The Best Women’s Sneaker Stores Around the World
The growing number of women’s sneaker stores is symbolic of the 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.
Finesse
Murata Prajumas’ 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.
Kicksloved
Owned by Lisa Barlow and based in London, England, 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, 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, is North America’s very first 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
might hail from Copenhagen, but they have a presence all over the world. Since launching in 2004, they’ve expanded to multiple physical locations, including their first-ever international store in . As well as stocking some of the world's best sneakers and streetwear, Naked is the go-to spot for Scandi brands, so you're bound to find something new to fall in love with. They're also a regular contributor to the sneaker colab scene, and have worked extensively with ASICS and New Balance over the past few years.
Pam Pam
London’s 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. Unfortunately it closed its doors a couple of years ago, but it still operates with an online presence. 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 , ‘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.