Whether you view trainers as utility footwear or deem them so valuable you’d never wear them, there’s no denying London is keen on its sneakers. So what if you can only wear one pair at a time, there are seven days in a week and 365 days in a year so it’s time to get collecting at London’s best stores. Just do it, Cochise.
Footpatrol
Having left London for a brief attempt at ‘finding itself’, Footpatrol is back in all its minimal caged glory. Arguably London’s one true legend in the field and one that hoards accounts from the big brands like trainer collectors hoard, er, trainers. There are rare releases galore but just remember to add ‘man’ as a suffix to everything you say when you visit. Shoe of note: Nike Footpatrol Stab- more rare than a first edition ‘Potter and way more colourful. I mean way more colourful, man.
1948
If it’s not a pop-up bar, restaurant or cinema then it’s a pop-up boutique and Nike’s was so well received they moved it round the corner and said, ‘Son, you’re permanent!’ The graphics on show are luminous and the creatives are digging this hard but what of the product inside the shell? Quick Strike is king, meaning that the shoes are limited to the sweetest stores, 1948 being one such emporium and people will come to see Lunar, Free and Flywire like the wise men flocked to Christ. Shoe of note: Nike Free Livestrong- lighter than air and actually more essential.
The Hideout
Too expensive for most, you MUST be ready to deflect £200.00 t-shirts from your field of vision before you can get to the rack of shoes at the back. Once there, you’ll find the holy grail of this world, the collaboration. Stay cool, examine that pair of Vans and make sure it says Supreme beneath the Off The Wall tab. Yes? You’ve found it, so buy it, head home and put it on EBay. Kerrrrching! Not really, you must let them appreciate. Shoe of note: Vans Era Supreme- covered in drips like they were Jackson Pollack’s work shoes. Art’s so rad.
The Other Side of the Pillow
Reissues of old classics are fine but when the market gets flooded it’s time to go back to the source and when I say source, The Other Side of the Pillow must have been hiding out at the Van Doren factory circa 1966 the amount of original Vans they’ve got piled up. Only dealing in those shoes that say Made in USA, this vintage store is a blessing for those that weep over the cheap plastic that Vans use now. There’s suede, floral, leather and even Disney prints. Chukka’s, Authentics, Era’s and Old Skools, and if this reads like a love letter/shopping list, I apologise. Shoe of note: Vans Era- black/black colour-way with richly textured suede and heavy rubber sole. Perfect. Check out their blog
Size/Offspring
It almost seems sad to end with these two behemoths of London trainers but we shall. They face off in Covent Garden and between the two of them there isn’t a lot they don’t cover. Offspring seem to have ditched New Balance and given that they were always the thinking man’s (woman’s) store that’s a shame. Size is the groovy teen, brash and headstrong but if you’re visiting and want the one stop shop for shoes then this it. Shoe of note: Adidas Sky Walker Star Wars- resplendent in orange.
So, until next week, walk the line.
