Independent Retailers Reveal Their Must-Have Sneakers For Spring 2016

We asked five top independent retailers what sneakers they are most excited about for spring. What did they choose? Read on.

Peng Cheng
Owner, Bait
California, Oregon & Washington
“There are some [collaborations] we’re working on, but I am also excited about the Adidas Tubular Doom. That shoe is the direction the alternative-lifestyle sneaker look is going in, and it’s the perfect execution of it — it’s high-end, the next evolution of the so-called Y-3 trend.”

Omar Quiambao
Co-Owner, Commonwealth
Washington, D.C. & Virginia Beach, Va.
“The shoe I’m looking forward to is a collaboration between Japan’s White Mountaineering and Adidas Originals. One of the shoes they chose was an Energy Boost. It’s low-key on the branding side, but stands out because it’s all-navy leather — and they bound the edges of each panel with white. It gives off a futuristic, military, robotic feel, like the ‘Gundam’ comics from Japan.”

White Mountaineering x Adidas Originals.

CREDIT: Courtesy of brand.

Lester Wasserman
Owner, West NYC
New York, N.Y.
“Adidas Stan Smith. Even though we sold a ton of them this year, I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface. Any of the classic white Stan Smith shoes [are on fire]. [It helped that] there weren’t enough in the marketplace this year. Hopefully, it doesn’t overcorrect and there’s a zillion of them out this coming year, but I think Stan Smith is going to be an essential must-have.”

Affordable Celebrity Shoes — Adidas Stan Smith sneakers, $75.

CREDIT: Courtesy of Nordstrom.

Ankur Amin
Co-Owner, Renarts
East Northport, N.Y.
“The Jordan Poster Collection looks pretty good, especially the Air Jordan 2 and the Air Jordan 12 Poster. The collection is all about the Jordan OGs and the new color-ups. The Air Jordan 12 is the standout in the Poster collection — it’s an all-black leather shoe. The line is probably the bulkiest collection from the Jordan brand that I’ve seen so far.”

Air Jordan 12 Poster.

CREDIT: Courtesy of brand.

Chase Ceparano
Co-Owner, Rise
Huntington, N.Y.
“Puma’s Ignite platform so far hasn’t really made its way in front of the consumer, but it certainly will. The brand has a bunch of executions happening with that collection, whether it’s performance product for the likes of a Usain Bolt or lifestyle executions that are happening with that technology. It’s all good stuff from what I’ve seen.”