Sole Searching: The 6 Best Stores For Shopping Women's Sneakers on the U.S. West Coast
Calling all sneakerhead gals from the best coast.
Barely into the new year and we’ve already seen a handful of new sneaker releases. In addition to a lineup of spring-ready pink kicks, Nike has recently introduced a jade embellished Air Force 1 Upstep, as well as a women’s exclusive “Wolf Grey” colorway for its classic Spiridon silhouette. Likewise, adidas has unveiled two ladies-only, pastel iterations for the beloved UltraBOOST 3.0, and has even teased an upcoming EQT Support 93/17 model. If you’re crazy about sneakers just like we do, you probably can’t wait to check out these shoes at your local retailers.
After taking a look at some of the coolest footwear boutiques on the East Coast, we now present another installment of our “Sole Searching” guide. This time, we’ll be exploring the best places to shop for women’s sneakers on the West Coast of the United States. Read on to see our favorite stores located in Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco, then head over here to check out our East Coast picks.
UNDEFEATED
First launched in 2002, UNDEFEATED has long been a go-to retail destination for LA’s sneakerhead community. Its extensive women’s footwear collection includes everything from Rihanna’s PUMA creeper and sneaker boot, to Nike’s LunarCharge and Air Presto. Of course, you’ll also be able to find special co-branded shoes such as the colette x UNDEFEATED x adidas Campus 80 here.
Address: 111 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Blends
Another fan-favorite sneaker store located in the City of Angels has got to be Blends. Carrying a huge selection of women’s exclusive kicks including the Nike Air Max 97, the adidas Stan Smith and the New Balance 576, the store promises to provide a unique shopping experience for its customers. Characterized by its clean white walls and shelves, the boutique is a must-visit spot for anyone who appreciates a minimalist retail space.
Address: 725 South Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Proper
Photo: @ldn2hk
For those who enjoy seeing a good mix of brands when going sneaker-hunting, Proper would be the ideal shopping destination for you. Displayed in its unpretentious showroom is a lineup of ladies-only footwear styles from the likes of adidas, Vans and Converse. You can even find ASICS’ popular GEL-Lyte V range at the Long Beach shop.
Address: 425 E First St, Long Beach, CA 90802
BAIT
Photo: Bobby Hundreds
Ever since its inception in 2011, BAIT has been serving Seattle’s sneaker enthusiasts with a wide range of silhouettes and limited-edition colorways. Its women’s offering include the adidas Tubular Shadow, the PUMA Suede Platform, as well as the Nike Air Max Zero. You’ll also be able to shop Rihanna’s PUMA x Fenty range and Rita Ora’s adidas collaboration here.
Address: 915 East Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
LIKELIHOOD
Photo: Mark Woods
Famously know for its beautiful, modern-looking interior, LIKELIHOOD is a Seattle-based sneaker store that stocks a handful of women’s exclusive shoes. Placed neatly on the boutique’s white staircase, the shoes look as if they could be actual pieces of art. There you can find Three Stripes’ popular UltraBOOST, Nike’s Air Huarache Run, as well as everyday silhouettes like the Vans Vault Slip-On.
Address: 1101 East Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
The Darkside Initiative
Concluding our West Coast guide is San Francisco’s The Darkside Initiative. Here at this cozy boutique, female customers can expect to find some of today’s hottest footwear silhouettes. Among the mix are Nike’s Roshe Two, adidas Originals’ Gazelle, Vans’ Sk8-Hi and more.
Address: 1827 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133
