Urban Rotterdam: The Ultimate Sneaker Haven

Rotterdam is also considered a hotspot for kicks abroad, thanks in particular to sneaker shop Woei. Located on the Hoogstraat, this store, which bears the name of founder Woei Tijn, has been Rotterdam’s best-known sneaker shop since 2007. There are regular exclusive releases from Nike and Asics (including the so-called collabs) that enthusiasts come from far and wide to queue for. 

Woei has close ties with local designers such as Iwan Smit and with the well-known artist Parra and releases a collection of clothing with designs from Parra a number of times a year. If you are looking for the newest and most exclusive Nike’s, Asics, New Balance’s or Karhu’s, then you should definitely visit Woei.

If you are looking for the more mainstream (less expensive) sneakers and casual shoes, and you want more square metres with other brands and clothing, then go to the intersection of the Lijnbaan and the Aert Van Nesstraat. This intersection has several streetwear shops next to and opposite each other with a large collection of sneakers, namely Snipes, Footlocker and Kids Footlocker. A little further on the Lijnbaan, you will find JD Sports and Vans.

For basketball kicks, such as Nike Jordan’s, go to House of Hoops on the first floor of Footlocker or to Oqium a little further down the Korte Lijnbaan. You’ll often find sneaker addicts there early on a Saturday morning waiting for that one special pair to be released.

Even more reasons why Rotterdam is known as sneakerheaven:

• At Van Oldenbarneveltstraat, you can find even more rare collections at Pirri Sneaker Rotterdam, TOK10 Store and ANSH46 Rotterdam.
• Looking for second-hand vintage collections? Then stop by at Daily Sneaker Steals at Nieuwe Binnenweg or Foreign Vintage at Oude Binnenweg.
• X21 and Sport 2000 are both located on Hoogstraat and Funkie House on Korte Hoogstraat.
• Skaters get their money's worth at Sevenply on the Schiedam Vesthof, RSI on the Witte de Withstraat and the Skatestore on Westblaak: all near Skatepark Westblaak where one of the largest skate parks in Europe is located.