Berlin shopping guide: my top 5 sneaker and streetwear shops
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Where to go shopping in Berlin? What are the best addresses? The best shops to buy sneakers and streetwear items? By doing a search you will come across a multitude of results, sometimes approximate, which will not make your task any easier. The hassle is over, this guide exists; from now on, you’ll find a selection of 5 of the best sneaker and streetwear shops.
Superconscious Store
📍 Address: torstraße 72, 10119 Berlin, Germany
In Amsterdam, I had a crush on ConcreteStore, I had briefly mentioned it in the list of shops visited during my stay in Amsterdam ; here in Berlin, it was Superconscious, which I visited towards the end of my stay, that was without a doubt my favorite. There are two stores; the one I went to opened 2 years ago, and the other one located at Weinbergsweg 22, 10119 Berlin, Germany opened 10 years ago. opened 10 years ago.
I would describe Superconscious as a laboratory for experimentation for several reasons. Starting with the experience offered. The meticulous arrangement of products and works, the materials used sparingly, the predominance of white, the musical register, the scents diffused and the minimalism of the store illustrate this perception; and even gives it an avant-garde side. The mobilization and arrangement of these different elements solicit several of our senses and invite us to immerse ourselves in the world of the shop.
Secondly, this is also explained by its positioning as a curator. Among the products on display are a wide range of brands and designers in tune with current trends, as well as products from emerging brands from a variety of horizons: some are Australian, others Korean, others Scandinavian, to name but a few.
Last but not least, the fitting rooms at the back of the store were no exception to the rule. The same care has been taken as for the rest of the store, with one difference, the atmosphere is a little more relaxed; indeed, we find a warm, colorful and very Instagrammable space (let’s face it).
Last but not least, Superconscious is located on the same street as Supreme, Kickz Premium Store, and not far from Civilist and SNS. This information could be useful if you have a day or even a half day to spare (and if you are considering a potential tour).
Gate194
📍 Address: Köpenicker Str. 194, 10997 Berlin, Germany
I will mention an interesting information about Gate194 in the last spot; hint, there is a link between Gate194 and Overkill.
Another favorite! Located at the back of an inner courtyard (to the left of Overkill/OverkillWomen), Gate194 is a concept store that combines streetwear, sneakers, architecture, design and music.
The concept store offers a multitude of unisex products, including various collaborations. During my visit I could see, at the entrance, a Dr Martens 1461 x Jean-Michel Basquiat collaboration as well as a pair of Dr Martens Chelsea Boots 2976 x Neighborhood, Nike Zoom MMW 4, Nike Blazer Low x ACRONYM ; but also a whole series of products that would make your A booklet shudder including ACW*, Stone Island, Heron Preston, Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Undercover, Readymade (special mention to the multi-bandana version of Kermit frog) and many others! While walking around the concept store you will also see many toys.
After your passage at Gate194, and as mentioned, you can stop directly at the stores of Overkill & Overkill Women being on your left while leaving. I’ll come back to this below. I also invite you to stop, 3 min away (Schlesisches Tor), to eat a good burger from Burgermeister.
Solebox
📍 Address: Nürnberger Str. 14, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Solebox or “the soul of the box”. After visiting the store in Amsterdam, I repeat my approach here in Berlin (edit: I also visited the store in Barcelona). Once again a favorite, and once again a futuristic atmosphere!
Solebox was founded in 2002 by Hikmet Sugoer, and the first store was opened in Berlin. Solebox has since been established in Munich, Vienna, Brussels, Amsterdam and Barcelona. End of the parenthesis.
This impression is certainly due to the layout of the space, the materials used, the predominance of white and especially due to the attraction, which is none other than a robot present on the first floor. An attraction that could be interpreted as a direct reference to the city that is Berlin. As I wrote in my previous article, the city is known, in addition to its past, for its dynamism, its creativity and its tech orientation (many start-ups are located here – Spotify, Universal, Candycrush, etc.).
Let’s get back to the robot: more than just a gadget, it’s an original way of presenting the sneakers of the moment and those to come.
I found the Solebox store in Amsterdam to be more product-rich; probably because it had more space. On the other hand, the Amsterdam store is like a laboratory. From the entrance and throughout the exploration of the store, we find characteristic and evocative elements of a laboratory, from the floor to the ceiling (with notably the tiles, the worktops, the stickers, and so on).
In the Berlin store, you will find sneakers as well as a selection of exclusive products, others related to Solebox and others still to essential brands such as Bape, Carhartt, Daily Paper or Undefeated. By the way, I bought a Solebox tee-shirt and had to take a size smaller than my usual size – on the seller’s recommendation – ; I have a tee-shirt size S which despite that has a little oversize effect).
Voo store
📍 Address: Oranienstraße 24, 10999 Berlin
Positioned at the end of the list, Voo store is nevertheless one of my favorites, I explain why. Located in the heart of Kreuzberg and founded in 2011 by Herbert Hofmann, Voo store is a 300m2
established in a former locksmith’s shop; by the way, the premises were used as is after the purchase.
At the entrance, my eyes were attracted by the books and magazines, then it was another of my senses, the sense of smell, that was attracted by the perfumes; I had then navigated through the concept store with a background of music.
Mixing streetwear and luxury, clothing, accessories and objects of all kinds, big names of brands, designers and emerging local and international actors; you will find at Voo store a wide variety of carefully selected products. To give you an idea, you will be able to find, on the spot or on the online store, products from Acne Studio, Issey Miyake, Prada, Jacquemus, Y-3, Stussy, Mizuno, Nike, Salomon; I’ll go on and on.
(and) Because the experience doesn’t end there, I hadn’t tested it during my visit but you might be interested in the food court. Coffee, (or even) tea accompanied by homemade food are offered; from the feedback I got, the hot drinks are very good, you’ll tell me about it if you find the opportunity to try them!
Overkill & Overkill Women
📍 Address: Köpenicker Strasse 195 A 10997 Berlin Kreuzberg 36 & Köpenicker Strasse 194 10997 Berlin Kreuzberg 36
Last but not least; two spots for the price of one, Overkill & Overkill Women! You can visit them before or after you go to Gate194 because the shops are almost next door. Earlier I told you that there was a link between Gate194 and Overkill, and well, the concept store, Gate194, is the last or at least one of the last projects of the founders of Overkill.
Let’s get back to the heart of the matter. Whether it is for its numerous collaborations (with Kangaroos, Hummel, Adidas, Asics or New Balance), its exclusivities or its beginnings in graffiti; Overkill is an essential reference and especially in the sneaker and artistic world. Founded by Thomas Peiser (and joined a few years later by Marc Leuschner), initially a magazine around graffiti, it is in 2003 that the shop mixing graffiti, sneakers and streetwear is born.
Actually we could even say shops because there is the shop Overkill, on two floors and a basement on the one hand and the shop Overkill Women on the other hand.
In the first boutique, on the first floor, you’ll find a selection of several hundred sneakers (plus those from the online store) by Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Salomon, Reebok, Converse, Asics, Puma and many more. You can also find on the first floor and in the basement many articles dedicated to graffiti. As for the second floor, dedicated to clothing and accessories, you can find emblematic brands such as Carhartt, Obey, Stussy, Nike, Adidas, TNF, Pleasures, Alife, Overkill and many more.
You will be able to find many of these brands when you go to Overkill Women; it will also be the occasion to admire the numerous toys placed here and there.
Shops bonus
I’m not going to do any more paragraphs, although I could, but here is a list of shops to visit. If you view them on a map, you will notice that some are in the same area as I mentioned earlier.
Supreme , Torstraße 74, 10119 Berlin, Germany
SNS,Schönhauser Allee 6-7, 10119 Berlin, Germany
Civilist, Brunnenstraße 13, 10119 Berlin, Germany
Kickz Premium Store, Torstraße 86, 10119 Berlin, Germany
HHV store, Grünberger Str. 54, 10245 Berlin, Germany
Titus, Meinekestraße 2, 10719 Berlin, Germany
Classic shops such as Adidas and New Balance can be found at various locations.
See you soon for a new article, and who knows, maybe a new destination. In the meantime, if you’re looking for activities, don’t hesitate to check out my other article on Berlin or to leave me a comment on your feelings about the article and/or your visit to one or more of these shops!