The best places to buy sneakers around Vancouver

So you’re slowly starting to fall into the vast world of sneakers.

If you’re looking for a place to start, Vancouver is home to a sizeable following of sneakerheads and with that, no shortage of stores to go with it.

So whether you’re looking for your first pair of Jordans, or simply another piece for your collection, here are some of the best places to buy sneakers in Metro Vancouver.

• See also: 
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The Corner Store

Previously located in Gastown and known as “Complex,” The Corner Store has been a part of Vancouver’s streetwear scene for almost a decade. You’ll be able to find popular releases from Nike, Jordan, and Adidas, as well as streetwear brands such as Stussy, Chinatown market, and Carhatt WIP. There’s also a selection of Canadian-made apparel from Vancouver-based Reigning Champ and Montreal-based Raised By Wolves.

Address: 2601 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-602-1668

Livestock

Livestock is one of Canada’s premium footwear and apparel boutiques, with locations in Toronto and Winnipeg in addition to Vancouver. In addition to staples like Nike, Jordan, Adidas, and New Balance, visitors can also find brands such as Asics, Hoka One One, Salomon Advanced, and Saucony, to name a few.

Address: 141 E Pender Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-559-0877

J2 // Sneaker Box

Sneakerbox was founded in 2008 and offers a wide list of products from Adidas, Converse, Homme+, Nike, Jordan, and Puma, to name a few.

Address: 2112 – 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
Phone: 604-433-1640

Address: 1055 – 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver
Phone: 604-913-8891

Address: 1922 – 6060 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond
Phone: 604-273-4482

Dipt

Dipt is Vancouver’s longest-running streetwear and sneaker boutique. Founded in 1998 by Mister Martini, shoppers will be able to find brand-name sneakers as well as the Vancity Original brand, which is perfect for showing off your 604 pride.

Address: 819 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-669-9990

Haven

First established in Edmonton in 2006, Haven has quickly grown into one of Canada’s streetwear and sneaker staples. In addition to footwear brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Commes Des Garcons, and Hoka One One, they also carry their own house brand, as well as Japanese and international brands.

Address: 52 East Cordova Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-696-9896

Heat Vault & NFS Official Shop

Heat Vault and NFS Official Shop opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2019 and they’re continuing to make strides. You’ll often find more popular, in-demand models such as Jordans, Yeezys, and Nike Dunks, but they’ll often be resold or consigned at above the retail price. You’ll also be able to find streetwear, Bearbricks, Supreme and Kaws accessories, and even Pokemon cards.

If you’ve been saving up some money and have your eyes on a pair that’s sold out, Heat Vault & NFS is the place to go.

Address: 140 – 332 Water Street, Vancouver

Stay Fresh

Established in 2014, Stay Fresh is a Vancouver-based boutique that specializes in coveted and in-demand sneakers, as well as streetwear, accessories, and toys. While much of their selection consists of older or hyped sneakers that are resold at above the retail price tag, they also have a constant selection of under-retail steals.

Address: 1438 – 6651 No. 3 Road, Richmond
Phone: 604-370-5592

Address: 228 – 4820 Kingsway, Burnaby
Phone: 604-434-0090

Rowan Sky

Located in Gastown, Rowan Sky carries a unique selection of footwear with an emphasis on quality products. With a mix of heritage and modern brands, visitors can find names like New Balance, Onitsuka Tiger, Brother X Frere, and Veja.

And while it doesn’t technically count as a sneaker, you’ll also find names like Dr. Martens and Red Wing boots.

Address: 334 Cordova Street West, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-2075

Gravity Pope

This Canadian boutique first opened in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1990 and arrived in Vancouver in 2004. With two footwear locations in Vancouver, shoppers can find brands like Adidas, Common Projects, karhu, Comme Des Garcons Play, reebok, Vans, and Veja. They can also be a great spot to find popular New Balance releases.

Address: 73 Water Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-555-3037

Address: 2205 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-731-7673

Six Hundred Four

You won’t find any brand-name sneakers at Six Hundred Four, but whatever you purchase is guaranteed to stand out. The retailer partners with different emerging artists, each of which creates 604 pairs of limited-edition sneakers with customized artwork. While the brand’s flagship location in Gastown has closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this local brand can still be supported online.

Adidas

Adidas has one flagship store located on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver, and three outlet stores located at the McArthurGlen outlet, Tsawwassen Mills, and in Langley.

Expect a healthy offering of both athletic shoes and lifestyle-focused sneakers, including pieces from their popular Ultraboost line, the NMD line, and staples like the Superstar and Stan Smith. If you’re looking for your first pair of Yeezys, however, you’ll have to download the Adidas mobile app and enter from there.

Address: 860 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-9213

Address: 7899 Templeton Road, Richmond
Phone: 604-295-5442

Address: 601 – 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen
Phone: 604-984-1480

Address: 20202 66th Avenue, Langley
Phone: 604-539-2494

Nike

With a number of stores across the Lower Mainland, Nike’s presence in Metro Vancouver is no joke. In addition to lifestyle and athletic apparel, expect to find a selection of running, training, lifestyle, and basketball shoes.

Some of the brand’s more prominent locations will also host raffles for the releases of in-demand Jordans and other popular silhouettes. Be sure to keep an eye on their social media for upcoming releases.

Address: 1119 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-979-8818

Address: 1221 – 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
Phone: 604-430-6453

Address: 4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby
Phone: 604-330-6117

Address: 900 Main Street, West Vancouver
Phone: 604-925-9667

Address: 1592 – 6551 No. 3 Road, Richmond
Phone: 604-276-0015

Address: 1028 – 10355 152 Street, Surrey
Phone: 604-588-6453

Address: 5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen (Factory Store) 
Phone: 604-948-0473

Address: 7899 Templeton Station, Richmond (Factory Store)
Phone: 604-295-8521

Foot Locker

Carrying familiar brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and Puma, Foot Locker has a little something for everyone — and every foot size. There are multiple locations across Metro Vancouver, but their recently opened Power Store in downtown Vancouver may be the most impressive of them all.

The retail space opened last November and boasts two floors, extended product offerings, and custom artwork by local artists.

Address: 1067 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-0728

Address: 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby (two locations)
Phone: 604-433-3826

Address: 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam
Phone: 778-284-2675

Champs

Champs retail stores belong to the same family as Foot Locker, but don’t let that fool you — it’s still worth checking out a location whenever you’re in the area.

Address: Eight different locations in Metro Vancouver