Ranking

STORE NAME

Country

Notes

#1

USA

One of the biggest boutique account holders in the US with multiple stores currently closed and normally high online stock. Always uses anti-bot. Login required to check out. Do not use international checkout. CAD billing works for US shipping. They sometimes also do cancels live during release which gives you hope for a second chance while refreshing a sold out screen. Normal release time is 8AM EST.

#2

Canada

They DO NOT carry any Jordan product. This only applies to Nike releases. Ships worldwide. Always uses anti-bot and has good stock. Usually releases at 8AM EST or shock drop.

#3

EU

Usually releases very early in the day EST and at inconsistent times. Stock levels are good and they run anti-bot always. Constantly password protected so remember to not refresh the /password URL but to have the site bookmarked instead to access. DSM is Canadian friendly (billing) and has shipped to me in the past with low duties.

#4

USA

If they drop the same time as UNDFTD always go with UNDFTD. AMA/Social Status stock is shared, usually only a few per sizes. They do use anti-bot consistently.

Last

USA

Frenzy sucks. If a store is using Frenzy they don’t have anti-bot and if they don’t have anti-bot they likely aren’t a big enough store to have lots of stock. If Frenzy occurs anytime during another release that is a good option you should always skip Frenzy.

Ranking

STORE NAME

Country

Notes

#1

USA

220 retail stores closed so a lot of stock is going online. Shopify based store that always uses anti-bot. You can enter their queue early to expedite checkout. Requires US shipping address. CAD payment is fine.

#2

USA

Ranked #2 because of consistent early links and instant cancellations for bot orders. It’s an ideal option for early queue and checkout for users with matching US shipping and billing only. They restock instantly during a release, do not give up too soon if you get sold out screen. This is the #1 option for high heat releases that the above store normally doesn’t have. Do not use international checkout, not Canadian friendly currently.

#3

USA

Many retail stores are close so lots of stock is going online. Shopify based store that always uses anti-bot. You can enter their queue early to expedite checkout. Requires US shipping address. Ranked #2 for Canadians using re-ship over KITH.

#4

USA

From the ashes rises Shop Nice Kicks. One of the worst options of all time now has become a top 5 choice. Newly added store with Anti-bot. Low on the radar of many resellers. Has more locations than Livestock and Notre and in turn more stock. Retail stores currently closed.

#5

USA

Requires login to check out. Shopify anti-bot is always on. Tends to be lower stock and quicker sellout than Kith in my experience. Good option for Canadians with no US billing. This is the #2 option for high heat releases such as Off-White or Dunks that the above stores normally don’t have. 

#6

Canada

Always create /cart and /checkout bookmarks for them, their checkout screen has too many prompts manually. Normally medium-high stock for Nike and Jordan releases. Lately has opted to raffle a lot and restock randomly with leftovers a few days later. Tier 0 boutique that carries high heat releases like KITH and CNCPTS.

#7

USA

Around the same stock levels as Livestock but they are ranked lower because they turn checkpoint on 2 minutes early. While this is an advantage for us, it’s also an advantage for bots. They use anti-bot all the time. In general, I find them my least favorite option but it’s still a good one if they drop slightly early or after the above sites on this list. Canada billing friendly. Tier 0 boutique that carries high heat releases like KITH and CNCPTS.

#8

USA

Get the trend? Always go Shopify anti-bot based release FIRST. Once you have tried on one of the above Shopify websites, you may go to SNKRS and enter in the first 90 seconds of release to ensure your entry is received in time. Whichever Shopify site you chose, they will likely be sold out in a minute or less giving you time to enter on SNKRS. DO NOT make this your first option — ever. 

It Could Be Worse

USA

They operate a lot of locations and tend to have decent online stock. Their site is not as bad as the Foot sites listed below. They also have a nice mobile option for selecting your size and using apple pay or google pay to checkout. Make an account and save your info as back up.

Last Resort

Foot Sites (FL, Champs, Eastbay, Finish Line, Foot Action, JD Sports)

USA

These stores should be your absolute last option to try to purchase. Never make them your top options. You can try on any other site that’s above on this list and these Foot Sites will not be sold out for 30minutes to 3 hours. Never make this your top option unless it is your only option. Ships to Canada with all taxes and duties included at checkout. CA friendly for billing.

Even Worse

SHOPIFY Stores that DO NOT have anti-bot

Worldwide

If there is another site you are thinking of making your first option and itss not on the list then you are doing it wrong. The sites with the most stock and best tools to prevent bots are all above SNKRS On this list. Only top tier stores have access to anti-bot and for good reason. Everyone else is a small time player which only gets 3-4 pairs per size. WISH, Saint Alfred, Lapstone, City Blue, Exclucity, Capsule, Sneaker Politics, are a few that come to mind.

Ha Ha Funny Joke

USA

Yeah, you didn’t think it could get worse but it did. The only thing worse than no anti-bot is stores still running that disaster of queue checkout with the little man walking across the screen. Don’t even bother with this, ever.

#1

USA

Shopify based store and they run anti-bot almost always. Constantly password protected so remember to not refresh the /password URL but to have the site bookmarked instead to access. Usually the only 11AM EST drop. If KITH, UNDFTD or Livestock happen to be at this time as well, they both are much better options. DSM is Canadian friendly (billing) and has shipped to me in the past with low duties.