Image via Complex Original
For those of us old enough to remember, there was a time when sneakers were only available at sporting goods stores. And why not, they were sporting goods, right? The idea of a "sneaker boutique" was laughable. Now, of course, all that's changed. You don't go to a sporting goods store to buy sneakers unless you're a 50-year-old dad or a weekend warrior looking to re-up on softball cleats. And sneaker boutiques are everywhere — by which we mean everywhere. Get your passport stamped and check out The 15 Best Sneaker Boutiques In The World Right Now — or at least do some exploring online.
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15. Titolo
Locations: Berne, Switzerland
Website: http://www.titolo.ch/
Titolo might be the most slept-on shop on the list today but if you're not paying attention to their online store, you're missing out, literally. They've got a great selection and no matter where you are, you can get extremely limited releases from this Switzerland based boutique, if you're paying attention. If you're lucky enough to check out their store in person, you'll see how they continue to impress.
14. Extra Butter
Locations: Rockville Center, NY
Website: http://www.extrabutterny.com
Extra Butter may not have the heavyweight collabs that some of the other boutiques on this list have, but they are known for great customer service and drama free new release lineups. Not to mention they get their hands on an amazing variety of new releases. Extra Butter has a local feel and following that most boutiques can only aspire for.
13. Kicks HI
Locations: Honolulu, HI, Guam,
Website: http://www.kickshawaii.com/
The bad part about KICKS/HI is that you have to go to Hawaii to visit. The great part about KICKS/HI is that you have to go to Hawaii to visit. Founded (along with Chicago's St. Alfred) by Ian Ginoza, KICKS/HI is the biggest sneaker supplier on the islands, with plenty of serious collab work to their name. The t-shirts are great, too.
12. Patta
Locations: Amsterdam, NL
Website: www.patta.nl/
Patta may have gone through some hard times and took a break from the game but they came back a few months later stronger than ever. Their recent Converse and Reebok collaborations only add to the deep history of Patta collabs and the new energy at the newly opened store in Amsterdam has this Netherlands boutique setting an example on how to get it done.
11. Bodega
Locations: Boston, MA
Website: http://www.bdgastore.com/
Still the best concept for a sneaker shop ever, the speakeasy style with an actual bodega up front and sneakers in the back is tremendous. And even as Boston has become more of a streetwear hotspot, Bodega stays ahead of the competition. Their collabs are on-point (the Vans Chukka Boots being a highlight) and their sale section is not to be missed.
10. atmos
Locations: Tokyo, Japan, New York City, NY
Website: http://www.atmosnyc.com/
Japan's atmos carries everything under the sun it seems. But on top of the selection of limited releases, they've been back at it working with Nike in recent months. The Animal Camo Air Max 1 is in discussion for one of the best releases of the year, and if you follow us on Instagram, you got an early look at the upcoming Free Woven release they've been working on. It's safe to safe atmos continues to flourish in the world of sneaker boutiques.
9. Solebox
Locations: Berlin, Germany
Website: http://www.solebox.com/
Solebox continues to change the game with collaborations. The light-up Reeboks to the upcoming Saucony collabs separate what Solebox does from most other boutiques. If you're in Berlin and don't stop in, you're missing out.
7. Concepts
Locations: Cambridge, MA
Website: http://www.cncpts.com/
Cambridge based Concepts has been one of the best in the game for years. It's hard to argue with a shop that consistently puts out some of the best collaboration sneakers out. Not to mention, anyone in Boston will tell you, they've got all sorts of sneaker options in the store, from designer labels down to SBs and Vans. It's one of those places that fall on the "must visit" list if you're in Boston for any reason.
8. Hanon
Locations: Aberdeen, UK
Website: http://www.hanon-shop.com/
Hanon not only has a dope space and great release parties, they've also been killing collabs lately. Those Hanon x adidas Consortium CNTR are straight up fire.
6. Kith
Locations: Manhattan, NY, Brooklyn, NY
Website: http://kithnyc.com/
Not only is Kith stocking some of the hardest to get releases from brands like New Balance, Nike, and adidas, but Ronnie Fieg continues to create top-tiered ASICS that release exclusively at the Manhattan and Brooklyn locations. If you didn't notice just how many people were feeling the ECP project, check out some of these pics. Kith and Ronnie continue improve and gain new fans, with every release. Add Kith to your to-do list next time you visit NYC and you won't be disappointed.
5. Undefeated
Locations: Los Angeles, CA, Santa Monica, CA, Silverlake, CA, San Francisco, CA
Website: http://undefeated.com/
Just because UNDFTD made the leap to the majors and has their collabs (well, some of them) stocked at Foot Locker doesn't mean they've forgotten their roots. L.A.'s finest should still be your go-to source for hard-to-find new releases on the Left Coast.
4. colette
Locations: Paris, France
Website: http://www.colette.fr/
colette is so much more than a "sneaker boutique" that it almost seems wrong to even put them here. But their contribution to Parisian fashion as a whole - not just with sneakers - is legendary, and their simple act of stocking something is a tremendous co-sign. And their collabs, while relatively few, are always significant.
3. Size?
Locations: London, UK
Website: http://www.size.co.uk/
The boutique side of the JD Sports juggernaut, Size? separates themselves from the pack via smart collabs and brilliant re-releases. Today's Converse Auckland Racer pack is just the tip of the iceberg - you can also thank them for some fantastic Air Max Lights and the classic adidas ZX 8000 re-release. It's not as easy as it looks, but man do they make it look easy.
2. Packer Shoes
Locations: Teaneck, New Jersey
Website: http://www.packershoes.com/
Not only is Packer Shoes one of the biggest reasons that Ewing Athletics is back, they've been creating some insane collabs with companies like Reebok and adidas. Of course, they carry the best of Nike releases as well. Did we mention they've been in the biz for over 100 years? Killing it.
1. Sneakersnstuff
Locations: Stockholm, Sweden, Malmo, Sweden
Website: http://www.sneakersnstuff.com/
Sneakersnstuff has a history of incredible collaborations but right now, they're creating so many dope collabs, they've raised the bar for themselves. From the "Crocus" Reebok Question to the 3M DMX Run 10, and upcoming collabs with PUMA and others, SNS is on top of the collab game.
