Sneakers today are worth nearly $80 billion and will become a $120 billion market in the next few years. People have fallen in love with these shoes over the past few decades, and for good reason.
They’re comfortable, fashionable, and often tied to big-time sports. If you’re figuring out how to have shoe game that is elite, we have some suggestions that’ll help you get started.
Read on so that you can learn how to become a sneakerhead.
Study the Best Brands
Since the market is so huge, you’ll have no shortage of brands to choose from. Sneakers have become so complex and creative today, that you’ll find something no matter your tastes.
Many people love buying authentic Jordans to celebrate sports and sneaker culture. Michael Jordan is arguably the godfather of sneakerhead culture since he took the world by storm ever since the Air Jordan 1 was released in 1985.
Even if you’re not into expensive sneakers, brands like Vans and Converse Chuck Taylors are amazing options that don’t cost a lot.
Once you find some brands that you love, you should stick with them and explore all that they have to offer.
Consider Color Schemes and Styles
Brand aside, every sneakerhead builds their collection based on color schemes and styles. Some popular color schemes include black and red, Carolina Blue, New Green, Cool Grey, and Royal Blue.
Determine which styles you love as well. Some are casual shoes that you can wear with any outfit, while others are basketball shoes that come with ankle support and sophisticated technology.
Many sneakerheads love buying basketball shoes from their favorite players. Jordan aside, players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving have some out with iconic sneaker offerings throughout the years.
Half the fun of sneaker culture is collecting the shoes that players wore in-game. The stock of a certain shoe will go through the roof when a player puts up a huge stat line while wearing them.
Jordan’s Flu Game lives on in infamy, as does “The Shot” and Game 6 of the 1998 Finals against the Utah Jazz.
Create a Budget for Your Collection
Buying shoes starts with having a budget. Every sneakerhead sets aside money from each check so that they can make a purchase whenever the time comes.
It’s best to handle it in this way so that you don’t have to borrow money or spend beyond your means once a release date rolls around. Create a bank account that you use strictly for your sneaker money.
Keep some basic accounting of your sneaker money so that you can plan ahead and spring for a pair whenever you find a good deal. Look into sneakers that will give you a great return on investment (ROI).
The resale market is huge with sneakers, so you can get a lot of bang for your buck by selling hard-to-find items.
Stock Up on Staple Shoe Items
Start building sneaker items little by little, beginning with your daily wears. This means you’ll need a few solid pairs of black shoes and white shoes that you can mix and match with any outfit.
Every sneakerhead has some Nike Air Force 1’s in their collection. These shoes look similar to the Air Jodan 1 in style, but you can get them for a much less expensive price.
The white-on-white Air Force 1’s are among the most popular because you can wear them with absolutely anything.
A few tan or brown pairs of shoes are also essential because you can wear them with any outfit, dressy or casual.
Once you’re ready to step your game up, you can start snagging some Air Jordan essentials. Maybe you like the Jordan 4 because of the straps and bubble technology. Air Jordan 11’s and 13’s are absolute works of art that you’ll appreciate in just about any colorway.
Find the Best Outlets for Purchasing
Once you’ve done your research and set some money aside, it’s time to look for outlets that can sell you what you’re looking for. Sneaker stores often sell out of hot items quickly, so make sure you have three or four options for every release.
Outlet malls are great options because they get a large supply directly from the manufacturer. Work the phones in advance of releases to ask store managers how many pairs of each size they are expecting.
The last thing you’d want is to wait in a long line for a shoe only to find out they don’t have what you need.
Network With Other Sneakerheads
Your next major step is to network, network, network! Exchange notes with other sneakerheads and you will start learning rapidly.
There are some sneaker conventions that you can attend that will keep you up to date on sneaker news. These are excellent opportunities to network with others that love the shoe game as much as you do.
Make sure to also network with sneaker dealers so that you can get the inside track on pairs that are released. Once you have relationships in the sneaker business, you can begin pre-ordering and easily getting pairs that others are camping out for.
How to Care for Your Shoes?
Once you’ve bought your first pair of kicks, it’s important that you take proper care of them if you want them to last longer and retain their original value. Be sure to store them in a cool dry environment away from direct sunlight or any other sources of heat or humidity.
Additionally, avoid wearing them too often as this will cause wear-and-tear that may decrease their resale value over time. Instead opt for rotating between various pairs depending on what occasion or activity they will be used for. Lastly, never use harsh chemicals like bleach when cleaning your shoes; instead opt for mild detergents specifically designed for footwear cleaning purposes only!
Learn How to Become a Sneakerhead
Now that you know how to become a sneakerhead, you’re just steps away from getting some amazing new pairs. This is a journey that you’ll appreciate, and may even earn some extra money for your efforts.
Check out our other articles when you need to learn more about sneaker culture, fashion, and so much more.
