Best sneaker shop
Although situated close to an Ivy League institution, Harvard Square's Le Foot Sportif is old-school in its own way. Inside the tiny sneaker shop, you'll find countless pairs of perennially hip retro Adidases and Converses alongside updated Puma, KangaROOs, and Saucony shoes. The store also carries Palladium, Simple, Vans, and Timberland, as well as more-traditional athletic sneakers from New Balance and Reebok. Free socks or laces with purchase further sweeten each sale.

Le Foot Sportif, 3 Dunster Street, Cambridge, (617) 547-1688.