A casual look at the footwear choices of Hong Kongers will quickly illustrate why Mongkok houses a street dedicated entirely to sneakers. Fa Yuen Street(花園街), also known as Sneaker Street, is a thriving neighborhood full of stores showcasing the latest and limited-edition footwear and sportswear. This iconic location is a must-visit for all sneaker enthusiasts. While most street-level stores offer similar styles, an ascent upstairs could lead you to the rarest pair, making your footwear truly unique!

The Hong Kong economic boom of the 1970s resulted in many businesses along Nathan Road – the central artery of the Kowloon peninsula – moving to less expensive locations. Fa Yuen Street, adjacent to Nathan Road, proved to be the ideal area for relocation. Over time, new stores also moved in, transforming the street into the current hub of sneakerheads. 

Shop smartly on Sneakers Street

While walking along the street, it seems that there are many options for you to choose. However, most of the branches are occupied by several large retailers, The Yun Kee Group (允記集團) takes the lead, followed by Toronto, and then there is Sportshouse. Additionally, New Youth is also under Yun Kee. Yun Kee Group currently has 16 branches on Sneaker Street, making it the merchant with the most branches on this street.

If you're not familiar with the area, it's a good idea to note down the name of the shop before entering. This way, you'll be aware if the next shop you visit belongs to the same company, as there's typically no significant difference in promotions and stock among stores from the same company. This strategy should help you shop more efficiently and save time. 

Tips on finding authentic shoes

One frequently asked question is "Are the sneakers in Sneakers Street authentic?" The answer is: Not really. You can see that some ground-level stores sell shoes of quite obviously low imitation quality. However, once you venture up to the 3rd or 4th floors, numerous stores display high-quality counterfeit sneakers, complete with familiar brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and more. 

To be a savvy consumer, It is advised that popular shoes are unlikely to be available in all sizes for sale. Any stores claiming to have "all sizes" should be viewed with suspicion. Furthermore, don't be easily lured by attractive price tags. You should first search Taobao for pictures of suspected counterfeit shoes and compare them with photos of genuine products. If no suspect photos are found, it can be inferred that the likelihood of counterfeit goods circulating in the market is lower.

You can also purchase from stores that have posted the "No Fakes" stickers and tent cards in their shops which are registered with the Intellectual Property Department. This can ensure the authenticity of purchased items.