Sneakerheads will be all too familiar with Sneaker Freaker: the cult Australian magazine dedicated to fancy kicks across the globe (a concept dreamed up by Simon “Woody” Wood back in 2002). Established as a punk-style fanzine, the fiercely independent publication has shined the spotlight on every collaboration, custom, special-edition, retro reissue sneaker released over the last 15 years.
A new monster anthology from TASCHEN, The Ultimate Sneaker Book, now combines 650 redesigned features and interviews from the magazine’s life in print with fresh photography, insane historical detail, otaku-level minutiae, and exclusive additional content. Jam-packed with insider knowledge and Woody’s own irreverent observations, each chapter paints a rollicking picture of the sneaker industry’s evolution. Air Max, Air Force, Adi Dassler, Converse, Kanye, Dapper Dan, Dee Brown, Michael Jordan, and Yeezy—along with obscure treasures like Troop, Airwalk, and Vision Street Wear—are all exhaustively documented.
Feat. 80s workout throwbacks and Kanye West, take a sneak peek at the new publications in our gallery below. You can buy the book here.
