervals. For wider outfit inspiration before you visit, Bright Wardrobe is a useful place to compare colour and styling ideas.
Sports Direct at Rydon Lane Retail Park is the practical choice for volume. The range covers running, football, rugby, cricket, tennis, hockey and gym wear, with own-label options alongside better-known brands.
It suits a household rather than a single shopper. One trip can cover a child’s football boots, a spare gym T-shirt and a rain layer for the school run. The trade-off is that the store is large and busy, so go with a clear list if you dislike wandering aisles.
A useful rule: buy basics here, but treat specialist fittings as a separate errand. A £15 training top is easy to replace; a badly chosen running shoe is not.
JD Sports on Exeter High Street carries Nike, adidas, New Balance and ASICS, with a strong lean towards street-ready sportswear. Its position in the city centre makes it the easiest stop if you are already shopping in town.
Choose JD when appearance and performance carry equal weight. A pair of trainers needs to survive a gym session, but it may also need to look right with jeans afterwards. That is a fair requirement, and this store is built around it.
The store’s opening hours run from 9am to 6pm on weekdays, with shorter Sunday hours, so it fits an after-work visit better than a retail-park trip. If you want to see how activewear translates into everyday outfits, Sharp Boutiques can help you narrow the look before you buy.
Sweaty Betty’s Exeter shop sits at 7 Eastgate, close to the city centre. It focuses on women’s activewear: leggings, sports bras, layers and pieces designed to move between a class, errands and the sofa.
This is the store for fit-led shopping. Sports bras and leggings are the two categories where a size label alone tells you very little, and trying items on matters more here than almost anywhere else in sportswear.
It is not the cheapest option, and it is not the place for a full football kit. But if you wear activewear most days, paying more for a pair of leggings that stays put during a workout is usually money well spent.
Cotswold Outdoor, at Darts Farm Shopping Village near Topsham, shifts the emphasis outdoors. Expect walking clothing, waterproofs, footwear and layers aimed at Devon weather rather than a studio mirror.
Pick this store when your sport involves mud, wind or a long day on your feet. A runner who sticks to pavements may not need a technical shell; a walker heading onto Dartmoor probably will.
It also works well for gifts. A decent pair of walking socks or a lightweight midlayer is more useful than another generic gym top. For leisure-led wardrobe ideas that sit alongside performance kit, Elegant Sparks is worth a browse.
A simple way to decide: go to Runners Need for shoes, Sports Direct for family basics, JD for style-led trainers, Sweaty Betty for women’s fit-focused activewear, and Cotswold Outdoor for weather protection.
If you are building a small capsule of pieces that work for exercise and ordinary life, start with two items rather than ten. One pair of proper shoes and one layer you will actually wear will do more for your routine than a basket of discounted extras. For everyday styling ideas beyond the gym, Urban Chic Daily rounds out the picture.
Which Exeter store is best for running shoes?
Runners Need Exeter is the strongest starting point because running footwear is central to its range and fittings are part of the visit.
Where can I buy sportswear for several family members at once?
Sports Direct at Rydon Lane covers a broad mix of sports and age groups, which makes it the most convenient one-stop option.
Is Sweaty Betty worth the higher price?
For leggings and sports bras you wear repeatedly, yes. For occasional gym wear, a mid-price alternative is usually enough.
Do I need outdoor clothing for Exeter itself?
Not necessarily, but Cotswold Outdoor makes sense if you walk, hike or spend time on exposed routes around Devon.
Match the shop to the session, not the label. Buy the one item you will use this week, then add pieces only when a gap appears.
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