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Sneakerhead is a relatively new term, but the concept is simple. A sneakerhead is a sneaker enthusiast, someone who knows about shoes, learns about shoes, and participates in the distribution and consumption of the ever-moving sneaker world.
There are levels of fandom, to be sure. You can be a casual sneakerhead and know a lot about the construction of a shoe and the brand histories, or just really love a specific style of sneaker you stay loyal to. There’s also the sneakerhead who knows the minute and location of every new sneaker drop, exactly what’s getting updated and how much they might flip for. They may or may not spend an inordinate amount of time waiting in virtual lines or in real ones.
Either way, there’s no doubt that a love for sneakers is what bonds all sneakerheads together. And, lucky for you, you don’t have to be one yourself to shop for one. So if you’re looking for the best gift for men or women who treat their kicks like precious gems, you’ve come to the right place. Whether they love the best Adidas or Nike sneakers of all time, or like to look to keep their fits fresh with eye-catching sneakers that are made for walking everywhere, we did the heavy lifting for you and compiled the 40 best gifts for sneakerheads and shoe lovers you can buy.
Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture
Style books make for good gifts because they are fun to read and look good on display, too. This one is great to gift a budding sneakerhead who is just getting started on their sneaker history.
Stars by Nature Vintage AJ 6 Print
Equally good for gifting shoe lover: actual sneaker-related decor. With their storied history and constant iterations, Air Jordans define a certain subset of sneakerheads. A print of the 6s will go nicely above any sneaker storage space. For the Jordans shoe lover, there’s no better gift to give this holiday season (except for maybe a fresh pair of Jordans).
Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged 2.0
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For a wearable update on a classic favorite, the Chuck Taylor All Star Lugged 2.0 is a fun gift to give.
HypedPrints 2023 Jordan 1 Sneaker Calendar
When in doubt, head to Etsy for a creative gift to give. The variety of smaller-sized shops on the platform means some of the gifts get hyper-specific — and all the more special. The HypedPrints shop specializes in sneaker culture decor, and the 2023 Jordan 1 calendar is the best way to ring in the new year.
Nike Shoebox Bag
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If you haven’t gotten the idea here that sneakers are not just functional but also precious, let us remind you. Sneakers are not just for wearing, but for loving and safeguarding. Should sneakers be transported anywhere, a shoebox bag is an ideal way to ensure pairs stay protected and un-creased on the go.
Nike Air Jordan 1 Sneaker 3D Printed Home Decor
In our humble opinion, this is the cutest piece of sneakerhead home decor on the planet, and you should absolutely buy one for your favorite sneaker person ASAP. It can be gifted for a birthday, Christmas, on its own, or with a bigger gift. These 3D-printed Jordan 1s make for a standout desk accessory.
Nike ACG Air Zoom Gaiadome Shoes
Nike ACG Air Zoom Gaiadome Shoes are a great gift for sneakerheads who need something in addition to sneakers. The supportive ACG shoe is halfway between a sneaker and a boot.
adidas 4DFWD Pulse 2
adidas 4DFWD Pulse 2 is one of the standout running shoes to shop this year. They’re perfect for the sneakerhead who also loves fitness or at least sporty style. The sneakers themselves are made with 3D-printed midsoles, making them some of the most reactive workout shoes around.
Adobe Creative Cloud
A subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud — whether just PhotoShop or the whole suite — is a great gift for your budding sneakerhead who’s learning how to touch-up photos.
Sneaker Candle
This Sneaker Candle has been all over TikTok, and it remains one of the most fun, cheap gifts for sneaker lovers.
Mocohana Dustproof Display Case
Mocohana Dustproof Display Case is part display and part protection. This dustproof case keeps their best sneakers protected from dust, wind, and air.
Neewer Light Reflector
The Neewer Light Reflector comes in a pack of five, all excellent for playing with the light on Instagram photos or video reviews.
Elfa Melamine Shelving
Elfa Melamine Shelving is a pricey gift, but man, it’s worth it. For the sneakerhead with an overflowing collection, giving those sneakers an organized home is the gift of all gifts.
Reshoevn8r Signature Bundle
Help them keep their shoes in tip-top shape with Reshoevn8r’s Signature Bundle. It comes with brushes, a cleaning solution, a microfiber towel, and shoe trees.
Crep Protect The Ultimate Scuff Eraser
Also good for sneaker maintenance: this Crep Protect The Ultimate Scuff Eraser.
Fujifilm X100V
Sneakerheads who are trying to get into taking photos of their sneakers or outfits need a camera that can do the job. The Fujifilm X100V is a street-style photographer favorite.
Jason Markk Repel
Better than just cleaning good sneakers is protecting them ahead of time. Jason Markk’s Repel solution protects shoes against stains and water.
Sneaker Selfie Mirror
This little Sneaker Selfie Mirror is a great room or closet addition for sneakerheads who are just trying to see the most important part of the ‘fit.
Frigidaire Dehumidifier
Real sneakerheads know that you need to keep taking care of your sneakers, even the ones you aren’t wearing. The Frigidaire Dehumidifier is great for small spaces like a closet and can help keep the environment neutral and not harmful to your kicks.
adidas Ultraboost 22 Cold.RDY
The adidas Ultraboost 22 Cold.RDY is a winter-ready take on the classic style. They still have their revolutionary midsole technology, but they better protect your feet in harsh weather.
Littil Ring Light
Littil Ring Light is a wonderful little accessory for taking sneaker pictures and videos. Sure, it’s meant for selfies, but good light is good light.
Prolee Floating Shoe Shelves
For a real gift, help them install these Prolee Floating Shoe Shelves to keep their favorite shoes off the ground and on display.
Songmics Stackable Organizers
Every sneakerhead needs a place to keep their sneakers, preferably somewhere that is safe from the dangers of dust, debris and any kind of accidental spillage. And it’s a bonus if that shoe storage option puts the sneakers on display. This stack of clear organizers does it all.
Davinci Air Jordan Coloring Book
Listen, you’re never too old for a coloring book. And a lot of people got really into coloring and other analog activities that are mindless and fun for doing just before bed. Coloring is a great alternative to all that blue light sneaker shopping they usually do late at night.
Deadstock L.A. Sneaker Cleaner
Sneaker cleaner might seem like a weird gift to give, but if you’re a sneakerhead, it’s certainly not a weird gift to get. In fact, it shows that you understand sneaker culture, at least to the extent that clean sneakers are a precious commodity. Deadstock L.A. is a master of sneaker culture and its the cleaning kit has gentle soap and brushes for keeping sneakers in tip-top shape.
Sneaker Throne Shoe Rack
Didn’t know someone you loved needed a sneaker throne? Now you do. There’s all sorts of fun ways to keep kicks on display, and gifting one is a creative way to make a sneakerhead feel seen. This one stores up to six pairs neatly and in the limelight, as they should be.
Taschen Icons Hardcover Book
Virgil Abloh and Nike are two trigger-happy words for sneakerheads everywhere. This cool coffee table book explores Abloh’s sneaker creativity and expertise in his remake of classic Nikes, like the Air Jordan 1, Air Max 90, Air Force 1 and Air Presto.
Nike Everyday Crewsocks
Any sneakerhead requires accessories to make their lifestyle easier, and that includes optimizing how they actually wear those beloved sneakers. There’s no room for ratty or mismatched socks that would take detract from the shoe’s look. For this reason, they’ll definitely want some of the best men’s socks from Nike in their rotation.
Adidas Superlite No-Show Socks
Some sneaker lovers prefer their shoes be the only thing on display from the ankle down. A set of Adidas no-show socks is a great way to help them achieve just that. As some of the best no-show socks you can buy, these styles will keep feet protected without peeking out to ruin a great sneaker outfit.
SmoreKicks Sneaker Pins
Looking for a small gift for a sneaker lover or something on the inexpensive side? Accessories that pay homage to sneaker culture are a great option to keep in mind. SmoreKicks’ Etsy shop makes a ton of stylish sneaker pins inspired by popular Nike and Jordan models. Gift them a pin version of their favorite shoe — or a whole bunch, if you don’t know what their favorite is.
The Container Store Under Bed Storage
Some sneakerheads have too many shoes to keep them all on display, and gifting them something that helps keep their beloved items organized will be extremely appreciated. The Container Store’s under bed storage slides in and out effortlessly for convenient access to pairs.
DormCo Under bed Shoe Holder
Some sneakers are better stored upright, and this under bed shoe holder does just that. This one is great for keeping underneath taller beds or even in closets. It’s one of the best organizers for storing everyday shoes, as it makes them easy to grab and put away.
Sneaker Shields Crease Preventer
To reiterate, keeping sneakers in pristine condition is kind of a sneakerhead’s whole deal. Sneaker Shields makes some great accessories for maintaining the look of new shoes for as long as possible. These crease preventers are one of our favorites for gifting, as they’re the kind of thing your giftee might not even know they need.
Simple Houseware Shoe Rack
For anyone who loves their shoes a lot, they can be so much more than just for wearing. Sneakerheads want to see those investments, maybe even make them into decor with a simple shoe rack organizer that puts them on display, like this highly-rated option on Amazon.
Sneakersnstuff Beanie
Sneakersnstuff is a brand that goes hard on the meeting of sneakers, culture and fashion. It’s probably on your sneakerhead’s radar for sneaker drops already — and if it isn’t, it should be. A bright orange beanie from the label is the perfect gift for completing a street style look that works with sneakers.
Zhiyun Gimbal Stabilizer
For the budding sneakerhead who is also trying to learn how to capture their shoes in the best light, camera accessories are a gold mine of gifting opportunities. First up: a phone gimbal. It stabilizes a phone camera, so you can take clear pictures and videos in motion minus the shake that comes from holding it in your hand.
Amazon Basics Light Box
Amazon Basics makes a foldable light box that sets the scene for capturing all kinds of sneaker still shots. Providing them with the perfect canvas to work with, this is a good gift for the sneakerhead who loves snapping pictures — and for the one who buys sneakers to flip.
Nike Standard Issue Sweatshirt
Sneakerhead style might be a subset of the fashion world, but it tends to have its own set of rules. Mainly, not to distract from a super sought-after sneaker or overwhelm a hard-to-get colorway. While you can’t go wrong with any Nike sweatshirt, a neutral-colored, oversized version is an especially timely piece.
Moment Anamorphic Lens
Moment’s Anamorphic lens is a next-level accessory for capturing great sneaker ‘fits. It attaches over your phone camera and turns standard phone videos into professional 16:9 wide-screen movies.
Jason Markk Shoe Cleaning Essentials
Jason Markk’s shoe cleaning essentials make for the perfect stocking stuffer or inexpensive Secret Santa gift. The gentle soap and soft-bristled brush makes cleaning sneakers a satisfying experience instead of a stressful one.
