AKtive Soles
AKtive Soles is a locally owned Alaska specialty footwear retailer founded in 2007, operating two stores in Palmer and Wasilla. It serves walkers, runners, and athletes with performance footwear, expert fitting, 3D Video Gait Analysis, and integrated physical therapy and fitness partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersPalmer, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AKtive Soles does
AKtive Soles is a locally owned specialty footwear retailer founded in 2007 by Anne Thomas in Palmer, Alaska. The company operates two physical storefronts (Palmer since 2007; Wasilla since February 2023) selling performance and comfort footwear to walkers, runners, athletes, and everyday consumers, complemented by a 3D Video Gait Analysis service that captures over 60 biomechanical data points from a 10-second running sample and classifies customers into one of five gait categories (collapser, overstrider, glute amnesiac, bouncer, weaver) with prescribed exercise recommendations.
The business extends beyond footwear retail through an integrated wellness ecosystem: Anne Thomas also owns Body In Balance Physical Therapy and AKtive Body Downtown Gym, enabling cross-referrals between retail fitting, clinical assessment, and fitness training. Distribution combines brick-and-mortar retail, an e-commerce storefront (aktivesoles.com) with ship-to-home and in-store pickup, and a mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play for loyalty points and inventory browsing. The go-to-market motion is community-led — weekly Happy Run events alternating between two routes and ending at Palmer Alehouse, the annual Soles in the Backcountry challenge, and resource partnerships with five local outdoor organizations — driving repeat foot traffic in the Mat-Su Valley.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time footwear transactions, individual 3D Gait Analysis sessions priced at $205 (or $100 per person for parties of 3–5), digital and physical gift cards, and loyalty-driven repeat purchases via the mobile app. The company is family-owned and bootstrapped with no disclosed venture or institutional funding, operating as a single legal entity with approximately 11 identified team members across retail, fitting, marketing, and clinical gait analysis roles. It was recognized as a Best Running Store in America in 2024.
AKtive Soles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AKtive Soles
- Legal name
- AKtive Soles
- Website
- https://aktivesoles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AKtive Soles is a locally owned Alaska specialty footwear retailer founded in 2007, operating two stores in Palmer and Wasilla. It serves walkers, runners, and athletes with performance footwear, expert fitting, 3D Video Gait Analysis, and integrated physical therapy and fitness partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AKtive Soles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Footwear Retail
- NAICS
- Shoe Retailers (45821)
- SIC
- Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Performance Footwear & Apparel Retail (Trail/Hike) (CRAMACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail (CRAAADAG)
Keywords
Where AKtive Soles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palmer
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AKtive Soles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Footwear Retail Sales: Specialty performance footwear sold through physical retail locations and e-commerce website. Products include performance footwear for walkers, runners, athletes, and those seeking everyday comfort. Offers various brands, styles, sizes, and gender-specific options (Men's, Women's, Unisex, Kids).
- 3D Gait Analysis Services: Individual gait analysis sessions at $205 or $100/person for parties of 3-5. Includes one-on-one consultation with Anne Thomas, Certified Pedorthist and Doctor of Physical Therapy. Services performed at Wasilla location.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold online, delivered via email, redeemable online or in-store. Digital gift certificates never expire. Physical gift cards available by mail. One gift card may be applied per online order.
- Loyalty Program: Mobile app-based loyalty points system where customers can manage points, view inventory, and stay updated with events. Points earned through purchases and participation in events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual 3D Gait Analysis session |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group 3D Gait Analysis (3-5 people) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Gift Cards |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
AKtive Soles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AKtive Soles is a specialty footwear retailer that sells performance, running, trail, walking, and comfort shoes (men's, women's, unisex, and kids) through two Alaska retail locations and an e-commerce site, supported by in-person expert fitting and 3D Video Gait Analysis sessions. The company also sells digital gift cards and operates a mobile app for loyalty points and inventory browsing.
Product overview
AKtive Soles is a locally owned specialty footwear retail company offering performance footwear with expert fitting services. The company operates two physical store locations (Palmer, opened 2007; Wasilla, opened 2023) and provides complementary services including 3D Video Gait Analysis for biomechanical assessment, digital gift cards, and a mobile app for loyalty management and inventory browsing. Community engagement features include the annual Soles in the Backcountry event and weekly Happy Run gatherings. The business is uniquely positioned with partnerships to a physical therapy clinic (Body In Balance) and fitness gym (AKtive Body) for a collaborative health and wellness approach.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Performance Footwear Specialty retail footwear for walkers, runners, athletes, and people seeking everyday comfort, featuring men's, women's, unisex, and kids' sizing across multiple brands, styles, and colors; sold in-store and online with expert fitting and a 30-day return policy on unworn items.
- 3D Video Gait Analysis Paid biomechanical assessment measuring over 60 data points in 10 seconds of running, classifying runners into five gait types (collapser, overstrider, glute amnesiac, bouncer, weaver) and producing personalized exercise recommendations; individual sessions $205 and group sessions $100 per person for parties of 3–5, delivered by Anne Thomas (Certified Pedorthist, Doctor of Physical Therapy).
- Digital Gift Cards Electronic gift certificates (and physical gift cards by mail) that can be redeemed online or in-store; never expire and may be combined with promotional bonus gift cards, with one gift card applicable per online order.
- AKtive Soles Mobile App Companion mobile app for AKtive Soles customers that tracks loyalty points, displays inventory, and surfaces store events; available on both iOS and Android.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3D Gait Analysis measures over 60 data points in 10 seconds of running
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use AKtive Soles
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AKtive Soles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature1 record
AKtive Soles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AKtive Body Gym & FitnesscoreFitness gym under the same ownership as AKtive Soles, operated by Anne Thomas. Part of an integrated approach to health, movement, and wellness. Located in downtown area.
- Body In Balance Physical TherapycorePhysical therapy clinic under the same ownership as AKtive Soles, operated by Anne Thomas. Creates collaborative approach to health, movement, and wellness. Integrates with retail footwear services.
- Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (VMBAH)minorLocal outdoor recreation organization. Listed as a resource partner on AKtive Soles 'Get AKtive Stay AKtive' page for community outreach and referral.
- Trails and ParksminorLocal trails and parks organization. Listed as a resource partner on AKtive Soles 'Get AKtive Stay AKtive' page.
- Matsu Running ClubminorLocal running club in the Mat-Su Valley. Listed as a resource partner on AKtive Soles 'Get AKtive Stay AKtive' page.
- Matsu Ski ClubminorLocal skiing organization in the Mat-Su Valley. Listed as a resource partner on AKtive Soles 'Get AKtive Stay AKtive' page.
- Revel Treks and ToursminorLocal trekking and tour company. Listed as a resource partner on AKtive Soles 'Get AKtive Stay AKtive' page.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AKtive Soles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brooks Running: Pure running footwear brand with growing own-brand retail presence; broader incumbent influencing the same product category but without store-based fitting at AKtive Soles' scale.
- REI Co-op: Large outdoor co-operative retailer carrying running footwear with trained staff; broad incumbent across many outdoor categories rather than a specialty running specialist.
- On: Premium athletic footwear brand that has expanded into direct-owned physical retail with fit/gait expertise; a broader incumbent that overlaps with AKtive Soles' premium running positioning.
- Hoka: Performance running footwear brand expanding into branded retail and pop-ups; relevant competitor on the product side that pressures specialty retailers' pricing and assortment.
Direct peers
- Charm City Run: Regional specialty running store chain known for community runs and personalized fitting services; closely matches AKtive Soles' event-driven GTM and customer segments.
- Heartbreak Hill Running Company: Specialty running retailer with strong community programming and gait-assessment services; comparable operating playbook to AKtive Soles at similar scale.
- Gazelle Sports: Multi-store specialty running and fitness retailer in the Midwest emphasizing expert fitting and community events; analogous operating model and customer base.
- JackRabbit: National specialty running retailer offering performance footwear with expert fitting and community running events; highly comparable in-store experience and target customer.
- Roadrunner Sports: Specialty running and fitness footwear retailer combining brick-and-mortar and e-commerce; comparable in assortment, gait-analysis-adjacent expertise, and loyalty offerings.
- Fleet Feet: Largest U.S. specialty running store franchise with expert fitting, gait analysis, and community events; directly comparable business model to AKtive Soles across product, customer, and service layers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AKtive Soles social profiles
Digital presenceAKtive Soles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AKtive Soles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
AKtive Soles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AKtive Soles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AKtive Soles
What does AKtive Soles do?
AKtive Soles is a specialty footwear retailer that sells performance, running, trail, walking, and comfort shoes (men's, women's, unisex, and kids) through two Alaska retail locations and an e-commerce site, supported by in-person expert fitting and 3D Video Gait Analysis sessions. The company also sells digital gift cards and operates a mobile app for loyalty points and inventory browsing.
Is AKtive Soles a public or private company?
AKtive Soles is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AKtive Soles founded?
AKtive Soles was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AKtive Soles based?
AKtive Soles is headquartered in Palmer, United States, in the North America region.
How does AKtive Soles make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Footwear Retail Sales are the primary driver. The others are 3D Gait Analysis Services, gift Cards and loyalty Program.
Who are AKtive Soles's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brooks Running, REI Co-op, On and Hoka. Direct peers are Charm City Run, Heartbreak Hill Running Company, Gazelle Sports, JackRabbit, Roadrunner Sports and Fleet Feet.
Does AKtive Soles have an API?
No public API is recorded for AKtive Soles.
What industry is AKtive Soles in?
AKtive Soles's product category is Specialty Footwear Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMACAI, Outdoor Performance Footwear & Apparel Retail (Trail/Hike), with a secondary code of CRAAADAG, Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail. Its NAICS code is 45821 and its SIC code is 5661.