How to Start Your Own Sneaker Collection: The Ultimate Guide

Today’s sneaker industry is worth over $78 billion, and it’s expected to grow into a $100 billion industry by 2025.

For sneakerheads, a good pair of kicks is the Holy Grail. The perfect blend of style and comfort, they complete any outfit and make a statement without saying a word.

But starting your own sneaker collection can feel like an impossible task. Where do you even begin? Do you need to spend a fortune? And how do you keep your shoes in pristine condition?

Never fear; we’re here to help. This ultimate guide will show you how to start your own sneaker collection, no matter your budget or taste. We’ll provide tips on everything from budgeting for the shoes to protecting your investment.

So whether you’re a sneaker novice or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone. So lace up your sneakers, and let’s get started.

Learn Sneaker Vocabulary

Colorways, silhouettes, drops, grails The sneakerhead community has its own vocabulary. If you’re getting into sneaker culture, it can be a lot to take in.

Here’s a quick guide to some common sneaker terms.

Colorway

This is the color scheme of a sneaker. Exclusives and limited editions are often released in special colorways.

Silhouette

Silhouette is the basic shape or style of a sneaker. Common sneaker silhouettes include the Jordan 11, Adidas Yeezy Boost 350, and Nike Air Max 97.

Drops

Drops are new sneaker releases. Most drops are scheduled in advance, but some brands will surprise release new shoes with little to no warning.

Grail

This is a highly coveted sneaker, often unattainable or prohibitively expensive. A sneakerhead’s holy grail might be a rare pair of Air Jordans or a never-before-seen prototype. There are always new colorways and collaborations to discover, but you can’t go wrong with a pair of Air Jordans, like the Cherry 11, with matching Jordan 11 Cherry shirts to complete the ensemble; regardless of your age or basketball ability.

Now that you know some common sneaker terms, you’re one step closer to starting your own collection. And with this quick guide in hand, you’re ready to start exploring the world of sneakers.

Research More About Sneaker Culture

Sneaker culture has grown exponentially in recent years, and there is a lot to learn about the history, terminology, and value of shoes. A good place to start your research is collecting magazines.

Sneaker Freaker is a long-running print magazine dedicated to sneaker culture, and Complex also regularly features sneakers on its pages. You can also find several great books on the subject, like Sole Provider: 30 Years of Nike Basketball and Out of the Box: The Rise of Sneaker Culture.

Of course, the internet is also a wealth of information on sneakers. Websites like Hypebeast, Highsnobiety, and Kicks On Fire are great resources for sneaker news, release dates, and reviews.

When you’re first getting into collecting sneakers, it’s important to do your research and learn as much as you can about the culture.

Find Out New Sneaker Release Dates

Sneaker collecting hobby has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. For some, it’s a way to step back into their childhood and relive the days when collecting sneakers was all about having the latest and greatest pairs.

For others, it’s a way to make a profit by flipping rare and limited-edition shoes. No matter your reason for collecting sneakers, one thing is for sure – it’s not an easy hobby to get into.

There are endless different types of shoes, release dates to keep track of, and collecting can be an expensive hobby. If you’re new to collecting sneakers, the best way to start is by finding out new sneaker release dates.

You can research which shoes you want to buy and plan your budget accordingly. There are a few different ways to stay up-to-date on new sneaker release dates.

One way is to follow your favorite brands on social media. Most brands will announce upcoming releases on their Twitter or Instagram accounts.

Create a Sneaker Budget

Once you have a good idea of which shoes you want to buy, it’s time to create a sneaker budget. This is an important step, as collecting sneakers can be an expensive hobby.

Start by setting a monthly or yearly budget for yourself. Then, research the retail prices of the shoes you want to buy.

Keep in mind that you may have to pay more than the retail price for some shoes, as they may be hard to find or limited edition. Fortunately, you can save money on sneakers by shopping at sneaker consignment shops or online retailers. 

For example, you can get Jordan Melos for a reasonable price from Kickscrew.com. Once you have a good idea of how much each pair of shoes will cost, add up your total budget and start saving.

Consider Reselling Some Sneakers

The best sneakers are always expensive. And sneakerheads know it. They are willing to pay high prices for the most popular and rare sneakers.

Some people often buy two or more pairs of the same sneaker and resell the pair they don’t need. Doing this will help you get money for your next pair.

However, it’s not as easy as it sounds. You need to do your research to determine which shoes are in demand and selling for a high price.

You also need to be aware of fake sneakers. There are a lot of fake sneakers on the market, and you don’t want to get scammed.

If you’re interested in reselling sneakers, there are a few different ways to do it. You can sell them online on platforms like eBay or StockX. 

Network, Network, Network

You can’t just go out and buy any old pair of sneakers if you want to start your sneaker collection. You need to know which shoes are valuable and which ones aren’t. The best way to do this is to network with other sneaker collectors.

Find out who to know and who to buy from by networking with other sneaker collectors. You can go to sneaker conventions, join online forums, or follow sneakerheads on social media.

Once you’ve established a network of people who know about sneakers, you’ll be able to start buying and selling valuable sneakers. Remember, the most important thing is having fun and enjoying your collection.

Avoid Heard Mentality

The sneaker world is filled with “hypebeasts” and “sneakerheads” who are only in it for the latest release or the hottest brand. But if you’re looking to start your own sneaker collection, you need to avoid being caught up in that mentality.

A good sneaker collection is built on more than just the newest shoes. It’s about finding valuable shoes, whether it’s because of their limited release, their history, or the sentimental value they hold.

So don’t be afraid to buy sneakers that aren’t the latest release. Some of the most valuable sneakers out there are ones that have been around for years.

And as your collection grows, you’ll find that it becomes more than just a collection of shoes — it’s a reflection of your own personal style.

Learn How to Store Sneakers

If you’re a sneakerhead, you have way too many shoes. You may have so many pairs that you don’t even wear them. But just because you don’t wear them doesn’t mean they’re not valuable.

In fact, some of your shoes could be worth a lot of money. So how do you store all of your sneakers?

First, you need to figure out what system works best for you. Do you want to keep your shoes in their original boxes? Or would you rather just have them out on display?

There are pros and cons to both methods. If you store your shoes in their original boxes, they’ll be better protected from dust and damage. But if you have them out on display, you’ll be able to see them all the time and admire your collection.

Educate Yourself on How to Clean Them

One of the most important things you can do to keep your sneaker collection in tip-top shape is to educate yourself on how to clean them. Depending on the materials they’re made of, sneakers will require different cleaning methods.

For example, leather shoes should never be put in the washing machine, as this will ruin them. On the other hand, canvas shoes can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle.

Knowing how to properly clean your sneakers will keep them looking great and help them last longer. If you’re unsure how to clean a particular pair of sneakers, there are plenty of online resources. You can also take them to a professional shoe repair shop.

Start a Sneaker Collection Today

Starting your own sneaker collection can be a fun and rewarding hobby. But it’s not as simple as just buying any old pair of sneakers. You need to know which shoes are valuable and how to care for them.

Luckily, you now have all the information you need to get started. So, start your sneaker collection today.

For more tips, tricks, and advice, be sure to check out our blog. We update it regularly with new posts.