Remember when it used to be the boys complaining about the size of their girlfriend's shoe collection?

Today, sneaker collecting is universally accepted as the credible face of fashion fetishism for boys. And whilst London is a perfectly acceptable sole provider, there's nothing quite like taking the pilgrimage to New York City for the true sneaker freak.

For one, it seems like you can't move for Footlockers and bargain basement sneaker outlets when you're there. But where the city really excels is with a tight network of specialist boutiques, scattered away from the lights on Broadway. Venture to meccas like Dave's Quality Meat, Classic Kicks, Clientele and newly amalgamated and relocated Recon/Nort 535, and you should be prepared for a sneaker nirvana (and the occasional line of young backpack-wearing Japanese sneaker fanatics - a cliché, but still a fairly accurate arbiter of a shop's exclusivity credentials).

But the undeniable kick Kings of New York remain the formidable Nom de Guerre and Alife Rivington Club - the latter famous for having been the only shop looted during the 2003 city-wide blackouts. Both shops have become the benchmark for cool retail - the Downtown branch of NdG is in a network of bunkers, down an unmarked tunnel off Broadway (and in a former meeting place of the Black Panthers). Alife, by contrast, is decked out like a gentleman's club, in plush velour and with mahogany sneaker display cases.

However, if you are after true shoe exclusivity in the city there is but one option - the Nike iD Lounge. Unlike the quick fire lounges recently set up in Europe, NYC's is still open. There, in utter luxury, you and a team of personal assistants can design a completely one-of-a-kind shoe (with more colours and styles than available through the global iD website) and all for little more than a price of a nice pair from Size?

Problem is, it's by referral only. So you better start asking around.