6 Basics Of Being A Sneakerhead

Are you an avid fan of wearing and collecting cool, athletically designed, sleek sneakers? Of course, it’s not because you have a foot fetish—well, maybe some of them. It’s because you’re a certified sneakerhead.

A ‘sneakerhead’ is a slang term used to describe someone who loves wearing, collecting, and trading different styles of sneakers, from plain to colorful ones. In short, they’re shoe enthusiasts—sports shoes in particular. They have a deep love for great sneakers, collect different editions of them (especially limited ones), and participate in a growing resale market for sneakerheads.

Moreover, being a sneakerhead is much more than just collecting and trading sneakers. Sneakerheads are usually enthusiastic and passionate about everything related to sneakers, from their rich culture to having deep knowledge about famous brands. This is why not anyone can be called a sneakerhead.

To become one, you should be knowledgeable about the ins and outs of all bits and pieces sneaker-related. If you don’t know where to begin your journey of becoming a certified sneakerhead, this post may help you. Here are the basics of being a great and all-knowing sneakerhead:

1. Determine Your Budget

Buying sneakers is no joke. It’s a very expensive hobby, and sometimes, it could cost you a fortune, especially when purchasing those classified as limited editions. That being said, before collecting your favorite sneakers for men, you have to be certain that you have the financial means to amass a sneaker collection.

Start by developing a budget and then set the amount you can spend on your sneaker collection every month or a few months. If necessary, find a new job or part-time job to support and finance your hobby.

Here are some budgeting tips that may help you:

• Search for good quality and branded sneakers costing a few hundred bucks.
• Once you’ve found the shoes you want, start saving each day or week.
• Apply for part-time jobs at sneaker shops for additional employee discounts.

  

2. Start Purchasing Sneakers Regularly

Visit your favorite sneaker shop and start buying as many as you can as long as you have the means to purchase them. If not, follow your budget and limit your purchases per month. The limit will be based on the amount of money you can spend on new shoes.

Also, always be on the lookout for newly-released sneakers—new brands, colorways, and styles. If you find some, grab them right away, and while they’re still in their prime, show others that you’re able to acquire them. After all, being a sneakerhead is mostly about buying and showing off, so the more you grab, the more awe-inspiring your reservoir will be.

Here are some tips that may help you when buying sneakers:

• Go to your local shopping malls and visit a shop with the latest trends.
• Set your eyes on legitimate online shops that offer great discounts on pre-orders.

3. Define Your Favorite Styles And Brands

Many sneakerheads focus on collecting sneakers from a specific brand and style. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no best among the hottest brands in this generation. If you want it and look great in it, then go for it. After all, what matters the most is your happiness.

In addition, no two sneaker collections are identical. Once you determine and hone your preferences, your vault will start to have its own personality. Here are some tips that may help you curate your sneaker closet:

• Start by defining the type of shoes you want—basketball shoes, skate shoes, basic flat sneakers.
• Then, choose the brand that attracts your interest—Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour, etc.

4. Show Them Off

Buying and collecting tons of expensive shoes will be pointless if you’re just going to cage and lock them inside your closet. Take them out of the box and give them a little play every once in a while. Match your outfit with your favorite pair of shoes for your OOTD.

Here are some tips to show off your hard-earned sneakers:

• Share your sneaker favorites on social media to inspire others who might want to be a sneakerhead.
• Attend sneaker conventions to show off your collections and connect with other sneakerheads that might want to trade with you.

5. Sell Your Sneakers

Once your collections get old, put them up for grabs to collect money for new pairs of the latest shoes. There are many ways to get rid of them, such as taking them to consignment shops, posting them on social media, or placing them on eBay and other eCommerce platforms. However, if they still look as good as brand new, you may try selling them to other sneakerheads instead.

Here are some pieces of advice when selling your old sneaker collections:

• Sell as many as you can for new sneaker collections.
• Make sure to take care of your sneakers so you can sell them at a reasonable price someday.
• Before selling them, make sure they’re well-cleaned and packaged in a nice box—use the original box, if possible, for better pricing.

6. Take Care Of Your Sneakers

Sneakers aren’t just your typical footwear—they’re pieces of valuable commodities. Therefore, it’s only right to care for them as much as possible. After all, it doesn’t come cheap, to begin with.

Here are some helpful tips when taking care of your sneakers:

• Keep your sneakers clean with a solution of a small amount of water and liquid detergent.
• Use a brush and lightly scrub dirt and discolored areas.
• Use a damp or lightly-soaked towel and wipe any debris that sticks to your sneakers, especially on their outsoles.
• Visit your shoe stores and ask for a special cleaning solution for special types of sneakers, such as suede.
• Avoid using the same pair each day to prevent wearing them out.
• Store them in their original boxes to hide them away from sunlight, which can degrade your shoes’ quality.
• Choose the right footwear based on a specific weather pattern. For example, it might not be a good idea to wear suede on a rainy day or black leather on a hot and sunny day.

Final Words

Becoming a sneakerhead isn’t an easy task. There are many things you have to take in before you become a full-pledged sneakerhead. That being said, this article may be some help. Just focus on your budget and see if you have the means to purchase those you want. And if you have no use for them, sell them to generate the cash you can use to buy new releases. But before selling them, make sure they’re well taken care of so you can price them reasonably.