Sneakerhead

A sneakerhead is someone with deep passion for sneakers extending beyond casual interest into collecting, trading, and cultural knowledge. The identity emerged in the late 1980s at the intersection of basketball culture (particularly Air Jordans) and hip-hop fashion. Sneakerheads distinguish themselves from casual buyers through their knowledge of release histories, colorway names, and cultural significance of different models. They maintain collections, track upcoming releases, understand authentication, and participate in sneaker communities. The culture has its own vocabulary (colorway, GR, OG), rituals (camp-outs, raffles), and hierarchy (collectors versus resellers). Sneakerhead culture significantly overlaps with streetwear but maintains distinct traditions. Unlike the pejorative 'hypebeast,' sneakerhead is typically a self-identifier used with pride, though some distinguish between 'true sneakerheads' who appreciate history and craftsmanship versus those who only chase hype.