It's the time of year again, and no we're not talking about (this time). It's , a holiday the Sneaker Freaker Crew see as the perfect way to express our favourite love language (giving sneakers, obvs). As usual, we've brought the team together to see how they'll be playing Cupid this year – whether they're buying for their significant other, themselves or their dog. Here's what's on the list!

Seb

Sneaker: Crocs Pet Boots ‘Dragonfruit’

Last year I met the love of my life and no I don’t mean my significant other, I’m talking about my nine-month-old Whippet, Kitty! (I never thought that I would be one of these ‘dog guys’, but here I am). Whippets get very cold, especially on walks, so we’ve copped Kitty a plethora of jackets to keep them looking cute and cozy. The only thing they need now is a pair of kicks to match, so these Pet Boots are sure to have necks cranking at the dog park.

Ollie

Sneaker: x ‘Tenet Flower’

My Valentine and I met through our love for fashion and footwear, so I immediately knew this question would receive a quick albeit not-so-easy answer. Some time ago during a doom scroll on Pinterest, they stumbled upon a photo of the Yohji Yamamoto x adidas ‘Tenet Flower’ from 2001 and sent it to me. I immediately looked at my wallet and sighed. Serving as the first-ever colab between the two before the birth of , these absolutely beautiful kicks are extremely hard to come by. I know what you’re thinking, but hey, everyone deserves to cop their all-time grails at some point right?

Cesca

Sneaker: ‘Sport Red’

My darling life partner is a diehard for Spiris, having amassed a fair few colourways the last time they graced shelves. The ‘Sport Red’, however, always alluded them. They've moved on since those days and I suspect they keep their pairs out of sentimentality rather than a desire to wear them again, but that won’t stop me. This year, I’m gonna make them misty-eyed with nostalgia for a time when we’d be that couple in matching shoes and their hands in each other's back pockets. Oh, I didn’t mention? I’m sneakily buying myself a pair so we can relive our honeymoon period. Matchy-matchy.

Soph

Shoe: Nike

Me to me, because I am my own muse. Communication (in relationships and style) is key and I always let what I wear do the talking. I've yet to own a pair of Air Maxes, but I think the futuristic take on the Air Max Muse would be the perfect pair to add to my collection.

Anth

Shoe: Onitsuka Tiger Mexico ‘66 ‘Silver/Off-White

On our trip to Tokyo last month, my partner-in-crime was extremely keen to hit up the Onitsuka Tiger store. Their heart was set on a pair of the silver Mexico '66. I think their Tiktok algo put them onto the customisation station in their Shibuya store, which allows you to add whatever embroidery you want to the heel. They were in love; however, when we got there it was sardines in a can. It was so popular I could barely walk through the front door. It's fair to say my Valentine's impatience got the better of them and we did not make it to the checkout counter. So I'll play Cupid this Valentine's Day and connect the love of my life with their true match.

Jess

Shoe: Fresh Foam 1080

While it's tempting to cop my Valentine another pair of Jordans, maybe the RMs this time, I think this year is going to have to be about me instead. I've had my eyes on a new pair of runners, with the and New Balance 1080 battling it out for my vote. Ultimately though, I've been swayed towards the latter, with the NB1080 getting a strong recommendation from an SF colleague for being one hell of an everyday trainer. The shape and colourways are super clean and the stacked Fresh Foam X midsole doesn't hurt either.

Zack

Shoe: Yohji Yamamoto x adidas Mule

I asked my beloved what sneaker they would most love to get for Valentine’s Day, and they are currently consulting their Pinterest and Poshmark likes for their answer…The pick is now in and I definitely have my work cut out for me on this one. With their impeccably unique and effortlessly cool sense of style, they (of course) go for something super obscure: the embroidered leather Yohji Yamamoto x adidas Mules from SS2002... wish me luck.

Georgie

Shoe: Air Jordan 1 High '85 'Bred'

Can you believe the light of my life gave their 2015 'Breds' away for free a few years ago? I swore they'd regret it, and while they'd never admit that they does, I do have to say the release's timing couldn't be better.

Camden

Shoe: Wales Bonner x Samba Nylon 'Wonder Clay Royal Blue'

As an attorney, my significant other does not often wear sneakers since courtrooms do not fancy that kind of dress. However, they have recently started to mix in some on-feet heat on their off days and the current faves are the adidas Samba and Gazelle. Ordinarily, I tend to stay away from footwear gifts, but given their new style preferences this year, a window of opportunity has presented itself. Wales Bonner’s work on the Samba provides a sneaker option aligned with their tastes and gives them a chance to dip their toe into the limited-colab sneaker world. Case closed!