For all the Sneaker Mums and Dads reppin, flexing, and sharing their passion for kicks with their kids. Words by @drippy_daddy_P
Let’s set the scene. The 90s, coming ‘Straight Outta Streatham’ to the golden age of hip-hop, to the OG sneaker releases – the Air Max 90s, 180s, 95s, Bullets and Huaraches. To back when the Fresh Prince was flexing his 5s. Baggy jeans, dungarees, bucket hats, flat tops, Desmond’s and Dance Energy. Tamagotchis, Gameboys, hours spent playing Mario Kart, and late nights watching the Bulls on TV. Man United won everything, and even Spurs copped a trophy. Oh, and a fresh-faced Professor G opened the first ever Offspring store on Neal Street.
You know what I'm saying, it was my time and I’ve been banging on about it to any Gen Zs that’ll listen.
But these words aren’t about back then. They’re about the here and now. I’m still feeling as fly today as I did back in the day. Sure, maybe a little greyer, hopefully a little wiser, my knees just about work, and I upgraded my pager to a mobile. Tho I don’t understand how this ‘Tok Tik’ thing works (refuse to!). Most important, I still got that South London swagger and serious heat on my feet.
But you know the one BIG difference between now and back in the day? Family. Yessir, Fam got real. Very real! I progressed from Sneakerhead to Sneaker Dad.
Introducing my ‘Lil Miss Know It All’ daughter – twelve going on eighteen and growing up way too fast. She started high school last year and damn, that attitude went up next level. Some advice peeps – enjoy them toddler years. Her interest in sneakers also accelerated big time. Can’t tell you how happy that made me. We’ve really bonded over kicks, and It’s become our thing. I’d love to think she considers me a cool Dad or ‘swaggy’ as she puts it.
If my girl thought of me even half as cool as @0riginal__blicyriot_ thinks her Dad, I’d be blessed: “My dad had an epic sneaker collection when I was growing up. I thought he was the coolest dad ever and he’s still super cool lol! My son loves my passion for crep and I think he thinks I’m still cool 😂😂😂. He’s nearly 18 and he don't cringe yet!!! 😂😂❤️”
So, on the flip side, and I’m sure one or two of you can relate – you start questioning your own style and fits. Does making you ‘down with the kids’ actually make you ‘cringey’ or ‘unwelcome at the cool table’? – another one my girl’s sayings. She dropped a “Aren’t you too old to be wearing that Daaaaad?” comment the other day. Grounded her on the spot!
@cl_air_max1 knows where I’m coming from, (those grandkids however can wait!!!): “I think me and @stevie_insta_g are pretty cool parents considering we’re in our late 40’s. I’m ready for the grandkids now so I can start buying baby kicks. Although I have to question my outfit choices sometimes, as I forget my age. But so far, I’m hopefully not embarrassing the kids just yet. Still time though! 😂”
When it comes to embarrassing the kids, @randeepkang speaks facts: “If my kids get to the point where they are embarrassed of me and my sneakers, TOUGH. I’m keeping them! 😂 Parents embarrassing you is part and parcel of the deal I think.”
Well Missy, don’t care how ‘cringe’ you think my fit is, not ready to swap out Supreme and Stussy for slacks and sweaters just yet.
I hear ya on this one @its_only_mr_stella. He tells its for real: “Hitting nearly 50, I keep thinking is it time to tone it down and dress accordingly. But f@#k that. I’ve been wearing Air Max since 1987 and I’ll be wearing them until I’m 87.”
My girl does like to take the piss when she’s like “Daaaaad, why you wearing pink laces on those sneakers? It’s a bit girly!” You know what prickly sneakers I’m referring to right? Blasphemy. I’ve tried to educate her in the ways of hip hop and sneaker culture, but Snoop Dogg to her is just some guy of the ‘Just Eat’ advert.
Seems @mrstreetz_p gets rinsed good by his kid too: “My daughter has said to me ‘Dad stop dressing like Kanye, you’re old now!’ However, me and Ye are literally a week or so apart in our birthdays, so I dismissed it.”
She dealt me a killer blow this week, with the words no Dad wants to hear. “Dad I have a boyfriend” (her first). I wanted to get all De Niro on the ‘Little Focker’! After letting it sink in (still hasn’t sunk in as in denial), the first question I could muster up as a caring father was “What sneakers does da boy wear?”
It’s all good tho. My girl’s like a mini me but way more wavy. We’ve got a couple of matching pairs we like to flex together, and she even (begrudgingly) helps me out by entering the ‘SNKRS’ raffles. If she gets me a W, I take her to Maccy Ds – that’s the deal. Have to say, this ain’t been going to plan recently. On that damn L-Train innit. Those ‘Happy Meals’ aren’t feeling that happy right now!
Can’t see my girl wanting to help me on raffles much longer, as she’ll be wanting those creps for herself – much to my wife’s annoyance. She thinks I’m obsessed, spending too much hard-earned cash on kicks and that I’m too easily seduced by ‘hype’. Gonna blame that one firmly on OffspringHQ, what with their bubbles and cactuses.
The sneaker game doesn’t come cheap tho does it? And now it’s only got more expensive with my girl’s growing passion for sneakers.
This is way too true @crepbizzle – doubling up ain’t good for the wallet: “All I can say is take me back to the years when my son loved Thomas the Tank Engine and dinosaurs coz it was a lot cheaper 😅. He’s now obsessed with Jordan 1s and 4s (wonder where he got that from) and now everything is double💰💰for me.”
I do try and make my girl understand the value of her sneakers tho. Trashing them like beaters is a definite NO NO, and like a red rag to a bull (me)!
‘Top Mum’ marks go to @stella_loris. Her lil GOAT 🐐 totally gets the appreciation: “My little boy knows how lucky he is to have a such a 🔥 sneaker collection at his age. This is also the reason he makes sure some of his unwanted sneakers are put aside and cleaned up, ready to go into the @thescuk donation box. I’m very proud of him, and he thinks I’m a cool momma. 😎😜”
Got some mates who are at opposite ends of their Sneaker Parent journey. One recently became a Dad for the first time. He’s still super salty at having to give up his prized sneaker room and convert it into a nursery. It’s like dude, you live in a two-bedroom flat, where’s your kid gonna sleep, the kitchen? The only high-heat drops he’s concerned about right now are those in his boy’s nappy.
Another mate has a 13-year-old going all ‘Goldilocks’ on her, with sneakers being ‘secretly’ borrowed, as if Mum wouldn’t notice. A Sneaker Mum always notices. She’s super cool bout it tho and loving the fact her daughter is digging her drip.
This be sounding familiar right @mzkraysha? “I love being a Sneaker Mum. Knew my daughter ‘rated’ me when I found a video of her ‘showcasing’ my J1 collection to her friends at secondary school! She’s slowly catching up to me in the size department and I can’t wait for her to see how cool I really am! 😎 ”
These stages are all part and parcel of the journey us Sneaker Mums and Dads take. For all those planning, expecting or very recently been blessed, @trainersarealsoforwearing tells you exactly how it all plays out:
“First of all, the oh I’m having a baby, I’d best cut back on spending on trainers. Then the stage of buying the latest Travis or OW for your toddler only to have them shunned for a pair of Crocs. On to the ‘Dad why are you dressing like a teenager?’ stage. Then the ‘Actually Dad, can I borrow that Bape or Supreme hoody?’ To the (and this is the scariest stage), they are the same shoe size as you stage. This is where the bartering happens. ‘Can I wear your Trav AJ1 to a party?’ NO you can’t! ‘Ok can I wear your Taxis?’ Go on then…”
There is one final ‘bonus stage’ – the one I hope my daughter gets to one day. It’s the ‘buying sneakers for your parents’ stage. Who’s with me on that one?
@love_thy_creps we applaud you on this one bro. ‘Model Son’ material right there: “Not old enough to have kids but do love buying tonnes of kicks for my mum!”
So what we sayin? Having read the comments from the recent Offspring ‘Sunday Discussion’ (go check it out), seems we all agree bonding with your kids over sneakers is a beautiful thing. The connection, history, and shared experience – amazing. It’s a lifecycle, like when your folks took you to the cinema to watch the OG Space Jam movie, and now you’ve taken your kids to see the ‘Reimagined’ version.
On that note, ‘That’s all Folks!’ The life of a Sneaker Parent.
With that, gotta give the last words to @paulefenton_1: “My 10 year old says I’m the coolest dad in the playground when picking him up. 99% of the other dads are wearing loafers, jeans and a shirt/blazer combo and I’m rocking camo combats, hoodie and a pair of Off White 90s. Not sure if I’m having a midlife crisis or winning? 😂”
WINNING MATE. Us Sneaker Mums and Dads are winning!
