The Sneakerheads’ Guide to Landing the Rarest Pair of Nikes
Perhaps your dream pair isn’t so far out of reach after all.
We’re into sneakers (hell, we’ve dedicated a whole week to them—three times! ). If we’ve learned anything in our quest to find the rarest, biggest collection there ever was, it’s the lengths some will go to to get their hands on a certain pair. The likelihood of securing some of the more exclusive drops or collaborations is pretty slim unless, of course, you’re willing to wait in line or, you know, have a plug. Yet somehow, come drop day, our Instagram feeds are suddenly filled with everyone wearing the lastest and greatest, or at the very least unboxing them. We must be missing out on some crucial tricks, right? We turned to a few of our favorite sneaker experts—Victor Kan, Rachel Besser, and Kemar Newell—for some advice on scoring those rare Jordans et al.
VICTOR KANBuyerThe websites that will keep you in the know…“The usual suspects like Hypebeast, HighSnob, [and] SneakerNews. ”The Instagram accounts to help you stay on top of drops… “Some people like to stay up on the early leaks, so they will keep up with guys like @yeezymafia or @icefuckingfire. They get factory samples of collabs or highly sought-after product. ”The best way to get your hands on an exclusive pair…“Sign up for as many raffles as possible, get fast internet connection, and visit your local shop frequently. Most of the time, the supply is around 5-10 percent of the demand, so naturally a lot of people will strike out. Definitely a tough concept to grasp for a lot of people because they simply see it as ‘I’ missed out, so it makes it tough on the stores sometimes. “Make friends with the guys in the shop. If you’re only there the day a hype shoe comes out, there’s no reason to look out for you. ”The best cities to get these exclusive pairs…“Key cities [are] New York, Tokyo, London. [They] have a huge advantage because brands put a lot of focus on those places to drive energy for the rest of the world. ”
RACHEL BESSERWriter, Editor & DesignerHer favorite Instagram accounts… “If you follow smaller sneaker stores, they’ll let you know when a small batch of the sneaker you’re looking for will drop, and you probably have a better chance at getting them there. Off the top of my head: @maha_amsterdam, @nakedcph, and even @voostore—they do a pretty good job covering the coveted drops in women’s sizes. I do have to say that Nike’s new Nike + SNKRS site is good for people trying to figure out what will drop when. It literally tells you the exact date and even a time the sneaker will be available, so you can set an alarm on your calendar instead of going to wait in line somewhere. ”The best way to get your hands on an exclusive pair…“First of all, do not wait in line. Please don’t. We have the internet now. First step is to monitor the drop before it hits, so you can try to buy it online. Then, if you strike out, have a few small sneaker stores on your list to check next. You can try them online or even call them. If you also strike out there, Ebay is your best friend. So many people wait in line to buy exclusive shoes just to flip them for a profit, so my theory is if you really love them that much, you’ll be willing to pay whatever marked-up price on them. If you aren’t, you don’t need them anyways. ”The best cities to get these exclusive pairs…“Sneakers have various cultural meanings in different cities. I went to London with Reebok a few years ago and had an at-length discussion with a sneaker editor over there about the cultural clout of sneakers like the Reebok Classic and Nike Air Max ’95 (among others) in London versus in NYC, and it was really interesting. You should always try and check stores in other cities like Paris, Copenhagen, or Amsterdam, etc. It’s not always the case, but you could get lucky. ”Pro tips… “Sometimes a better thing to do than to follow a drop is to follow people who have great style and wear a ton of sneakers, so you know which sneakers might be a hit. When the VaporMax dropped, all these cool-ass women on IG started ’gramming them. My good friend Gia is a great person to follow, @giaxseo. I also don’t know her, but I love @venedanastasia’s style—[it] goes to show that you can really wear whatever you want if styled right, so don’t get stressed out by all these drops! If you take a look at my Instagram and peep who I follow, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble across some other awesome women who know a thing or two about styling sneakers. ”
KEMAR NEWELLFounder & CEO of FlipThe best stores to cop a pair…“The brand and how limited the release [is] will determine the best stores—one of my personal favorites is Kith in NYC. ”The Instagram accounts that will keep you in the know… “Instagram can be one of your best resources but can also be very misleading—watch out for fake news! Official accounts like @NiceKicks provide up-to-date information from confirmed sources versus a random account or person reposting what they believe to be true. The more legit and trusted accounts for Yeezy drops these days come from @YeezyMafia and @YeezyBusta. ”How he stays in the know…“I lean on a deep personal network of resellers, friends, and official brand accounts. I use any early information I find on the internet [and from] unconfirmed sources, and validate it against confirmed accounts daily. The earlier you find out release info, the more time you have to prepare for the drop. Otherwise, I’m bidding on those same sneakers using FLIP after launch day. ”The best way to get your hands on an exclusive pair…“Download FLIP! You can search our ever-growing catalogue of releases via Instabuy, and set up notifications for your size and favorite sneakers when they become available for auction. ” Want more stories like this? How 6 Coveteur Editors Style SneakersMeet the Two Female Sneakerheads Championing Inclusivity in the IndustryNicole McLaughlin Debuts New Shoes from Her Insta-Famous Footwear Collection
The 5 Best Sites to Buy Rare and Stylish Sneakers – Modern …
So you’ve spent lots of hours cultivating fantastic outfits using the tips we’ve provided here. You know how to wear a shirt that fits correctly. You understand how to wear cologne. You even studied up on layering properly.
But something still feels missing! As nice as your clothing looks and feels now, your outfit may need a unique element that makes it truly special—perhaps a pair of rare sneakers that not just anyone walking down the street would be wearing.
You’ve saved your money and you’re ready to make an investment. Since such sneakers are rare and hard to find, you can’t just run out to your local sneaker shop and snag a pair. Rather, you’ll want to look to specialized retailers to find the right kicks for you. Here are some of the best sites and online retailers for special sneakers.
1. StockX
StockX isn’t technically a website just for selling sneakers, as the website also serves as a place to find streetwear, handbags, and watches. But it seems like sneakers are where a lot its business comes from, and you can find all kinds of rare sneakers from a wide range of brands here. Think of it like eBay, but with a much narrower scope.
2. Flight Club
Flight Club has been a leader in selling rare sneakers since 2005, so the consignment website (and New York-based store) certainly knows what it’s doing. Whether you’re looking for a pair of Nike Dunk SB Lows from 2010 or some retro Jordan sneaks, you should be able to find them on Flight Club.
3. Stadium Goods
Stadium Goods is a somewhat newer consignment website, having opened its doors in 2015. Since then, though, the website has grown exponentially. Looking for a pair of $50, 000 Air Jordan 11 Jeter sneakers? This site happens to have a pair in stock in size 10. 5. Of course, there are more reasonably-priced sneakers from Nike, ADIDAS, New Balance, and just about every brand you can think of.
4. Holy Grail
Holy Grail has a really solid selection of rare sneakers that should tickle the fancy of the even the most hardened collectors. Like most sites, they offer a massive selection of Air Jordan kicks. There’s also tons of Nike SBs, Yeezys, and even rare Vans available. It’s definitely worth checking this shop out, as they do seem to have the holy grail of rare sneakers available (depending what your personal holy grail is).
5. eBay
When all else fails, there’s always one place you can go to find just about anything, and that place is eBay. Many of the shops above have a presence on eBay, and there are tons of smaller resellers on there looking to move rare sneakers. The biggest issue with eBay compared to websites like the ones above is it’s not as easy to browse for random rare sneakers. You’ll pretty much need to know what model you’re looking for. Though there is a Collectible Sneaker section, which makes browsing at least somewhat possible. Even if you’re planning to buy from a site like StockX or Holy Grail, you may want to check eBay to make sure you’re paying a fair price.
Bonus: Google
Google won’t sell you a pair of rare sneakers, but if you search for rare sneaker shops, you might find that there’s a specialized sneaker store in your area. For example, I found a really well-stocked shop less than an hour from my house, and I live in a rural part of Connecticut. If you live in a big city, you’re almost certain to have a rare shop in your area!
If the Shoe Fits, Buy It!
When it comes to sneakers, boring off-the-shelf models just aren’t enough for some people. And that’s why these websites need to be in your bookmarks. Next time you want to treat yourself to something special, pick up a pair of these rare sneakers. Just make sure you don’t get a spec of dirt on them!
Dave is a staff writer at Modern Ratio. He’s a long-time geek who turned on to style late in life, and now writes to share what he’s learned with those who are just starting their own style journeys. He’s based in Pennsylvania.
Similar and Trending
How To Get Nike SNKRS Exclusive Access | SneakerNews.com
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The opinions and information provided on this site are original editorial content of Sneaker News.
The Nike SNKRS App first launched in 2015 during All-Star Weekend in New York City; through this digital platform, the brand promised a unique channel that would deliver the most coveted footwear drops while honing in on the culture of kicks and the deep history rooted in community. Since then, the SNKRS App has become ground zero for must-have footwear, and while many of us have reveled in the triumph of “GOT EM”, many are left in the dust as the supply continues to fall way short of the demand. There’s also the unwritten belief that “bots” are also taking advantage of the system, which has forced the brand to evolve their sneaker release system into Draws which are basically random lotteries that grant random entrants the opportunity to purchase sneakers at MSRP (which in itself is a huge win).
Above that tier of release procedure is Exclusive Access. Nike SNKRS grants select users the opportunity to purchase shoes ahead of schedule without the hassle of waiting in line or crossing fingers in blind hope. And for the upcoming 50-pair Off-White Nike Dunks release, Nike has confirmed that Exclusive Access is the only way the public will be able to buy the shoes.
So, how does one get on this seemingly VIP-level list? While the selection of recipients seems completely random, Nike reveals some factors that help its internal algorithm make its selections. Here they are:
1. Exclusive Access invitations extend personalized purchase offers to members of the SNKRS community based on their engagement with the SNKRS app.
2. The more active a member of the community is, both in engagement with SNKRS’ content series and specific releases, the more personal Exclusive Access invitations become.
3. Activity includes participation in specific content series, including viewing “Behind the Design” videos, interacting with polls, entering launches and engaging during SNKRS Live sessions.
4. Exclusive Access invitations are good only for a limited time.
5. Invitations for Exclusive Access to the Nike x Off-White Dunk on SNKRS will be available to select members of the community August 9 and continue over multiple days.
The key here is point number two, which basically says that the Nike SNKRS App will reward participation and engagement. Exclusive Access will likely not go to dormant users who do the bare minimum of entering Draws on Saturday mornings. And with a huge uptick in App programming (SNKRS Live, the comics, Behind The Design, etc. ), there’s plenty of content to peruse that can both enrich your sneaker knowledge while increasing your chances on purchasing the Off-White Dunks. And it doesn’t stop there either, because Exclusive Access applies for almost every major sneaker release.
Nike is simply leveraging the demand of its product to build a more robust community, and there’s nothing wrong with that. A larger community could lead to even more programming on the SNKRS App, which could lead to new opportunities to explore sneaker releases and, most importantly, an increase in supply. If you haven’t downloaded the SNKRS App already, do so now.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to get rare sneakers
Where can I buy rare sneakers online?
Here are some of the best sites and online retailers for special sneakers.StockX.Flight Club.Stadium Goods.Holy Grail.eBay.
What is the rarest sneaker of all time?
Get ready for a list with some of the world’s most-wanted and rarest leather sneakers ever made.US$1.8 million: Grammy Nike Air Yeezy. … US$615,000: Shattered Backboard Air Jordan 1. … US$560,000: Prototype game-worn Air Jordan 1. … US$437,500: Moon Shoe Nike prototype. … US$409,000: Roger Bannister four-minute mile shoes.
How do you get 2021 sneakers in retail?
Exclusive Access invitations extend personalized purchase offers to members of the SNKRS community based on their engagement with the SNKRS app. 2. The more active a member of the community is, both in engagement with SNKRS’ content series and specific releases, the more personal Exclusive Access invitations become. 3.Jun 17, 2021