Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

Introducing the Sneaker Connoisseurs

JEDDAH- Sneakerheads step to a different beat, live the same passion for life and have been here for a while. To say sneakers are part of the athletic family is a thing of the past; we have come a long way to acknowledge that sneakerheads belong to a community of 'creatives'. Of course the passionate are more than happy to share their collection on social media on a regular basis. And by regular, we mean every day.



Their love for the latest collections and dream kicks is a regular post on Instagram and Twitter. The passion, of course slowly catches on to the people in their lives, including wives and children, see Steve Angello, for instance.



Of course, women are labeled to be compulsive shoppers and are famous for never having enough shoes, which only means you have not yet met a sneakerhead in your life. These guys put women to shame. They love sneakers like a musician loves their instrument or how a painter loves their palette.



While looking for the next fresh pair to rock, sneakerheads are mostly keen on Nike shoes, including Nike Air Force 1, Nike Air Max, Foamposites, Nike Dunks, Air Jordan, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Reebok,Adidas and of course the other more affordable variety like Puma, New Balance and Vans.



The culture has surpassed mainstream barriers, what belonged to basketball, skateboarding and later Hip Hop, is popular with the electronic music enthusiasts, other professional genera and even women working in different fields unified for the purpose of sports and entertainment. The culture became popular in the 1980's, especially after Michael Jordan had his Air Jordan’s release in 1985.



Nike still uses basketball stars like Blake Griffin to advertise new sneakers or have celebrities design their own, like Nike Air Yeezy, designed by rapper Kanye West. You can easily spot the fanatics at social gatherings discussing sneakers instead of the regular nonchalant conversation. You will find hip-hop heads discussing "the Tiffany shoes" with women (who are hugely a part of the sneaker culture).



Much like a lot of women, there is a lot to love about sneakerheads and a lot to worry about in their world. Like in 2012, some stores opted to cancel their release of the Nike Foamposite “Galaxy” for safety purposes and to avoid previous small riots, or when college students spend their pocket money, skipping rent for a pair of J’s, buying 7 pairs to make a statement this week or waiting in line overnight for a pair of shoes. Of course most are on the verge of bankruptcy, after the recent pair or fifteen they bought, because the addiction is that severe.



"I save up money from odd jobs and allowance I get every month for the latest pair of J's. I even go to places like Khaledeya in Jeddah if I can't afford the expensive ones. I clean my sneakers myself on a regular basis. If you're a sneakerhead you don't let anyone touch your shoes. Even rappers like Drake say they still scrub J's with a toothbrush. It's just a thing. My mom just does not understand," Wassim Yusuf, a 20-year-old Saudi student living in Jeddah told Saudi Gazette.



You can even order customized pairs online, with different colors, textures and writing. Of course the exclusive or limited editions,that offer certain color schemes pump up desirability and value of sneakers.



Populists like the Nike Zoom Flight '98 "The Glove" has finally made its way back after 15 years that presents various customization options and color ways relevant to Gary Payton's background and career.



Sneakerheads live and breathe sneakers on a daily basis, DEEN, a LA based rapper stays up on the latest news, release dates, and upcoming sneaker releases. He is willing to drive down to the next city, face lines for a pair of once in a lifetime exclusive sneakers.



Regional DJ’s Shef Codes, Emtee Pockets and Syrian rapper Moh Flow share their latest kicks with their fellow sneaker enthusiasts on social media websites like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The ‘sneaker wardrobe’ takes a bit more room than usual. And if they could, they would sport a different pair, if not two, every day of the week. These days, what’s on your feet dictates your hype.



Sneakers have successfully created an entirely unique subculture, as it permeated through the prevalent guild, celebrating a lifestyle trending across the globe, on social media, at swap meets, Ebay, Instagram and of course their sneaker summits.