Australia may be located "Down Under," but don’t let that fool you: it's home to some of the best sneaker shopping anywhere in the world. From independent fashion retail concepts to OG sneaker stores, each space has been carefully curated to offer you an experience that's about more than just taking home a fresh pair of kicks – although that is the best part.
Whether you're looking to score the latest general release or a hype collaboration, the experience will likely also involve posting up at an in-house café or immersing yourself in a cutting-edge architectural space. From heavy hitters like UP THERE to Finesse — one of the world’s only women’s-dedicated sneaker stores — you'll be hard-pressed to find a sneaker wall in Australia that won’t get your heartbeat racing.
UP THERE
You’ll find UP THERE on Flinders Lane, situated among one of the most affluent nooks of Melbourne’s CBD (Central Business District), within earshot of the historic Treasury Gardens and walking distance from Anthony Bourdain-approved restaurants like Di Stasio. A deep love for sneakers is the driving force behind UP THERE, so it only makes sense that they have the best sneaker offerings in Melbourne, if not Australia: a Tier Zero Nike and Jordan Brand account, ASICS and New Balance (both of whom they've collaborated with), Salomon and more. Complete with an in-house café led by some of Melbourne’s top baristas that offers coffee from local roastery Coffee Supreme, prepare to be blown away by everything this striking space has to offer.
UP THERE
69 Flinders Lane
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Finesse
There’s a never-ending list of things to do in Collingwood, one of Melbourne's most vibrant neighborhoods, and hitting Australia’s first and only women’s-dedicated sneaker store is a must. Neatly tucked a block behind the top end of Smith Street, Finesse operates from one of the most perfectly poised buildings in the suburb. The store saw a relaunch in 2022, resetting the pace with a curated, ecologically-conscious design. While fostering a sense of community within women’s sneakers is at the forefront of their existence, Finesse’s product offering extends beyond women’s specific releases, ensuring there is truly something for everyone.
Finesse
47 Derby St
Collingwood, Victoria 3066
Incu
Incu is a force to be reckoned with in Australia, with more than 10 stores dotted throughout retail hubs across Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast. Among their lineup of stores, the interior design and experience at their QV location in Melbourne is a standout. But no matter the venue, their sneaker offering remains consistently impressive. All the key brands are on offer from Reebok to Asics, as well as more fashion-centric sneakers from houses like Acne Studios and Maison Mihara Yasuhiro.
Incu
12 Albert Coates Lane
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Evolve Skate Store
A trip to Chapel Street – one of Melbourne’s most storied shopping and nightlife destinations – is a rite of passage when visiting Victoria's capital. It’s where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and stores, among them Evolve, Melbourne’s longest running independent sneaker store. Evolve is your go-to for skating needs in Melbourne, carrying signature pairs to GRs from all the staple skate brands.
Evolve Skate Store
214 Chapel Street
Prahran, Victoria 3181
Supply Store
You’d more than likely never stumble across Supply Store without being tipped off, but if you know you know. Their stores in Melbourne and Sydney retain a super unassuming exterior, making it all the more worth it when stepping inside. Since 2002, Supply Store has strived to epitomize the essence of urban style, with an expansive selection that includes everything from Vans to Stone Island. Throughout the year Supply Store often gain access to highly exclusive sneaker drops, so it’s worth checking out their raffles page while you’re in town.
Supply Store
29A Sutherland Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
USG Store
Head to the upper ground level of the Myer Centre in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall and you’ll find South Australia’s USG Store. With 25 years of skin in the game, it’s no surprise that USG is simply an authentic sneaker experience by all accounts – and remains so until this day. Swoosh shoppers and Jordan Brand fans will undoubtedly be the most satisfied when paying a visit to the store, with their product stocked with everything from Air Jordan 1 Lows to Air Max 1s. USG also has a hefty array of ASICS, including a wide spread of GEL-NYCs and GEL-1130s.
USG Store
Upper Ground Level, Myer Centre
Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Subtype
Born in Sydney in 2014, Subtype has spread its wings to become a multi-city enterprise. Ten years on, they have six stores across Australia (including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Adelaide), as well as locations internationally in New Zealand. Their Brisbane digs offer the most singular aesthetic, but at each of their locations, you’ll be treated to a diverse collection of apparel and footwear from all the usual suspects like Nike, adidas, Salomon and more. Subtype is also one of the few places you can cop BAPE sneakers for retail in Australia – just one reason among many to check out their wares.
Subtype
Tenancy A/288 Edward Street
Brisbane City, Queensland 4000
Highs and Lows
If you’re in Perth, Highs and Lows is a no-brainer. First entering the scene back in 2005, the Western Australia-based business helped pioneer the sneaker store scene Down Under. Among the first Australian retailers to collaborate with Asics and New Balance, they've gone on to expand across two stores in Perth, continuing to curate globally popular collaborations with Asics via their in-house label, HAL Studios. Continuing to lead by example, Highs and Lows’ sneaker selection remains well rounded with plenty to choose from, all year round.
Highs and Lows
75 King Street
Perth, Western Australia 6000
Above the Clouds
If a day spent cafe hopping and store browsing is your idea of fun, you’ll want to block out a solid amount of time to hit Sydney suburb Surry Hills, with Above the Clouds atop the list. Above the Clouds officially put down roots back in 2010 and currently finds home a short walk from Oxford Street. Well into its second decade of sneaker slinging, Above the Clouds is proud to boast over 90 brands and one of the best sneaker offerings in Australia. The store has a particularly close relationship with Asics, but their inventory ranges well outside that, from PUMA to New Balance. On your way up to their second story, don’t forget to snap a selfie in their iconic staircase mirror.
Above the Clouds
8/285a Crown Street
Surry Hills, New South Wales 2010
UPS Skate Store
Just a 10-minute walk from Sydney’s popular Paddy’s Markets, you’ll find UPS Skate Shop, Sydney's premier destination for all things skate and sneaker culture. UPS Skate Shop identifies first and foremost as a skate store with a "small cross over" into sneakers, so you’ll find a blend of new silhouettes mixed in with the classics that any solid rotation needs like pairs from Nike SB, adidas Skateboarding, Converse CONS, and New Balance Numeric, alongside emerging brands too.
UPS Skate Store
Central Park Mall, Ground Floor/28 Broadway
Chippendale, New South Wales 2008
Chinatown Country Club
When roaming around Sydney’s CBD, a pit stop at Chinatown Country Club, one of the most unique retail experiences in Australia, is non-negotiable. Just a two-minute walk from Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building, Chinatown Country Club boasts a boutique, café and library all in one. Premised on the juxtaposition between the exclusivity of country clubs and the welcoming familiarity of Chinatown, it’s an immersive sensory experience that’s both shoppable and experiential. On the footwear front, they host a humble and highly select sneaker offering, curated from a fashion lens. You’ll find pairs like ROA’s Katharina, to collaborations like those from Daniëlle Cathari and Clarks, Ranra x Salomon Cross Pros and more.
Chinatown Country Club
222 Clarence Street
Sydney, New South Wales 2000
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