JKISSI : These days the term “sneakerhead” has been used excessively as people use it describe themselves. The summer of the year 2000 I laid my eyes on the Air Jordan 6 Infareds in Footlocker I knew I had to somehow purchase them. Unfazed by the price tag of $120.00 I saved every dime I received and saved my lunch money just to get them. I know you guys know that feeling you buy a pair of sneakers you loved, try them on at home and just stare at the design of the sneaker for minutes on end.(lol) The next years of my life would change drastically as I became an addict to this. Now in 2009 I’m older and dress completly different from when I first started to collect sneakers. The art of sneaker collecting will always be a piece of a puzzle in my life, still browsing for my holy grails. I have been wanting to do a post on this for a long time after Phil from The Award Tour posted a similar post. Its humorous that streetwear has a direct correlation to the sneaker game. People have said both have hit their apex and now they’re dying, but in reality that’s just the opposite. The two are just spreading over to different realms and loosing its “exclusivity” people love. As soon as exclusivity is stripped away opinions change about the subject. The reasons people collect kicks these days are different from what I originally knew. I remember speaking to one of my old friends who is 38 years old now still sneaker collecting from day one said “Sneaker collecting has just turned into another area of the economy where people can monopolize and somehow make money”. I’m going to leave it at that.
Whats your opinion on this ?
My portion of dirty sneakers shown here.
Indeed, I think it is at a point where people are being “sold” shoes; sold in the sense of brands putting anything out and forcing people to buy them solely on exclusivity. Now this crowd may be the less educated on sneakers and aesthetic and just buy into hype.
There have been a few very exclusive shoes I have seen and wanted but didn’t really care about tthem to the point that I would spend ridiculous money on them. If youre a person that does that kind of thing and is passionate about it, I salute you. Just not one of those things for me y’know?
I feel that back in 2000 when people like yourself and I were doing it, we were doing it because it was an undying, undeniable love for this game (Sneaker Collecting.) We weren’t worried about making a profit, or who was watching, or what “Status” it gave you, you just did it for you.
Now its different, like everything else in life: The younger children who used to watch us do it have taken over and are now doing it thinking we did it for all the aforementioned reasons that I stated. So the Corporations such as Nike and Jordan see this and find a way to accommodate the youth by making more expensive sneakers made with cheaper materials and the kids go out and buy just to re sale them or say they have them. So that’s mainly the reason why I no longer do it: The corporations are no longer doing it for people like you and I in mind anymore its more for the kids. But then again, that’s just my opinion.
Keep doing ya thing JKISSI
ENO
ONE….
Damn this post makes you think lol To be honest I havent really been through that many pairs of sneakers
But hes right we are being sold Me as a kid i use to see jordans getting realeased on them good saturday mornings wishing that i saved enough money and besides begging my mom that i can get a pair. Im actually tryin hard to find certin pairs of kicks that i couldnt get back in the day. I gotta solute u to
Reggie , Good point there man I completely see where your coming from. It doesn’t float everyones boat to buy real expensive sneakers that are “exclusive” or “limited”. Me personally it would hae to depend on the pair of sneakers I’m pretty sure I wouldnt spend over $1000 on a pair of sneakers, depending on my financal stance also.
Eno Bull, Yes man I think you pretty much hit it on the top of the head. I dont want to seem like I’m on some higher pedastool than other people who newly just started to collect now, but its some what of the truth. It has turned into a whole different type of thing these days. Everything is happening so fast with the advancement of technology and all. I see how things has gotten to this point. good looks man
Kev, Yeah man I would think of stuff like this sometimes man especially when my parents would not out right give me over $100.00 for a pair of sneakers , that would be absurd to them. I would have to save and manage my money carefully to make sure that saturday I would have enough to get them. Reggie was right about being sold though to Nike and other big corporations it is strictly business.
What are those Turquoise Nike joints?
jsw 20003 ,Those are Nike Sabakus belived to be only made in Japan if im correct.
I agree with you Josh , sneaker collecting game.. is so fake to me now . All these kids running around not really knowing the real game. I know i sound prentitious ,but its the truth
If you think about it streetwear is just recycled over and over again. Same with sneaker collecting industry everyone has a dollar on their face now, they dont value us the right way anymore. I stopped a few years back anyway.
um…
some of the views here i dont really agree with…
the collecting game isn’t fake at all.
believe it or not.. there are some real collectors still around.
however it has changed.. like all things
like most things in life it has evolved,
like myself i used to collect too (but im from NY! most can say that)
but a person once taught me, get and hold on to what you like, or that may mean something to you.
and leave the rest alone…
so from then i started picking and choosing what i purchased. also because just having a retail job, and some side projects
and trying to be a very responsible person.. can clash with a spending habit on just kicks, and wanting alot.
but my passion for footwear has changed..i see it from a bigger view now, not just limited sneakers anymore.
you can’t really call your self a “sneakerhead!” if your only buyings limited nikes/sb or jordan.. cause those are just popular ones. their are more SNEAKERs than just those 2 brands. when i realized that it all became pretty simple on what was going on. some people buy them to make a profit.. others are involved or have a fascination in the culture, and the rest been around. so im not knocking anyone or calling “the game” watered down or mainstream. just know why you do it! and keep it official with yourself.
- as for myself.. i stopped keeping up with the collecting, cause i gain interest in other things, different forms of being exclusive, and a more broad view of footwear in general, so i can’t shit on when i was collecting.. cause it made me aware of different cultures and walks of life, that sparked a new passion in knowledge and art. like i said.. evolution!
we all Pokemon lol!
(thanx if you read this, kinda long)
The sneaker game has definitely changed… I could talk about it for a minute… I think alot of it is that all of our wildest dreams came true… meaning, I remember when we were all sitting around like “Man it would be hot if they retro’ed the Terminators, or the Safaris, or etc etc!” Now like every shoe is retro’d, in like every color imaginable… like seriously it was like a high school dream to have Jordans that are fused with Air Force ones, no one thought it would actually happen though! I remember when they didn’t even sell dunks in Foot Locker… now they are everywhere in like willlldd colors… and then 7 year old kids caught on.. And it just began to go stale… IMO….
Its crazy seeing that there is a common thread between you, me, and everyone else commenting, and thats that we used to all be into sneakers. I was always on Niketalk at one point (XxColdsunxX with over 6000post) but now, i haven’t posted anything in about a year, and i rarely ever goto the site.. Like you, my clothing style has totally changed… And in all honesty, that the main reason why i don’t really collect anymore, it has less to do about the shoes, has a nice amount to do with the scene, but it has the most to do with me, and my style changing…
I remember insane colorways were soooo rare and desired… I’d based my whole outfit off of my shoes, and it would all be fairly matchy… But i’d just never do that now… I’d never walk out the house looking like a friggin bag of skittles… my whole style has tightened up and toned down… So I turned my Air Forces have turned in for Yohji Yamamoto Y’s… Turned my Dunks in for Black PF Flyer Albins and Common Projects..
I remember when i was hunting for sneakers on ebay and stuff and i’d come across a pair of Deadstock OG (fill in the blank with whatever your grail is) and i’d think… HOLY CRAP MAN?!?! How are these is such good condition?? How did you not wear these every day?? How could you just leave these hot shoes in your closet?!?! But now i know.. You get older, your style changes, and they sit in your closet… till you get married or something and your wife says she needs the space and they end up on ebay… :/
Sorry for the length, good post as usual…
Wow , some great responses here I actually read every one and I cant really pick a side or judgement on anything or I havee to say is I’m done with sneakers in general. I’m a 30 year old man with 2 kids sure I’m going to be lining up for sneaker relases. Straight suits and shopes that what I appreciate.
Squincy I like what you said though my friend.
Coldsun great perspective also..
I really like sneakers but i have grown past that to be honest its not that I hate collecting Nike/Jordan the two most people collect and label exclusive it just gets boring to me.
Wow I’m surprised at the responses I actually sat here and read them all.
Great point Squincy, I like to throw the evolution label of changing on a lot of things. Some people may have seen me throw it on the “WDYWT” What Did You Wear Today concept. Its true though I see it the same way you do, my interest has shifted though.
Coldsun.. Love what you said man really man I was on Niketalk back in 2003 to now my account is still there Jkissi7 , I was in the same boat as you I loved how you put the comparisons of what your kicks has changed into. I dont know about you but i feell I’m moving to a permanent comfort zone concerning my style. Its all personal for me i dont really care if people felt I dressed better before or now, its all about how you feel at the end of the day.
i totally feel you coldsun ..
i didn’t go that hard on the sneaker forums tho, only a little on iss .. not to major
we used to sit and around and be like.. man!! if they retro’d the space james, or Griffeys
and how we’d be the 1st in line… buying like 30 pairs! LMAO.. oh man!!
i see we have similar tastes in footwear also. ie.. common projects and PF flyer albins.
those are some definite good pieces, footwear can mean a lot or everything to most of us.
but i guess this is a sensitive topic..
Squincy, Hell yeah it is a sensitive topic especially if you bring in a person who is in the phase that we once were in. They would battle us til lthe death of dawn on how the sneaker game is still something to them. Thats perfectly fine though as long as they still believe in it.
wooooord, back in 06 i became a major sneaker head chasing after SB dunks and the retro jordans, but as of late i really haven’t been feeling the need to buy or wear nikes as much, the kanyeezy’s look tempting, but don’t really seem to be worth the hype or the 275 price tag (not to mention retailers are pushing the price to 400 because of high demand) and to tell u the truth i’ve never been a major fan of jordans aside from the 1′s, 3,4′s,5′s 18 and spizikes. Fusions are beyond me and i find them very tasteless to say the least. maybe im getting older or maybe i’m going through a post graduation phase but the sneaker head part of me is pretty much dead
lately i’ve been wearing nothing but vans authentics and clarks.
I just wear vans slip ons LOL. I’ve never been a sneakerhead or even into shoes. I see them as a waste of money honestly. You know people always talk abotu – he got nice shoes but don’t got a car…n shit like that.
I’m a money in the bank type dude. But if you can do both – more power to you. Being
Joseph A, Yeah man I was in that same boat with vans and clarks man you will start to gradually move into shoes before you notice lol watch.
Meji, thats cool man you always out for your money man , business man .
So true Kids now days only buy stuff because nike only put a limited number out but not for the quality.
i agree and i can see how it is played out and when am out of highschool i think all grow up more and start dressing a little more dapper but until then kissi if those are 9-10.5 what do you want for the visvans, 13s, wtaps and 4′s
Vee Urbanite , nice sit man yeah man a lot of people just think like that.
Luke, LOL you real slick you almost got me , but I’m going to hold on to majority of my collection my man lol maybe in a couple years or so. I’ll think about it though.
it’s funny how i found out about HB because of sneakers, but ended up not caring much about them anymore. right now i’ve just been wearing dirty canvas sneakers, and clarks shoes.
but yeah sell me your taps plz.
onlycure lol same here man looking for kicks I found HB also you already know what boat im in with shoes.. was a sneakerhead now more a shoe type guy..
lol taps mineee
lol kissi all hold you to that but i see were you are coming from and i agree that the sneaker game can get old and there is more to style than just the shoes and by the way ur fits are fire on HB
Dope post here I agree with you man.
Your basically read my mind man , the sneaker game is becoming stale with so many people doing it , and not correctly by the way. I like the way you guys dress I want to change my style to something similar , real good look for young black males.
Sneakergame will get old sas you grow up , I mean how long can you rock and obess over sneakers when your a grown ass man. Not to say grown people cant collect , but if you have a different mindstate you will shy away from it eventually.
I started collecting in 1999,matter of fact I still have the original flightposites of that year.The thing was,I wasn’t collecting for posterity’s sake,I just started amassing sneakers I liked-on the cheap.I purposely looked for discounted ,somewhat rare,not entirely ‘popular’ sneakers.It got to the point that I would wear a pair of sneakers so old,someone would inevitably ask me if they were re-issues! Fast forwarding ten years,and about 100 pairs later,I’m no longer in the game,because in my opinion,it comes down to money.Got $320 burning a hole in your pocket?Go cop the Jordan toro pack!Why should I buy a pair of sneakers now that Nike is just going to retro in 2 years?And the simple fact that most sneakerheads collect mainly Nike product is so lame to me.i have a really unique collection,Adidas,Nike,new Balance,converse,saucony,couple skateboarding brands,you name it.And I must reiterate,when i choose to wear a pair of my sneakers now,i get all types of stares and questions,’what are those?’When did those come out?”Where did you get those?’In my opinion,it’s easier to drop $210 on some shoes with a release date but much more satisfying when you rock some you had on ice for 5 years because you forgot about them.Nobody asks me about a new pair of Air Force 1′s,but when i rock my leather hyperflights or crepe -soled Adidas shell toes,people wanna know!When i stumble across sneaker sites that sell sneakers i have for $200 that I paid $35 for,i just shake my head….
I looove sneaks! Esp the Y’3′s:-)
Thanks man your site is pretty dope as well and the content just amazing
…and that’s why I collect New Balances. I like to collect ‘em and most of all wear ‘em. Why? Because 1) they make the outfit, 2) they’re comfy, 3)I just love to make people go “Damn, I didn’t think New Balances came in sch funky colors”. True, with NB’s you have the Solebox’s, the Pigeons, the Hanons and of course the Mita collabs. I’m certainly guilty of beasting over most Japanese NB’s, but I do it not becuase I can resell it, but because I have love with the sneaker.
The interweb has both been good and bad for sneakerheads. I’m not going into details, but we can all thank the interweb for news on the new sneakers, the hype over new sneakers and the selling out of sneakers.
Well.. y’all do your thang!
@JKISSI:
Wow man. You nailed this topic on the head. Ive been meaning to do a post on my blog on this very issue for soo long. The sneaker game was such an important part of life to me back then. Saving lunch money up was the norm! lol. My brother and I did odd jobs around the neighborhood picked up minimum wage jobs and everything. Anything we could do (positively speaking) to get the bread. Our parents weren’t having it! Haha
We come from awest indian background and as far as sneakers with my parents, you had 1 pair of kicks for as long as they could fit. In our case it was a pair of white ups. The airforce 1s all white was acceptable in NY. It didn’t neccesarily classify you with the “fly” crowd, but it was enough to get you by. Lol its crazy the transformation of mentality.Looking back on the impact sneakers had on our lives and how it defined you in highschool. From the sb dunks and blazers to the Jordans and Reebok pumps…it our young minds in a daze. I can honestly say that i made the leap from the sb dunks to the og polo cookie boots. Actually when my mother caught a glimpse at my polo boots she started to smile and she said “Wow you had those when you were younger.”
This post is phenomenal man. You nailed it. I can relate so much to this transition. Anyway keep doing your thing brotha man. Keep spreading positive vibes. Im also in the NYC area dude, we may bump into each other on broadway or something. Bless
I find that for me I also had a short affair with collecting I began with the altitude XIII from a few years back. my obsession peaked and fell again and now i find myself older wiser and with a new approach to what i wear. It was “cool” to cuff your pants and rock a different pair of jays each day but when you are one out of hundreds of inner city kids you really start to wonder whats the point of investing time or money its not so much the exclusivity of a pair after all there are a few PE’s out there but its more of a feeling that you are a follower and not a leader. To me this blog and each one of your styles shows were your history evolved… some of us have ties to the shoe game and it shows but its a stepping stone and I loved it but now in the professional world i am more aware of tailored suits than dope kicks. Not that i dont notice lets say some puma miharas but its great that you posted on the subject not too many blogs address this point well outside of the NT ISS etc…
just my 60 cents.
with sneakers… i dont like buying what everyone elses buys but i’ve come to grips that there are people out there that will buy just to make profit. it makes me cringe when i see shoes that in stores came out for retail price become multiplied by 2 just so the seller can make profit. it’s like the art of sneaker purchasing has become a marketplace.
but i refuse to give up on a pair of sneakers because everyone else wants them. if i like them, i will ge them. not to sell them for higher than the price, but because i feel like they define me. that the sneakers will be apart of me. i try to wear all of my sneakers… whether people own them or not. it would be a waste to not wear them. but the game has changed… alot.
Similar to what you said concerning the evolution of style, I NEVER thought that I’d be wearing shoes/boots on a regular basis as opposed to the sneakers I have.
At the same time it seems like time,money and energy was wasted, standing in lines, paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on things that I’m now considering second hand. Thing is, as with most things that begin original, people find it, mass produce and over saturate. Unfortunately now there are too many gimmicks, cheap materials and tacky colorways in the sneaker world, all at an incredibly high price.
And like coldsun said, just 3 or 4 years ago, I could not contemplate the notion of someone having my grail sneaker d.s. selling for an amazing price. And now, I look behind me while typing this and I’m in the same situation.
Basically, I’m all twisted up in the game lol.
Btw, I thought I was on band of outsiders before everyone else lol.