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).
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 are usually doing late at night.
Adidas 4DFWD
If we are talking sneakers though, Adidas’ 4DFWDs have been one of the most fun 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.
Nike Air Max Excee
Nike Air Max Excees are a classic Swoosh silhouette that you can find for under $100. They’re the kind of sneakers you’ll feel cool wearing without having to worry about keeping them pristine every minute of the day.
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.
Nike Shoe Box Bag
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 shoe box bag is the ideal way to ensure pairs stay protected and uncreased on the go.
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.
Adidas UltraBoosts
A classic model that has been done in many iterations (including iconic collabs), Adidas UltraBoosts are standout for their revolutionary midsole technology. They’re the kind of sneaker you could gift a shoe lover every year, as it never gets old.
Reebok Club C 85
Reebok Club Cs are one of our favorite low-key sneakers that do the job every single time. They’re super easy to slip on and off, come at a great price and stay in style year after year. The classic white Reebok sneaker has that little bit of retro styling without feeling out of date.
A.P.C. Necklace
In addition to finding the ultimate kicks, a true sneakerhead will want to keep their whole look on point. A sleek, subtle A.P.C. necklace is a go-to accent.
Adidas Bucket Hat
Another cool piece to complete their outfits? Trendy hats. If the sneakerhead you’re buying for is more of an Adidas fan, get them a bucket hat that keeps them looking flawless (literally) from head to toe.
Rowing Blazers Hat
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.
Ugg Tasman Slippers
Of course, sneakerheads aren’t always wearing sneakers. But, you can bet that they always care about what’s on their feet. Ugg’s Tasman slippers are one if the best slippers for men and women you can buy because they’re soft, comfortable and have just enough of a shoe feel so you can easily wear them to let the dog out or grab the mail outside.
Tempur-Pedic Windsock
Another great pair of off-duty slippers, this breathable, cushioned style for women is truly an ideal gift for female sneakerheads who spend most of the day on their feet.
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.
Koio Siena Loafers
Buying a sneakerhead actual sneakers can be tricky, especially if you’re not a sneakerhead yourself. You might be wasting money on a pair they don’t want to wear (or flip), and you’ll probably go through a whole bunch of stress while buying them anyway. Koio’s lugged loafers are up there on the new-and-very-cool shoe list, yet don’t fall into the cult sneaker category you might not want to take on.
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Birkenstocks have earned a reputation for being the ultimate functional-meets-stylish shoe, which is essential for any sneakerhead in 2021. Thick soles and clunky constructions are part of the whole vibe. And since Birkenstocks have breathable and amply supportive underfoot, they’re a must for when sneakers just aren’t cutting it that day. You really can’t go wrong with gifting one of the best Birkenstock sandals on the market.
The North Face Belt Bag
Belt bags are basically a streetwear must-have now, and knowing your sneakerhead needs one is almost a gift in itself. Go the sleek and sophisticated route with a North Face belt bag, which is also great because of how functional it is. (You don’t have to understand it — they will.)
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 Oversized Hoodie
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 hoodie, a neutral-colored, oversized version is an especially timely piece.
A.P.C. Bag
Bags also shouldn’t detract from any street style outfit, but instead go with the laidback, not-trying-too-hard aesthetic many sneakerheads are known for nailing. You can pretty much count on anything A.P.C. to do this job well, but we’re partial to the brand’s understated bags that your giftee might not be willing to splurge on themselves.
Everlane Performance Chino
A basic pair of bottoms are made for showing off sneakers. Plus, Everlane’s performance chinos are not only professional enough for work but also just stretchy enough to make you fee like you’re not wearing real pants at all. Gift them to the sneakerhead who spends a lot of time standing in line.
Levi’s 551Z Crop Straight Leg Jeans
Another solid pant style for sneakerheads are lightwash jeans, and they don’t get much better than a great-fitting pair of Levi’s. We like that these are a little cropped for showing off high-top grails.
Dickies Duck Cotton Canvas Chore Jacket
Sneakerhead fashion often falls into the street-style-meets-workwear realm, which is a whole other fun space to dabble in gifting. A Dickies chore jacket is minimal enough that it won’t clash with hype sneakers.
Adidas Adilette Slides
Adidas’s Adilette slides are one of the best shoes for showering and recovery on the market. Backed by plenty of fanfare, they’re affordable, easy to wear and fit nicely in any bag you’d want to pack them in.
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.
HypedPrints 2022 Jordan 1 Sneaker Calendar
When in doubt for a creative gift to give, head to Etsy. The variety of smaller-sized shops on the platform means that some of the gifts get hyper-specific — and all the more special. The HypedPrints shop specializes in sneaker culture decor, and the 2022 Jordan 1 calendar is the best way to ring in the new year.
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.
