The 10 Destinations Every Sneakerhead Needs to Go Once

Image via Complex Original

What to visit: Patta, 290 Square Meters, Filling Pieces, ETQ Headquarters

Amsterdam is a very, well, let’s just say “easy-going” and “relaxing” destination. But it’s undeniable that it is also an incredible place with some primo sneaker stops. World-renowned Patta rules the area’s sneaker scene, releasing just about everything under the sun that is remotely desirable to a true sneakerhead. It's also a shop that has built a cult following around retro runners and puts them in the proper context. While 290 Square Meters delves a little more into the fashion-side of sportswear by offering more popular options to go with your premium Scandinavian menswear. Amsterdam is also the home to two up-and-coming lifestyle sneaker brands, Filling Pieces and ETQ, with showrooms for both that you would be hard-pressed not to try and get in to see what the young guns are cooking up.

What to visit: Solebox, Firmament, Overkill, Kickz, Bread & Butter Tradeshow

The burgeoning sneaker scene in Germany’s capital city can likely be attributed to its proximity to the homes of both adidas and Puma main headquarters, but you would be mistaken if a lot of the credit wasn’t given to two boutiques that have risen through the ranks of worldwide sneaker shops. Solebox and Overkill aren’t just two of Germany’s or Europe’s best sneaker shops, but two of the best shops worldwide, and have created their respective names through top-notch buys from the best brands and even better collaborations. Berlin is also home to Bread & Butter, one of the best sneaker and streetwear trade shows around, bringing in enthusiasts from all over the world to see some of what’s to come in the world of footwear.

What to visit: Reebok Global Headquarters, Concepts, Bodega

Reebok’s impact on the sneaker culture has been monumental, especially the dominance that the brand endured during the ’90s with its basketball, cross-training, and running selection. So it’s only fitting that the Hall of Fame-caliber brand would be headquartered in a city named “Canton.” Though it’s not the one in Ohio, the Massachusetts location is a mere 20 miles from Boston, and is headquarters to both New Balance and Saucony (HQ in suburb of Lexington). It’s also where two of the nation’s most prominent sneaker shops, Concepts and Bodega (where you enter the store through a sliding Snapple machine in a real Bodega), live—just minutes away from each other. While you may find Bostonians taking trains over to NYC for the day, sneakerheads should flip the script and go check out the incredible, oft-exclusive collections each Bean Town shop releases on a weekly basis. Some of the collaborations that Concepts has done recently are even better in person.

What to visit: adidas and Puma Global Headquarters

What started out as a brotherly rivalry eventually spawned one of the greatest sneaker stories—and destinations—in history. Adi and Rudolf Dassler’s personal issues were irreparable, so their business partnership split, eventually creating two of the world’s footwear juggernauts. And to this day, their global headquarters are stationed in the Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, Germany, splitting the town’s allegiance in two and creating an atmosphere one can only read about in science fiction books. Both headquarters feature incredible facilities that share the storied pasts of the brothers, while also showcasing the forward thinking of each individual brand.

What to visit: Sneaker Street, Juice

Hong Kong’s Fa Yuen Street (more commonly referred to as Sneaker Street) literally brings the sneaker world to life with a literal three-quarters of a mile lined with 50 shops carrying all of your favorite brands from all genres and eras. From the GR to the rarest finds living in shrink-wrap, Sneaker Street is the little nook of paradise that sneakerheads often dream of.  Then, a quick jaunt to Juice, the place where many of CLOT’s great collaborations have lived, could possibly make you faint due to all of that overwhelming heat in one day.

What to visit: Foot Patrol, JD Sports, size?

Recently professed as “the sneaker capital of the world” by one of the sneaker world’s most trusted experts, it’s hard to go against such a notion when it comes to London. The rich culture that has come out of this city has played a huge part in just about every facet of sportswear and, luckily, its role in shaping the sneaker culture is still extremely powerful. Just look at JD Sports, around since the ’80s and consistently bringing European-only footwear to us while shops like Foot Patrol and size? also stand the test of time and deal exclusive, tier impossible footwear. So, if exclusivity is the name of the game, can sneakerheads find a match equal to London?

What to visit: Undefeated, Union LA, RIF LA, Vans Headquarters

Sure, the women and weather are two very important luxuries to consider when heading to sunny Los Angeles, but the city’s sneaker scene is one of the most influential in the world. Whether you want to check out Undefeated, one of the best sneaker stores to grace us with renowned collaborations, or get a little more fashion-centric with Union LA’s style-forward buys, introducing up-and-coming brands before they eventually blow up, L.A.’s got you covered. One of the best consignment shops in the states, RIF LA, will most likely have that grail sneaker you’ve been searching high and low for. Then, just a 24-mile drive to Cypress will get you to the very cool Vans headquarters for a deeper look inside the skate company’s historic rise to the top.

What to visit: Flight Club, Kith, Supreme

There’s never not a good reason to visit New York City. You can spend an entire week doing one thing in a million different places: checking out art, trying new foods, getting your chic on, etc. That certainly doesn’t end when it comes to fulfilling all of your sneakerhead dreams. There are far more amazing sneaker spots to mention, but the world’s best consignment shop, Flight Club, will have you salivating and either leaving in sheer joy or sobbing like an infant because of the beauty inside. Supreme’s very first (and most famous) location on Lafayette may have a dauntingly long line on release day, but if you can get in to check out their most recent sneaker collaborations, you can likely die a happy man. Last but not least, if you're looking to hit a more traditional but next-level sneaker boutique, opt for Ronnie Fieg's shop, Kith, which just expanded its location in SoHo. If you're in town at the right time, you might luck up on a pair of Fieg's collaborations, or you can score other runners or grab a pair of the elusive Mercer pants.

What to visit: Compound Gallery, Nike Global Headquarters, adidas North American Headquarters

While Boston holds it down on the East Coast for sneaker brands, Portland is home on the West. So of course P-Town’s best shop, Compound Gallery, has gems you can’t find elsewhere. While you’re in town, make sure you check out adidas’ North American headquarters, and a mere eight miles from Portland you’ll find yourself on the hallowed land of Nike’s Global Headquarters in Beaverton. Make sure you pack an extra bag.

What to visit: atmos, FIL, Kicks Lab, mita, Chapter

If you aren’t a fan of gobs and gobs of people swarming around you, maybe Tokyo isn’t the place for you. But hopefully you can subside your fears to check out some of the greatest sneaker shops in the world and see shoes in person that most barely even get a glimpse of online. Not only do they have some of the same amazing shops as the U.S. like Supreme, Undefeated, and atmos, but also have primo stores like Kicks Lab and mita. Tokyo also has some crazy consignment stores, like the little piece of shrink-wrapped heaven, K-SKIT, or the underground Mecca, L.A. Avenue. You may know them from their famous online shop, Napsize, which houses some of the best sneakers to ever grace the earth. You would be remiss if you didn’t at least step foot in the legendary home of visvim, Free International Laboratory, to get your hands on all of the elk leather and suede goodness you may or may not be able to afford.