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There are only a handful of footwear companies that find their way into sneakerheads’ rotations. Conversely, there are a bunch of sneaker boutiques in the game, looking to supply the very best that brands have to offer every season. While some of these retailers have already distinguished themselves as household names within the sneaker circuit, there’s always a new crop of stores looking to emerge from the pack. With the new year just around the corner, we take a look at some of these retailers in Sneaker Boutiques That You Should Look Out for in 2015.
RISE
Opened: 2013
Location: New York
Website: rise45.com
RISE has only been in business for one year but the shop has quickly been establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with. The Long Island, N.Y. retailer came out with its first two sneaker collaborations this year with the FILA Cage and Saucony Grid 9000. Not only were both styles well executed, but the two also touched on themes that hit home for RISE—a combination that many of the premier retailers today always seem to get right with collaborations. RISE also houses its own clothing line with staple pieces that everyone can get down with, including slim-fit sweats. With so many accomplishments under its belt after just a year in the game, we can’t wait to see what the upcoming years have in store for RISE.
BAIT
Opened: 2012
Location: California, Seattle
Website:baitme.com
Southern California-based BAIT started 2014 on a high note. January saw the release of the BAIT x ASICS Gel Lyte III “Basics Model” (their second iteration of the model). BAIT partnered with Saucony for a second and third time this year for its Saucony Shadow Original “Cruel World” collaboration, with proceeds going to different charities. In addition to collabs with Fila and Brooks under its roster, BAIT also opened up a store in Seattle during the tail end of the year, marking its fourth retail store. While 2014 was a prolific year for BAIT, it’s the careful thought process behind each shoe that we admire, and it’s what we’re looking forward to see in years to come.
Social Status
Opened: 2011
Location: North Carolina, Pennsylvania
Website: socialstatuspgh.com
You might already know Social Status for its impressive stock of streetwear staples and fashion forward labels, but as the name indicates, the Charlotte, N.C.-based shop is all about continual growth—and that’s exactly what we saw this year. From a Hornets-inspired Instapump Fury with Reebok, to its acid-washed take on the Pump AXT with Play Cloths, and even a denim-based New Balance runner, 2014 solidified what we already knew about Social Status as a company that always strives to get better and better.
Sneaker Politics
Opened: 2006
Location: Louisiana
Website: sneakerpolitics.com
Sneaker Politics took the concept of the hometown homage to new levels this year. First, the Louisiana-based boutique rewrote an old Cajun-French folktale with the “Rougarou,” bringing to life the bloodthirsty werewolf in the form of a Reebok Instapump fury—matted fur, swampy green accents and all. They worked with Reebok again on a Pump 25 and took inspiration from a neighborhood favorite: Borden’s Ice Cream, a longstanding Louisiana ice cream parlor. With bright pops of color against a creamy suede upper, it was a decidedly lighter collaboration. Whatever direction they go next, Louisiana or not, we’ll take it. One things for sure: Sneaker Politics does a solid job of shooting footwear editorials for its new products.
Overkill
Opened: 2003
Location: Berlin
Website: overkillshop.com
This year, Germany’s Overkill played it close to home, literally—its three collaborations with KangaROOS were only released in-store in Berlin. Its aim was “Made in Germany,” through and through: The “Grape” pack featured high-quality Coil R1s made in the German town of Pirmasens, and the “Craftsman Champions” pack took the Ultimate and incorporated the colors of the German national flag to the KangaROOS logo on the tongue label. What’s more, Overkill kept each collab super limited, with some as limited as 10 pairs each. Here’s to more collaborations in 2015, and, more selfishly, here’s to more pairs popping up stateside, too.
Off the Hook
Opened: 1999
Location: Montreal
Website: offthehook.ca
This year has been extra special for Off the Hook. The Canadian retailer, which celebrated its 15th anniversary, long-established itself as a fine retailer with an amazing clothing collection that speaks to streetwear purists and menswear bros. But 2014 is one where it left its mark in sneaker culture with two refreshingly different collaborations with Vans. One was a project with celebrity chef Chuck Hughes, which resulted in an all-black, kitchen-friendly collection. The other was a white Prison Issue sneaker in collaboration with a football club in Montreal—not exactly your run-of-the-mill partners, but it spoke loudly to Off the Hook’s identity as a shop that has always pushed culture, no matter the creative field.
LimitEDitions
Opened: 2004
Location: Barcelona
Website: limiteditions.org
Barcelona-based shop LimitEDitions was everywhere this year, and for good reason. It celebrated a decade in the game with a slew of special projects from a wide range of brands, including Le Coq Sportif, PUMA, and ASICS.
On top of delivering quality products is a shopping experience that’s just as awesome. LimitEDitions is no stranger to utilizing some of its retail floor space to showcase art installations. In past years, it has displayed works from Staple Design, Lacoste, and Converse. This year, it highlighted local sneaker company MaTeS. Not many sneakerheads in the states are up on LimitEDitions just yet, and it wasn’t until its collaboration runners this year that more people began to pay close attention to the store. From product to presentation, you can always count on LimitEDitions to deliver, and we don’t expect anything less in 2015.
Titolo
Opened: 1996
Location: Switzerland
Website: titolo.ch
Titolo has been around since 1996, so it’s hard to believe that the Swiss shop’s first-ever sneaker collaboration came this year, after 18 years in the business. It was a Reebok Instapump Fury to celebrate the vintage runner’s 20th anniversary, and for its first crack at a collab, it absolutely delivered. Not only was the black-based sneaker executed nicely, but the special friends and family-only packaging was on another level. Titolo took the Instapump Fury’s Hexalite cushioning and incorporated it onto a hexagonal cage. Its second collaboration soon followed with a Reebok Pump. So far, the shop is easily 2-for-2 with its collaborations and we expect a whole lot more going forward. Much like Sneaker Politics, Titolo's sneaker editorial game is on point.
Suppa
Opened: 2012
Location: Germany
Website: suppastore.com
Suppa first opened its doors in 2012 and has steadily built a reputation for itself as a premier shop with some very impressive product shots. It carries a good mix of sneakers, ranging from general release drops to super limited projects. Missed out on those collaboration New Balances? There’s a good chance that they will land at Suppa. Still looking for a pair of Roshes? Suppa probably has you covered.
Suppa also dropped a quality collaboration with KangaROOS this year that was made right in its home of Germany, marking its first-ever sneaker collaboration. This is all just the beginning for the international store, but we can feel that something special is brewing.
Asphaltgold
Opened: 2008
Location: Germany
Website: asphaltgold.de
As one of Germany’s premier retailers, Asphaltgold can always be counted on to supply nothing but the best sneakers. Its wide selection of runners is awesome, but it is Asphaltgold’s vintage sneaker section of legit OG gems that never ceases to amaze us.
But perhaps its biggest contribution in 2014 wasn’t an actual sneaker, but rather an app that solved a problem that many ‘heads constantly face. Its Fitting Room app provides sneaker size recommendations between brands and styles, based on its team’s own personal research comparing sizes. Could Asphaltgold be venturing off to develop more sneaker apps? Let’s hope so because the shop struck it big with its first-ever creation.
Xhibition
Opened: 2014
Location: Cleveland
Website: xhibition.co
Xhibition officially opened its doors on October 30, 2014 to coincide with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ home opener. The significance: LeBron James’ return back home. The Cleveland-based sneaker store is unlike any other shop in the area, carrying goods from clothing labels like Alexander Wang and Off-White to footwear brands like adidas Originals and Nike.
While LeBron’s return and its resulting interest around Cleveland certainly helps the new boutique, there’s actually already a strong connection with King James. The shop’s creative director, Michael Hurley, is long-time friends with LeBron, going all the way back to the JV football team at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Hurley was also part of LeBron’s circle that helped get UNKNWN up and running in Miami. If Xhibition becomes anything like UNKNWN, expect MAJOR things in 2015.
A Ma Maniére
Opened: 2014
Location: Atlanta
Website: a-ma-maniere.com
Bridging the gap between sneaker culture and menswear can be a tricky thing, but Atlanta’s A Ma Maniére is getting it done right. The nascent boutique—it only opened its doors in August—takes inspiration from the spirit of high fashion with progressive designers like A.P.C. and Buscemi, and even its own in-house line stands its ground against bigger names. And for the sneaker-obsessed, the shop held a 30 Days of Re-releases contest, giving away a pair of almost every Air Jordan retro and special release sneaker from the past year. It’s been an impressive four months, and we can only see big things to come.