Dundee's 'cool wee trainers shop' is a Hilltown hidden gem

I have never been into handbags, or even buying lots of shoes. I’ve never been a huge jewellery fan and I’m not one of these folk who goes daft for having my house looking like a show home. But one
thing I do have a passion for is trainers.

I say passion. It’s probably more of an addiction – to buying and even just looking at trainers.

So imagine how happy I was to find out about a hidden gem in the Hilltown called Dundee Sole.

Kris Boyle is the main man behind the business, which specialises in all sorts. From his Dundee shop, he offers custom trainers, a sneaker laundry service and classes in how to clean and start restoring your own trainers.

He also does vintage restorations and sales, all within what he calls his “cool, wee shop”.

The writer Lynne Hoggan next to a quote: "If only I could stick my trainers on under my bridesmaid dress in two weeks, I'd be able to look cool and comfy at the same time."

Dundee Sole is one of a kind in Scotland, in the whole of the UK in fact.

Kris has had people from England travelling up for his cleaning classes and demand is so high he’s planning to take them down south soon.

Maybe it’s time for me to put the baby wipes back in the packet and start taking this seriously.

Dundee trainers shop is making an impact

I asked Kris why the vintage trainer scene is so popular and he reckons shoes were just manufactured a lot better back in the day.

Kris Boyle repairing a pair of trainers in his shop. — Kris Boyle repairing another pair of trainers at his shop, Dundee Sole. Image: Kris Boyle.

There’s also been a lot more attention on the vintage trainer scene since Michael Jordan’s 1984 Nike Air Ship trainers broke records when they sold for $1.42m, making them the most expensive trainers ever sold at auction.

Kris specialises in Adidas and has various trainers from over the past 40 years available in the shop.

He can also help source trainers if there’s a pair you really want to get your hands on.

The shop brings many local Indie artists in and Kris has a few claims to fame of his own.

A Nike Air Ship worn by Michael Jordan in his fifth-ever NBA regular season game recently sold for a record-breaking $1.47 million. If you had the funds, would you have bid? https://t.co/9uS3fwHcbu pic.twitter.com/HWhtO9Owkb

— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) October 25, 2021

During lockdown he made a Wu Tang Clan custom trainer, images of which were shared around the world, earning him praise from Raekwon of the Wu Tang Clan.

Pretty cool for a guy in trainers with “a cool wee shop” from Dundee.

Dundee Sole sounds like my kind of shop

I was a Nike Air Max girl back in the day. But now I like many brands, and I can easily get carried away looking at vintage trainers online.

I recently bought a pair of Adidas Gazelle Bold gum platforms. I like the extra height because I’m small and they’re sitting in the box until I find an occasion special enough to wear them to.