Half of the sneaker game is knowing what kicks are out when, and which shops have them. Our Shelf Space column looks at what shops around the country are stocking in a given week, and gives a quick glimpse into the mind of the buyer/manager/owner who put them there.
As we continue our mission of bringing you the insides of the best sneaker spots from around the U.S., we stop in at Primitive, located in Encino, CA. Andy Netkin, the CEO/founder of Primitive, took us through 10 of the hottest sneakers currently sitting on its shelves. Keep reading below to see the shop's picks and what Andy has to say about each...
Gourmet Quattro, $100
"The Quattro is our favorite style by Gourmet. It is made mainly of premium textured leathers, and panels of rich suede add just the right amount of flavor."
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The Hundreds x Garfield Johnson Mid, $79
"The Hundreds has teamed up with artist Jim Davis for this limited-edition Johnson Mid. The custom footbeds feature Garfield comic strips."
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Clae Kennedy, $75
"Designing a shoe with these colors and materials isn't easy, but this chambray Kennedy is on point. I really like the way this one came together."
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Nike SB Waterproof Dunk High, $108
"This shoe features a water-resistant black-on-black upper with tonal branding and the tongue of the shoe is sealed off to prevent water from entering. Only key SB accounts received this Quickstrike release."
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Nike SB "Loon" Dunk Low, $100
"Taking inspiration from Minnesota's state bird, the 'Loon' is a Quickstrike release produced in limited amounts. There are lots of details here, including an interesting monarch-style embroidery."
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Vans Syndicate x WTAPS Authentic, $70
"Vans joins forces with Japanese lifestyle brand WTAPS to produce this Dr. Martens-inspired Authentic. Being that Syndicate is the least distributed division of Vans, you won't see this shoe in too many stores."
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Supra x KR3W "Franchise" Vaider, $100
"The 'Franchise' is a KR3W x Supra collab that's all belled-and-whistled up for ya. The frayed denim and button details really make this shoe unique. And it even comes with a bandanna. Woot Woot."
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Cons CTS "Black Perf," $60
"For those that don't know, CTS stands for Chuck Taylor Skate. There's a huge difference between this shoe and normal Chucks that are found at the mall. It's constructed of premium leather, with the majority of it being perforated. Memory foam is tucked into the tongue and collar, which adds comfort and structure unseen in non-CTS models. The tonal toe cap keeps this shoe clean and classy."
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adidas Campus "Fango Green," $65
"adidas Skate is a division of adidas that is only offered at select skate shops. The shape and construction of this Campus is an improved update that doesn't compromise its classic appearance. This Green/Orange colorway is suited to the winter season."
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Nike SB Stefan Janoski "Premium Black," $90
"The Stefan has been a popular shoe for quite some time, and for good reason. It's made for skateboarding, but has all of the characteristics that make up the perfect 'everyday' shoe. You can skate in them, chill in them, and even hit the club in them. This particular model features cracked leather, which gives it a high-end feel."
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