Here Are the Submission Guidelines for SELF’s 2022 Sneaker Awards

SELF editors know a thing or two about sneakers. Take a peek at any of our personal collections and you’ll find a variety of picks based on our varying interests, levels of experience, and fit and style preferences. That’s why we love putting together our SELF Certified Sneaker Awards year after year: Sneakers are, by and large, an essential piece of gear for anyone looking to be active, and yet it can be extremely difficult to find the ones that feel just right. So we’re here to help. 

Each year, we set out to find the best new sneakers available. SELF editors and experts rigorously and methodically test each shoe under consideration during a variety of activities. We keep tabs on key factors like fit, comfort, performance, and style. And of course, after all that, we share our absolute favorites with our readers. 

We are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting submissions from brands for our 2022 SELF Certified Sneaker Awards. Read on for more about what we’re looking for and how to submit. 

Submission Guidelines

1. Products submitted for consideration must be new and released after October 1, 2021 and available nationwide by August 1, 2022. (An existing style may be submitted as long as it’s been updated in some way, including new color offerings or updated features.)
2. We are looking for sneakers in the following categories: Running shoes (road and trail), trail and hiking shoes, casual/lifestyle, athleisure, walking, weight lifting, HIIT and cross-training, and indoor and outdoor cycling.
3. Please note that we will only accept 3 to 5 submissions from each brand. You know your product best, so please highlight your top releases or the shoes you anticipate will be the biggest crowd-pleasers.
4. Please do not send samples at this time. If we decide to test your product, we’ll contact you. Shoes submitted for testing cannot be returned. If submitting products is a hardship for your brand, please email us. We’d be happy to work with you.

How to Submit

To submit a product, please fill out this form. Please fill out one form per style—so if you’d like to submit three pairs of shoes, you should submit three separate forms. We kindly ask that in your submission you share info sheets or press releases for each shoe, hi-res images for each shoe (product shots on seamless white, please!), and the release date of the shoe. 

Please send your submissions no later than Friday, June 10, 2022.

Questions? Please email Hannah Pasternak, associate director of special projects, at [email protected]. 

Thanks, and best of luck!