Tohir Tillyaev is an avid sneaker enthusiast and SoleSavy member based in New York. He’s a massive fan of motorsports, and when he’s not spending time with his family and friends, Tohir is likely scrolling through COLLECT or creating his next YouTube video.
Tell us how you got into sneakers.
Accidentally. I have flat feet, the worst kind. My feet are as flat as those swimming flippers. So I need decent ankle support if I walk for more than thirty minutes. One day, as I was walking past a Footlocker, I saw a pair of Air Jordan 1 Mids in the “Lakers” colorway. I bought those, then the Air Jordan 1 High “Defiant,” and haven’t stopped since then.
How long have you been a member?
It will be two years in June.
What sneaker do you cherish the most in your collection?
The Ishod Wair x Magnus Walker x Dunk High Pro SB “Urban Outlaw.” I’m a big racing fan, and I love how this pair incorporates my two passions into a really nice-looking shoe.
What’s the best sneaker you’ve gotten through your SoleSavy membership?
Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid. It’s not the most hyped pair, but I love what it represents. I have both colorways, and both were copped via an assist by my fellow SoleSavy 10 members.
What’s your grail?
The one that got away – Travis Scott x fragment design x Air Jordan 1 High. This was one of the first shoes I asked an assist for. I know, the audacity, but people bonded around the cause, and I must have had two dozen people helping me. Unfortunately, we didn’t cop the shoes, but I developed some of the best relationships in our community during that experience.
Is there a pair in your collection that always gets slept on?
Collab pairs of New Balance 9060s. The Joe Freshgoods pair was slept on. The recent Bodega pair was slept on too. They are odd looking, but I love every pair of 9060s I have. Honorable mention to the Air Jordan 2 Highs from Maison Chateau Rouge. I love that pair, but even the SoleSavy team didn’t give put it into a Top 10 last year!
What’s one thing you’re passionate about outside of sneakers?
Motorsports. I’ve been a Formula 1 fan for over twenty years. I love rally racing, MotoGP, and endurance races. I don’t partake as much as I like, though. I’m also a father of two, so you ain’t fitting them kids into a racy hatchback.
Who is the Michael Jordan of the Motorsports world?
Hands down it’s Lewis Hamilton. The guy is the greatest to ever drive an F1 car. He also happens to be into fashion, and I am waiting until he finally drops his own shoe collab. Lewis is also a very stand-up guy. I highly recommend folks look up his history of supporting various minority and underrepresented groups.
What sneaker would best translate into a race car?
Great question. I think the New Balance 550s kinda look like a racecar. At least I recall talking to a few of our members about it when the 550s all of a sudden got hot again last year. We saw a few red and white, and red and blue colorways. Both reminded me of rally race cars – Peugeot 205 or 307!
How does your sneaker collection reflect your personality?
It’s as colorful as my personality. And as diverse as my heritage. I mean it. My 23andMe report looked like a Sherwin-Williams color selection swatch… My ancestors had way too much fun around the world.
How do you decide which sneakers to add to your collection?
These days, I TRY (try is the operative word) to only go for shoes I’d put straight on my feet or anything from the Whitaker Group. I stan James Whitner, his team, and everything their campaigns stand for. So I will buy their collaborations, even if I have to pass them to another Sole Savy member or my nephew or friend.
What sneakers do you have for sale on COLLECT right now?
I have the Air Max 1 ‘86 OG Big Bubble, and the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement Reimagined” up for trade right now. I’ve been buying way more than I’ve been selling. I check COLLECT daily as some interesting pairs pop up in Size 12 every other day. Make an offer to Tohir on COLLECT.
Are there any shoes you’re hoping to trade for? / What’s on your watch list on COLLECT? Nike Air Trainer 3 Saquon Barkley. Please. Someone. Trade me a deadstock pair.
What sneaker brand are you most excited about right now? – New Balance. I blame the community’s NB heads for getting me into this brand. I think they had a great run in 2022, and I cannot wait to see what will come from New Balance in 2023.
What’s one thing you would change about sneakers in its current state? – Groups like ours should be getting priority access to shoe drops. I know it is a VERY self-serving statement, but clearly, the SoleSavy community is a group that enjoys the sneakers. We buy at least a sneaker a month on average (I’d guess). I think we deserve just a bit of preferential treatment. The brand that first does it will win all of our hearts immediately.
Come for the sneakers, stay for the community.
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