The Best Women’s Sneaker Stores Around the World
The growing number of women’s sneaker stores is symbolic of the increased female presence and strength in the sneaker space. All over the globe, these stores do more than provide a way to keep connected IRL and online: they enable women to be able to truly express themselves and kick predetermined ideology of female sneakerheads to the curb. Founded by determined and pioneering women, many of these stores were created to fill a need for increased representation in the scene. Not only are they keeping the ladies laced, they’re making sure that the next generation are represented, included and championed. Check a few of our top picks out below.
atmos Women’s Philadelphia
atmos have just added another retail destination to their growing lineup of stores! Their new women’s-focused concept has taken over the second level of their established Philadelphia location, spanning a 1400 square foot space. The store’s shelves are stocked with a range of brands, including mainstay names like Andersson Bell, Carhartt WIP, Brain Dead, BAPE, and more emerging designers, too. Of course, you can expect to find the latest styles across everything from footwear (featuring New Balance, Nike, and Yeezy, to name a few) to apparel, headwear, and accessories.
END. Womenswear
END. are continuing to build out their fashion empire, opening the doors to their first-ever dedicated women’s space! Finding a home in the former END. location on Grainger Street in the UK’s Newcastle upon Tyne, the store has been revamped to execute its new focus. Inside, you can shop the latest streetwear and luxury brands, plus a range of collaborations, athleisure staples and unisex products. The store also has a dedicated skincare section and, most importantly, a sneaker zone stocked with a stack of the latest footwear and hyped releases.
Finesse
Murata Prajumas’ Finesse has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2016, becoming established as Australia’s premier women’s sneaker boutique. With the store constantly on the pulse of having the hottest sneaker releases and the apparel to match, they also run regular raffles too. In addition to streetwear and kicks, the Finesse team also have a passion for music, highlighted in their ‘For The Honeys’ Soundcloud page, often linking up with DJs for guest mixes. Having recently transformed from Sole Finess to Finesse to reflect greater inclusivity, in 2022 they’re opening a new luxurious space to match.
Kicksloved
Owned by Lisa Barlow, Kicksloved is not your average sneaker store, it’s a platform with a mission. Stocking brands you’re definitely familiar with, their strategy here isn’t purely retail: they want to give preloved sneakers a second life, creating and offering an environmentally conscious way to cop sneakers. So that’s why you’ll find pre-loved sneakers on their site looking for a new home, as well as items to ensure their longevity. They also stock sneakers which have been made from recycled materials, such as the brand Good News.
Maha Amsterdam
Founded by Saskia van Hofwegen and Dian Iskandar in 2015, Maha Amsterdam was born from the necessity of needing more female presence in Amsterdam’s streetwear market. At Maha, the ethos is more than being able to hook women up with the very best goods. According to the brand, they: ‘Aspire to be the centre of our community, a diverse and inclusive (extended) family of sincere, genuine, and like-minded womxn. For our beloved community, we establish a warm home to move forward in solidarity and empower each other at all times.’ At Maha you can find the latest sneakers, premium fashion brands and lifestyle items ranging from beauty to mugs.
Makeway
Setting up shop at the tail end of 2020, Makeway is Canada’s very first (and only) women’s sneaker boutique. And they’re here with a powerful purpose: ‘We no longer care to participate in a system that doesn’t serve us. Our purpose is to create a space in sneaker & streetwear culture for women.’ Founded by Abby Albino and Shelby Weaver, Makeway opened up just days before Toronto entered a full city lockdown, since then it’s thrived, expanding its offerings to include homeware and decor, beauty and skincare, apparel and more.
Naked
Naked might be based in Copenhagen, but they have a presence all over the world. Since launching in 2004, they’ve expanded to three physical locations and they’re committed to a focus on the community, which shines throughout their operations. Last year they teamed up with New Balance to create a women’s only collaboration which was a duo of NB’s 1080 and 725 silhouettes. In 2022 they’ve hit the ground running by partnering with footwear designer Helen Kirkum, who created 30 bespoke pairs of ASICS in support of Right to Play, a charitable organisation that empowers children through the power of play.
Overkill Women’s
Berlin’s Overkill have been at the forefront of bringing sneakers and streetwear to the local and international community since 2003. From limited edition releases to GRs and hosting special events, Overkill do it all with a boutique yet accessible flair. Boasting over 500 sneakers across a 650 square feet space, in 2016, they launched their women’s specific arm, which also doubles as Germany’s first-ever women’s exclusive sneaker store. Huge!
Pam Pam
London’s Pam Pam was founded by Bethany Heggarty and Rio Holland back in 2015, and was the first women’s-focused sneaker store to open in the UK. Before opening Pam Pam, Heggarty and Holland had been working in a menswear store, where they had noticed women shopping men’s sneakers and clothing. Holland told The SPINOFF, ‘As well as seeing this demand first hand, we personally felt the lack of brilliant women's stores in our life and, in particular, a lack of availability of women's sneakers.’ Stocking an extensive range of products – not just limited to streetwear – their offering is able to extend to all of your needs, whether that’s working out or just chilling out.
