The average American spends over $300 on shoes a year, but some want a little more. Sneakerhead culture is more popular than ever but finding your way in might be tricky for beginners.
So how can you adopt the sneakerhead style? What are some ways you can become a bona fide sneakerhead in 2022?
That’s what we’re here to look at today. Read on to learn more about sneaker culture and how you can become a part of this ever-growing world.
Decide Which Types of Sneakers You Like Most
Sneakerheads are famous for having a lot of knowledge about all kinds of expensive and rare shoes. If you’re starting out, this might feel daunting, especially if you’ve never really thought about shoes that way.
Those who want to ingratiate themselves into sneakerhead culture should focus on the type of sneakers they like most. What goes with your fits? Which shoes feel best on your feet?
There are sneakerheads who just want to wear original Air Jordans. Other sneakerheads only look out for Yeezys. The possibilities are endless.
Finding your niche is a great way to get started in this culture, so take a look at what you like. Once you know your preferences, it’s smooth sailing from there.
Learn About Your Favorite Shoes
Now that you have a few favorites picked out, find out a little more about your preferred shoes. Having some knowledge of a shoe’s history is fun to learn about and is a great way of interacting with other sneakerheads.
Researching things about your favorite shoes also provides insight into their availability and rarity. Maybe you see a pair of Jordans and find out it’s one of the most expensive shoes in the world.
Whatever the case may be, learning more about different shoes helps integrate your mindset into the sneakerhead culture. Make it known that you’re an expert on your shoes!
Check Your Price Range and Invest
A common concern for new sneakerheads is the price of some of the biggest drops out there. While this isn’t a cheap hobby by any means, there are plenty of ways you can budget your sneaker addiction.
First, get a sense of how much you can afford to spend on shoes each month. Once you have that figured out, shop around in your preferred price range.
Investing a bit of money into your first few buys goes a long way in getting you into the sneakerhead mindset. Once you have a few sweet-looking shoes to drip, you’re on your way!
Scour Online Sales
That said, you don’t need to be shopping around at full retail price all the time. You’ll find that shoes are constantly going on sale for affordable prices.
Scouring for sales is an excellent way of copping those shoes that were seemingly out of stock everywhere. Any limited series shoes or collabs that were hard to find, you can often cop during these sales.
There’s no better feeling than getting a pair of shoes that you’ve coveted for dimes on the dollar. Keep these websites bookmarked and make sure to check as often as you can.
Stay on Top of Drops
Brands like Nike and Adidas have dedicated fanbases that are always chomping at the bits for new shoe drops. As such, these companies have apps and sites dedicated to notifying you when you can get new shoes.
Keep these drops on your calendar. How they work is that you’ll enter a bid for a pair of shoes that are about to go on the market. Then, you’ll have a chance of randomly being selected as a buyer.
These drops don’t always work out, but when they do, you’ll get new shoes for cheaper than retail. It’s an essential part of being a sneakerhead since you’ll have the latest drip whenever you score a big drop.
Find Local Thrift Stores
You never know what someone might’ve given away to their local thrift shop, including rare and retro shoes. Older shoes that are completely discontinued sometimes show up here, which is why they’re essential to sneakerheads.
A pair of slightly-work Jordans or New Balance dad shoes might just be lurking at a thrift store near you. Search around and see if there are any stores that are known for selling older vintage shoes. You never know!
Leverage Social Media
Social media is an invaluable tool for sneakerheads. You can find out about the latest drops through Instagram and Twitter. There are entire accounts dedicated to finding you the cheapest deals on Ultraboosts and Yeezys.
Plus, following different sneakerhead accounts gives you access to an entire community of people just like you. Finding a circle of fellow sneaker lovers goes a long way in building your collection.
Work at Sneaker Stores
This may sound a little extra, but many sneaker stores offer discounts and other benefits to their employees. Even a ten to twenty percent discount goes a long way in getting the shoes you want at a fair price.
Depending on the store, you might not earn a whole lot working at a sneaker store, but it’s worth trying out in the short run. Besides, what’s better than a huge discount on shoes?
Joining Sneakerhead Culture
Being a sneakerhead is about finding the right places to buy and knowing when the big drops are coming. Use this guide to help you understand how to become an efficient sneakerhead today!
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