The Complete Checklist to Be a Sneakerhead in 2022

Do you have a crazy love for trendy footwear? Are you looking to become the ultimate sneakerhead but don’t know where to begin? We will show you what it takes to go from a simple sneakerhead into the ultimate collector in this article.

What Does it Mean to Be A Sneakerhead?

It wasn’t long ago in internet history when the term ‘sneakerhead’ found its way as an urban language. Like how Harry Potter fans are called “potterheads”, a sneakerhead is a term used to describe someone who loves sneakers. It refers to someone who is typically knowledgeable about sneakers and collects them for a hobby. 

Most sneakerheads trace the origin of the movement back to the 1970s and 1980s when sneakers were made famous by the NBA hall of fame icon, Michael Jordan. If Jordan was wearing it, then everyone wanted it. 

The sneakers culture grew to become popularized by different athletes and hip-hop stars. It soon became a mainstream tool for social identity and cliques.

Your Ultimate Guide to Collecting Sneakers in 2022

Now that’s a lot of history behind us. With that out of the way, here’s a complete checklist on how to be a sneakerhead in 2022:

Get a Sneaker Proxy

The first step to becoming a sneakerhead is to absolutely get a sneaker proxy. You need to get to those sneakers in time on the release day. 

Copping is the ultimate game plan of any sneakerhead, especially if we’re talking limited edition sneakers. As a sneakerhead, you are going to have to cop a lot of sneakers in bulk. You need a viable sneaker proxy to do this. 

On D-day, most online sneaker retailers only allow you to buy one pair of sneakers. This restriction is for no good reason but just because they could. You also can’t escape the bots.

Imagine getting locked out of a rare sneaker collection because you can only have a pair. But, you plan to purchase three pairs. Beat the sneaker bots by using a proxy provider.

Build Your Collection

Get started right away. You want to start saving up some money to build your sneaker collection gradually. You can create a budget around it. It could mean setting aside a part of your income every month. Collecting a lot of sneakers will cost you money. So, be prepared to spend.

Start browsing through the list of sneakers retailers online or you could just walk into a local sneaker store to buy. Try to get familiar with people who work in a sneaker shop. You can even ask for recommendations. 

As a starter, you wanna cop in on some hot kicks. But, you must also be aware that there are a lot of counterfeit sneakers on the market. You can learn how to recognize genuine sneakers from sneakerhead experts who discuss how you can avoid counterfeits. 

Check for signs such as stitching and tag size, and always read reviews. Make sure to only purchase from official stores or someone who has a good rating and offers a money-back guarantee.

As the new comes in, the old must give way. Inevitably, as you start buying a lot of trending sneakers, some sneakers will become outdated. Create plans to flip those old sneakers. Clean them up and pack them into old boxes when you find them around the house.

There are a lot of reseller websites where you can sell your old shoes for cash. Reselling helps you recuperate some cash. You can even decide to turn it into a side hustle if you wish to flip a lot of sneakers.

You can arrange to meet with other sneakerheads and sell them your old sneakers. The aim is to update your wardrobe and stay on top of the latest trends.

3. Flip Old Sneakers

As the new comes in, the old must give way. Inevitably, as you start buying a lot of trending sneakers, some sneakers will become outdated. Create plans to flip those old sneakers. Clean them up and pack them into old boxes when you find them around the house.

There are a lot of reseller websites where you can sell your old shoes for cash. Reselling helps you recuperate some cash. You can even decide to turn it into a side hustle if you wish to flip a lot of sneakers.

You can arrange to meet with other sneakerheads and sell them your old sneakers. The aim is to update your wardrobe and stay on top of the latest trends.

4. Take Care of Your Sneakers

Get your sneakers to last longer and remain respectfully new. Also, have shoes for different purposes. For example, if you sense the weather condition is gonna be rainy outdoors, you shouldn’t go out in suede sneakers. It can get ruined.

Have a pair of shoes for jogging, and another for outing purposes. That’s how it is done. Use your shoes like a pro.

When not in use, you can retire and display them on a shelf. Your shoe rack can even show off your amazing sneakers collection when friends come visiting.

Here are a few cleaning and storage routines to help you maintain your sneaker collection. You can:

• Wipe out the dust that settles on your sneakers.
• Use a soft wet cloth and a little detergent to clean out the dirt around the sneakers.
• Clean out the insole using a brush and allow it to air outside for a while.
• Always store your sneakers in a dark space away from sunlight.

4. Look Out for Bargains on Your Favorite Brands

Well, this part comes with a bit of experience when your sneakers collection has grown. You would usually have a slight inclination to a sneaker brand whether it’s Adidas, Nike, Vans, etc.

This partiality will be reflected in your shoe wardrobe. You will tend to have a dominant brand collection amongst several others. Every sneaker collector has their favorite footwear. 

But, what makes the ultimate sneakerhead? It is in collecting those rare sneaker models. You can hunt for timeless models of your preferred brands.

Conclusion

There you go, folks. That is the ultimate checklist to becoming a sneakerhead in 2022. Begin from a pair and grow your collection gradually. Connect with other shoe lovers in your neighborhood. If you don’t find any, you can search on social media. 

You can even join shoe blogs to talk about your unique style preferences. Look out for new models and limited editions. Sign up to get emails on promotional sneaker content, and stay updated with new trends.