The sneaker scene exploded after 2017 with loads of new people entering the game and invigorating the old. Some have stayed with it, but others are nowhere to be seen. It got us thinking at Offspring HQ, so we asked you the question, ‘What does the modern day sneakerhead look like?’

So, what were y’all saying? Seems gone are the days when sneakerheads were solely defined by their obsession with hype and limited-edition releases. In the modern era, being a sneakerhead is more about self-expression, individuality, inclusivity, diversity, and a forward-thinking mindset. The modern-day sneakerhead has ‘evolved’, is open-minded and has redefined the boundaries of sneaker culture. Let’s break it down like this.

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

Remember back when you’d be a walking advert, head-to-toe, dripping in Supreme and BAPE? Gone are the days when sneakerheads were confined to a specific demographic, age group or gender. Sneaker culture transcends boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life.

You’ll find teens, seasoned collectors, and even celebrities proudly displaying their love for sneakers. They no longer feel compelled to wear what everyone else is wearing. Instead, today’s open-minded sneakerheads challenge stereotypes, they embrace the freedom to mix and match their kicks with various outfits, creating looks that reflect their personality and taste, and are uniquely their own.

“Just for illustration, I’m a 40-year-old accountant. Other sneakerheads I know are in their 20’s living the high life in London – uni students, construction worker, teacher, self-employed electrician, solicitor. We are in every facet of life. Old, young, in between. So many people I consider good friends are people I would never crossed paths with without the sneakerhead world. It’s mad how many times I’ve seen some fire on foot, looked up and not expected who I saw 🔥👏” randeepkang

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“Someone who wears what they want, doesn’t follow hype and rather their own personal taste, GRs can be grails to some along with the super hyped stuff. As long as they go straight to feet and worn with pride 🤝” sams_sneaker_cleans

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“I can only talk for myself so slightly overweight, balding, and middle aged but with great taste in footwear 🔥🔥🔥” leed2136

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“There is no ‘look’. We became so diverse that it’s more about how you feel, and what we share together as a common passion.” crepsaholic

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“All shapes and sizes. Sneakers don’t discriminate. One love.” lordpiers

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“At this present moment I love how diverse the game is everyone has their own style. The younger generation is wearing what they like and not necessarily what we use to wear. A Jordan retro can sit nowadays whereas before that wasn’t the case. What a time to be a sneakerhead 😮‍💨” nerdyacollects

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Some are still in skin tight jeans and some are in mc hammer style trousers where you can’t even see the shoes on their feet. crepshots

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“A sneakerhead is a person who loves and collects sneakers. You catch them young in their teens to adults hitting 50+. The age group of collectors is diverse and vast. We all come from different backgrounds and have different day time jobs. But ultimately, it’s the love of sneakers that brings us all together.” ghostxsg

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“Is it even definable anymore, I feel it’s shifted along with society. As an example, workplaces have evolved, the dress code norms of old have thankfully been eroded, and more people can low-key express themselves through their sneakers. Just look down on the tube in the morning, you see heat on feet more and more at 8am. To me it’s clear now, you can be a sneakerhead and not have to fit in any one box or look a certain way.” xdjlbiz

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

What truly sets modern sneakerheads apart is their sense of Community. This has been there from the start. It has not diminished and if anything, the Community has got stronger. Yeh, the big pick-up days aren’t frequent as they once were (watch out for them Super Saturdays in ‘24 tho), but the modern-day sneakerheads aren’t just individuals collecting shoes; they are part of a global network of like-minded enthusiasts who share their passion.

Sneaker conventions, events, forums, Sunday discussions and social media platforms have become spaces where sneakerheads connect and engage, to discuss all things sneakers and culture. The Community provides a support system, a place to share knowledge, showcase their heat and develop friendships – creating a sense of camaraderie and unity that transcends geographical boundaries.

“Us sneakerheads have got a lot closer as a community. Everyone can get hold of pairs and we all are gassed for them whatever they get. Young or veterans in the game, we all come together and try help where possible. @the_urban_syndicate discord is a great place to be for sneakers, general topics and mental health if you need to talk to someone. This is what it’s about – making friendships that can help with anything not just sneakers.” st11sneakers

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A lot to be said for virtual platforms like IG that have allowed fellow sneakerheads to connect and share passions as a community. A passion and interest in trainers is where we all start, and then greater bonds and networks grow out from that. The ‘modern’ sneakerhead can be from anywhere. Location is no longer a main barrier. They are connected and aware of current trends and drops, but may not have met a lot of their closest sneaker mates in person.” bobbylovetrainers

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“Love the vibes in this, for me it’s about a passion and a love for the community. Keep being creative people.” ****degs****

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“Around 2016-18 there was so much hate around the scene. It was toxic and people weren’t that welcoming but now people are so friendly and it’s so easy to start a conversation with someone wearing a cool pair of trainers.” jackrichards007

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“I see a lot of respect from sneakerheads towards each other. A lot of the hate towards people who got certain shoes has died off. Thankfully that’s a good thing.” craigpne2

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“One of my favourite parts of the Super Saturdays was seeing how differently people styled the same kicks. I find really cool that something as conceptually simple as a shoe, can bring together a whole heap of different people who would never normally cross paths.” ted.meddickdyson

BEING COMFORTABLE

A few years back, not sure the words ‘comfort and practicality’ even made the hype-beasts’ vocabulary! A lot of you are now thinking, comfort is key for the contemporary sneakerhead. No longer are they willing to sacrifice their well-being for the sake of style.

With advancements in technology and design, sneakers have become more comfortable than ever before. When it comes to practicality, people be wearing Salomons like they’re trailing up mountains, when in reality, they’re just flexin’ up Streatham Hill!

“Personally, I think a modern sneakerhead is someone who just loves sneakers, with no allegiance to one brand or silhouette. I love seeing and experiencing new brands and models such as New Balance and Saucony. Nowadays for me it’s all about comfort. I’m still driven by colours and materials for most of my purchases and I regret paying resell for hype pairs I just don’t wear. 🔥❤️” mckeownnicole

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“The modern audience is becoming much more diverse in their choice. They aren’t afraid to be different (On, Hoka, Salomon etc). It’s great for the space as it helps alleviate the saturation, we’ve seen with the J1, Dunk etc. and brings a fresh perspective. It’s also been so great recently to go in stores and see product in hand before having to make a purchase decision.” stei

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“I think for a while, the sneaker scene got repetitive and boring, and everyone was wearing the same things, no uniqueness. But I feel over the past year, people have started to diversify more and more and it’s awesome to see! I much prefer a more ‘mature/dad style’ look and feel atm. But I think what’s most important is that you feel happy and comfortable in whatever you wear!” johnboyy95

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The general consensus of what a sneakerhead is has changed since 2017, for the better. People are buying what they like, exploring new models and acknowledging silhouettes that are important, outside of the sneakers people usually gravitate to like the Jordan 1, which was one of the silhouettes at the forefront of what people purchased.” jagveer_chahill

SPENDING WISELY

Let’s be for real, sh!t ain't cheap out there! Living costs have soared and so have the price of sneakers. Back in the day, people would be chasing ‘Wins’ for 2-3 pairs a month, sometimes more. Nowdays, as @kaff’s Bank Manager puts it, “I don’t think you have the facilities for that big man!” 😉

So, being a modern-day sneakerhead is not without its financial considerations. The pursuit of exclusive sneakers often now come with a hefty price tag, and y’all know those limited-edition collabs and retro OG releases you missed out on, command astronomical prices in the secondary market.

“In these modern times the availability of shoes appears to be the best it’s been for years, and while the prices have gone up, we’re not having to pay ridiculous prices in the resale market. It’s a great time to get involved.” dmac7557

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“For me personally, the cost of living has dramatically reduced my ability to purchase sneakers like I was before, so I have to be very picky with what I purchase now and have to really want the sneaker. £200 plus for a jordan and £240 for a new balance is just a bit too crazy for me to drop every month” 😢. hughes.stewart

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“I think the ‘modern-day sneakerhead’ has literally changed within the last year. It used to be people following trends and hype. Now, due to cost of living and it not being the great resell business it once was, the scene has filtered out and is slowly reverting to those who genuinely love to collect sneakers, and feel joy and pride in wearing them.” thisisvasleon

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“Times have changed financially. I think people are taking their time and seeking pairs they really want or wanted, possibly even catching them in the sale.” renz_1seven

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“Given the current financial situation lots of people are in, it’s very clear to see the ones who are in it for the love of sneakers rather than for the resale value. Although we still see them come out when some high heat drops come, ie Travis. With a possible new low coming in 24, get ready for the pending Insta posts after posting nothing shoe related for months 😂” sneakerpapi_og

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“The retail price going up on all pairs coupled with the cost of living has probably made a lot of people rethink their priorities. I spend more time hunting old pairs on eBay than chasing new releases because I don’t want to regularly pay £220 for a Jordan IV or £170 for an Air Max. Kind of think people may just be a more conscious and selective consumer now, rather than chasing the hype all time!” mattlyons_

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“Since I started collecting I’ve had 4 boys so collecting has taken a back seat, I’ve still picked up a couple of pairs here and there but not at the rate I did. Hopefully I’ll be back up for the M4 in ‘24 though 🙏”. harrycartz

CREATING CONTENT

In the age of social media, a modern-day sneakerhead has become a curator of their own personal brand, showcasing their collection on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. They inspire others with their unique style, knowledge, and conversation. Sneakerheads have become influencers and content creators, building a Community that connects people from all corners of the globe. They use their platforms to share their passion, creativity, ideas, and elevate the sneaker culture to new heights.

However, not everyone’s on board, feeling influencers have weakened the sneaker game to the point the OG sneakerheads are stepping away from the scene. Gotta respect all the views but hey, if you’re not into the whole ‘influencer’ thing, don’t be a hater and be writing sh!t in their DMs. Just don’t follow.

“Social media plays a huge impact on what sneakerheads wear or want. I think once you’re on social media, it’s hard to not get influenced and tbh it’s not a bad thing either. It’s great to see what’s out there in terms of what other brands are doing, and how other people style certain pairs etc.” marium_______

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“A ‘modern’ sneakerhead (IMO) is someone who likes sneakers but enjoys the outlet of creativity, interactions, networking, and opportunities that their joy for sneakers provides, as much as, if not more than collecting sneakers themselves.” kaff_official_insta

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“The ‘modern’ sneakerhead has more tools at their disposal to learn. You can watch YouTube videos on shoes before they drop, you can find community groups to learn from, research through blogs, listen to podcasts etc. I can imagine it was all a lot harder back in the day. This year has proved you can like ANYTHING and there is almost unlimited product you can get behind and get excited about.” matt_sibley_

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“Hmm… a modern day sneakerhead, well according to my Instagram feed it’s someone who posts ‘fits’ every day, wears baggy clothes to the nth degree, does GRWM videos (recently found out what that acronym means ) and buys an abundance of trainers even if they’re a bit naff. I couldn’t be further from a modern sneakerhead if I tried! 🥲😆” thesneakerteacher_

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“Modern sneakerhead is wearing what’s seen on TikTok.” hamzzz23

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“The meaning of ‘sneakerhead’ has def changed! The modern use of the word today (in spite of those that have ‘left’) is still driven by a fashion thing. Buying whatever social media tells them to, taking fit pics, chatting about whether shoes are ‘sitting’ or not. So yeah… for me the modern-day sneakerhead is still a ‘fashionista’ more than something that is rooted deeply in an obsession about athletic footwear.” lovesneakershatesneakerheads

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“Unfortunately, most of the modern sneakerheads are either Instagram influencers, those who follow influencers or resellers trying to profit off hype. Many of us who have been in the game 20+ years are either tired because said groups have killed the game and the essence of a niche passion, or we’re getting older and having to prioritise families, children, homes etc.” joel86uk

THE GENUINE LOVE

The passion for sneakers goes beyond mere material possessions – it’s a genuine love for the artistry and culture that surrounds this footwear phenomenon. While some may still chase after the latest releases, many now see the value in investing in iconic sneakers that have stood the test of time.

A modern-day sneakerhead understands the value of sneakers beyond their aesthetic appeal. They appreciate the craftsmanship, the heritage, and the stories behind each pair. Sneakerheads are knowledgeable about the history of different brands, the significance of certain collaborations, and the cultural impact of iconic releases.

“Somebody who enjoys buying GR’s as much as hyped-up shoes. Somebody who walks into a store in 2023, sees what he/she wants readily available, smiles to him/her self and thinks ‘what a time to be alive’ 😋” deanyboy72

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“Someone who appreciates the story of a shoe and knows what they’re buying.” reisskicks

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“I think a sneakerhead is someone who revels in nostalgia, is in the game for the love and passion of sneakers and not just sneakers in general, but the nods to the OGs. I love listening to the history of sneakers, the history of how designs came about, the history of retail selling (mom and pop shops for example), everything about it fills me with excitement.” prima.customs

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“The ‘modern’ sneakerhead is the same as it’s always been, someone who collects and enjoys sneakers for what they are, not what they sell for or what clout they will give them.” d7nyb

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“Love shoes, love talking about shoes, love wearing shoes. Easy ❤️” uk9_sneakerhead

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“Anyone and everyone can be a sneakerhead. For me what’s changed most is things are a lot more accessible than they were at that time. Because of this the overall hype factor has diminished but for those that have a genuine love. it’s great because you can take a little more time before picking something up without fear of having to pay the dreaded ‘res*le’ price.” mikesknowsbest

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“Being a modern day ‘Sneakerhead’ is about the ongoing passion. It’s about liking what YOU like, and sharing your passion with others who are the same BUT different. We all love/live ‘shoes’, but we all do it in our own unique way.” jaywdee77

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“I believe that a sneakerhead can come in any way as long as the love for sneakers is there. The story behind the shoe, the intricate details, and the community is what drew me in further than simply; “that shoe is a work of art.” hebby96

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“Short and simple, someone who genuinely loves sneakers. It shouldn’t be a complicated passion or hobby.” crepsqueenrei_