Kicks in the City
With customizers setting up shop everywhere from streetside tables to trendy boutiques and cutting-edge designers signing on to work with sneaker giants like Nike and Adidas, the shoes on sale in this city have never looked better -- or cost more. In New York's so-called "streetwear" stores, supplies are limited, the prices (and the staff!) often get pretty high, and fashion fiends wait in long lines when new items are released. There's no need to resort to that kind of excessive behavior, though. If you visit most of these spots on an average day, you should be able to find something fresh for your feet that won't break the bank.
Atmos
203 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
(212) 666-2242
Harajuku comes to Harlem! This Japanese store specializes in custom collaborations with artists and designers, but they also stock the latest models from Nike, Puma, … Adidas, and more. [link]
Alife Rivington Club
158 Rivington St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 375-8128
Alife has their own shoe line, exclusive colorways from top brands, a speakeasy style entranceway, and smooth wood furnishings. Their shop next door is dedicated to … clothes, but sometimes there are a few stray pairs snuck in amongst the tees and sweats. [link]
Reed Space
151 Orchard St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 253-0588
Sneakers aren't the only attraction at Reed Space; they also sell magazines, housewares, clothing, and original art. [link]
Dave's Quality Meat
7 E 3rd St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 505-7551
This Lower East Side skateboard, sneaker, and t-shirt spot is decked out like a butcher's shop. True to their name, they only serve up the choicest kicks. [link]
East Village Shoe Repair
1 St Marks Pl
New York, NY 10003
(212) 529-8339
In this dingy stall on St. Mark's Place you can buy customized Converse for $120. If you bring your own, the guy will trick them out for only $80. If Chucks aren't your … thing, his used offerings sometimes includes beat up old-school treasures. [link]
Supreme
274 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-7799
Supreme is where to go if you want to see Vans, Nike SB's, and skaters in feeding frenzies over expensive t-shirts. [link]
Classic Kicks
298 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 979-9514
Classic Kicks has a wide selection that is a must-see for fans of Nike, New Balance, and Vans. [link]
NikeiD Studio
255 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10012
If you're lucky enough to get an appointment in their online lottery, you can come in and design customized Nike Air Force 25's at this Elizabeth Street "lab." Many of … the options here are not available anywhere else (including the NikeID website, which is probably a better and cheaper sneaker source than anything on this list). [link]
Adidas Originals
136 Wooster St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 777-2005
If, like legendary rap group Run DMC, you swear by Adidas, then hit up their space in Soho. This is definitely the best place to go if you won't feel complete without a … matching tracksuit to complement your exclusive kicks. [link]
Union
172 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-8493
Tucked away inside a small storefront on Spring Street, Union was one of the first places selling high-end streetwear in New York when it opened in the late 1980s. The … emphasis here is on quality rather than quantity, so it might not be the best destination for the casual shopper. [link]
Premium Goods
347 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215
This Brooklyn boutique is tiny, but well worth the trip if you're into Nikes and trying to save some cash. [link]
