Sneaker Love Stories

It’s Valentine’s Day, love is in the air, and we couldn’t be more excited. Like cupid, we’re trying to spread some love today. That’s why we reached out to some of the members of our women’s exclusive community to talk about love. More specifically, sneaker love, we wanted to know about their sneaker love stories. We all have sneakers that we have a deep connection to for one reason or another. Those sneakers you just had to have, that you can’t live without. Those are your sneaker love stories. 

---

My love story is about the KD Aunt Pearl Collection, specifically the KD VII. This collection means a lot to me because my Aunt Pam passed away from Cancer. When I wear them it’s in remembrance of her. The KD7 has the strap with wings and I have a hummingbird tattoo dedicated to her so the wings signify the hummingbird or angel watching over me. I don’t wear them often, typically on Mother’s Day to honor such an amazing woman. – Tanya

Traditionally, shoes are made out of various types of material cut and stitched together, a somewhat labor-intensive process that produces significant material waste.

But a shoe that is important to me isn’t that. It has an engineered system using a specialized yarn knit together into a one-piece, sock-like upper, which covers the toes and top of the foot.

That shoe for me is the ‘Be True’ Flyknit Racers.

This shoe is important to me because it supports the LGBTQIA+ community. I appreciate that Nike created something that people could unite around to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ athletes. This shoe is so beautiful. The rainbow gradient that references the original eight-color Pride flag and the pink swoosh on the medial side refers to the colors widespread use in the LGBTQIA+ community. I am so grateful I have a shoe that I cherish forever. – Shai

SneakerCon Toronto is the place that made my dreams come true! I was so desperate to find my grail, Complex’s 2nd place Sneaker of The Year (2018): the Sean Wotherspoon Nike Air Max 97/1. I remember when they were first released on March 26th, 2018 (Air Max Day.) I just HAD to have them. Everything about the SW 97/1’s screamed at me. From the colors, to the materials, even the beautiful box deserves a mention and it also is a mix of one of my favorite silhouettes; the Nike Air Max 97.

Being Canadian, it felt practically impossible to get them for retail. I had basically been setting myself up for a big fat L(oss). It’s not like there were many chances to cop for your local female sneakerhead in Toronto… especially being #TeamSMALLFEETGANG. It’s almost unheard of to find anything in men’s sizing below a size 8US for most sneaker drops.

After months of stalking and obsessing over them online, and searching for endless hours through different sneaker reselling platforms. I finally convinced myself that they needed to be mine, no matter the cost. Even if it meant not copping any other kicks for 6 months to make up for it. Then months later, I saw an ad for SneakerCon Toronto, thankfully I managed to get tickets for myself and my younger brother. In the end, mission impossible turned out possible, but at the price of $925CAD.

We managed to find the only size 7US in all of Canada apparently. After 7 months of sneaker-related tears, and wishing I was American (for a smoother retail cop opportunity), I FINALLY DID IT! I became the happy owner of one of the most coveted sneakers of 2018. That was definitely the most fulfilling sneaker cop, although the price stung a little. Let’s just say it was definitely “love at first sight” on that wonderful October day… and to add a little something to the romance, it was my birthday week, which gave me the extra nudge I needed to spoil myself.

I truly believe that without a great story behind the “cop journey” the shoes don’t mean as much. As many sneakerheads would probably agree, the thrill of searching often outweighs the thrill of actually owning. Luckily I’ve worn these out plenty, to make up for the troubles of finding them – WEAR YOUR KICKS PEOPLE! I promise it feels good. – Alee

When the 2021 restock of the AJ11 Cool Grey’s started happening, I was not hopeful and thought because of its popularity it would be difficult to get this time around. Instead, I opted to assist my SS community members in copping the pair. I ended up successfully assisting a total of 5 members between the 2 groups which was completely unexpected and awesome. It’s a great feeling when you can help another member and share in their enthusiasm. I was also able to get a pair for myself too! This pair and colorway is by far one of my favorite AJ’s. The history of the shoe and how far it has come make owning a pair fulfilling. – Kris

My Love Story begins with the all-white AF1. Since I was a kid all-white-ups have been a shoe I could always depend on. This sneaker brings back so many memories. It mainly reminds me of shopping trips with my family. Every summer we’d go shopping on the Ave and always pick up a pair. Just to start the school year off right. These kicks have also taught me a life lesson on how to keep an all-white pair clean – keeping a fresh pair is mandatory. Out of all the iterations of this sneaker, I will always go back to the all-white classic AF1 because it reminds me of family and special moments in my life. – Anise