Sneakerhead Habits We May Have to Ditch

The Filipino love affair for sneakers feels natural in a country that holds space for hip-hop culture and deeply reveres basketball—two of streetwear and sneaker culture’s foundational pillars. But the sneaker scene netted even more attention and followers during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were forced indoors, and, for many holdouts, forced online. But with more people in the community comes more characters, for better or for worse. These are just some of what those characters are lovingly known for.

You break out a fresh pair of kicks. You put them on for the first time. You step out, feeling a brand new level of confidence. You take a seat for a moment. Then you look down and see something truly horrific. You take to  social media and lament: “Just bought these and wore them today but they already have creases and heel drag—are they fake????”

First of all, natural signs of wear aren’t always indicative of authenticity. Second of all, while different leathers, textiles, and rubber compounds have varying degrees of durability, they all will inevitably show signs of wear, and that’s ok—sneakers are made to be worn, after all.

Factors like the surface you’re stepping on or your gait also affect how quickly or slowly a sneaker shows signs of use and age. But more importantly, if wearing the kicks makes you feel good, why worry about something you can’t really control?

It’s a tale as old as time: you see a sneaker you’ve been hunting down forever on a site or from a seller for a too-good-to-be-true price. But overcome by excitement, you pay up anyway against your better judgment. Then the adrenaline wears off. Reality sinks in—“Did I just get scammed?”

There are ridiculously good deals to be had from trusted and legitimate sellers, physical stores, and online retailers, but the keywords there are “trusted and legitimate.” The moment you feel unsure because the kicks are priced too low, or if it’s a rare pair that the seller curiously has an oversupply of, it’s better to do a thorough social media check and web search before you let a single cent leave your wallet.

Also, do not hesitate to ask the sneakerhead communities you’re in, even if your inquiry may be judged by some as “stupid,” because nobody should be judged for being careful. Better safe than sorry.

Asking “how much?” on a listing without a price? As you should. Asking “how much?” on a listing with a price? Really irritating but tolerable (somewhat). But asking “how much?” on a post that’s clearly labeled “for share only” or “not for sale” or “looking for” and other variations that don’t involve selling? Frustrating in ways that words cannot even attempt to express.

While this may sound petty, it’s indicative of the habit of many to look then react first without reading or thinking twice. Reading comprehension is an essential life skill, people! And reading social media posts properly can go a long way. Plus, the ability to read and write is something to be thankful for—put that ability to good use. 

Also known as the squeak test. This timeless piece of folk wisdom purports that authentic sneakers have outsoles that squeak loudly when striking the ground, and soles that make no sound are, sadly, fake. You may have heard someone say it, and you may swear by it yourself, but it’s time to debunk this. The only thing fake here is the spike test. 

The squeak of rubber when making contact with the floor depends on a wide array of factors, including the type of surface you’re on, how dusty that surface is, if there’s moisture on that surface, the paint on the rubber outsole, how soft the rubber is, and so on and so forth. 

The spike test also isn’t a good indication of how good a sneaker’s traction is. The one thing that definitively isn’t good here is the spike test, so may we all please let it retire once and for all.

If all the quirks of the average Pinoy sneakerhead were listed here, this article would be a book. Should this piece have a part two?

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