When I was starting out my collection, I insisted that no one try to surprise me with sneakers unless they consult with me first. Like other sneakerheads, I don’t expect people to understand what makes me want a specific shoe vs. anything else, so I don’t ask people to come up with their best guess. That’s why I took the time to craft this gift guide so that those of you shopping for the diehard sneakerhead don’t have to stress about what to buy. From one sneakerhead to another, this list is filled with gems that honor both innovative and memorable pairs that will spark joy in any sneakerhead this holiday season.
Jordan 1 OG SP Union LA Bephies Beauty Supply Summer of ‘96
Even though your sneakerhead probably has a bunch of Jordan 1s, they might not have a pair as unique as these. Truly, there hasn’t been a pair of AJ1s dissected and reworked like this pair done in collaboration with Union LA. The Los Angeles boutique merged the classic Jordan 1 with another Nike classic, the Air Footscape. Sneakerheads will love these not only for their combination of heritage silhouettes but also because they’re just cool as hell.
Jordan 11 Cool Grey (2021)
The Jordan 11 is usually on most sneakerheads’ lists for the holidays because they always make an appearance. And even though the brand drops new colorways of the silhouette, nothing quite hits the same like their retros of classic, OG colorways. 2021’s Air Jordan 11 Cool Grey brings back the signature colorway from 2001 in its truest form yet, giving a nod to those sneakerhead purists.
New Balance 998 MiUSA Concepts C-Note 10th Anniversary (2023)
Back in 2013, New Balance and Boston-based boutique Concepts dropped, arguably, the most coveted pair of 998s in a long time: The C-Notes. These sneakers are covered in rich suede and a beautiful color palette that’s neutral for every season and was limited in its number. This year, the fabled colorway turns 10 years old and the two brands decided to bring back the shoe in a near-perfect iteration reminiscent of that 2013 release. For sneakerheads, having a sneaker this rare coming back isn’t common, so a pair of these as a gift would be amazing. And good news for you gifters, this pair is selling below retail in most sizes on our site.
ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 White Classic Red
I think many sneakerheads can attest to this: a lot of the time, we sacrifice comfort for style and, let’s be honest, clout. But with the current state of footwear fashion putting more emphasis on traditionally running-styled sneakers, those days of cramming one’s foot into a stiff shoe are over. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 is one of those sneakers that are here to ease your feet. They’re also one of the hottest silhouettes out right now so snagging a pair as a gift to a sneakerhead (or even yourself) is a win.
Nike Air Max 1 ’86 Big Bubble Red
The Nike Air Max 1 is something of sneaker lore. It’s the first time Nike introduced to the world “visible Air” with their innovative Nike Air bubble in the midsole which brought newfound comfort to runners and walkers. For this year’s Air Max Day, Nike released one of the original designs of the Air Max 1s with the “Big Bubble” with that signature red colorway. With Air Max’s rich history that continues to expand every year, the Nike Air Max 1 ‘86 Big Bubble is sure to be a gift that any sneakerhead would appreciate adding to their collection.
