5 Important Tips for Buying Sneakers as a Gift

Whether you’re buying for an upcoming birthday, planning ahead for Christmas or buying a gift just because, there’s no denying that sneakers can make an excellent gift idea. If the man in your life loves his kicks, then you know that it probably goes without saying that a new pair of sneakers is going to be a gift that he will really love and appreciate.

But with so many options out there when it comes to sneakers, getting it right can be trickier than you realized. Sneakers make a fantastic gift, but it might not go down so well if they’re the wrong size or a completely different style from what the recipient likes.

Tips for Buying Sneakers

If you’re considering getting that special guy a new pair of sneakers as a gift, keep these tips in mind to help you pick out a pair he’s going to love.

1. Look at Their Current Shoe Collection

Whether he loves sneakers or prefers to keep things basic, chances are he’s got at least a couple of pairs that you can take a look at. Spending some time looking at the shoes that he buys for himself will give you plenty of ideas for what to get him as a gift; you’ll be able to figure out the kind of style he goes for most often and what his favorite colors are when it comes to sneakers. And, don’t forget the obvious and double-check what shoe size he isif you’re not sure!

2. Consider Brands

Most people prefer certain brands over others when it comes to sneakers, so make sure to take note of the sneaker brands that he already wears and enjoys, to help you get a better idea of where to shop for the gift. You can opt for the brand that he wears the most, or if you’re looking to splash out a bit on a designer pair of sneakers for somebody who doesn’t get to treat themselves often, consider a designer brand that offers similar styles to the ones that he already wears.

Givenchy sneakers, for example, are very versatile and come with several different styles to choose from, whether you want a pair of all-white classics or chunky, colorful ‘80s-inspired kicks.

3. Uses

Another factor to keep in mind is the activities that you expect your recipient to be using the shoes for most often. If you’re buying sneakers for every day, look for a versatile yet comfortable pair that are designed to easily go with almost any kind of outfit.

On the other hand, if you want to buy footwear that’s meant to be worn for playing a specific sport or going to the gym, for example, you will likely need to take a more specialized approach.

Wearing the wrong shoes for physical activity like working out, running, or playing team sports can cause a lot of damage to feet, so make sure that the sneakers you choose are designed for the job.

4. Sense of Style

If you don’t have much to go by when it comes to their current sneaker collection, don’t worry. You can get plenty of sneaker gift ideas by simply looking at their sense of style and determining the kind of outfits that they like to wear the most.

If your guy is into athleisure and sports luxe outfits, for example, a pair of classic white sneakers with a pared-back is an ideal option as they are sleek, versatile, and add a sports-luxe edge to pretty much anything.

On the other hand, if they like to dress in brighter colors and add some interest to each outfit, opt for a pair of chunky, colorful kicks. Spend some time browsing online and searching the stores to find a pair of sneakers that you would definitely see them wearing.

5. Speak to Them

If you’re really stuck, the good news is that sneakers are an easy topic to have a conversation about, without dropping any hints that you’re going to be buying them a pair as a gift soon.

You could bring up a conversation under the guise of wanting to buy a new pair of sneakers for yourself and ask them directly about the styles that they like, in order to get some ideas for what they’re going to appreciate you buying them the most.

The best part is that many sneakers are unisex or have male and female options, so if they really like the look of a pair that you’re pretending to want for yourself, you’ll easily be able to find an option that’s suitable for them.

Once you’ve put in the work, it’s easier than you think to find out more about the perfect sneaker style to buy that special guy in your life as a gift. However, it’s always a good idea to keep the receipt just in case they need to get a different size or color.