Lining up for the it sneaker is out; finding a style that speaks to your inner Souljah Boy is in. Check out these Bay Area boutiques that carry original, limited-edition sneaks in every color, stripe, and swoosh. Though devotees can now turn to the Internet for super-exclusive kicks, brick-and-mortar shops still provide unparalleled eye candy, helpful hints from sneaker-obsessed employees, and the best way to find a perfect fit.
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THE TWO SIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO With its notoriously wild high-tops, Huf’s Sutter Street location caters to the hard-core sneaker fanatic. Also check out the neon Nikes, the purple-plaid New Balances, and the skull-patterned Vans. But the store in gentrified Hayes Valley also stocks basic Pumas, whimsical tennies, and preppy slides. Don’t expect sunny sales associates at either locale—these guys have an attitude that matches their attire. 516 HAYES ST., S.F., 415-552-3820; 808 SUTTER ST., SF., 415-614-9414
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THE BIGGEST SELECTION
With three stores on Haight, one on Valencia, and another on 24th Street, the Shoe Biz empire controls major city real estate. But Shoe Biz II, aka Dino Store (named for the blow-up dinosaur out front), is arguably the hub, drawing in droves of locals and Haight-Ashbury tourists. There’s something for everyone among the 10,000 shoes kept in stock, from DC and Vans to Puma and Nike. The store also specializes in limited-run accounts, like Adidas Super Team 33 and smaller brands like Undrcrwn. But it’s the Dino Reeboks, designed with dinosaur images especially for the store, that you can’t find anywhere else. 1553 HAIGHT ST., S.F., 415-861-3933
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NIKES, NIKES, AND MORE NIKES
The Darkside Initiative (formerly Nort/Recon)
in North Beach is the destination for Nikes—aside from a few well-chosen Converses, that’s all it carries. Whe-ther you’re looking for Dunks, Air Force 1s, or Quickstrikes—in other words, if it’s Tier Zero (a label identifying the company’s most limited releases) you want—the Darkside has a wall of it. And the Converses aren’t shabby, either: The store carries the Century collection, inspired by the best-selling shoes of the company’s 100 years and sold in wooden boxes, just like back in the day. 1827 POWELL ST., S.F., 415-837-1909
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THE LOCAL LOVE
For years, hip-hop’s Bay Area hometown hadn’t had a single sneaker boutique to call its own—until Verse Sneaker Boutique opened in Oakland last July. Now Tyranny Allen of rap group Digital Underground, along with general manager Dennis Thomas, is bringing sneakers to the hood with an “academy of fine art and the science of sneakers.” They’ll suggest the perfect shoe
for you (and even guess your shoe size) as you walk in the door. Keep an eye out: This month, Allen and Thomas are expanding next door with Lyric, a store for women’s clothing and sneakers. 481 9TH ST., OAKLAND, 510-663-4400