The emergence of the sneaker culture in Canada can be seen throughout the nation. As the sneaker community in Canada continues to grow, so does the expansion of Canadian sneaker stores. Now, with such a variety of retailers to choose from, you can bid farewell to paying duties on your new kicks!
Here are the best Canadian online sneaker stores:
Livestock
One of the original Canadian boutiques that specialize in sneakers and streetwear, Livestock has been a mainstay in the Canadian sneaker community and is one of the best boutiques in the nation. Their choices in footwear include brands such as Nike, adidas, PUMA, Converse, New Balance, Jordan, Reebok, and Saucony. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop where you can buy a complete outfit, Livestock has you covered with their selection of apparel and accessories.
STAY FRESH
Established in 2014, STAY FRESH is a Vancouver based marketplace boutique that specializes in premium and collector sneakers, streetwear, and accessories. It features a curated catalogue with brands like Nike, adidas, Air Jordon, Yeezy, Supreme, BAPE, Palace, Anti Social Social Club, and more.
HAVEN
This Canadian sneaker store’s name speaks for itself as it is a true haven for those who love footwear, as well as Japanese and other globally recognized fashion labels. You may recognize the name from their latest collaborative project with adidas or highly sought after Yeezy collaborations. In addition to the latest and best from adidas, they also carry an amazing selection from Nike, New Balance, Converse, and more.
Capsule
Since 2003, Capsule has continued to build their reputation as one of the premier boutiques in all of Canada. Capsule was a part of the first Canadian collaboration on the “Canadian Tuxedo” 580MT, complete with three different denims on the upper with a maple syrup sole. In addition, you’ll find brands like Air Jordan, Converse, Nike, New Balance, and more — they also have a selection for women.
Off the Hook
Montreal residents understand the importance of having a boutique like Off the Hook in their city. A significant member of this community since 1999, the team has done a tremendous job with the growth of their store. OTH is Canada’s only Vans partnership store with Canada’s most important selection of Vans products, and this relationship has resulted in numerous OTH x Vans collaborative projects. In addition to Vans, Off the Hook carries an amazing selection of other brands such as Nike, adidas, New Balance, Converse, PUMA, Timberland, Red Wing, and more.
ALDO
ALDO has a huge variety of not only sneakers, but other footwear as well. From casual to dressy, you’ll find it all. It’s also the first fashion footwear and accessories company in the world to be certified climate neutral.
Courtside Sneakers
Courtside Sneakers is the premier boutique in Atlantic Canada, with three stores throughout the Maritimes. It offers a great selection of basketball and retro sneakers, from Nike to PUMA for men, women, and youth, while showing tremendous growth over recent years. Nathan and his team are doing an excellent job with their curation of products and customer service, evident by the interaction with customers both in-store and online.
Less 17
It was about time that the Calgary sneaker community got some love, and this is exactly what happened with the arrival of Less 17. With an excellent selection of menswear and sneakers, this Calgary shop can be your one stop shop for everything from adidas and Nike sneakers to the latest pieces of clothing from the likes of Stone Island, Reigning Champ, and North Face Black Series. For all of their Canadian online shoppers, Less 17 offers free shipping within on all orders over $100!
Call it Spring
The ultimate destination for not only shoes but handbags and accessories as well. Call It Spring is always on top of the latest trends with an affordable price tag.
NRML
Canada’s capital city is the home of NRML, one of Canada’s oldest sneaker shops. Opened in 1997, this shop has been an instrumental part of the Canadian sneaker community for over twenty years with their wide selection of streetwear and sneakers. In addition to their streetwear and sneaker centric shop, they also have NRML Femme and NRML Select. Keep an eye out for the retailer’s killer sales, where you can sometimes score sale items for an additional 50% off.
Solestop
Located in the heart of downtown Markham, Solestop is the embodiment of a success story in the sneaker business. They began their journey as an online shop and have since grown to a full sized storefront with a diverse selection of adidas, New Balance, Asics, Saucony, and more. Along with their men’s sneaker selection, they also carry a full range of sneakers, clothing, and accessories for women and kids as well.
BB Branded
Windsor is typically known as one of the main border cities from Canada to the U.S. in Ontario, but the city is so much more than that, it is the home of an amazing sneaker shop called BB Branded. Having overcome its share of ups & downs, the shop grew from a jewellery store that carried apparel to the main sneaker shop in Windsor that carries the latest Air Jordan retros.
Vessi
Vessi creates shoes that can be worn all day, every day, in any weather. Wear them in the snow, rain, or sun, because sneakers that can do it all. It produces products that move you forward, get you out there, and let you live your best life.
SSENSE
Based in Montreal, SSENSE is a no brainer when it comes to all things designer. The retailer carries classic sneaker brands like adidas, Converse, Vans, and Nike, but as more high-end luxury brands move into the sneaker world, you’ll also find those here. If you’re looking for the latest kicks from labels like Off-White, Moschino, Balenciaga, Maison Margiela, Givenchy, and more, be sure to visit SSENSE.
Gravitypope
Founded in Alberta, this Canadian sneaker store, Gravitypope is a high-end boutique that also has locations in British Columbia and Ontario. But if you can’t make it in-store, you can also shop the store online, where you can discover brands like Common Projects, New Balance, Vans, Asics, Clae, and more.
Blacktoe Running
If you’re looking for the best sneakers to train in, you have to check out Blacktoe Running. It has all of the runners you need whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned marathoner. The brand finds the most innovative and best products available on the market today!
Browns
Browns’ mission to search the world for the best brands, and to provide the most unique, head-turning styles for you and your whole family— at the best possible value— since 1940. It even produces its own in-house brand to offer an even larger variety.
Little Burgundy
Little Burgundy was founded in 2008 in Montreal, Quebec. It’s a branded footwear destination with its own unique style for discerning tastes. It operates over 39 stores across Canada and offers the best brands on the market like adidas, Converse, Nike, Vans and Herschel Supply.
The Shoe Company
The Shoe Company first opened in 1992 and the chain has since grown to more than 75 locations across Canada. The brand believes that style shouldn’t demand a huge investment of time or money. Style should be comfortable, accessible, and easy to achieve.
Simons
While the selection of sneakers at this Montreal-based retailer isn’t the largest or rarest to find, it’s still worth a peak for essentials. Online, you’ll find high-end picks from brands like Marni and Versace, as well as favourites from Nike, Vans, adidas, The North Face, and more, as well as a budget-friendly in-house line.
Adrift
This Canadian sneaker store, Adrift, is Toronto’s premier skate and lifestyle boutique, and luckily for you, they ship all across Canada. Founded over 10 years ago, the shop stocks brands like Vans, Nike SB, Converse, and adidas.
Exclucity
Montreal-based Exclucity has carries a collection of sneakers for both men and women. The store originally operated out the back of the CEO’s car and has since evolved into an online destination for streetwear enthusiasts. You’ll find brands like Nike, Jordan, adidas, and Puma on Exclucity’s roster.
Casca
Casca develops sneakers made to last and withstand the test of time. The brand believes that shoes should make you feel good, and enable you to do anything, so Casca was founded to do just that.
Groovy Shoes
Groovy Shoes boasts itself as the number one Canadian sneaker store, so it’d be remiss of us to leave them off this list. The retailer has two locations in Ontario but boasts a huge selection of sneakers for men, women, and kids online. Find brands like Nike, Asics, Saucony, New Balance, and more beyond.
Parlor 23
This Toronto-based consignment shop specializes in deadstock and collectible shoes and accessories. Head here for hard-to-find sneakers or to consign a pair that’s been collecting dust in your closet. Parlor 23 ships worldwide.
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Toronto’s streetwear community is welcoming back a beloved retailer.
Known as one of the mainstays of Toronto’s menswear scene, fans were shocked when Nomad closed its doors in the spring of 2018. “After 13 years of business today will be our last day of operation,” a sign on the store’s door read. “We would like to thank our customers and friends who have supported us through the years.”
Nomad first opened in 2005 and had become a hub for those seeking contemporary labels like APC, Wings + Horns, and Common Projects. Often dressing some of Toronto’s most stylish, Nomad also hosted pop-up events for The Weeknd and Justin Bieber.
Despite closing its flagship in 2018, fans have been able to shop Nomad’s curated selection of apparel, accessories, and footwear online.
And now fans are able to shop the store physically once again — Nomad reopened and has found a new home in the city.
Located at 310 Spadina Ave., Unit L01, the new Nomad looks much different than its former home on Queen St. West. While its former location featured more rustic accents like vintage suitcases, wood, and pipe fixtures, the new Nomad is bright, white, slick, and spacious.
Nomad soft launched on Friday, February 8, 2019 and is open 7 days a week: Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Shoppers can expect familiar favourites, as well as labels like Stone Island Shadow Project, Très Bien, Commes des Garçons, Calvin Klein, and more.
Nomad joins a variety of other boutique shops that call the Chinatown and Spadina area home.
In the area, you’ll also find menswear retailers like Livestock, Adrift, Uncle Otis, Stussy, and Legends League, making the neighbourhood a prime spot for contemporary streetwear.
Long-time supporters and fans of Nomad were ecstatic about the relaunch. One Instagram user saying, “This makes me happy. Nomad has been missed.”
Welcome back, Nomad! We can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Featured image: Grayson Miller
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adidas has taken the sneaker world by storm in recent years thanks to their signing of key influencers, as well as the introduction of their Boost technology. The brand with three stripes is not new to the footwear industry, and they have been leaving their mark in Canada for a long time with some amazing collaborative projects.
Here are the best collaborations by adidas featuring Canadian boutiques & brands:
adidas x Goodfoot ZX 8000
Release Date: August 2008
One of the earliest collaborations between adidas and a Canadian boutique, this project with Goodfoot was a part of adidas’ AZX collection with this ZX 8000 model featuring recycled materials.
Image: Instagram/@shoetown50
adidas x Livestock ZX 450
Release Date: September 2008
The AZX collection was definitely ahead of its time with its combination of materials used throughout this ZX 450 — it utilized leather, suede, nylon, canvas, and velcro. This project with Livestock was the beginning of the relationship with adidas that is still present today.
Image: Instagram/@mpytson
adidas x Goodfoot Rod Laver Vintage
Release Date: November 2009
The good folks over at Goodfoot took the classic Rod Laver model and made it their own with an upper that is composed predominantly of wool, with leather accents along the eyelet and inner lining. One of the highlights of this pair is the wool insoles with the adidas and Goodfoot branding that says “The Brand with the Three Stripes, Eh?”
Image: Hypebeast.com
adidas x Off The Hook Tubular Moc Runner
Release Date: April 2015
Montreal’s own OTH boutique paid tribute to Canada’s heritage with this Tubular Moc Runner. Inspired by the Voyageurs, the early French-Canadian tradesmen, this moccasin-like sneaker has some amazing features such as the unique toe box stitching and the split tongue.
Image: UglyMely/uglymely.com
adidas x wings+horns Stan Smith
Release Date: July 2015
Based out of British Columbia, wings+horns is known for their premium take on classic silhouettes and that’s exactly what they did on one of adidas’ most classic models, the Stan Smith. With an upper consisting of Horween leather and suede heel tabs on a classic white sole, this is one of the cleanest executions of the Stan Smith.
Image: wings+horns/wingsandhorns.com
adidas x Livestock Pure Boost PK ZG
Release Date: August 2016
When adidas’ famous Boost technology began gaining popularity, the Yeezy Boosts and the Ultra Boosts were the most popular models. This collaboration with Livestock was done on the Pure Boost with a Primeknit upper with full-length Boost which made this one of the most highly sought after Pure Boosts.
Image: Livestock Canada/deadstock.ca
adidas x Reigning Champ Ultra Boost
Release Date: November 2016
This was one of the most anticipated collaborations on an adidas Ultra Boost, as Reigning Champ released one of the best collaborative projects of 2016. The unique knit pattern of the upper on an Ultra Boost, with its simple colour combination, made this the shoe to have for 2016.
Image: Hypebeast/hypebeast.com
adidas x wings+horns NMD
Release Date: April 2017
adidas and wings+horns continue their work on creating minimalistic silhouettes as they revamp the NMD R2 with a full leather upper with minimal branding and contrasting stitching. With the NMD typically done in Primeknit or mesh, this leather pair truly made it a special NMD.
Image: Instagram/@nigramercato
adidas x HAVEN Ultra Boost Uncaged
Release Date: April 2017
Triple black is already one of the most popular colourways on an Ultra Boost, but when you incorporate leather hits onto a triple black Ultra Boost Uncaged, it was bound to be one of the most hyped collaborative projects in recent years. One of the hardest pairs of shoes to get your hands on in 2017, HAVEN did an outstanding job on this project.
Image: Instagram/@jpndr
adidas x Reigning Champ Ultra Boost 3.0
Release Date: April 2017
After their massive hit with their first Ultra Boost, Reigning Champ decided to go in another direction with their next collaborative project. With a muted grey upper and branding on the tongue, this may have flown under the radar for many people, but they were one of the cleanest Ultra Boosts of 2017.
Image: Instagram/@sgo8
Which Canadian adidas collaboration is your favourite?
Featured Image: Instagram/@sgo8
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Jason Markk is one of the leaders in the footwear industry with their excellent cleaning and maintenance products. Their trademark bottles with the purple hue are hard to miss and they can be seen throughout the world in countless sneaker stores.
I was recently fortunate enough to go on a trip to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico where I had the opportunity to try some of their products first-hand, specifically the Travel Kit and the Repel. In order to show the true effectiveness of these products, I decided that the only pair of shoes that would be worn throughout the duration of the trip would be a pair of the brand new PUMA Tsugi Shinsei.
The Tsugi Shinsei from PUMA was an obvious choice from my closet to test these products as it featured a variety of materials throughout the silhouette: mesh, knit, leather, and foam. In addition to different types of materials on the shoes, an all-white pair meant that every little stain and scuff would be seen.
The night prior to departure, two coats of the Repel were sprayed on each shoe, dried overnight, and then the 8 oz. bottle was thrown into my checked luggage. The Travel Kit was the perfect addition for my carry-on luggage, as it met TSA requirements for liquids, and the compact ripstop nylon case held its 2 oz. Premium Shoe Cleaner, a mini Premium Brush, a 9” x 9” Microfiber towel and three Quick Wipes.
The shoes and the repel products were immediately put to the test, as my first few days on the island included trips to historic forts, beach boardwalks, a rainforest, and more. The fact that I was in Puerto Rico during the midst of their rainy season ensured that I would see how these products endured a variety of conditions.
After the first few days, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the shoes were holding up after walking through puddles, mud, and sand. The knit and leather portions of the upper, as well as the foam midsoles, were very clean but the mesh portions on the toebox were a slightly different story. It was evident that the Repel spray was more effective on flatter surfaces, such as the the leather and the knit, than the mesh, which has more crevices that the spray may not have completely covered.
With proper maintenance and the occasional cleaning, your all-white shoes can last much longer than they used to. Thank you to the good folks over at Jason Markk for making sure my shoes stay fresh at all times! If you want to keep your shoes looking clean, be sure to pick up some Jason Markk products available at retailers such as Foot Locker, Capsule, and Livestock.
All images courtesy of Jonathan Kim.
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Summer’s right around the corner and with the warm weather comes the desire for a new wardrobe! At StyleDemocracy, we’re always looking for the best sales and deals to keep you stylish, which is why we’ve rounded up the best warehouse and sample sales happening in Vancouver this month. This June, there are tons of great deal options for footwear, making it the perfect month to stock up on shoes.
Skout Agency Sample Sale
When: Thurs. Jun. 1 to Fri. Jun. 2 (10am to 7pm), Sat. Jun. 3 (11am to 4pm)
Where: 130-1355 Parker St., Vancouver
What: Stop by the Parker Building to snag deals on apparel and accessories for men and women. Brands featured in the sale include Free People, Chaser, Levi’s, La Marque, Agave and more. Just be sure to bring cash – this sale does not accept debit or credit. Get more sale details here.
Herschel x OBEY Sample Sale
When: Thurs. Jun. 8 to Sat. Jun. 10 (10am to 9pm)
Where: 3122 Lehman Rd., Highstreet Mall, unit J150, Abbotsford
What: Shop sample sale prices on goods for the whole family. The sale features Herschel and OBEY, as well as People, KREW and Supra. Think backpacks, denim, hats, t-shirts, footwear and more. Get more sale details here.
Lacoste Footwear by Bigtime KO
When: On now until Sun. Jun. 4 (11am to 7pm)
Where: 1263 Homer St., Vancouver
What: If you believe there’s no such thing as too many shoes, you’ll want to check out Bigtime KO’s Lacoste footwear sale. They are taking up to 90% off shoes for men and women, with new merchandise added daily. Get more sale details here.
Nike at Livestock
When: On now until Fri. Jun. 9 (11am to 8pm)
Where: 239 Abbot St., Vancouver
What: While not technically a warehouse or sample sale, you’ll still find incredible deals on Nike here. They are taking up to 50% off Nike footwear and apparel at their Gastown location. Get location details here.
Outdoor Sports and Recreation Sample Sale
When: Sat. Jun. 2 (9am to 5pm)
Where: 1253 Johnston St., Vancouver
What: Get ready for summer adventures at this sample sale. They are offering deals on clothing and equipment for the entire family from brands like AVEX, Brooks, SAXX, Newline, and more. This sale is cash only. Get more sale details here.
Did we miss any of the best warehouse or sample sales in Vancouver? Share them with us in the comment section below.
Featured Image: Instagram/@dhiptadi
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