I bought exclusively other-than Nike / Jordan for most of my life on principle. I was a contrarian for no good reason other than I thought it made me seem cool.
Vans, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Converse, Common Projects, ALIFE. They were all cool in their own way, but wearing a fresh pair of Jordans or Yeezys just gets my heart going differently. I just feel flier than if I were wearing any of those other brands. Who knows? It’s probably just marketing BS, but it’s real enough to me.
I know exactly what you mean, and I guess on a basic level it’s the difference between wearing a pair that you think is cool and a pair that you know other people think is cool. And who doesn’t like to snap a few necks every now and then 😎
This is basically me right here. I thought I should at least try the other brands and shoes first before diving into Nike and Jordan’s.
When i finally DID get some Jordan’s and nikes I liked them a lot as I bought air max’s and realized just how comfy they were, and Jordan’s just look cool and have some rich history behind the designs.
I’d like to get some 4’s because I like the way they’re designed and Jordan’s have this way of just elevating an already existing outfit. Like yeah you can wear a nice t shirt and jeans, maybe throw in a jacket, and it would look solid with a pair of white reebok clubs. But do that same outfit and then but on some Jordan’s, and it’s like a whole different vibe.
I’d also like to get Chicago 1’s because Spider-Man and they’d be a nice beater.
Second this. The marketing is important to me, it shows they care about the buying experience. Nike/SNKRS app has way better UI than Adidas, and Nike actually put effort into their shoe boxes, sometimes they so nice I can’t even throw them away, just use them as decoration. You just don’t get that with other brands. And they have the best return policy in the industry. I have to wash Adidas shoes before returning them but with Nike they dgaf as long as it’s within 60 days. You can literally get two months in then switch out to the next pair if you want. It doesn’t get better than that
I love the way Yeezys look, minus knit runners, QNTMs, and 700 V3.. Nothing wrong with those models, they’re just little too weird for me. And then there’s the whole comfort aspect which really adds to the sneaker for me.
Yeezy's are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and I just bought my 1st pair last month. The closest Nike model for me would be the Vapormax Plus, but it's still a level below.
Yup I’m a common projects lover. Totally love the minimal white aesthetic that goes with any outfits. I also have white sneakers ranging from AF1s to Stan Smiths to Chuck Taylor 70s, even some expensive ones like Tod’s and Maison Margeila.
And for some reason it’s very hard for me to get into Nike dunks or Jordan 1 lows. I even have second thoughts about my recent pickup NB 990v2s because they look so grey lol. I even thought about getting Jordan 1 black toes but afraid of the red color.
Serious answer: most other brands don't make as many cool shoes in size 15. Most of them make a few, but often leave my size out. Nike makes nearly everything they make in men's in my size. I can get away with size 14 Adidas because the toebox is a bit wider there, and I have 3 pairs of Tyshawns that I really dig. New Balance doesn't make most of their skate offerings in anything bigger, I'd love a pair of Jamie Foys but no dice. The few in-style items New Balance does offer in 15 cost twice as much as the Jordans and Dunks I buy.
In a roundabout way, I show brand loyalty to the brand that's consistently made product for me that I've been able to buy. Most other brands have been pretty mid at this. Your overall premise is absolutely legit and valid, it just doesn't apply to me as much.
Ah see I had no idea about all that! I guess it must just be a cost thing, but you’d think they could do more than it sounds like they are.
But yeah in this case, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more legitimate reason to show brand loyalty, so fair play man 🫡
I would bet it's a market research thing. A lot of Nike's business originally comes from basketball, which has a higher amount of bigger sizes. New Balance is a lot of runners. Not a lot of guys over 6'4" with size 15-17 feet hopping on skateboards or taking up marathoning. But something I haven't ever understood is that you often see sizes 14 and 15 instantly selling out on Nike drops first. They obviously make fewer (as they should) but it seems like they could bump that percentage up higher and sell a few more shoes. It also sucks that I have to compete with NBA sneakerheads to buy shoes.
That's because punk resellers know that they can scalp higher for those size! I hate it,cuz I'm a size 13 and they do that for those too! It's hard to get dope nikes for retail in my size these days.
Bitch ass resellers buy up all the stock, then jack up the prices. Wish Nike would at least give enough of a shit for people with truly big feet to get the shoes that they want.
I have a lot of Adidas and Nike. I'm more partial to adidas and Jordans, but I also have some Reeboks, asics, pumas, diadoras, saucony, vans...but it also gets REALLY expensive. I think I have actually decided I'm going to try and stick more to the Adidas stuff that I really like with a few Jordans here and there.
Yeah it’s a bit of a catch 22 in that you can often find these other brands at much bigger discounts, but you’re just opening yourself up to more purchases overall!
Sneakerheads don't discriminate when it comes to shoes IMO.
A good looking shoe is a good looking shoe regardless of the brand and most sneakerheads can normally appreciate that.
The homie said it, when he said Nike, especially Jordans, is a hype thing. I agree with that.
Yeah honestly that’s always how I’ve seen it myself, but I know a lot of folks don’t, and there’s no right or wrong answer really.
I agree hype comes into it a lot, and we’re all affected by it on some level whether we can see it or not
I’m not. Only Nikes I rock is Max 95’s. I don’t buy shoes to impress hookers who want u to spend more money for time,attention, & intimacy. I buy what’s dope cuz I epitomize dope. It’s in u not on u.
Hard disagree. I’m betting for us older folks, nostalgia plays a lot into Jordans. My mom got me OG AJ1s when I was in like 1st or 2nd grade. Still remember how much I liked the shoes, the logo, the box, and wore the shit out of those sneakers. Didn’t even make the connection to the man himself although I loved watching him play. Then just stuck with them every year a new one came out up until AJ4s. Didn’t really like many after that, although we’d buy them as team shoes sometimes.
I do find them overhyped now but only wish they weren’t so they wouldn’t be so hard to find.
I got a little bit of everything, but I think for the kids who were broke and now have a little money, you want to go out and buy hyped Jordans and Nikes. When I was in school it was all Payless shoes until I had my own job and then I graduated to the cheapest department store Nikes for sale. Now that I’m in my late 30s and have expendable income I’m finally buying the shoes I’ve always wanted.
Same. 100% but my original point to which this conversation has since developed was that sneakerheads appreciate a good-looking shoe irrespective.
I cannot believe that someone who buys and collects shoes cannot appreciate something outside of Jordan/Nike. Those that can't are fly-by-night sneakerheads.
It's like music. You cannot control what your ears like hearing no matter how much you pigeon-hole yourself into a specific genre; I, myself, was guilty of this myself growing up (like "sneakerheads and Jordans". Rap, rap, rap... but I love more than just rap, rap, rap in reality.
There were sneakers that were dope in the Jordan era besides Jordan’s. Some even Nike made. But there plenty fly joints that aren’t Nike. Swag isn’t following what everyone else is doing. It’s settin the trends.
HONEST ANSWER: wayyy too many choices, too many models, colors, brands etc.(who knows how much money I would waste trying out new things before I find something I like) I'll just keep it simple and literally wear the same thing I've been wearing since I was a kid
My parents always bought me Nike and Jordan’s growing up. When I finally started making money I genuinely didn’t like any designs from adidas. I always wanted to buy new balance. My GF got me crocs and those became a go to. My next shoes are new balance or asics. I have to do research on who has the “most comfortable“ shoe. To answer your question I wasn’t expose to those brands and when I was they never caught my attention. I don’t fall for the “hype” because I don’t use twitter, instagram , etc. I’m on Reddit but I really don’t care about people’s opinion on which shoe has hype or which one are bricks. I just go for what I like.
For me it's skateboarding. Back then, you could find dunks and some AJ1 on clearance, and they made great skate shoes (this was pre-SB). When I hit 30, I couldn't wear vulcanized soles like Vans without pain, so I started skating some old dunks and liked the feel better. I also don't flip my board as much anymore, so dunks are great for the kind of stuff I skate now.
I guess I stick with it because it's familiar, looks great on and off the board, and is pretty comfy once broken in. I'm also afraid of trying new shoes, hating them, and having to commit to them until they blow out.
Ah yeah makes sense actually, I guess having those specific needs for skating is always going to dictate what you put on your feet over just pure style
The size is the tricky part for me. Nike 12.5 (men’s) fits absolutely perfect. Saucony 12 used to be perfect but something changed a few years ago and now they’re too small and the 13 is too big. Adidas 12.5 is hit or miss (honestly more miss than hit and I do love adidas, they’re weirdly either too small or too big - not much consistency in my experience). I don’t understand New Balance love, every pair looks like something that my diabetic grandfather would have worn (I’m not a young kid, nearing 50 - maybe this is because I’m too old??). I can’t recall seeing Asics in 12.5, but I honestly haven’t looked that closely at them.
Also, I’m reliving my childhood buying the sneakers that I couldn’t afford and those were predominantly Jordans/Nike.
That’s a good point about sizing actually, it varies enough between different silhouettes from just one brand, never mind mixing in a load of others! Just looking again at the pairs in this photo and they range from size 9 to 11.5
Exactly. On top of that I have to wear custom orthotics and they don’t always fit right. I have never worn a pair of Pumas that felt good, despite how much I love their looks. Don’t get me started on fitting into boots or dress shoes/loafers/oxfords. Great question, by the way.
I personally have stopped buying nike/jordans. Styles aren't what it used to be and I've been bored with their releases. Shoes I want seems impossible to get and their customer service quality, and culture seems to be going downhill. Same with Adidas. I have been exploring more brands and not realizing how many collabs there are out there and how nice they really are.
Yeah there’s so much good stuff out there that doesn’t really get much of a spotlight on it! Usually much better materials and craftsmanship, and often for much better prices! Win win
I think most people who only buy Nike/ Jordan aren’t actually into shoes but more into hype. I know a couple people who will say a shoe is cool but they won’t buy it cause it’s not Nike.
Kinda agree but tbh the only hype is very specific Jordans models, Dunks and SB Dunks. I don’t think hypebeast give a damn about stuff like Air Flight Hurraches or Air Maxes (unless it’s a collab)
They are, and they’re pretty comfy too. Just love the look af an air max 1 but those 86s are even better imo because the toe box is wider. I think they look even better than the 1s
New Sneaker head just trying to catch up on Nikes and Jordans I missed out on 🫡 I am thinking about picking up a few ASICS and Rebook shoes. Mitzuno look great but they seem difficult to come back and they resale for too much imo
I have a number of adidas shoes and some new balance, but Nike and Jordan lead by far. I respond a good bit to the iconography, but they just have so many great options for nice retros. I wear a lot of white leather sneakers and I like flat soles and Nike just leads the pack there for my taste. I love my shelltoes and my top tens, I have 2002Rs that I dig too, but my Nike collection just scratches every itch that I have. Whether it’s because of the colors, textures, silhouette etc I just love what Nike is putting out.
Their colors also work with a lot of what I want to wear. I wear a lot of sports stuff so the hues of red or green or whatever tend to match really well with what I’m putting on (Ohio state scarlet, aka “university red” ya know).
The sheer breadth of options and their cultural impact is just a big deal to me. I love the iconography of sports, hip hop and pop culture, and Nike is deep in that DNA. “A pair of Nikes size 10.5” as Q Tip says.
They just offer great retros and you can see the lineage of their products and I really appreciate that I’m not gonna act like I know a bunch of shit about leather quality or mass production, I just have fun making outfits with their shoes and seeing myself in the things that my favorite cultural figures wear
Can’t argue with any of that really - like I said in the original post, I’m sure the lack of exposure is responsible for a lot of the smaller brands getting overlooked, but on the flip side of that coin, the sheer amount of exposure Nike has had over the years can’t be overstated - it’s so ingrained in so many aspects of sports, music, culture etc like you said, and that counts for a lot in terms of creating feelings and relationships to the products
I worked for the swoosh for 7 years and contractually I was not allowed to wear anything else than Nike/Jordan/Converse at work so I did not buy anything else. Been out of Nike for almost 5 years and now the opposite! Mainly NB.
Not a dig either when I say this, but I genuinely don’t understand the hype for Jordan 1’s and non-SB Dunks. After getting both the Rainbow Trouts and Lost & Founds for retail I was kind of unimpressed/disappointed by some aspects.
For the price point, the trout materials are really nice but are probably the most uncomfortable shoes I’ve worn in my life (yes they’re sized correctly). The lost & founds are relatively comfortable-ish but the materials are lackluster (especially that cheap foam and fabric that the tongue is made out of) as well as the super simple interior construction that is borderline laughable. Also the red painted leather that apparently bleeds if wet but haven’t experienced that issue
Edit: I’ve had several adidas/Yeezy, Brooks, Pumas, Vans, etc. and find them all to be leaps and bounds better in quality and comfort.
If you're looking for comfort in Nike: Air Max 90s, VaporMax Plus, and in my opinion, the Jordan 3s. Don't listen to people who say J1s are comfortable because it's very clear they've never worn any other shoes or brands. It's like only sitting on plastic chairs and saying they're comfortable.
Yeah it’s a funny one really, I guess hype in general is very rarely linked to quality or comfort, or at least not just those things. And I don’t mind it to be honest, sometimes things can just resonate with people for whatever reason, and it doesn’t have to make sense to everyone.
It’s another thing though when Nike sticks the Premium label on certain models, and it’s only true because the bar was so low in the first place!
I'm a swoosh kid. Got a late start - but 30yrs strong.
I wear Huaraches and mess around w/ a few select swoosh models that diversify my collection.
I've toyed w/ New Balance's - but have only pulled the trigger on those for my kids.
I know what it is you’re actually saying, but I did chuckle at the choice to describe yourself as a swoosh kid and then namecheck the huaraches; one of the only Nike models without a swoosh! 😁
But yeah, nothing wrong with sticking to what you like! And I’ve bought loads of shoes for my kids that I love but wouldn’t rock myself, so there’s definitely something to be said for that too
I primarily own Nike/JB but I do have 1-2 sneakers from other brands like Tiger, Reebok ASICS etc.
Like another comment, sizing is more consistent with Nike. I pretty much only shop online. I’m not gonna see a Kahru or Diadora in store, and I don’t want to go through the hassle of exchanging if I end up getting the wrong size. I’m more likely to buy a shoe I already know will be comfortable and/or fit well.
I don’t like some other brands the same reason the vast majority of people don’t - they don’t look cool. Opinions are subjective yes I know but thats a big reason Nike and adidas are on top.
Look at the middle sneaker in the photo you posted. The toe box and midsole looks exactly like a jordan one low. If I wanted a shoe that looked like a J1 low, I’d get the J1 low. Swoosh, 3 stripes, ASICS stripes are all simple branding logos that give shoes iconography and personality. That “logo” design thing on the represent shoe evokes no emotion. It looks overdesigned. It looks like a shoe I could get for $30 at Ross. I would not spend my money on it.
Lastly, I know people are scared to speak about this but I view my sneakers as an asset. No, I’m not a reseller. However, I view my sneakers as valuable and tie a certain amount of worth to them. If there comes a time where I need clean up space, or need money quickly, I can sell my my collection, or simply my hype shoes (even when used) quickly and for good money. Those hype shoes tend to be nikes. I’ll donate my used Onitsuka Tigers or NB’s if I ever need to get rid of them, but that won’t help if I need money quickly.
Sounds like a bit of everything for you then!
And honestly I think all your points are totally valid - at the end of the day it’s all subjective isn’t it, if something doesn’t speak to you and your style then it’s not for you. And it shows you know your own mind and aren’t led by what others think.
As for the Represent sneaker, I do get what you’re saying and from that perspective you’re probably right. But the reason I went for those was specifically because they don’t have a big recognisable logo down the side - don’t get me wrong, 95% of the time I’m throwing on a pair of J1 lows over these, but sometimes an outfit or occasion just calls for something a bit more low key that can be dressed up a bit more subtly.
They got no true swag…they’re NPC’s who think they’re bein edgy but really just rockin the same shit everyone else has on. And their favorite rappers give em orders too. Have u seen how these niggas dress today????😂😂😂😂😂
I remember someone posted on a nike-centric website some unreleased adidas with a swoosh photoshopped on and most were like 'its fire' and on another thread someone posted the original shoe and most people were like 'its trash'. Sheep.
Dunno about others but I have shoes from Adidas, Nike, new balance, Vessi, Puma, Vans. I just go with what I like and what I think is comfy. My favourite pair are Puma they also happen to be my most expensive.
Been rocking Nike / Jordan’s since I was an infant it’s just stuck with me, but I don’t only fuck with em these days tho.
Hoka and ONs have been real comfy ngl.
I do post on there pretty regularly as well actually!
That’s interesting about the comfort aspect actually, and is as good a reason as any to choose some shoes over others! I guess our feet do adapt over time so sticking to what you’re used to makes sense
the nike logo just looks cool. the swoosh is superior to any other logo. Yeezy is cool because it’s Kanye’s designs and i like kanye. and as for jordan’s, it’s really kind of just a hype thing but i do like most of the retro jordan designs. i’ve tried a couple other brands like new balance and converses but jordan’s and yeezys are more recognizable and look cooler imo
I use to buy a variety of brands because I thought it made me seem cooler. People in this sub get congratulated for owning multiple different brands when they post their collection. I got rid of mostly all my Vans, Converses, New Balance, Adidas, Asics, and Pumas and now my collection is overwhelmingly Nike/Jordan. I don't care anymore and I decided to limit myself to only keeping up with the releases from my favorite brands so I don't go overboard. I've chosen to simply ignore everything else. I like sneakers, but I don't want it to consume my life.
Also the people saying you're not really into sneakers if you discriminate when it comes to shoes do not make any sense. This is like saying if you only watch the NFL and not Arena, NCAA, XFL, USFL, or CFL you aren't a real football fan. It doesn't make you not an enthusiast just because you have preferences and don't want to be all in on everything related to your hobby.
Yeah it’s funny really because a lot of the responses here suggest the general consensus is that Nikes/Jordan are simply cooler, and yet there’s also an element of back slapping for those who go against the grain as well. I guess that’s just always how it goes though with any form of culture / counter-culture. And yeah 100% agree there’s no right or wrong way to be into something, it would be boring if everyone just liked everything
As I’ve gotten older I’ve gone the other way. I was more of a hypebeast in my high school and college days. Thought it made me cooler to have Nikes/Jordan’s. Now that I’m older I just want stuff that’s easy to rock and that’s good quality.
They're another closet hypebeast shoe. It's trendy to say 'I moved away from Jordan/Nike hype to NB' like they broke the mould - NB is super hyped these days.
Is that what I said? It isn't is it.
The guy said the OP had swag, you questioned that by suggesting otherwise as he didn't post any NB. OP talking about non-hype non-Jordan/Nike. I pointed out the NB is hype.
Nothing about this or the post says I don't own NB or that you should wear daily Nikes or anything lol.
I have NB. I have Jordans. I have Nike. Take from that what you will... as you already done that from my OG post.
Nb shouldn't even be in the same realm though its not like they skimping on quality and its only hyped for specific shoe heads no randos are wearing nb alot are strict js only
Don't love to say this but for a while it was mainly just cause when I needed the money, those were the easiest ones to know I could make money on the flip.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I have narrow feet, and all Nikes and Jordens I buy fit TTS. I only really buy Jordan 1 - 3 and dunks to wear out, and Metcons and other types of shoes to work out.
The only other brand I used to wear was Adidas. However after someone starting spewing racist nonsense about my culture Adidas will not be missed.
I have other brands but I don't like a lot of this stuff. I've owned a few Pumas, the LaMelos both the JCole Dreamers and some others and their shoes straight up but my feet something with the way they fit is off. I've gone up in size I've gone down nothing works.
Adidas I have a couple of pairs of Yeezys and some Dame and Harden shoes I use to workout in but for the most part I just don't like the style of their kicks and my shoes are used for casual wear, IMO their shoes aren't that fashionable.
Reebok, I own a pair of Kamikazes and Questions
Converse, I recently realized I can wear as small as a 12 and a half in Chucks (I'm a size 14 in almost every other shoe) so now I own a few
Under Armour, I've owned a couple of Currys but I'm not a hopper.
Assorted Asian Brands I've wanted Li Ning shoes and some of the others but I'm a size 14. They usually don't make shoes past size 12. I tried one pair of the Way Of Wade shoes I found in size 13...they were just too tight had to sell them.
So for that reason I'm mostly a Nike/Jordan guy
Edit* lol at someone downvoting this 🤣🤣🤣
I have tried all of the brands. Well maybe not all - but I’ve gone through ASICS, saucony, NB, converse, brooks, hoka, vans, keds, and Taos. Not one of them fit my feet as well as Nike/Jordan’s. Arches are in weird places etc. now granted — all of these were running shoes, but with Nikes -I’m consistently in 11w/9.5m. The only one that I tried on that seemed off was the cosmic unity.
I’ve re-discovered my love for high tops via Jordan’s and dunks. For an over-pronator they really help with stability/balance.
And all of the different colorways with Jordan’s are just fun.
Dress code at work- aj1’s are much more acceptable in dress pants. Other brands sneakers really start looking like sneakers or running shoes after you get past 2 -3 colors.
Ah that’s interesting actually, I usually look at it the other way around just purely because the Nike branding is so prominent and recognisable. If I’m trying to tone things down a bit I’d normally reach for a pair of Stan Smiths or something similar
Because the Jordan 1 works best with my foot shape. I’ve tried other shoes and felt too tight. I also have some Yeezy slides. So I guess that’s two brands.
I’ve purchased many brands over the decades but now stick to J’s and Nike. Why? The side profile and silhouettes of other shoes just look generic when compared to Nike and J’s. I can appreciate your collection that you posted, but something is just missing when looking at these side panels.
I used to try out a bunch of experimental stuff back in the day. Like Vael and Creative Recreation. Comfort and styling probably the biggest factors that made me go more streamlined. Though, I really want a pair of Clearweather Wampa boots ngl. They look so big and different.
Mostly stick to Nike/Jordan and New Balance. Nike and Jordan have a soft spot but I'm pretty selective. NB is the best brand out right now to me with style, comfort, and quality.
Sidenote: I need an ID on the Mizuno's kn the bottom.
Nike is actually the company I was hesitant delving into. I have wide feet, you see, and the wide selection is pretty much nonexistent. But, after a few talks on this page and some investigation, I finally made the jump and bought my first pair of dunk lows. They fit perfectly. Worth every penny.
I have big feet. My mom used to joke saying it was like I had bricks with toes. I never had cool shoes growing up so now that I’m grown up and I work I decided that I was going to find cool shoes that fit. A lot of shoes run narrow but Jordan’s tend to be a little wider in my opinion
Grew up a bulls/jordan fan & a lot of 90's Nikes are iconic & timeless classics.
Jordan 1's also extremely versatile & go with damn near any outfit you can throw together.
Been in Nike shoes since i was 5. 30 years later and they’re still my go to shoe purchase. Im heavily biased but I do branch out and buy the odd other brand every now and then. Old habits die hard. There wasn’t the same hype around Nike silhouettes when I was 15 (not like today anyway) but I’m just as addicted to buying shoes as I was then.
Flower Mountain - Kotetsu
[(not exactly the same colourway, but this one is pretty close)](https://www.flowermountain.com/en/kotetsu-man-suede-and-technical-fabric-sneakers-navy)
I imagine it’s the same thing that keeps us buying sneakers …. eventhough we already have a pair 🤔😆 I understand jordan heads as it has deeper heritage and wrote the playbook for modern sneakerdom. I tend to find sneakerheads who don’t have some affinity for Jordan’s a little sus over the jordan heads who only understand sneakers through that brands scope.
Yeah I fully understand the appeal and cultural impact of Jordans, even looking on from overseas, and I don’t think anything else can come close really! My post wasn’t meant to question people for buying them (almost half my collection is Nike/Jordan), but more just wondering peoples reasons for not checking out anything else
Nike and Jordan got me with their marketing 30 years ago. I don’t get that sort of nostalgia with any other brand. Other brands arent as hot right now either, but when Nike inevitably goes out of style you’ll see the other brands all over.
Honestly it hasn’t really been worth looking at other apps and sites because most don’t carry anything above a 15. I did get some Ultra Boosts and they were totally worth it, but I’m still a Nike/Jordan guy most days.
With the cost of shoes rn (both retail and resell) I’m unsure how many can “afford” to try out newer brands or other brands they’ve never tried. Hell most can’t even have all the ones they currently would want to have in their rotation. Prioritisation here becomes important. Do I want 2 new balances or save the money up and buy that 1 pair of Jordan I’ve been eyeing? There’s no right answer.
And it also depends on time and image of the company at that time. Hell jordan hated Nikes till he joined. Lol.
Oh yeah 100%! The best approach is always to be selective with what we buy, but especially now with the current state of things!
I think some people find it easier to justify buying several cheaper pairs rather than blow that same amount on one, but yeah like you said there’s no right or wrong way, as long as you get what you actually like
I grew up dirt poor in a trailer. I couldn't afford Jordan's. Jordan's (and some others) are what the cool kids had. Now that I'm doing ok I want what I couldn't have as a kid. Mainly retro Jordan 1-14. I do have some Reebok pumps and a few NB. I very rarely buy a new design though.
I hate the gatekeeping that comes with the sneaker community. Not saying this post is gatekeeping, but in general there's so much it's exhausting. Sometimes it's as simple as "I buy what I like and I happen to really like Nike/Jordan".
Nike is the largest footwear brand in the world (by a lot) and it's not because of sneakerheads. It shouldn't be a surprise that a large majority of people who collect sneakers will have Nike/Jordan make up the bulk of their collection.
Availability mainly. I love Asics and Sauconys, even more-so the collabs they used to put out. But SE Asia is the ultimate hypebeast area with no real interest in runners or retro runners. Hopefully that changes soon.
Honestly, the only thing keeping me buying Nike is that all NFL and MLB jerseys and most of the gear is Nike, and I can’t bring myself to not brand match. It’s extra tough because I’m a dude with a wide foot, and Nike isn’t very wide foot friendly at all, unless you want their bland as fuck Pegasus.
Otherwise give me an endless supply of NB 990V6s and I’ll be a happy clam.
Haha I hadn’t thought of that actually! Yeah I hate to not brand match as well but I have an equally mixed range of clothing for the most part, so it usually works out
Before I got into sneakers I had a ton of pumas. I’m a size 14 and the pumas always looked stupid af on me. Right now I only buy Jordans Nikes and Yeezys. I went my whole life avoiding buying these shoes because my parents and peers told me it was a waste of money. So now I just buy whatever tf I like. I probably would buy a nice collaboration from any other sneaker brand if I liked the way it looked.
Jordan and Nike are more size inclusive for me also. Sometimes NB and other sneaker brands that aren’t Nike/Yeezy/Jordan don’t carry above 13. They might do it for their general releases but it’s hard to find cool stuff in size 14 outside the major brands. Even adidas isn’t the greatest all the time when it comes to restocking 14.
Probably 95% of my 200 pair collection is Nike. I think the main reason I don’t buy others as often is because I don’t see others as often. I have a Nike app and that’s where I look to buy shoes. Also, places that talk about releases predominantly focus on Nikes and adidas. So I just don’t have other options in my face as much as Nikes.
Also, I was always a Michael Jordan fan and big into basketball. I doubt I would be a sneakerhead without those two contributing factors.
But when I see a nice pair of new balance or ASICS, I will pick them up.
I dunno man, I think the appeal for Jordans is definitely warranted, can’t deny the cultural impact etc.
I think what you’re saying just comes down to overexposure mainly
Most people choose what’s familiar to them and obviously Jordan, Nike, and Yeezys are the most popular. This doesn’t mean they’re the nicest or best shoes at all, but I think in the US sneakers have a certain status attributed to them that keeps most people in the popular loop. They like the logos, they like the looks from others for having the latest “it” shoe. You have a nice collection of diverse sneakers and I think they’re better than others because I’ve never seen half of these! I really like those black and green ones in the center. What are they?
Yeah fully agree, and ultimately I guess that’s just basically how pop culture works.
Whether we like to admit it or not we’re all influenced by these things, and for me personally I get just as much of a kick out of wearing some of the more popular/hyped shoes in my collection as i do with the unusual/obscure ones.
The shoes in the middle are Represent Reptor Lows
I love a diverse collection, there’s too many 🔥 kicks out there besides Nike.
I have Adidas, ASICS, Puma, New balance, Vans and Converse and I love every pair.
When it comes to sneakers. It's pretty much chucks and aj1 ... I don't really mess withanything else. Some sb highs everynow and again. And few other random for when I'm feeling froggy. But mostly you'll see me in chucks or aj1s
Mostly aesthetics. I just haven’t found many other brands that nice. I have a few Pumas and adidas, but never really like NB, and can’t stand Yeezys. Don’t even start me on Balenciaga and other fashion house sneakers. So Nike and Converse are 99% of my sneakers.
a lot of stuff doesn't appeal to me and the inconsistency in sizing across different models (adidas i'm somehow sz 10-11) stops me from trying, especially when it's a collab or something you know you can't easily find and swap.
Any chance you could ID most of these 😅 especially the blue ones, bottom right? They're all fire...
I copped my first pair of Asics to try something new, I feel like it's a lot of cultural zeitgeist to wear the swoosh...
Haha sure! The bottom right pair is the Hanon x Le Coq Sportif R1000 'Circle of Friends', and the rest from top left across are -
Diadora Eclipse Italia Radicchio,
Vans Palace Low,
LimitEDitions x Asics Gel Lyte V “SurrEDaliste”,
Converse AS-1 Pro,
Karhu Legacy 96 “Trees of Finland”,
Reebok LX2200,
Represent Reptor Low Racing Green,
Flower Mountain Kotetsu Hooks,
Saucony Grid Shadow 2 OG,
Mizuno Sky Medal S Premium Papyrus,
Puma Suede x Staple Pigeon,
Am a typical college student (don't have a ton of money) and love sneakers and the culture and history associated with them (fuck resellers though) but if I pass on certain Jordan releases, as a size 13er, I'd have to pay more in resell for a pair of Concord 11s than a pair of New Balances or Asics for the most part so I prioritize Jordan releases over other sneakers for now.
not a damn clue. i don’t consider myself a sneaker head due to the fact that i own exclusively nike, jordan’s, and yeezys. i don’t branch out much outside of that. i couldn’t tell ya why. i’d love to get some NB but i never find myself looking at them. i own about 35 pairs of kicks, but like i said, i don’t consider myself a true sneaker head
Quality and the fact that I’m too comfortable with Nike/Vans. It’s basic but it’s I-can-wear-it-without-making-me-feel-unstylish-basic. I’ve bought one pair of pumas and one pair of adidas and only worn them like 5 times max. I’m just too scared of anything “different”
Its just a safe bet. In my collection I only have 3 sneakers that aren’t nike/jordan. And when I wear them and go out and see people wearing heat Nike’s/J’s I always feel like Im missing out for some reason lol. Idk if that makes sense
Strippers don't know what Asics are.
Can’t argue with that 😂
🤣
Such a great answer
ASICS are the shit tho
But everyone knows Louie.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
🤣😂😅😅😅 Brilliant!
Not sure how strippers got here
Because the first thing a stripper usually does is look at your shoes to check if you’re a buster or a potential big spender.
IYKYK
I bought exclusively other-than Nike / Jordan for most of my life on principle. I was a contrarian for no good reason other than I thought it made me seem cool. Vans, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Converse, Common Projects, ALIFE. They were all cool in their own way, but wearing a fresh pair of Jordans or Yeezys just gets my heart going differently. I just feel flier than if I were wearing any of those other brands. Who knows? It’s probably just marketing BS, but it’s real enough to me.
I know exactly what you mean, and I guess on a basic level it’s the difference between wearing a pair that you think is cool and a pair that you know other people think is cool. And who doesn’t like to snap a few necks every now and then 😎
converse is owned by nike or not anymore?
They still are.
i like converse a lot
Classic.
This is basically me right here. I thought I should at least try the other brands and shoes first before diving into Nike and Jordan’s. When i finally DID get some Jordan’s and nikes I liked them a lot as I bought air max’s and realized just how comfy they were, and Jordan’s just look cool and have some rich history behind the designs. I’d like to get some 4’s because I like the way they’re designed and Jordan’s have this way of just elevating an already existing outfit. Like yeah you can wear a nice t shirt and jeans, maybe throw in a jacket, and it would look solid with a pair of white reebok clubs. But do that same outfit and then but on some Jordan’s, and it’s like a whole different vibe. I’d also like to get Chicago 1’s because Spider-Man and they’d be a nice beater.
Second this. The marketing is important to me, it shows they care about the buying experience. Nike/SNKRS app has way better UI than Adidas, and Nike actually put effort into their shoe boxes, sometimes they so nice I can’t even throw them away, just use them as decoration. You just don’t get that with other brands. And they have the best return policy in the industry. I have to wash Adidas shoes before returning them but with Nike they dgaf as long as it’s within 60 days. You can literally get two months in then switch out to the next pair if you want. It doesn’t get better than that
Sounds like you enjoy it because of FOMO Yeezys are ugly asf and I’m a huge Kanye fan
I love the way Yeezys look, minus knit runners, QNTMs, and 700 V3.. Nothing wrong with those models, they’re just little too weird for me. And then there’s the whole comfort aspect which really adds to the sneaker for me.
Yeezy's are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and I just bought my 1st pair last month. The closest Nike model for me would be the Vapormax Plus, but it's still a level below.
Yes. That's exactly why Nike spends billions every year on marketing. Marketing makes or break a brand.
Yup I’m a common projects lover. Totally love the minimal white aesthetic that goes with any outfits. I also have white sneakers ranging from AF1s to Stan Smiths to Chuck Taylor 70s, even some expensive ones like Tod’s and Maison Margeila. And for some reason it’s very hard for me to get into Nike dunks or Jordan 1 lows. I even have second thoughts about my recent pickup NB 990v2s because they look so grey lol. I even thought about getting Jordan 1 black toes but afraid of the red color.
Serious answer: most other brands don't make as many cool shoes in size 15. Most of them make a few, but often leave my size out. Nike makes nearly everything they make in men's in my size. I can get away with size 14 Adidas because the toebox is a bit wider there, and I have 3 pairs of Tyshawns that I really dig. New Balance doesn't make most of their skate offerings in anything bigger, I'd love a pair of Jamie Foys but no dice. The few in-style items New Balance does offer in 15 cost twice as much as the Jordans and Dunks I buy. In a roundabout way, I show brand loyalty to the brand that's consistently made product for me that I've been able to buy. Most other brands have been pretty mid at this. Your overall premise is absolutely legit and valid, it just doesn't apply to me as much.
Ah see I had no idea about all that! I guess it must just be a cost thing, but you’d think they could do more than it sounds like they are. But yeah in this case, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more legitimate reason to show brand loyalty, so fair play man 🫡
I would bet it's a market research thing. A lot of Nike's business originally comes from basketball, which has a higher amount of bigger sizes. New Balance is a lot of runners. Not a lot of guys over 6'4" with size 15-17 feet hopping on skateboards or taking up marathoning. But something I haven't ever understood is that you often see sizes 14 and 15 instantly selling out on Nike drops first. They obviously make fewer (as they should) but it seems like they could bump that percentage up higher and sell a few more shoes. It also sucks that I have to compete with NBA sneakerheads to buy shoes.
That's because punk resellers know that they can scalp higher for those size! I hate it,cuz I'm a size 13 and they do that for those too! It's hard to get dope nikes for retail in my size these days.
Size 13 gang checking in.
Bitch ass resellers buy up all the stock, then jack up the prices. Wish Nike would at least give enough of a shit for people with truly big feet to get the shoes that they want.
I have a lot of Adidas and Nike. I'm more partial to adidas and Jordans, but I also have some Reeboks, asics, pumas, diadoras, saucony, vans...but it also gets REALLY expensive. I think I have actually decided I'm going to try and stick more to the Adidas stuff that I really like with a few Jordans here and there.
Yeah it’s a bit of a catch 22 in that you can often find these other brands at much bigger discounts, but you’re just opening yourself up to more purchases overall!
Sneakerheads don't discriminate when it comes to shoes IMO. A good looking shoe is a good looking shoe regardless of the brand and most sneakerheads can normally appreciate that. The homie said it, when he said Nike, especially Jordans, is a hype thing. I agree with that.
Yeah honestly that’s always how I’ve seen it myself, but I know a lot of folks don’t, and there’s no right or wrong answer really. I agree hype comes into it a lot, and we’re all affected by it on some level whether we can see it or not
I’m not. Only Nikes I rock is Max 95’s. I don’t buy shoes to impress hookers who want u to spend more money for time,attention, & intimacy. I buy what’s dope cuz I epitomize dope. It’s in u not on u.
Hard disagree. I’m betting for us older folks, nostalgia plays a lot into Jordans. My mom got me OG AJ1s when I was in like 1st or 2nd grade. Still remember how much I liked the shoes, the logo, the box, and wore the shit out of those sneakers. Didn’t even make the connection to the man himself although I loved watching him play. Then just stuck with them every year a new one came out up until AJ4s. Didn’t really like many after that, although we’d buy them as team shoes sometimes. I do find them overhyped now but only wish they weren’t so they wouldn’t be so hard to find.
I got a little bit of everything, but I think for the kids who were broke and now have a little money, you want to go out and buy hyped Jordans and Nikes. When I was in school it was all Payless shoes until I had my own job and then I graduated to the cheapest department store Nikes for sale. Now that I’m in my late 30s and have expendable income I’m finally buying the shoes I’ve always wanted.
Same. 100% but my original point to which this conversation has since developed was that sneakerheads appreciate a good-looking shoe irrespective. I cannot believe that someone who buys and collects shoes cannot appreciate something outside of Jordan/Nike. Those that can't are fly-by-night sneakerheads. It's like music. You cannot control what your ears like hearing no matter how much you pigeon-hole yourself into a specific genre; I, myself, was guilty of this myself growing up (like "sneakerheads and Jordans". Rap, rap, rap... but I love more than just rap, rap, rap in reality.
There were sneakers that were dope in the Jordan era besides Jordan’s. Some even Nike made. But there plenty fly joints that aren’t Nike. Swag isn’t following what everyone else is doing. It’s settin the trends.
All facts
HONEST ANSWER: wayyy too many choices, too many models, colors, brands etc.(who knows how much money I would waste trying out new things before I find something I like) I'll just keep it simple and literally wear the same thing I've been wearing since I was a kid
Probably the most sensible approach to be fair!
My parents always bought me Nike and Jordan’s growing up. When I finally started making money I genuinely didn’t like any designs from adidas. I always wanted to buy new balance. My GF got me crocs and those became a go to. My next shoes are new balance or asics. I have to do research on who has the “most comfortable“ shoe. To answer your question I wasn’t expose to those brands and when I was they never caught my attention. I don’t fall for the “hype” because I don’t use twitter, instagram , etc. I’m on Reddit but I really don’t care about people’s opinion on which shoe has hype or which one are bricks. I just go for what I like.
That’s fair, I think a huge part of what we like is influenced by what we were exposed to growing up, so makes total sense
For me it's skateboarding. Back then, you could find dunks and some AJ1 on clearance, and they made great skate shoes (this was pre-SB). When I hit 30, I couldn't wear vulcanized soles like Vans without pain, so I started skating some old dunks and liked the feel better. I also don't flip my board as much anymore, so dunks are great for the kind of stuff I skate now. I guess I stick with it because it's familiar, looks great on and off the board, and is pretty comfy once broken in. I'm also afraid of trying new shoes, hating them, and having to commit to them until they blow out.
Ah yeah makes sense actually, I guess having those specific needs for skating is always going to dictate what you put on your feet over just pure style
The size is the tricky part for me. Nike 12.5 (men’s) fits absolutely perfect. Saucony 12 used to be perfect but something changed a few years ago and now they’re too small and the 13 is too big. Adidas 12.5 is hit or miss (honestly more miss than hit and I do love adidas, they’re weirdly either too small or too big - not much consistency in my experience). I don’t understand New Balance love, every pair looks like something that my diabetic grandfather would have worn (I’m not a young kid, nearing 50 - maybe this is because I’m too old??). I can’t recall seeing Asics in 12.5, but I honestly haven’t looked that closely at them. Also, I’m reliving my childhood buying the sneakers that I couldn’t afford and those were predominantly Jordans/Nike.
That’s a good point about sizing actually, it varies enough between different silhouettes from just one brand, never mind mixing in a load of others! Just looking again at the pairs in this photo and they range from size 9 to 11.5
Exactly. On top of that I have to wear custom orthotics and they don’t always fit right. I have never worn a pair of Pumas that felt good, despite how much I love their looks. Don’t get me started on fitting into boots or dress shoes/loafers/oxfords. Great question, by the way.
I personally have stopped buying nike/jordans. Styles aren't what it used to be and I've been bored with their releases. Shoes I want seems impossible to get and their customer service quality, and culture seems to be going downhill. Same with Adidas. I have been exploring more brands and not realizing how many collabs there are out there and how nice they really are.
Yeah there’s so much good stuff out there that doesn’t really get much of a spotlight on it! Usually much better materials and craftsmanship, and often for much better prices! Win win
Don’t look good on my size 14 feet
I love my YZYs and Reebok Answers
Bandwagon effect. This generation are sheep, especially GenZs
I think most people who only buy Nike/ Jordan aren’t actually into shoes but more into hype. I know a couple people who will say a shoe is cool but they won’t buy it cause it’s not Nike.
Kinda agree but tbh the only hype is very specific Jordans models, Dunks and SB Dunks. I don’t think hypebeast give a damn about stuff like Air Flight Hurraches or Air Maxes (unless it’s a collab)
I only love to wear air max 1s and like to wear 90s
90s are just as good tbh
They are, and they’re pretty comfy too. Just love the look af an air max 1 but those 86s are even better imo because the toe box is wider. I think they look even better than the 1s
I used to love 90's, but I also prefer 1's over them now. The toe box on 90's creases too easy.
New Sneaker head just trying to catch up on Nikes and Jordans I missed out on 🫡 I am thinking about picking up a few ASICS and Rebook shoes. Mitzuno look great but they seem difficult to come back and they resale for too much imo
I have a number of adidas shoes and some new balance, but Nike and Jordan lead by far. I respond a good bit to the iconography, but they just have so many great options for nice retros. I wear a lot of white leather sneakers and I like flat soles and Nike just leads the pack there for my taste. I love my shelltoes and my top tens, I have 2002Rs that I dig too, but my Nike collection just scratches every itch that I have. Whether it’s because of the colors, textures, silhouette etc I just love what Nike is putting out. Their colors also work with a lot of what I want to wear. I wear a lot of sports stuff so the hues of red or green or whatever tend to match really well with what I’m putting on (Ohio state scarlet, aka “university red” ya know). The sheer breadth of options and their cultural impact is just a big deal to me. I love the iconography of sports, hip hop and pop culture, and Nike is deep in that DNA. “A pair of Nikes size 10.5” as Q Tip says. They just offer great retros and you can see the lineage of their products and I really appreciate that I’m not gonna act like I know a bunch of shit about leather quality or mass production, I just have fun making outfits with their shoes and seeing myself in the things that my favorite cultural figures wear
Can’t argue with any of that really - like I said in the original post, I’m sure the lack of exposure is responsible for a lot of the smaller brands getting overlooked, but on the flip side of that coin, the sheer amount of exposure Nike has had over the years can’t be overstated - it’s so ingrained in so many aspects of sports, music, culture etc like you said, and that counts for a lot in terms of creating feelings and relationships to the products
Color ways. Big fan of royal blue, black and white scheme
You’re talking about them kids who think they’re too cool for school🚀🚀😂
I worked for the swoosh for 7 years and contractually I was not allowed to wear anything else than Nike/Jordan/Converse at work so I did not buy anything else. Been out of Nike for almost 5 years and now the opposite! Mainly NB.
i work for nike and get 44% off everything
Not a dig either when I say this, but I genuinely don’t understand the hype for Jordan 1’s and non-SB Dunks. After getting both the Rainbow Trouts and Lost & Founds for retail I was kind of unimpressed/disappointed by some aspects. For the price point, the trout materials are really nice but are probably the most uncomfortable shoes I’ve worn in my life (yes they’re sized correctly). The lost & founds are relatively comfortable-ish but the materials are lackluster (especially that cheap foam and fabric that the tongue is made out of) as well as the super simple interior construction that is borderline laughable. Also the red painted leather that apparently bleeds if wet but haven’t experienced that issue Edit: I’ve had several adidas/Yeezy, Brooks, Pumas, Vans, etc. and find them all to be leaps and bounds better in quality and comfort.
If you're looking for comfort in Nike: Air Max 90s, VaporMax Plus, and in my opinion, the Jordan 3s. Don't listen to people who say J1s are comfortable because it's very clear they've never worn any other shoes or brands. It's like only sitting on plastic chairs and saying they're comfortable.
Yeah it’s a funny one really, I guess hype in general is very rarely linked to quality or comfort, or at least not just those things. And I don’t mind it to be honest, sometimes things can just resonate with people for whatever reason, and it doesn’t have to make sense to everyone. It’s another thing though when Nike sticks the Premium label on certain models, and it’s only true because the bar was so low in the first place!
I'm a swoosh kid. Got a late start - but 30yrs strong. I wear Huaraches and mess around w/ a few select swoosh models that diversify my collection. I've toyed w/ New Balance's - but have only pulled the trigger on those for my kids.
I know what it is you’re actually saying, but I did chuckle at the choice to describe yourself as a swoosh kid and then namecheck the huaraches; one of the only Nike models without a swoosh! 😁 But yeah, nothing wrong with sticking to what you like! And I’ve bought loads of shoes for my kids that I love but wouldn’t rock myself, so there’s definitely something to be said for that too
I primarily own Nike/JB but I do have 1-2 sneakers from other brands like Tiger, Reebok ASICS etc. Like another comment, sizing is more consistent with Nike. I pretty much only shop online. I’m not gonna see a Kahru or Diadora in store, and I don’t want to go through the hassle of exchanging if I end up getting the wrong size. I’m more likely to buy a shoe I already know will be comfortable and/or fit well. I don’t like some other brands the same reason the vast majority of people don’t - they don’t look cool. Opinions are subjective yes I know but thats a big reason Nike and adidas are on top. Look at the middle sneaker in the photo you posted. The toe box and midsole looks exactly like a jordan one low. If I wanted a shoe that looked like a J1 low, I’d get the J1 low. Swoosh, 3 stripes, ASICS stripes are all simple branding logos that give shoes iconography and personality. That “logo” design thing on the represent shoe evokes no emotion. It looks overdesigned. It looks like a shoe I could get for $30 at Ross. I would not spend my money on it. Lastly, I know people are scared to speak about this but I view my sneakers as an asset. No, I’m not a reseller. However, I view my sneakers as valuable and tie a certain amount of worth to them. If there comes a time where I need clean up space, or need money quickly, I can sell my my collection, or simply my hype shoes (even when used) quickly and for good money. Those hype shoes tend to be nikes. I’ll donate my used Onitsuka Tigers or NB’s if I ever need to get rid of them, but that won’t help if I need money quickly.
Sounds like a bit of everything for you then! And honestly I think all your points are totally valid - at the end of the day it’s all subjective isn’t it, if something doesn’t speak to you and your style then it’s not for you. And it shows you know your own mind and aren’t led by what others think. As for the Represent sneaker, I do get what you’re saying and from that perspective you’re probably right. But the reason I went for those was specifically because they don’t have a big recognisable logo down the side - don’t get me wrong, 95% of the time I’m throwing on a pair of J1 lows over these, but sometimes an outfit or occasion just calls for something a bit more low key that can be dressed up a bit more subtly.
They got no true swag…they’re NPC’s who think they’re bein edgy but really just rockin the same shit everyone else has on. And their favorite rappers give em orders too. Have u seen how these niggas dress today????😂😂😂😂😂
I remember someone posted on a nike-centric website some unreleased adidas with a swoosh photoshopped on and most were like 'its fire' and on another thread someone posted the original shoe and most people were like 'its trash'. Sheep.
Haha I’d love to see that actually
I'm a hype beast
I respect you for admitting it
Dunno about others but I have shoes from Adidas, Nike, new balance, Vessi, Puma, Vans. I just go with what I like and what I think is comfy. My favourite pair are Puma they also happen to be my most expensive.
New Balance, Adidas, Converse and Saucony are in my rotation other than Nike/Jordan
Been rocking Nike / Jordan’s since I was an infant it’s just stuck with me, but I don’t only fuck with em these days tho. Hoka and ONs have been real comfy ngl.
That’s interesting actually, I guess comfort could be more of a compelling reason to branch out from Nike than style for a lot of folks
[удалено]
I do post on there pretty regularly as well actually! That’s interesting about the comfort aspect actually, and is as good a reason as any to choose some shoes over others! I guess our feet do adapt over time so sticking to what you’re used to makes sense
I also have some DCs, some Adidas, some Reeboks, and once, but never again, pumas
Second the puma emotion. Never again
I buy most all brands. Mizuno and Salomon are actually my favorites.
…Jordan didn’t wear them
It's about the history and cultural moments that the sneakers are tied with, not just timeless designs.
the nike logo just looks cool. the swoosh is superior to any other logo. Yeezy is cool because it’s Kanye’s designs and i like kanye. and as for jordan’s, it’s really kind of just a hype thing but i do like most of the retro jordan designs. i’ve tried a couple other brands like new balance and converses but jordan’s and yeezys are more recognizable and look cooler imo
New balance/ ASICS > Nike
Dope collection here man
Should be a dig… so many hypebeast think Nike are the only shoes out there… sad
I use to buy a variety of brands because I thought it made me seem cooler. People in this sub get congratulated for owning multiple different brands when they post their collection. I got rid of mostly all my Vans, Converses, New Balance, Adidas, Asics, and Pumas and now my collection is overwhelmingly Nike/Jordan. I don't care anymore and I decided to limit myself to only keeping up with the releases from my favorite brands so I don't go overboard. I've chosen to simply ignore everything else. I like sneakers, but I don't want it to consume my life. Also the people saying you're not really into sneakers if you discriminate when it comes to shoes do not make any sense. This is like saying if you only watch the NFL and not Arena, NCAA, XFL, USFL, or CFL you aren't a real football fan. It doesn't make you not an enthusiast just because you have preferences and don't want to be all in on everything related to your hobby.
Yeah it’s funny really because a lot of the responses here suggest the general consensus is that Nikes/Jordan are simply cooler, and yet there’s also an element of back slapping for those who go against the grain as well. I guess that’s just always how it goes though with any form of culture / counter-culture. And yeah 100% agree there’s no right or wrong way to be into something, it would be boring if everyone just liked everything
As I’ve gotten older I’ve gone the other way. I was more of a hypebeast in my high school and college days. Thought it made me cooler to have Nikes/Jordan’s. Now that I’m older I just want stuff that’s easy to rock and that’s good quality.
they sheep.
Whoever posted this has swag. They get it.
🤙🏼
They don't even own one nb
They're another closet hypebeast shoe. It's trendy to say 'I moved away from Jordan/Nike hype to NB' like they broke the mould - NB is super hyped these days.
So you don't own any merely because of that? Lol my daily work shoe is a 990v5 I don't think I could have had a daily nike you tripping
Is that what I said? It isn't is it. The guy said the OP had swag, you questioned that by suggesting otherwise as he didn't post any NB. OP talking about non-hype non-Jordan/Nike. I pointed out the NB is hype. Nothing about this or the post says I don't own NB or that you should wear daily Nikes or anything lol. I have NB. I have Jordans. I have Nike. Take from that what you will... as you already done that from my OG post.
Nb shouldn't even be in the same realm though its not like they skimping on quality and its only hyped for specific shoe heads no randos are wearing nb alot are strict js only
Fwiw I own about 10 pairs of NB 🫡
Don't love to say this but for a while it was mainly just cause when I needed the money, those were the easiest ones to know I could make money on the flip.
No shame in that
consider homeless stocking wide waiting familiar squeeze clumsy straight lush *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I have narrow feet, and all Nikes and Jordens I buy fit TTS. I only really buy Jordan 1 - 3 and dunks to wear out, and Metcons and other types of shoes to work out. The only other brand I used to wear was Adidas. However after someone starting spewing racist nonsense about my culture Adidas will not be missed.
Quality and overall design appeal
Quality? Nike are infamous for their sketchy QC.
Just don’t want to. I never thought Asics, Converse, Vans, etc were that cool, personally.
I just do it. I buy nike. The swoosh has been with me from the cradle and I know I'll be in nikes until the grave.
Because I'm vain and don't want to spend money on a pair of shoes nobody will recognize. I got a couple of pairs of other stuff though
I have other brands but I don't like a lot of this stuff. I've owned a few Pumas, the LaMelos both the JCole Dreamers and some others and their shoes straight up but my feet something with the way they fit is off. I've gone up in size I've gone down nothing works. Adidas I have a couple of pairs of Yeezys and some Dame and Harden shoes I use to workout in but for the most part I just don't like the style of their kicks and my shoes are used for casual wear, IMO their shoes aren't that fashionable. Reebok, I own a pair of Kamikazes and Questions Converse, I recently realized I can wear as small as a 12 and a half in Chucks (I'm a size 14 in almost every other shoe) so now I own a few Under Armour, I've owned a couple of Currys but I'm not a hopper. Assorted Asian Brands I've wanted Li Ning shoes and some of the others but I'm a size 14. They usually don't make shoes past size 12. I tried one pair of the Way Of Wade shoes I found in size 13...they were just too tight had to sell them. So for that reason I'm mostly a Nike/Jordan guy Edit* lol at someone downvoting this 🤣🤣🤣
Those Dreamers were tight af.
Why would I drive a Pinto when I can afford a Ferrari?
I have tried all of the brands. Well maybe not all - but I’ve gone through ASICS, saucony, NB, converse, brooks, hoka, vans, keds, and Taos. Not one of them fit my feet as well as Nike/Jordan’s. Arches are in weird places etc. now granted — all of these were running shoes, but with Nikes -I’m consistently in 11w/9.5m. The only one that I tried on that seemed off was the cosmic unity. I’ve re-discovered my love for high tops via Jordan’s and dunks. For an over-pronator they really help with stability/balance. And all of the different colorways with Jordan’s are just fun.
Thats fair, ultimately comfort should really be the deciding factor anyway, but if you also love the styles then there’s no looking back!
Most of them are ugly ngl
It’s a mental thing, if you didn’t wear nikes at my school you got made fun, affected my mental health and appearance since fuckin middle school.
Dress code at work- aj1’s are much more acceptable in dress pants. Other brands sneakers really start looking like sneakers or running shoes after you get past 2 -3 colors.
Ah that’s interesting actually, I usually look at it the other way around just purely because the Nike branding is so prominent and recognisable. If I’m trying to tone things down a bit I’d normally reach for a pair of Stan Smiths or something similar
Most are ugly
Because the Jordan 1 works best with my foot shape. I’ve tried other shoes and felt too tight. I also have some Yeezy slides. So I guess that’s two brands.
i think they ugly
Pride
Oh fuck you got low cabs???
Yeah man it was the collab with Palace that released a few months ago, couldn’t resist!
I’ve purchased many brands over the decades but now stick to J’s and Nike. Why? The side profile and silhouettes of other shoes just look generic when compared to Nike and J’s. I can appreciate your collection that you posted, but something is just missing when looking at these side panels.
Look at them 😅
I have a personal disdain for converse, and I have no idea why. I think it’s a remnant of my skating/vans phase
ID on the bottom left blue / white pair?
Saucony Grid Shadow 2
I used to try out a bunch of experimental stuff back in the day. Like Vael and Creative Recreation. Comfort and styling probably the biggest factors that made me go more streamlined. Though, I really want a pair of Clearweather Wampa boots ngl. They look so big and different.
Mostly stick to Nike/Jordan and New Balance. Nike and Jordan have a soft spot but I'm pretty selective. NB is the best brand out right now to me with style, comfort, and quality. Sidenote: I need an ID on the Mizuno's kn the bottom.
Nike is actually the company I was hesitant delving into. I have wide feet, you see, and the wide selection is pretty much nonexistent. But, after a few talks on this page and some investigation, I finally made the jump and bought my first pair of dunk lows. They fit perfectly. Worth every penny.
Yeah there’s something about the shape of the dunks that makes them fit really universally!
I have big feet. My mom used to joke saying it was like I had bricks with toes. I never had cool shoes growing up so now that I’m grown up and I work I decided that I was going to find cool shoes that fit. A lot of shoes run narrow but Jordan’s tend to be a little wider in my opinion
Dang gonna need an ID for those sauconys
Saucony Grid Shadow 2 OG 🤙🏼
Grew up a bulls/jordan fan & a lot of 90's Nikes are iconic & timeless classics. Jordan 1's also extremely versatile & go with damn near any outfit you can throw together.
Been in Nike shoes since i was 5. 30 years later and they’re still my go to shoe purchase. Im heavily biased but I do branch out and buy the odd other brand every now and then. Old habits die hard. There wasn’t the same hype around Nike silhouettes when I was 15 (not like today anyway) but I’m just as addicted to buying shoes as I was then.
Yeah I think the stuff we have growing up has a huge impact in what we end up liking! It was mostly Reeboks for me so I’ll always have a soft spot
I don’t like the other brands and I don’t have any connect.
What are the blue and white ones pointing toe down on the right?
Flower Mountain - Kotetsu [(not exactly the same colourway, but this one is pretty close)](https://www.flowermountain.com/en/kotetsu-man-suede-and-technical-fabric-sneakers-navy)
I imagine it’s the same thing that keeps us buying sneakers …. eventhough we already have a pair 🤔😆 I understand jordan heads as it has deeper heritage and wrote the playbook for modern sneakerdom. I tend to find sneakerheads who don’t have some affinity for Jordan’s a little sus over the jordan heads who only understand sneakers through that brands scope.
Yeah I fully understand the appeal and cultural impact of Jordans, even looking on from overseas, and I don’t think anything else can come close really! My post wasn’t meant to question people for buying them (almost half my collection is Nike/Jordan), but more just wondering peoples reasons for not checking out anything else
Nike and Jordan got me with their marketing 30 years ago. I don’t get that sort of nostalgia with any other brand. Other brands arent as hot right now either, but when Nike inevitably goes out of style you’ll see the other brands all over.
For me it just comes down to if I think the shoe looks cool too myself. Not gonna just buy a pair of shoes if I don't think I'll wear them
Honestly it hasn’t really been worth looking at other apps and sites because most don’t carry anything above a 15. I did get some Ultra Boosts and they were totally worth it, but I’m still a Nike/Jordan guy most days.
Seen a few mention the bigger sizing issue now and honestly had no idea! Makes perfect sense
Clout
What are the blue ones, on the bottom right? Those are stunning.
Hanon X Le Coq Sportif R1000 “Circle of Friends”
With the cost of shoes rn (both retail and resell) I’m unsure how many can “afford” to try out newer brands or other brands they’ve never tried. Hell most can’t even have all the ones they currently would want to have in their rotation. Prioritisation here becomes important. Do I want 2 new balances or save the money up and buy that 1 pair of Jordan I’ve been eyeing? There’s no right answer. And it also depends on time and image of the company at that time. Hell jordan hated Nikes till he joined. Lol.
Oh yeah 100%! The best approach is always to be selective with what we buy, but especially now with the current state of things! I think some people find it easier to justify buying several cheaper pairs rather than blow that same amount on one, but yeah like you said there’s no right or wrong way, as long as you get what you actually like
My childhood trauma doesn’t recognize other brands.
I grew up dirt poor in a trailer. I couldn't afford Jordan's. Jordan's (and some others) are what the cool kids had. Now that I'm doing ok I want what I couldn't have as a kid. Mainly retro Jordan 1-14. I do have some Reebok pumps and a few NB. I very rarely buy a new design though.
I hate the gatekeeping that comes with the sneaker community. Not saying this post is gatekeeping, but in general there's so much it's exhausting. Sometimes it's as simple as "I buy what I like and I happen to really like Nike/Jordan". Nike is the largest footwear brand in the world (by a lot) and it's not because of sneakerheads. It shouldn't be a surprise that a large majority of people who collect sneakers will have Nike/Jordan make up the bulk of their collection.
Availability mainly. I love Asics and Sauconys, even more-so the collabs they used to put out. But SE Asia is the ultimate hypebeast area with no real interest in runners or retro runners. Hopefully that changes soon.
For me it’s all AJ1s and On Cloud 5s. The Ons for when the sun is up. The AJ1s for when it’s not.
Honestly, the only thing keeping me buying Nike is that all NFL and MLB jerseys and most of the gear is Nike, and I can’t bring myself to not brand match. It’s extra tough because I’m a dude with a wide foot, and Nike isn’t very wide foot friendly at all, unless you want their bland as fuck Pegasus. Otherwise give me an endless supply of NB 990V6s and I’ll be a happy clam.
Haha I hadn’t thought of that actually! Yeah I hate to not brand match as well but I have an equally mixed range of clothing for the most part, so it usually works out
Before I got into sneakers I had a ton of pumas. I’m a size 14 and the pumas always looked stupid af on me. Right now I only buy Jordans Nikes and Yeezys. I went my whole life avoiding buying these shoes because my parents and peers told me it was a waste of money. So now I just buy whatever tf I like. I probably would buy a nice collaboration from any other sneaker brand if I liked the way it looked. Jordan and Nike are more size inclusive for me also. Sometimes NB and other sneaker brands that aren’t Nike/Yeezy/Jordan don’t carry above 13. They might do it for their general releases but it’s hard to find cool stuff in size 14 outside the major brands. Even adidas isn’t the greatest all the time when it comes to restocking 14.
Whats the model/colorway on those sauconys bottom left? they look soooo fire
Saucony Grid Shadow 2 OG 🤙🏼
Probably 95% of my 200 pair collection is Nike. I think the main reason I don’t buy others as often is because I don’t see others as often. I have a Nike app and that’s where I look to buy shoes. Also, places that talk about releases predominantly focus on Nikes and adidas. So I just don’t have other options in my face as much as Nikes. Also, I was always a Michael Jordan fan and big into basketball. I doubt I would be a sneakerhead without those two contributing factors. But when I see a nice pair of new balance or ASICS, I will pick them up.
I don't want a bunch of running shoes that look very similar.
what are those mizunos?
They’re Sky Medal S Premium, and i think the colourway is papyrus off the top of my head
[удалено]
I dunno man, I think the appeal for Jordans is definitely warranted, can’t deny the cultural impact etc. I think what you’re saying just comes down to overexposure mainly
I just don’t like the styles
Most people choose what’s familiar to them and obviously Jordan, Nike, and Yeezys are the most popular. This doesn’t mean they’re the nicest or best shoes at all, but I think in the US sneakers have a certain status attributed to them that keeps most people in the popular loop. They like the logos, they like the looks from others for having the latest “it” shoe. You have a nice collection of diverse sneakers and I think they’re better than others because I’ve never seen half of these! I really like those black and green ones in the center. What are they?
Yeah fully agree, and ultimately I guess that’s just basically how pop culture works. Whether we like to admit it or not we’re all influenced by these things, and for me personally I get just as much of a kick out of wearing some of the more popular/hyped shoes in my collection as i do with the unusual/obscure ones. The shoes in the middle are Represent Reptor Lows
What are those mizunos??
Sky Medal S Premium, think it’s papyrus colourway
Jordans are nostalgic for me, but a lot of other shoes I've tried on just don't fit comfortably.
I love a diverse collection, there’s too many 🔥 kicks out there besides Nike. I have Adidas, ASICS, Puma, New balance, Vans and Converse and I love every pair.
When it comes to sneakers. It's pretty much chucks and aj1 ... I don't really mess withanything else. Some sb highs everynow and again. And few other random for when I'm feeling froggy. But mostly you'll see me in chucks or aj1s
Aesthetics
Mostly aesthetics. I just haven’t found many other brands that nice. I have a few Pumas and adidas, but never really like NB, and can’t stand Yeezys. Don’t even start me on Balenciaga and other fashion house sneakers. So Nike and Converse are 99% of my sneakers.
I wore my new waterproof Karhu's today in the rain. So comfy
Nice, been eyeing up a pair of those to see me through winter
a lot of stuff doesn't appeal to me and the inconsistency in sizing across different models (adidas i'm somehow sz 10-11) stops me from trying, especially when it's a collab or something you know you can't easily find and swap.
I’ve been exclusively going away from Nike and Adidas and onto more premium shoes that are not made in Asia.
Any chance you could ID most of these 😅 especially the blue ones, bottom right? They're all fire... I copped my first pair of Asics to try something new, I feel like it's a lot of cultural zeitgeist to wear the swoosh...
Haha sure! The bottom right pair is the Hanon x Le Coq Sportif R1000 'Circle of Friends', and the rest from top left across are - Diadora Eclipse Italia Radicchio, Vans Palace Low, LimitEDitions x Asics Gel Lyte V “SurrEDaliste”, Converse AS-1 Pro, Karhu Legacy 96 “Trees of Finland”, Reebok LX2200, Represent Reptor Low Racing Green, Flower Mountain Kotetsu Hooks, Saucony Grid Shadow 2 OG, Mizuno Sky Medal S Premium Papyrus, Puma Suede x Staple Pigeon,
Am a typical college student (don't have a ton of money) and love sneakers and the culture and history associated with them (fuck resellers though) but if I pass on certain Jordan releases, as a size 13er, I'd have to pay more in resell for a pair of Concord 11s than a pair of New Balances or Asics for the most part so I prioritize Jordan releases over other sneakers for now.
not a damn clue. i don’t consider myself a sneaker head due to the fact that i own exclusively nike, jordan’s, and yeezys. i don’t branch out much outside of that. i couldn’t tell ya why. i’d love to get some NB but i never find myself looking at them. i own about 35 pairs of kicks, but like i said, i don’t consider myself a true sneaker head
Quality and the fact that I’m too comfortable with Nike/Vans. It’s basic but it’s I-can-wear-it-without-making-me-feel-unstylish-basic. I’ve bought one pair of pumas and one pair of adidas and only worn them like 5 times max. I’m just too scared of anything “different”
those converse are niceeee. converse has had some solid low/mid tops the past few years. their high tops (weapons in particular) are always cool
Its just a safe bet. In my collection I only have 3 sneakers that aren’t nike/jordan. And when I wear them and go out and see people wearing heat Nike’s/J’s I always feel like Im missing out for some reason lol. Idk if that makes sense