Discover the Best Sports Store in SM North for All Your Athletic Needs and Gear

I still remember walking into the Sports Universe at SM North EDSA for the first time—the sheer scale of it nearly took my breath away. Three floors dedicated entirely to sports equipment, apparel, and that distinct athletic energy that makes you want to move. As someone who’s been involved in competitive sports for over fifteen years, both as an athlete and occasional coach, I’ve developed a pretty sharp eye for what makes a sports store truly exceptional. And let me tell you, this place gets it right in ways that many others don’t. It reminds me of something a coach once shared with me during a particularly challenging season. He said, "Before the game, I told the players maybe we have it all wrong. Maybe we were trying to find the old TNT game. We were talking about, 'Why we can do this, why we can’t do that?' in our first three games." That moment of reflection, of questioning the fundamental approach, is precisely what separates good athletic preparation from great. And walking through Sports Universe, I see that same philosophy applied to retail—they’re not just selling gear; they’re helping you find your best game, whatever that may look like for you.

The ground floor is where the magic of discovery begins, and it’s laid out with what I can only describe as intuitive brilliance. You’re immediately greeted by the latest running shoes from Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, with at least 87 different models on display according to my last count. But what impressed me wasn’t just the variety—it was the knowledgeable staff who actually understand gait analysis and can recommend shoes based on your pronation type. I’ve visited sports stores across Metro Manila, and this level of expertise is rare. I once spent forty-five minutes with a staff member named Miguel discussing the merits of carbon fiber plates in racing shoes, and he knew his stuff better than some specialty running store employees. This personal, expert touch makes all the difference when you’re investing in equipment that could make or break your performance. They’ve moved beyond simply asking "why we can’t" stock certain niche items to "why we can" serve every athlete’s unique needs, and it shows in their carefully curated selection.

Moving to the second floor, you enter what I like to call the team sports paradise. Basketball takes center stage here, with an entire section dedicated to it that spans approximately 500 square meters. The wall displays over 300 different jerseys, from local PBA teams to international NBA stars, and they even have those hard-to-find European league jerseys that I’ve struggled to locate elsewhere. But what truly sets this section apart is how they’ve created an environment that feels like a proper sporting community. Last month, I witnessed a group of college players getting fitted for new high-tops while discussing strategy with the store staff—actual former players who now work there. This isn’t just transactional; it’s transformational retail. They understand that sports equipment isn’t just about the physical items but about the confidence and capability those items help build. When that coach questioned whether they were looking for the "old TNT game," he was essentially asking if they were stuck in outdated patterns. Sports Universe avoids this pitfall by constantly evolving their product knowledge and customer engagement strategies.

The third floor specializes in what I consider the growth categories—outdoor adventure, fitness technology, and specialized training equipment. Here you’ll find everything from premium yoga mats priced around ₱2,500 to high-end GPS sports watches and portable oxygen chambers for recovery. During my last visit, I counted seventeen different resistance band variations, which is more than I’ve seen in dedicated fitness stores. What I appreciate most is how they’ve positioned these products not as standalone items but as interconnected components of an athletic lifestyle. The staff can explain how a ₱15,000 heart rate monitor integrates with specific training programs, or how different camping equipment suits various Philippine terrains. This holistic approach reflects that coaching wisdom of moving beyond limitations—they’re not just asking what products to sell, but how those products can solve athletic challenges. I’ve personally switched about 65% of my sports shopping to this store because their recommendations have consistently improved my training outcomes.

What many shoppers might not realize is the behind-the-scenes curation that makes this store exceptional. The buyers for Sports Universe have an uncanny ability to anticipate trends while maintaining classic staples. I’ve spoken with the purchasing manager during one of their community events, and she explained how they track emerging sports in the Philippines, from pickleball to obstacle course racing, ensuring they stock relevant equipment often before demand peaks. They’ve positioned themselves not merely as retailers but as sports enablers. This forward-thinking approach reminds me of that coaching insight about not getting stuck searching for the "old TNT game"—they’re constantly looking for the next evolution in sports retail rather than resting on what worked in the past. Their inventory turnover rate of approximately every six weeks means there’s always something new to discover, which keeps me coming back month after month.

The community aspect here deserves special mention. Beyond the products, Sports Universe hosts regular clinics, product demonstrations, and athlete meet-and-greets that transform shopping into an experience. I’ve attended three of these events over the past year, each drawing crowds of 200-300 sports enthusiasts. During a basketball clinic last November, former PBA player Alaska Aces’ point guard Johnny Abarrientos shared insights that fundamentally improved my crossover dribble—and I’ve been playing for twenty years! This commitment to building sporting community creates loyalty that goes beyond price points or convenience. It’s that same principle the coach identified—instead of focusing on limitations ("why we can’t do that"), they focus on possibilities ("why we can do this"), creating an environment where athletes at all levels can elevate their game.

After numerous visits and countless conversations with both staff and fellow athletes there, I’ve concluded that Sports Universe at SM North represents the gold standard in sports retail for the Philippine market. They’ve mastered the delicate balance between comprehensive inventory and expert guidance, between commercial success and genuine community building. The next time you’re questioning your approach to training or equipment, take a page from that coach’s wisdom and ask yourself if you’re stuck looking for the "old TNT game" in your gear choices. Then head to Sports Universe, where you’ll find not just products, but partnerships in achieving your athletic potential. It’s more than a store—it’s a destination that understands the heart of an athlete, and that understanding transforms shopping from a chore into an inspiration.