Some say that when meeting someone for the first time, it’s a person’s shoes that might catch your attention before anything else.
While not everyone is picky about footwear, being a sneakerhead has definitely become more mainstream in recent years — so much so that more and more specialty stores stocking the latest styles and the rarest of pairs have started to pop up all over Metro Manila.
Here are 11 essential sneaker stores around the city for those who want to give their OOTDs an ultra boost (Adidas pun intended) on a night out.
The Sneakpeek
We love a store name with good wordplay.
The Sneakpeek, which started in 2013, is a lifestyle street concept store anchored on having sought-after kicks from brands like Puma, Adidas, Nike. They usually have the latest style of the season like most streetwear shoe stores around the metro.
The outlet is a bit underrated, but it means there’s a bigger chance of scoring limited edition kicks that usually fly off the shelves once it drops, like most Nike Cortez colorways and models.
Aside from kicks, the multi-brand store keeps streetwear tees and caps of a New York-based brand called Staple Pigeon.
For more information, check their Facebook page or website. Sneakpeek has branches in Trinoma in Quezon City, Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, Solenad in Sta. Rosa Laguna and more.
Capital PH
Capital PH has opened several branches around the metro and it’s a shop that drops a mix of the latest sport and lifestyle footwear.
Aside from housing iconic names such as Adidas and Nike, they also offer brands like Veja, Puma, and Asics Tiger, among others. Capital PH also has its own merch tees.
Insider tip: For each purchase, the merchants will provide a free shoe cleaning voucher that is usable and transferable for a limited time offer. Capital PH also has a membership card which will give customers 15 percent off on regular items and 10 percent off for the more limited kicks.
For more information, check their Facebook page or website. Capital PH has branches in Trinoma, SM North, UP Town Center and more.
Urban Athletics
Urban Athletics has been in Manila since 2009 and it continues to serve as a street lifestyle store with names like Nike, Adidas, Asics, Puma, New Balance, and more. It also sells sports-inspired apparel.
A lot of people have set foot in its stores, even boxer Floyd Mayweather.
The store also has local Skoop streetwear tees and caps.
For more information check their Facebook page or website. Urban Athletics has branches in UP Town Center in Quezon City, S Maison Conrad Manila in Pasay City and more.
Sole Academy
Sole Academy was first opened in the country in 2011. It continues to be a swanky sneaker boutique with its posh-looking outlets around the metro. It has classic sneaker styles like the Nike Cortez and Adidas Stan Smith. The shoe store also has exclusive drops that are hard to cop.
It also has its own streetwear merch focusing on tees and hip windbreakers.
For the youngsters, there is a Sole Academy Mini in Bonifacio High Street where sneaker-loving parents can get their kids the latest kiddie drops.
Insider Tip: Some who are small enough to fit the kid sizes shop at Sole Academy Mini. It’ll fit them like a glove and are cheaper too.
For more information, check their Facebook page or website. Sole Academy has branches in Trinoma and UP Town Center in Quezon City, Bonifacio High Street in Taguig, and more.
Titan 22
This store is more for the ultimate dude who gets an intricate faded haircut at a barbershop and loves to shoot hoops. Titan 22 is a half-barbershop, half-sneaker store for guys who buy Jordans and other basketball merch like socks, jersey shirts, tees, caps, and the likes.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or website. Titan 22 has branches in Vertis North and UP Town Center in Quezon City, Shangri-la Mall in Mandaluyong City, and more.
Rucker Sports and Lifestyle Outlet
Sitting pretty in the middle of Holy Spirit Drive in Quezon City is an outlet store which houses premiere brands such as Nike, Puma, Levi’s, Dockers and more. It first launched in 2004.
It also has branded dri-fit garment for all those with a more athletic nature. Those who just want a great price drop on some kicks though, this just might be the place. Didn’t get to score that Nike Flyknit pair last season? This place just might have it.
Insider Tip: Pairs can have a price drop of up to 70 percent; don’t sleep on these deals.
FIND IT:
Rucker Sports and Lifestyle Outlet is at 2/F The Rock Lifestyle Hub, Holy Spirit Drive,
Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 am — 8 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10 am — 10 pm
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Commonwealth PH
Commonwealth PH has consistently delivered fresh new drops to sneakerheads one pair at a time. There will sometimes be long queues for these limited edition kicks. It was established in 2004 in Norfolk, Virginia’s Ghent District, which opened a local boutique in 2015.
Just this month, it opened its new flagship store in the posh Powerplant Mall in Makati City.
The interiors of the sneaker store has an industrial feel, with concrete walls, tiles, wood accents, and decorative plants in different areas.
From tees to shoes, the one-stop shop has classic names like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. It also has cult brands like Stone Island, Human Made, APC, Nanamica, Stussy, Carhartt WIP, Polythene Optics, Cav Empt, Neighborhood, Maharishi, Aries, Wacko Maria, Saturdays NYC, DIME, and Brain Dead.
For more information, check their Facebook page or website. Commonwealth PH has branches in SM Aura in Taguig City, Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, and Powerplant Mall in Makati City.
Rock N Sole PH
Right smack in the middle of Tomas Morato is a sneaker store for Manileños of all kinds. It has been online since 2014 but it only opened its physical store last year. There’s Adidas NMDs, Adidas Superstars, Vans, Nike, Yeezys, and Gucci pairs. It also sometimes has hard to find Champion streetwear for those lowkey hypebeasts.
It has become a sneaker hotspot for local celebs from the country’s two biggest TV networks ABS-CBN 2 and GMA 7, whose studios are located in the area.
Insider Tip: It’s a bit pricier than other shoe stores around the metro. Only get a pair when it’s sold out everywhere else.
FIND IT: Ground Floor, Imperial Palace Suites, Tomas Morato Corner Timog Avenue, Quezon City
For more information, visit Rock N Sole PH’s Facebook page.
Puma Select
Puma Select opened in December with a wide range of Puma-only goods.
The best part is that they sell cool streetwear tees, jackets, and the limited edition kicks which have collaborations with artists such as Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and The Weeknd.
FIND IT:
Puma Select is at U/G, Uptown Mall, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Athlete’s Foot
The Athlete’s Foot is a global retailer stocking up on trendy athletic footwear and apparel. It carries some of the world’s most renowned brands such as Adidas, Nike, and New Balance, among others.
It’s a go-to shoe store found in Manila malls.
For more information, check their Facebook page. Athlete’s Foot has branches in Ayala Vertis North mall, Glorietta 2 mall, Robinsons Magnolia mall and more.
Feed Your Feet Manila
Feed Your Feet Manila is one of the sneaker stores that has hard to find kicks, streetwear, and even toys. The new shop usually has the latest models of popular shoe brands. Jan Solomon, the owner, also regularly updates the shop’s YouTube page for sneaker reviews.
FIND IT:
Feed Your Feet Manila is at Crownland Building 851 Mother Ignacia Street,
Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 9 pm
For more information, check their Facebook page.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in October 2018, but the Coconuts crew is bringing it back from the archives since the information it contains remains relevant and useful. Rest assured, we’ve reviewed and updated it to make sure this oldie but goodie will still serve you well.
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