[ "Sneaker Head" tee by Capital Brand ]

Sneakerhead is quasi-defined as a person that knows way to much a lot about sneakers. Things like release dates, release locations, all applicable color ways, and sometimes even crazy stuff like a sneakers cultural importance, manufacturing practices, or who designed said shoe. They collect them, they trade or barter for them, they may purchase from resellers way over the MSRP just to say they have them, or stand in line days before a shoe’s initial release just to purchase a pair before “everyone else has them”. I would consider myself an avid observer, more likely to look than to buy and although I have three shoe sites on my Google Reader I can count the number of times I’ve actually commented on a pair. My observations have led me to believe these “truths” to be self-evident:

Sneakerheads are dicks. At least on the internet they are. Goodness have you read some of the things they say about a shoe they don’t like (i.e. – the Air Force One and Air Jordan inspired Fusions)? The term “internet gangsta” comes to mind.

Sneakerheads are snobby. If it ain’t “limited”, “hella expensive”, “exclusive”, “O.G.”, “deadstock”, or if it’s sold in Northwoods Mall–they don’t want it. Period.

Sneakerheads are unrealistic. “Why does (insert brand here) keep selling (insert sneaker here), ain’t nobody buying those!?!” Translation: “I don’t buy these so no one else should be buying these. In fact (insert brand here) should just sell (these sneakers) instead.” If you attended any business classes at all they would know A) if they keep selling them then someone is buying them and B) if (insert sneaker brand) just sold the sneaker you want then the sneaker you so dearly covet would become *gulp* stale. Then no one will want that shoe. What will you do then?

But then a couple weeks ago I had an epiphany. I am somewhat of a snob myself. An avid sneaker observer, yes but also a tad bit snobbish. No, I don’t comment on sneaker sites but I’ll be damn if I don’t be on some ol’ “If the shoe is not in a boutique then I’m not buying” tip. And just because I keep my “I wouldn’t be caught dead in those” comments to myself it doesn’t hide the fact that maybe, just maybe, I know way to much about sneakers myself. This does not leave me immune from getting called out for it either, I’m just beating yall suckas to the punch. Since I realized that I share some of the same characteristics I also realized that I’m actually not much better than the sneakerhead I so easily looked down upon. More importantly, and I guess the reason for this post in the first place, I’ve missed out on some heat  by being so anti-Mall-ish too.

I’ve become more and more aware of such behavior by visiting blogs that have nothing to do with sneakers. Americana and heritage fashion blogs. You TALK about some snobby S.O.Beezys!?! The irony of some professional blogger touting the benefits of owning a pair of $345 “work boots” has not gone unnoticed (by me anyway). Or am I the only person that thinks it’s kinda ridiculous that some 160 pound bird chested Brooklynite is telling me why I need to buy a $130 chambray shirt inspired by a some enlisted Naval Seamen in the 1970s who was issued that before he actually went to war? Is every blogger, sneaker, Americana, or otherwies, act like that? No. But the problem is that I saw a lil’ bit of myself in them and I don’t like that. So one of my only real resolutions for 2010 is to NOT be THAT GUY. Beauty is found everywhere and exclusivity and a high price tag does not necessarily make that item better or of higher quality (exhibit A: L.L. Bean boot only $84). Besides Imma have a hellofva time knocking of THE LIST with an attitude like that.

Does that make any sense to yall or what? What are you thoughts?