Our experience at the Adidas flagship store in New York City, including design options, prices, timing, and tips for creating your own personalized souvenir.
Before our trip to New York City, I came across a few Instagram reels showing how you could personalize sneakers at the Adidas flagship store. I was immediately intrigued. What better souvenir of a visit to NYC than a pair of shoes customized to remember the trip?
My friend Natasha loved the idea, too, and we decided this was something we definitely wanted to do together.
There was just one problem: I couldn’t find much practical information about how the process actually worked or what designs were available.
I’m someone who likes to think through a significant purchase ahead of time, so I found myself pausing Instagram reels and taking screenshots, trying to get a better look at the options.
That’s part of the reason I’m writing this post. I took plenty of pictures during our visit so I could share the details I had such a hard time finding myself.
And I’m happy to report that the experience was every bit as much fun as we’d hoped!
Before You Go: Choosing Your Sneakers
Natasha and I are both planners, so we didn’t leave everything to chance. Before our trip, we each visited a local Adidas retailer to try on different styles and figure out our sizes.
I’d already fallen in love with a particular pair of Handball Spezial sneakers I’d spotted in an Instagram photo. I’d also done some research into which Adidas styles might provide the right kind of support for my feet, so I was particularly interested in trying these on.
Fortunately, they fit beautifully, and I was delighted to discover that the NYC flagship store carried exactly the pair I wanted.
Natasha wasn’t quite as lucky. The sneakers she’d had her eye on weren’t available, so she had to choose a different pair. Fortunately, she already knew her size, which made shopping a little easier.
My tip: If you’re hoping to customize Adidas sneakers during your NYC visit, consider trying on a few styles before you go. You’ll have a better idea of what you like and which size fits, but have a backup choice in mind in case your favourites aren’t available.
Although we’d both tried on shoes before our trip, we wanted to make our actual purchases in New York. After all, part of the fun was choosing and customizing our shoes together at the flagship store. We weren’t simply buying sneakers—we were creating souvenirs of our trip.
Arriving Early at the Adidas Flagship Store
Since we were only spending two days in New York, Natasha and I wanted to be sure we’d have enough time to get our shoes customized.
We also hoped to arrange a convenient pickup time later that day, rather than carrying shoe boxes around Manhattan while we explored.
So we arrived a little before the store opened and were among the first customers through the doors.
I’m glad we did! By the time we’d spoken with a salesperson, learned about the customization process, and made our selections, the store was already getting quite busy.
My tip: If getting personalized sneakers is high on your NYC wish list, consider visiting early in the day, particularly if your time in the city is limited.
Choosing Your Customization: Colour Matters!
One thing we learned from the salesperson that I wish I’d known ahead of time was that laser-etched designs tend to show up better on lighter-coloured shoes.
Natasha took that advice into account and chose a lighter shade of brown for her sneakers.
I, on the other hand, had my heart set on my Handball Spezial shoes and wasn’t quite ready to abandon my first choice!
So I decided to take my chances.
I’m happy with how my shoes turned out, although I do think the designs might be a little more visible on Natasha’s lighter pair. I’ve also noticed that the etching seems to be fading over time.
My tip: If you’re planning to have your shoes laser-etched, think about the colour of the sneakers as well as the designs you want. Lighter shades may give you more noticeable results. But if you’ve already fallen in love with a darker pair, don’t necessarily rule them out!
Making Our Sneakers Personal
I’d seen a pair of customized Adidas sneakers on Instagram with designs etched onto the heels, and I really liked that placement. So when it came time to make my choices, I already knew where I wanted the designs to go.
The store had a selection of designs to choose from, including several with a distinctly New York theme.
The laser-engraving designs available during our visit, including plenty of New York-inspired options.
Natasha and I were immediately drawn to the NYC design, written in the distinctive font used by the Adidas store. It seemed like the perfect way to commemorate our girls’ trip, so we both chose it for one shoe.
For our second shoes, we each chose something a little more personal.
Natasha went with a slice of pizza, which was appropriate since she loves pizza, and enjoying a slice is one of her favourite things to do in New York.
I chose a pigeon.
I’ve always associated pigeons with big cities, especially New York, but there’s also a more personal connection. My dad grew up in a little farming community in Michigan’s Thumb region called Pigeon, and I’ve always had a special fondness for the birds because of it.
So while our sneakers share a design celebrating our NYC adventure, each pair also tells a slightly different story.
How Much Does Adidas Sneaker Customization Cost?
One of the things I had the hardest time finding before our trip was clear information about pricing.
During our October 2026 visit, laser engraving was priced at $10 USD per design.
Since we each chose two designs—one for each shoe—the customization cost was $20 USD per pair, in addition to the price of the sneakers themselves.
The store also offered other customization options, which you can see on the menu photographed during our visit.
The Adidas flagship store’s customization menu, showing services and prices during our visit. Options and pricing may change.
Keep in mind that prices and available designs may change, so I’d recommend confirming the current options with the store before your visit.
How Long Does Adidas Customization Take?
This was another of my biggest questions before our trip.
With only two days in New York and a full sightseeing itinerary, we were eager to find out how long the customization process would take.
Fortunately, we were told that our shoes would be ready in approximately 30 minutes.
The process was straightforward. After choosing our sneakers and deciding on our designs, we paid for both the shoes and the customization. We then took our purchased shoes back to the customization desk and left them with the staff.
Although we could have collected them shortly afterward, we had a busy day planned, so we appreciated that the store was happy to hold them.
Picking Up Our Personalized Sneakers
After our Broadway show, we headed back to the Adidas flagship store to collect our shoes before catching our train.
Of course, we couldn’t resist peeking inside our boxes right away!
We were both delighted with how our personalized sneakers turned out.
The staff gave us one final instruction: wait at least 24 hours before wearing the shoes. I’m not entirely sure why that was necessary for the laser engraving, but we were happy to follow their advice.
The Verdict: Was It Worth It?
Absolutely! I couldn’t be happier with my new sneakers.
I’d been a little nervous about how comfortable they’d be, particularly for long days of sightseeing. Even without the store’s instruction to wait 24 hours, I wouldn’t have wanted to break in a brand-new pair of shoes while walking all over New York City.
But I had a chance to give them a proper test on my next trip, to Québec City, and I’m happy to report that they were wonderfully comfortable.
I do wear them with my custom orthotics, which is worth mentioning, but I had no complaints after a day of exploring.
And can I just say that I think these might be the most fashionable shoes I’ve ever owned?
I absolutely love the look of them, and having those little reminders of New York etched onto the heels makes them even more special.
Perhaps the ultimate compliment came a week or so after our trip, when Tessa asked whether I’d mind if she bought the exact same pair.
Of course I didn’t mind!
Although, as she pointed out, hers wouldn’t have the NYC customization.
And that’s what makes mine feel like so much more than just another pair of sneakers. They’re a reminder of a wonderful girls’ trip, a fun experience shared with Natasha, and a little piece of New York I get to take along on future adventures.
Where to Go
Adidas Flagship Store New York
565 Fifth Avenue (at 46th Street)
New York, NY 10017
The store is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, making it easy to incorporate into a day of sightseeing.
Check the official Adidas store page for current opening hours and contact information.
Quick Tips for Customizing Adidas Sneakers in NYC
If you’re considering creating your own personalized sneakers at the Adidas flagship store, here are my suggestions:
Try on shoes before your trip. Knowing your size and preferred style can save time once you’re there.
Have a backup style in mind. The flagship store may not carry the exact shoes or colours you’re hoping for.
Consider lighter-coloured shoes. Laser-etched designs may show up more clearly on lighter shades.
Think about your designs ahead of time. The options are fun, and it’s worth choosing something meaningful to you.
Arrive early if you can. We were among the first customers and were glad we’d avoided the growing crowds.
Budget for customization. We paid $10 USD per laser-etched design, in addition to the price of our sneakers.
Ask about turnaround times. Our shoes were expected to be ready in approximately 30 minutes.
Consider picking them up later. We were able to leave ours at the store until after our evening Broadway show.
Follow the staff’s care instructions. We were advised not to wear our newly customized shoes for at least 24 hours.
These details reflect our experience during our visit. Prices, services, availability, and turnaround times may change.
A New York Souvenir I’ll Actually Use
I’ve brought home plenty of souvenirs from my travels over the years, but these sneakers are definitely among my favourites.
Part of the appeal was the finished product, of course. But just as important was the experience of choosing our shoes and personalizing them together.
And now, every time I wear mine, I have a little reminder of that New York adventure.
Not bad for a pair of sneakers!
