Roundup: 5 Local Sneaker Shops

Who doesn’t need a trusty pair of sneakers (or 12)?
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Anonymous Skate Shop
This west side shop has been in business since 1999, and while the quirky hole-in-the-wall limits its brands to Nike and Vans, you’ll still find a well rounded collection of hard-to-find editions like Stefan Janoski Nikes and Vans Pro Classics. The shop’s colorful array of skateboard decks and tees are equally tempting—and should you want to test out your new shoes immediately, there’s a full indoor vert ramp where you can carve. anonymousskateshop.com

Anonymous Skate Shop
Anonymous Skate Shop

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

 

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Anonymous Skate Shop

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

Corporate
If you want ’em, Corporate’s got ’em. Brands run the full spectrum from mainstream (Nike, Vans, Reebok) to indie (Diadora, Clear Weather), making it the place to find both the latest J’s and limited edition Warhol/Converse hi-tops. And the customer service can’t be beat: A friendly staff of fellow sneakerheads fully appreciate your passion and will help you track down the kicks you covet. The high-end Hyde Park shop, which opened its second location in Over-the-Rhine this fall, mainly carries men’s shoes and athletic wear, but it offers some women’s and children’s merchandise, too. corporategotem.com

Mojo Running
Family-owned Mojo Running offers a carefully curated selection of running shoes and sneakers—from the latest New Balance and Asics to popular Brooks and Nikes—in addition to socks, hats, apparel, and other gear. The staff of running specialists is headed by owner Paul Heintz, a two-time Ironman competitor who has completed more than 30 marathons—so he knows a thing or two about shoe durability, fit, and comfort. But you don’t have to be a triathlete to shop here: the West Chester store’s welcoming vibe extends to casual sneaker lovers and practical footwear-seekers too. runmojo.com

UNHEARDOF
When it comes to the unique or hard-to-find (Jeremy Scott winged Adidas high-tops? Nike’s “Sweet Schemes” Air Maxes? Vans Sk8-Hi Pro?) UNheardof is the one place in the city you’ll find them all. While their brand offerings are (intentionally) limited to Nike, Adidas, and Vans, the styles you’ll find are the latest and most exclusive: The store often only receives a handful of each type, meaning once a pair has sold out, it’s gone for good. Whatever your level of sneaker proclivity, UNheardof’s nifty storefront—including a shoe “bridge” display modeled after the Roebling Bridge and a hefty selection of UNheardof tees, tanks, and shorts—makes for a cool shopping experience. unheardofbrand.com

Unheardof
Unheardof

Fleet Feet Sports
Well known at racing and marathon events around the country, Fleet Feet’s brand is as much defined by their runner’s training groups and programs as their retail stock. Which means fit is probably more important than shoe style. Buying a pair of sneaks at one of Fleet Feet’s two locally owned/operated Cincinnati locations (Blue Ash or Oakley) involves careful fitting by an expert who assesses your size (including “weighted,” or standing, measurements as well as “unweighted,” or sitting, ones) and examines your gait. An equal selection of men’s and women’s favorite athletic brands—Mizuno, Brooks, Nike, Hoka, New Balance, Asics—are always on hand, and the shop can order in additional styles as well. fleetfeetcincy.com

Fleet Feet Sports
Fleet Feet Sports

Street Smarts
An all-material shoe cleaner does double-duty: Besides keeping your sneaks looking fresh, it’ll increase their longevity. You can also use it to restore dirty shoelaces—just soak ’em in a bowl of warm water and cleaner, rinse, and they’ll be good to go. Sneakerheads swear by Jason Markk’s Premium Shoe Cleaner, which works on leather, suede, canvas, vinyl, nylon, cotton mesh, and more.


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Any set of sneakers needs quality socks, and no one does ’em better than Smartwool. Constructed of high-end Merino wool, they come in just about every imaginable cut and style (knee-high, crew, ankle) for walking, running, hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, or dress and casual wear. For the city’s best selection, check out Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters in Blue Ash. benchmarkoutfitter.com

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