Sole Classics

As a budding sneakerhead (self-​proclaimed), Sole Classics provides an incredible array of styles & limited shoes that will leave most in awe. Even the casual sneaker collector will love this place. The décor is eccentric, shoes are really well presented, and the staff is really helpful, friendly & accommodating.
The only knock I have on this place is that as a twitter/​sneaker geek, I found I can probably find a couple of models they sold well below the price SC sells them for online. Other than that. great shoe buying experience. I’ll be back.

Very untrustworthy. I ordered a costly pair of Vans Vault Boots after being assured by someone on the phone who said I could return them if they didn’t fit. Problem was they neglected to mention it would be for «credit ONLY»! Uh, yeah you might want to mention that. When I had a fit problem, the manager immediately got defensive and backed the employee (who really seemed to have little interest in talking to me when I called… it was as if he was texting while talking to me?).
Their website was down the day I ordered so their «returns policy» which they kept referring to was unavailable. I even had taken a pic of the screen/​website but all the manager did was thank me for letting him know the site was down and repeat the «credit only» mantra.
When I disputed the charge with my credit card co. they mentioned that the store had even said I never returned boots! Fortunately, I have the USPS receipt they signed and their confirmation of my return so the card co. made good on it.
If character is what you do when no one is looking and they treat customers this way openly… I’d hate to see why they do behind someones back.

Been here more than once and they have some pretty nice exclusives. especially if you follow them thru Instagram and there website you know what’s about to drop. It gives you a chance to be on top of your sneaker game. But if you just wanna go randomly and shop, you may get lucky you may not. But it is a one of kind shop in Columbus, OH. Mos Def is a must stop for sneaker heads and visitors. Cool hip guys that run this place. I support local business!

Exclusives! if your a shoe or hat head well worth the time to stop by and just check them out

The best shoe boutique in Columbus, OH. Nice selection of brands and has some releases you are not likely to see in a Footaction or Finish Line. The in house brand Kingsrowe is also something to look for.

I just wasn’t that impressed. It wasn’t anything that they did, but I’ve just got to think that there are better places out there (I just can’t think of any off the top of my head). It wasn’t bad either. It really was just middle of the road for me.
I agree with one of the other reviewers that there should be Nike in the name of the store because they were really heavy on the Nikes. A few Vans scattered in my nothing else that stood out to me. Prices were decent with a sale of buy 2 pairs get 1 free going on.
Staff was pretty distant and never moved from behind the desk and never speaking to us except to tell us about the sale. But sometimes that can be good if you’re not really seeing anything that strikes your fancy.

I wasn’t too impressed with Sole Classics. Now, this might be a bit unfair of me, because when it comes to specialty shoe shops, I’m going to compare you to the shops I’ve visited in NYC, but if you’re going to attack the limited edition sneaker market, then I propose that you should be prepared for that comparison.
So, compared to other rare kicks stores, Sole Classics fails to deliver. I came looking for some Airwalk Protoype Reissues. They’d never even heard of them. I feel like they should have Nike somewhere in the name because that’s pretty much all they carry. There were a few Vans models, but nothing too interesting, and I didn’t see anything that wasn’t Nike that I couldn’t get online for cheaper. Boo.

Having been spoiled by Bodega and Karmaloop in Boston, coming back to Columbus and trying to buy sneakers was difficult. I stumbled across Sole Classics on Unilocal and immediately went to the store to check the place out. I have to disagree with some of the other reviews. This place is not a Tier Zero (the highest Nike account) shop but thats ok since it is Ohio we are talking about and not some place like New York. I didnt think the selection was that great but they did have some very rare and cool shoes in the mix. Im not into the hats and apparel but I was really excited that they had the Puma Ape King and Clae shoe line. However sizes were a huge issue when I went since they dont carry a huge quantity of everything. And for some weird reason, all the display shoes are like a size 8 so all the shoes look like girl shoes.
So review:
Did I think it was all that?
Close but not quite
Should you check it out before you head to finish line?
Hells Yea

If you’re into sneakers, this is the only reputable shop in town. The have a top tier Nike account and have lines every time an anticipated shoe drops.
The thing is, I am not into sneakers. I too was fooled by the Nike’s in the window for a long time, but they also have the best selection of P.F. Flyer’s, Van’s, etc. They had Creative Recreation before anyone had heard of it, and dropped it when it became over-​saturated. They have one of the best selections of street wear in the city.

Only place in town that you can get Nudie denim, a collection of true streetwear, and you aren’t «cool-​kidded» (this means looked up and down to see if you’re cool enough to shop there). Great staff who enjoy more than just sneakers and oversized shirts, they actually listen to real music!
If you are looking to get fresh fast, this is a great place to match your shoes with a fitted cap. Great prices as well.

I probably would have wet my pants over a shop like Sole Classics seven or eight years ago. The existence of so many unique pairs of sneakers in one place would have been too much for me. Maybe I’m being overdramatic. I wouldn’t have wet my pants, but I would have emptied my bank account.
All those darn Vans alone are enough to get me going. They have them in the coolest patterns imaginable. Add to that some killer New Balances and Nikes, and you’ve got a antidote to Foot Locker syndrome. Every shoe in this place looks like it could have come off the foot of someone ten times cooler than you.
What I like most about this shop is that its urban feel doesn’t exactly fit with the Short North vibe. Still, it’s effortlessly cool and therefore fits in perfectly. Go figure.
After I walked out of the shop, I found myself missing the late, great Avalon Shoe Salon terribly. In a weird way, Sole Classics reminds me of that long-​lost Columbus treasure.

Sole Classics is a fun, youthful boutique in the middle of a neighborhood that often takes itself too seriously (Dr. Mojoe, I’m looking at you!). The design and layout of this smallish Short North shoes-​and-​threads storefront is colorfully animated and modeled after what may have been the designers best recollection of a child’s dreams of fuzzy, friendly monsters that hide in the closet by day. I took plenty of pictures to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about– it sounds weird on paper but it lends a very unique charm to what could have been just another plain and whitewashed shopping space.
The goods here have a funky, urban feel to them, with a heavy focus being on the bold style of retro Nike sneakers. Air Force Ones and Dunks in a rainbow of colors adorn the bunk-​bed styled fixtures along the walls and are complimented by a wide selection of fitted New Era hats that showcase a revolving selection of designers du jour.
The shoe prices here are competitive with most of the other shoe boutiques in town, with many pairs for sale in the 60 – 70 dollar range. A lot of the slip-​on style vans they had for sale were well out of what I consider to be a reasonable price for such a simple canvas shoe, but I began to notice that many of them were limited designer editions that were worth the extra cash. Whether or not I’d spend $ 80 on them is another question, but Sole Classics would be my first stop if that was my plan.

This place is really cool. I love that they sell sea gull bags. It is for sure the most unique shoe stores in Columbus. The clothes are fun too. But what is up with only carrying a few girls shoe’s? Well… I asked the manager this and he said that girls aren’t really shopping there. hmmm… maybe thats because they barely have anything there for girls. Just a thought.

Fun, one-​of-​a-​kind shoe boutique. Alternative/​skater/​hip-​hop appeal. Great stuff. Also has some clothing and accessories on sale as well.