A Guide To Melbourne’s Best Sneaker Stores

A Guide To Melbourne’s Best Sneaker Stores

Every man worth his stylish salt needs to own at least one decent pair of sneakers. Don’t fight us. The right pair of sneakers – ideally something on the more luxurious end of the scale – can be incredibly versatile in that they can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down for a casual weekend look. Sneakers can come in a variety of materials: leather, suede or even vegan-friendly options, as well as a number of colours.

No longer are you just confined to white sneakers – although these are the epitome of a wardrobe staple – or running shoes for that matter, you can also grab some stylish numbers in black, blue and grey, to round out the safest colour options out there. Once you have these nailed down, you can start experimenting with bolder colours. Fortunately, you’re not just consigned to searching for a fresh pair of kicks online, and in Melbourne especially, there are a number of sneaker stores dedicated to the fashion essential.

The sneaker stores in Melbourne stock a variety of brands to suit all budgets, with models coming in a variety of materials, so you can try out a few pairs before settling on the ones for you. Make sure you take the time to really get a feel for a pair of sneakers and think about which outfits you’ll be able to pair them with once you get them home.

124 Shoes

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - 124 Shoes

124 Shoes markets itself as ‘authentic shoes, not for the ordinary’. Indeed, it’s a very fitting mantra to the brand, considering that every single shoe is made with tender loving care – each of them is specifically handpicked from Italy’s finest labels, made by second and third generation shoemakers that have used traditional artisan techniques to make the best shoe possible. If you’re looking for real quality and strong lasting power for your sneakers, look no further than this store. Do note however that all of their collections are Italian brands only.

Address (Little Hero Complex): Shop 24/16-30 Russell Place, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9662 2941

Sneakerboy

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Sneakerboy

Sneakerboy guarantees a customer experience that you’ll remember long after your feet have slipped into your kicks. They had quite the hype in the lead up to their store openings in Melbourne and Sydney, housing some of the biggest brands including Lanvin, Balenciaga, Kris Van Assche and more.

What’s different about this store is that it doesn’t follow the typical retail model. Instead, the place is a showroom display of their stock, where you try on the sneakers in-store and then make the purchase online. Wait for a few days and before you know it, your sneakers will have arrived on your doorstep.

Address: 265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9650 1933

RELATED: 50 Cool Ways To Wear Your Sneakers

Up There

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Up There

One quaint little Melbourne store that is dedicated to providing a fine selection of globally sourced labels and sneakers for men is Up There. This store located in Melbourne’s CBD (and with two other convenient locations in the city), pitches itself on quality sneakers along with unprecedented product knowledge to back it up. As a bonus, the store also offers online sales and stocks some of the best boutique garments this side of the world.

Address: 15 McKillop Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9670 6225

Culture Kings

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Culture Kings

Culture Kings is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all things streetwear from snapback hats, crewnecks and of course, sneakers. Shopping at Culture Kings is an indulging experience to the say the least – they have a barbershop on standby if you’re looking to smooth out your look, along with DJs playing the best tunes from around the world. You’ll be buying sneakers while dropping to the beat all day every day, emerging from the store a whole new man.

Address: 19-25 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9929 5999

Hype DC

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Hype DC

Hype DC is one of the main chains of sneaker stores in Australia, and as a result, has multiple locations around Melbourne city. Hype DC is the go-to store if you’re a man who wants the latest street kicks, but doesn’t follow the style trend religiously.

If you’re too lazy to leave the house, don’t fret because they have an online shopping store that you can explore. And if you’re worried that you might be unavailable to pick up your order, Hype DC also offers fast free shipping to your workplace. Not too shabby.

Address: LG-18 Emporium Melbourne, 269-321 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 8344

RELATED: How To Dress Up White Sneakers

Platypus

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Platypus

Similar to Hype DC, Platypus is readily accessible with several stores all over Melbourne and over sixty stores in Australia. So regardless of where you live, you’re guaranteed to find one near you. They have a plethora of iconic sneakers brands from around the globe, which is excellent if you’re not one to bounce from store to store in your quest for the perfect sneaker.

Address: 149-151 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 3462

Prime Athletic

Prime Athletic has become a Melbourne landmark for the style-savvy since it opened in 1997, attracting customers with its relaxed vibes. That chilled out vibe remains today, as it doesn’t overwhelm you with fashion jargon. However, with the latest drops from some of the biggest names in the sneaker industry, Prime Athletic is definitely a shop you need to be checking out, the trip to St Kilda will be well worth it.

Address: 227 Barkly Street, St Kilda, 3182

Phone: 03 9537 0344

JD Sports

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - JD Sports

JD Sports is the leading sneaker and sports fashion retailer. Hailing from London, JD Sports opened in 2017 with their first flagship store in Melbourne. JD Sports offers many limited editions and exclusive designs from the likes of Adidas Originals, Nike and Asics.

Address: Shop L01/105 Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 8691 1460

The Secret Sneaker Store

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Secret Sneaker Store

A secret that is worth sharing, Secret Sneaker Store stocks one of the best collections of collectable sneakers in Melbourne, making it a must-visit place for hypebeasts and streetwear-fanatics alike.

Address: Shop 220B Central Shopping Centre, Level 2/211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone:  03 9191 6488

Marais

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - Marais

Named after the famed ultra-hip district in Paris, Marais in Melbourne stocks some of the most luxurious and high-end designer brands and their sneaker collection is one of the best in the city. Come sale time there’s always bargains to be had here with 50% off most sneaker styles.

Address: 1/314 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 0314

The Sneaker Laundry

Melbourne Sneaker Stores - The Sneaker Laundry

We’d all like to be able to keep our sneakers in perfect condition, but unfortunately, life gets in the way and makes it virtually impossible. That’s where The Sneaker Laundry comes in. Not a sneaker store but quite literally a laundry for your sneakers, you can take your dirty and muddied kicks here to be given some TLC and have them looking their stylish best in no time.

Address: 593 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9042 5421

Kickstw

Kickstw is Melbourne’s original consignment store that launched in 2013 from merely a tiny warehouse. Despite having no website, no online store, this sneaker store has become the holy grail of second-hand luxury sneakers and streetwear. Today, Kickstw is located on Collins Street, in the previously occupied Don’t Come Gallery in Royal Arcade, selling everything from Jordans, Yeezy, Nike SB and the list just goes on and on. So if you’re looking for a pair of fresh kicks on a bargain, make sure you check out this store.

Address: Level 2, Royal Arcade, 314 Little Collins St, Melbourne, 3000

Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle is the ultimate streetwear shop selling the most highly sought after sneaker brands for the best prices. Established in 2015, this Brunswick store pays homage to the 80s, where sneakers shops ruled the neighbourhood and cultivated a sense of community. Concrete Jungle has a vast selection of classic athletic sneaker brands and classic silhouettes while also highlighting local designers changing the Melbourne streetwear game for the better. Also, if you want to suss before you buy, you can shop online here.

Address: 158 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056