The 10 Best Corporate Sneaker Blogs Right Now

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What It Does Well: Announcing release dates.

Foot Locker's digital content has paid big dividends for the retailer. Its blog, Foot Locker Unlocked, has been around since 2008, and gives vital information to sneakerheads who want to learn more about the sneakers that they're copping off the wall. The site's extended release calendar alerts everyone to what is dropping and when. For example: Remember when Foot Locker said it was releasing the Red Octobers? That was done through Foot Locker Unlocked, which everyone had their eyes glued on.

What It Does Well: High-quality photos of sneakers that don't look like they'd be sold at the mall.

Footaction has always been one of the cooler sneaker stores to shop in the mall, and its blog exemplifies that. Although the site lacks real editorial content—most of the writing is just short blurbs—it features the highest quality photos that make the sneakers jump off the computer screen. If you thought about buying your sneakers somewhere else this weekend, Footaction is roping in the undecided customers with every blog post.

What It Does Well: Putting the globe up on European runners.

Most people don't think of Scotland when they think of places dominating sneaker culture. But Hanon is silently one of the best shops in the world, and that's why people should keep up on the store's blog. If you look at the site real quick, you might miss the blog. It's labeled "news" in the top right corner. But if you can find it on the page, you're in for a treat of limited runners and stuff that hasn't dropped in the U.S. yet. The formatting of the page is a little weird, too. But when you view the blog posts, it makes it worth the difficulty it to took to get there. The photographs are spot on.

What It Does Well: Original photography of its collaborations and latest releases.

Not all sneaker stores follow the same route to success. Packer Shoes, located in Teaneck, N.J., has built its name by doing things different and better than the rest. The shop has been killing it with collabs, and its blog is where 'heads can keep current with what Packer is releasing next, but also see some of the best images from other stores' collaborations that Packer also stocks. Still, the best thing about Packer's blog is that it puts people up on sneakers that are outside of big-time mall releases. 

What It Does Well: Photography that brings to life limited-edition sneakers and entices people to shop.

It's fair to assume that a lot of people shop at New York City's Kith because of it being owned by Ronnie Fieg, and his collaborations that are sold at the store. But Fieg and Kith are also getting sales from its blog, which shoots the sneakers—limited or not—out in the NYC streets. It's not a wonder why bigger blogs prefer to use Kith's photos when posting about a new sneaker. Let's be honest, though: A lot of people keep their eye on Kith's blog to see detailed shots of Fieg's collaborations. And that's not a bad thing.

What It Does Well: The Wikipedia of sneakers.

Sneakerpedia itself isn't targeting consumers, but its affiliation with Foot Locker makes it a corporate blog. Sneakerpedia strives to be a crowd-sourced sneaker site that chronicles tons and tons of sneakers both new and old. But the site's blog is where the gold is. It's different than other corporate blogs: It doesn't look to sell the latest sneakers, but school its readers on why sneaker culture is a great place. Sneakerpedia does that by putting people up on releases from past years that are worth re-visiting. Thanks, Foot Locker.

What It Does Well: Turns new products into actual news stories, and explains their innovation.

A Nike release isn't official until it's posted on Nike, Inc. Part of the hype around products and sneakers is how the brand is able to educate 'heads before their release. On Nike, Inc., each new product isn't just added to the webstore—it's given an in-depth story full of quotes and seen as a continuation of Nike's forward-pushing legacy. The site also allows Nike to own the space that its sneakers are talked about in. Instead of just posting images of the latest release, Nike digs for deeper value and shares the background of its creative process. This gives breadth to the sneakers that we love and obsess about. And Nike goes beyond just posting sneakers and clothes: Its site also includes stories of its athletes who are reaching milestones and educational details about the seminal sneakers in its archives.

What It Does Well: Is able to add cultural context to its sneaker releases.

For what it's worth, size? is the U.K.'s most respected retailer amongst sneakerheads. The shop has its share of collaborations and exclusives, and is putting the same concerted effort into the shop blog. Don't expect merely product updates on the size? blog—there are also interviews and the quirks and history that make the re-issued sneakers important. Certain sneakers hold a different reverence in England than they do in the U.S., so reading size?'s blog is helpful. It gives context to why people are geeking out over releases, unbeknownst to us, across the pond.

What It Does Well: Creates actual blog content that blurs the line between corporate and regular sneaker blog.

Finish Line, with the help of Complex Sneakers alumni Nick Engvall and Brandon Edler, has put forth one of the best blogs—corporate or not—on the Internet. If a reader were to strip away the "Finish Line" logo from the site's banner, it wouldn't be crazy for them to think they were reading a regular blog. Finish Line is about telling the stories behind the sneakers and putting together editorial content that doesn't reek of corporate sponsorships. Readers are greeted with stories about NCAA basketball, how to casually wear gym gear, and and what a Drake x Air Jordan collection would look like.

What It Does Well: An archive of sneakers that existed before other sneaker blogs.

When it comes to UK sneaker culture, Crooked Tongues has captured the pulse of that most niche consumer. CT's blog serves two purposes: To alert its customers to new releases and to give history lessons on ancient (as in pre-internet) sneakers. Run by Gary Warnett, Crooked Tongues has the same wit that can be found on his personal blog, Gwarizm—although CT is focused strictly on sneakers instead of venturing off into sportswear and general nostalgia. The sneakers highlighted by Warnett are fully explained and not just blindly posted. He's honest with the consumer, while leading them along the path to becoming a knowledgeable sneakerhead—not just a person who automatically buys the next "hot" release.