Jay Lin is a 28-year-old tech worker in the autonomous vehicle sector who’s slowly transitioning to doing YouTube and content creation full-time. He loves all things sneakers, basketball, street culture, fashion, and art. He’s based in the Bay Area and you’ll usually find him in the SoleSavy community sharing his Ws.
Tell us how you got into sneakers.
I was always into sneakers, even during my childhood Payless days. I think it was mainly because of basketball. When I was little, I was hyped to get my first pair of shoes with laces – a pair of good ol’ Shaqs. I still remember lacing them up over and over again, sitting on our staircase by the front door, just because I could. I also had two pairs of Nike basketball shoes from Kohl’s, one red and one blue, and I just thought it was so cool that I could have different options for what to wear. To this day, I still don’t know what the models were for those two pairs. Those were also the first shoes that I remember sniffing (when new of course), and I’ve been addicted to that Nike glue smell ever since.
I really got into sneakers around 2010 when I was in high school. Why? Well, I finally had the funds to do so. I asked my mom for my red envelope money that she had been “keeping safe.” I started reading Nice Kicks and Sole Collector at the time and remember seeing Nike LeBron 8 “South Beach” and Air Jordan 3 “White Cement,” thinking that if I ever had the chance, I’d cop them. Back in the day, I actually copped the last pair of White Cement 3s at my local Footlocker, just by walking into the store a week after the release. Crazy, right? I miss some parts of those days, but also glad I can stay warm and cop sneakers from the comfort of my home now.
How long have you been a member?
I joined in the summer of 2021. So coming up on 2 years.
What’s the best sneaker you’ve gotten through your SoleSavy membership?
I got my hands on the Nike x Off-White Air Force 1 “Lemonade.” Thanks to the instructions for how to spoof my location, I somehow hit on the SNKRs stash drop. I’ve never screamed so loud, sitting at home alone in my PJs before. My friend that I sent the “GOT EM” screen afterward told me he screamed too. I had to take some time to compose myself after that. I actually ended up trading this pair and Patta x Nike Air Max 1s for the A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3s and the Off-White x Air Jordan 2 Lows.
What’s your grail?
There are a lot but one in particular that has always gotten away is the Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic.” They always seem to release when I’m “out” of the sneaker game. I definitely still want a pair, even though I do have some consolation Jordan 5s like the “Anthracite” and “GORE-TEX” pairs that were released recently. I’ll also throw in the Air Jordan 10 “Steel.” The star player on my varsity basketball team in high school wore those during tryouts, as I died during conditioning next to him, I’ve wanted those ever since.
What sneaker do you cherish the most in your collection?
Nike Dunk Low “UNC” from 2021. I love these so much because I’ve been hunting for them since I was in the 7th grade. My friend had them and at the time, they were just the coolest shoes that I had ever seen. With the Dunk resurgence around 2019, I just really didn’t expect to be able to get my hands on a pair, but my girlfriend, with the luckiest size 8 SNKRs account ever, was able to hit for me. She’s the GOAT. The 15+ year hunt and context of her getting these for me just makes me love and cherish this pair in particular.
Is there a pair in your collection that always gets slept on?
I feel like I have a lot of underappreciated pairs, but one that stands out might be the Air Jordan 1 GORE-TEX “Light Bone.” GORE-TEX on a Jordan 1 is mindblowing! And in a light, neutral colorway? Yes, please. The other colorways were a miss for me, but these are super slept-on. Whoever designed these, shoutout to you!
What’s one thing you’re passionate about outside of sneakers?
I’d say fashion, and style in general. I’m not someone who will buy designer or archive fashion, but I’m definitely big into everyday essentials and styling. Especially if it’ll help me get a fit off with a pair of sneakers that I really enjoy. I actually run a YouTube channel where I review and style sneakers, as well as other fashion and sneaker-related content. I love producing videos whenever I find time and hope to do so full-time in the future. You can check the channel out here! https://www.youtube.com/@JayLin94
Can you share your favorite style hack for sneakerheads?
As a general styling/fashion philosophy, wear what you like! Don’t be afraid to hop onto trends, or not – as long as you’re comfortable with your own style and what you’re into, you’ll be a lot happier in the long run. And don’t be afraid to try new things. Fashion is for fun and self-expression and exploration are a big part of that. Branching out bit by bit will slowly expand your wardrobe and the styles that you’re into (and can pull off). Want to try an experimental sneaker or piece but it feels like it’s too ‘out there’ to wear out? Per Frugal Aesthetic (YouTube) – wear it around at home first! I do this regularly and it’s amazing how quickly you’ll build confidence and comfort experimenting this way.
For more specifics, the fit of your pieces relative to your body type is really important. Figure out what works with your body type, build out some essentials that fit really well, then seek out pieces that replicate that fit. Don’t buy anything online without referencing a size chart. Oh and accessories! These really help to tie an outfit together, and also bring a lot of functionality to your fits.
As for sneaker-specific advice, keeping in mind the style, silhouette, model, and colorway of any sneaker you’re trying to style is key. Ask yourself, what style is the sneaker that you want to incorporate into a fit? What pants would work with the style of the sneaker in parallel and would they sit well on the sneaker like slim black pants and Jordans, or baggy parachute pants and a runner? What color and type of pants material work well with the sneaker like washed blue jeans and a classic model like the Air Jordan 3s or air force 1s, or dark workwear pants + a bright statement sneaker like volt ambush dunks)?
How does your sneaker collection reflect your personality?
I have great attention to detail, a good amount of empathy, and a solid appreciation for art, so all of those things are probably reflected in my collection. I love releases that focus on the details, and quality, and have a meaningful back story to them – like many people. And, releases that value the sneaker communities that support them. I really do try to evaluate sneakers based on those qualities, rather than hype, to decide which ones I’ll get, and which ones I’ll wear. A good example might be the trade I mentioned that I pulled off for the Off-White x Air Jordan 2 “Chicago” and A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3s. I wasn’t going to wear the AF1s and loved the story and meaning of the 3s, so it was a no-brainer for me, even though I might’ve lost out a bit in terms of “aftermarket price.” I do miss the ICA AF1s as a wearable art piece though, but the Off-White 2s replicate that as well.
How do you decide which sneakers to add to your collection?
All that I said in the previous question, but this really comes down to how often I’ll wear something or if it’s adding something that I’m missing in my collection. For example, I passed on the Air Jordan 4 “Sea Foam” recently, just because I already have Military Blacks, White Oreos, and Navy Cement 4s (thank you, Kris!). On the other hand, I picked up the Jacquemus x Nike Humara “Pink” just because I really don’t have anything like that in my collection, and because the pink would be fun to style.
What sneakers do you have for sale on COLLECT right now?
I’m a sneaker hoarder. But, I do have some extra raffle hits for sale like the Jordan 1 Low Powder Blues and Nina Chanel Abbey 2 lows. Check out Jay’s COLLECT Profile HERE!
What’s on your watch list on COLLECT?
If there’s any chance of getting the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 “MCA” or Off-White x Air Jordan 1 “UNC” for a realistic trade, I’d think about it. But knowing how rare those are, they’re probably a long shot from being obtainable for my collection. There are also a handful of recent releases I’d like to get like Air Jordan 4s in “Taupe,” and “Black Canvas.” JJJound x New Balance 991s, JJJJound x Asics Gel-Kayano 14s and HAL Studios x ASICS Gel 1130s.
What sneaker brand are you most excited about right now?
ASICS! I got my first pair of Gel-Kayano 14s in the bootleg JJJJJound colorway (white and navy) and they are unbelievably comfortable. They also look super sleek and add a great ‘athleisure’ style to any fit. I missed out on the HAL Studios x ASICS Gel-1130s, and the JJJJound Gel-Kayano 14s, and I’ve started to take notice since then. I’m also getting older, and as a result, getting more into runners. Jordans don’t do too well on these old hooper knees. So yeah, don’t sleep on ASICS!
What’s one thing you would change about sneakers in its current state?
Honestly just how the pre-authorization raffles really take advantage of the consumer. I know there are disclaimers, but it feels like a rigged system. Consumers are put in a place where they’re forced to put money on the line, just for the chance to purchase a product. I’m sure many of us have ended up in a place where it felt like we were tricked into entering multiple raffles, only to end up with multiple pairs and no way to get our money back if we only wanted one. Might be venting at this point, but there has to be a better system for more limited drops. Or just only allowing raffles where payment isn’t pre-authorized. There! Fixed the system.
Come for the sneakers, stay for the community.
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