I am a sneakerhead episode 198 - @Headzaintredee
First up, could you please introduce yourself?
I’m a mid-40s father of two, who is a financial journalist by day, and runs a brand and podcast – SneakerDads – in my spare time.
Do you remember what your first pair of sneakers that you really cared about was?
The first pair I cared about was the Air Tech Challenge 2 Hot Lava. I remember my brother bought OG 3s and 4s with his McDonald’s earnings, and I guess my parents thought I should have a consolation prize. I still have a pair today and probably always will.
How many pairs do you currently have?
Roughly 150. I like many brands but usually only a few silhouettes from each, which makes it a little easier to manage.
Are you planning on keeping that number steady or growing/decreasing it?
I’ve been able to reduce the total from nearly 300 over the years, usually by selling 10-20 pairs in bulk at a time. But I still buy and have so many pairs I just can’t live without, so the sub-100 goal remains elusive.
Living in the Toronto area, do you normally buy sneakers at physical stores or online?
These days I mostly buy online, but there are many great shops in the area: Livestock, Capsule, Makeway, Haven, Solestop, Parlor 23 and Netmagnetism are also nearby.
What’s the community like in Toronto, have you met any other local enthusiasts?
The community is very vibrant in Toronto, with lots of events run by local shops, as well as smaller groups I’m a part of like CanIKickItSoleSquad. Sneaker events draw big crowds and we are fortunate enough to have them in various sizes, including SneakerCon and Sole Exchange. I’ve met many people through deals over the years – whether through Facebook, Instagram or common acquaintances – that have become close friends.
You seem to have a special love for Nike, is there any model in particular that is your favourite?
The Air Max 1 is hands down my favourite Nike model, as it is both comfortable and easy to wear. I usually stick to the classic colourways but have a few other favourites such as The 6, Grunge, Pendleton IDs and a custom denim pair by @kanotsky.
Have you bought anything in 2023 so far?
Other than a few pairs of Salomons, I also bought both the blue and white colourways of the denim dunks and the Jordan 1 Black and White.
What’s your favourite pair in your collection?
I can’t decide. It’s like choosing my favourite child. OG Chicago 1s, Air Max 1 Blue from 2009, and New Balance 577 Burn Rubber Joe Louis are all up there. But the AM1 Concepts Mellow has been my most worn pair by a long shot since it released, so it’s getting the most love these days.
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