In a previous article, we talked about what experts look for in sneakers, such as fit, durability, and style. However, finding this type of information may not be as straightforward as expected. Mainstream media tends to focus on sensationalist headlines about the sneaker industry, while brand pages will do anything to promote their latest releases, ignoring any drawbacks that might interest the sneaker enthusiast. In order to get the most up-to-date and reliable information, you might have to immerse yourself head-on in the world of sneaker culture. And there’s no better place to start than these platforms.
YouTube Channels
One of the best advantages of YouTube channels is that they provide first-hand accounts of the experience of buying a particular pair. Tom Stefaniuk, for example, gives some great advice regarding where to find highly sought pairs, and whether a particular model was worthy of the market price (which sometimes can skyrocket for a variety of reasons).
It should also be noted though that while some YouTubers provide detailed information about the quality and feel of sneakers, they tend to focus on specific types of pairs. For example, the Boot Wizard will frequently discuss football shoes from Adidas, while Stefaniuk’s channel seems to focus on Nike products.
Finally, sneaker videos will give you the impression that you are taking a look at the best the market has to offer, but in reality, they are just providing the audience with what they want. In order to keep their viewers engaged, YouTubers are likely to purchase and review a pair they think people want to see, rather than the best. Therefore, it’s important to regularly check what’s trending among sneakerheads.
Online Communities
One of the best aspects of sneaker culture is how passionate everyone is about their hobby. People are eager to share their experience looking for a pair, finding it, and wearing it. They will use their valuable time to write detailed reviews, explain the technology behind the products to newcomers, and discuss the pros and cons of every brand decision.
An online community for sneakerheads could still be considered as an emerging concept, but the main idea behind it is that they work as a social media platform for sneaker enthusiasts. Joining a sneaker community allows people to interact with other fans, but also access news on future releases that they wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Some platforms even offer members exclusive deals in exchange for their loyalty, so it’s definitely something fans should give a try.
Podcasts
While most podcasts focus on discussing the most recent announcements from the sneaker industry, their format allows them to go in-depth in regards to different topics. Podcasts may discuss the technology behind running boosting shoes from Adidas and Nike, or the world of sustainable sneaker production. But their best content is probably their interviews.
Occasionally, podcasters may get an exclusive interview with athletes and designers discussing their latest collaboration with a brand. It’s an entertaining change of pace and allows fans to get some insights into the reasoning behind their favorite designs. It also helps demystify the process that created some of the most successful models.
There’s a great variety of podcasts out there, each one with its unique take on the world of sneakers. The most popular is probably the Complex Sneaker Podcast, where you can listen to sneaker stories from industry insiders regarding how it is to work with industry giants like Kanye West or Kyrie Irving. Another series with a lot of followers is Sneaker History, which has discussed important topics from old sneaker commercials to curious news like sold-out Jordan pairs sitting on shelves in China.
At first, trying to find the best sneaker releases may seem like a daunting task. The amount of available information is overwhelming, and it’s hard to distinguish between an honest opinion and a biased assessment of a product. But by following the right channels and podcasts and, more importantly, engaging in online communities, we will have the necessary tools to cut through the noise and make an informed purchase in our next visit to the store.
