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Forget New York City's being the best sneaker city in the world — although it is — and consider that, for many, New York City IS the sneaker world. It's where trends are born, where local favorites become global hits, and where companies roll out their most outrageous product. The City that Never Sleeps doesn't sleep on anything. And while the Nike Air Force 1 would have been an amazing sneaker even without New York City's co-sign, the fact that it became known across the world as the "Uptown" (as the PRO-Keds 69er did before it) is just one example of NYC's influence. Things may not be quite as clear-cut now — everyone wears everything everywhere — but even now, some of New York City's best-known neighborhoods and boroughs (and blocks) can have their identities tied to a specific sneaker. Feel free to offer your own thoughts — or rep for your own hood — in the comments section below.
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Harlem
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.
Tribeca
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?
Fort Greene
Sneaker: Jordan Spiz'ike
What better for Spike Lee's old neighborhood?
Park Slope
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.
Flushing Queens
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.
Murray Hill
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.
Coney Island
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.
Southside Williamsburg
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.
Lower East Side
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.
SOHO
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.
Staten Island
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.
Bronx
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.
Upper West Side
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.
Lafayette Street
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.
