Joseph Manuel
Joseph Manuel was raised on the West Coast and has spent the majority of his life in Oregon. Read More
Sneaker Week
Celebrate your sneaker obsession at this event featuring Portland’s iconic shoe brands.
Joseph Manuel
Joseph Manuel was raised on the West Coast and has spent the majority of his life in Oregon. Read More
From the minds behind Pensole, a footwear design school in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, Sneaker Week brings the sneaker industry to life with events and educational opportunities catered to sneakerheads and footwear newbies alike.
Sneaker Week
Sneaker Week is a celebration of all things sneakers in the footwear capital of North America. Curators, fans and collectors will gather to experience music, design, art and education at locations around Portland. Past festival partners have included hip local businesses, like PENSOLE Academy, Deadstock Coffee and Index PDX, so expect lots of good stuff.
PENSOLE Academy is a footwear design school in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown neighborhood. The school was founded in 2010 by D’Wayne Edwards, a former designer who has worked for Nike and Jordan Brand. Pensole’s curriculum has changed the lives of hundreds of sneakerheads, propelling many into careers with giants like Nike and adidas.
Portland and the Footwear Industry
Portland is kind of a big deal in sneaker culture — in fact, it’s sometimes called the sneaker capital of America. The Portland area is home to industry heavyweights like Nike’s world HQ, the adidas U.S. headquarters and a new Under Armour campus. Other footwear companies based here include Keen, Mizuno, Columbia Sportswear, Hi-Tec, Bogs and OluKai.
The Mission of Sneaker Week
Pensole Academy Marketing Director Herbert Smith created Sneaker Week to educate and connect. Worn and loved by many, sneakers do more than just protect your feet — they hold origin stories and deep memories. Enthusiasts have their own “holy grails” and love to swap tales about how they got their most coveted pairs. Sneaker Week offers ample opportunities for sneakerheads and industry professionals to collaborate, grow the culture and share stories.
Check out sneakerweekpdx.com and their Twitter for more information about the upcoming 2019 festivities.
Upcoming Dates & Times
- Aug. 7
Street & Sportswear
The Portland Sneakerhead Scene
Casual collectors and seasoned sneakerheads can dive into the Portland sneakerhead scene at these Old Town Chinatown shops and businesses.
Portland Shoe and Sportswear Brands
Portland is the athletic gear capital of America. Here's where to shop for the best designed-in-Portland shoes and sportswear.
Portland Streetwear Shops
Portland's laidback, chic aesthetic makes it the ideal home for streetwear. Shop ‘til you drop (tax-free, of course!) at these Portland streetwear shops.