State of Sneakers: A Sneaker Guide to NYC's Neighborhoods

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Sneaker: Nike Air Max

It seems kind of crazy to narrow Harlem down to a single style. Of course the Air Force 1 still has a major presence, and it's easy to figure out the latest Air Jordan retro release by simply looking at feet. But the "signature shoe" for Harlem, if there is one, seems to be the flavorful late-model Air Max runner. No problems with that.

Sneaker: New Balance 996

Home to filmmakers and artist types - the non-starving type - Tribeca is also home to many, many classic grey and navy New Balances. Bobby DeNiro are ya with me?

Sneaker: Jordan Spiz'ike

What better for Spike Lee's old neighborhood?

Sneaker: Nike Roshe Run

Cool parents with money need to still come off as cool, but they also need to save money to spend it on their annoying kids and Baby Bjorns and Subarus and stuff. Pre-pre-pre-pre-school ain't cheap.

Sneaker: Nike Vapor 9 Tour

Maybe this is cheating, but seeing that Flushing is home to the US Open and Arthur Ashe Stadium, it makes sense that Roger Federer's shoe would find a stronghold. The Mets? Yeah, right, they're there too.

Sneaker: Flip Flops/Vibram Five Fingers

If this is what moving on up to the East Side is now, the Jeffersons might have chosen to move West.

Sneaker: Air Jordans

Coney Island may be the home that Starbury built, but Stephon Marbury's low-budget sneakers aren't the business on the boardwalk or the Garden (no, the other one) court. And remember, Mike was born in Brooklyn.

Sneaker: Nike Foamposites

What, you thought Brooklyn was all Vans and Chucks? Think again. Brooklyn ain't what it used to be - and neither is retro.

Sneaker: Nike KD V

Forget the bars and such, the Lower East Side is where people actually live and raise their kids. And said kids rock a lot of signature Nike basketball product, with the edge going to the more affordable KD.

Sneaker: Nike Flyknits

Nike Flyknits are the perfect melding of high-tech and style, kind of like SOHO itself. It doesn't hurt that the source (21 Mercer) is right there in the 'hood.

Sneaker: FILAs

This isn't just because the Wu teamed up with FILA, although it has something to do with it. But Shaolin has long been a stronghold of that classic Italian style, and with FILA coming back strong, no borough is more ready.

Sneaker: Nike Air Force 1

The Uptowns have moved up. Maybe they're not as prevalent in Harlem as they were in the '80s, but the Nike Air Force 1 is still the quintessential New York City shoe in many 'hoods.

Sneaker: ASICS GEL Kayano 19

When you live right on the edge of Central Park, you run. When you have enough loot to afford an apartment on the Upper West Side, you rock the latest and greatest. Just to run in, of course.

Sneaker: Supreme Collabs

"Lafayette Street" isn't really its own neighborhood per se, but it does have its own style. Supreme is on the block, and most visitors are headed there - dressed appropriately, of course.

Sneaker: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star

Vulcanized canvas is alive and well in the East Village extending down into the Lower East Side. That means Vans Eras and Authentics, but especially the venerable Chuck Taylor All Star - even if the Ramones weren't the fans everyone assumed they were.