The Sneakerhead Dictionary - Part 1

Even if you don't remember the precise day it started... Now you only have one certainty: you can't do without it anymore.

You probably spend your days on Snkrs, Stockx, J23, Goat and Confirmed to check out new releases. You no longer have space in your shoe rack but you continue, undeterred, to buy sneakers and streetwear items.

Do you find yourself in this description? Then you really can't miss this article because we will review all the typical terms of American culture , which we are absorbing more and more into our language and which you really can't help but know!

Ready? Let's begin!

BACK DOOR

Sneakerhead meme about backdoor concept with text on image of old painting

A truly very incorrect practice which consists in selling a product (most of the time these are limited release sneakers!) under the table to friends, before the official release date!

BEATERS

Dirty and worn white Air Jordan 3 sneakers beaters battle shoes

We all have at least one pair in our shoe rack... beaters are the most used, most damaged and above all very dirty battle shoes because they are of little importance. Useful to wear for a picnic or on a particularly rainy day. If desired, they can also be thrown away and replaced with another pair which will rightfully become the new beaters.

COKE WHITES

Clean white Nike Air Force 1 like new in slang coke white

Unlike the beaters, the Coke whites really need a lot of care, because they are white sneakers . They are absolutely essential in a sneakerhead's shoe rack and usually it is a pair of very classic AF1s.

COP

Sneaking something for a sneakerhead is one of the most satisfying actions in the world. The Italianized word “coppare” derives from the English term “cop” that is to capture , to catch. You will often have read on our IG profile or on that of your friends " cop or drop ", a play on words linked to the desire/will to buy or not buy a sneaker.

COZY

boy posing for street style shooting with total look kappa sweatshirt and loose fit cozy oversized trousers

The Italian translation of the word “cozy” is comfortable . In the world of streetwear it is common to use cozy outfits to ensure maximum comfort without putting style aside.

CREPES

One of the many, many words used to define sneakers .

CRISPY

Usually the word crispy is associated with the color white: crispy white is the white sneaker . It is called this way because of its freshness.

DS (DEADSTOCK)

Two Air Jordan 1 sneakers in different red and black colorways resting on the original deadstock boxes

Tell the truth, if you are a true sneakerhead you will have at least a pair of DS in your shoe rack. This term is used to refer to sneakers that have never been worn , or rather, have never even been tried on. It is still in its original box and is factory laced or fastened (or not fastened) as when it arrives from the manufacturing company.

DOUBLE UP

New blue Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers still in the original box, same as the pair worn by the person taking the photo. A double up

In a moment of madness or perhaps in a moment of ruthless rationalism you too did this. Buy not one pair of sneakers but two . You liked it so much that you decided to follow the “One to rock, one to stock” method (one to use, the other to collect).

FIRE

If someone were to comment on your post with the word fire, faya or with the emoji it doesn't (almost certainly) mean that they want to see you burn in the flames of hell. Most likely the sneakers or item you wore in that photo is really cool, therefore hot .

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Limited edition of ultra rare Nike x Parra Air Max 1 sneakers with multi colorway pattern in the version intended for friends and family

This term is used to indicate a pair of super rare sneakers . Public School of NY often offers F&F models that take inspiration from Air Jordan models, "customizing" them with various fabrics and innovative designs. The quantities are very small and are only given to friends and family.

GARMS

Garms is all clothing that is fashionable , trendy.

GRAIL

It is said of a sneaker that has a high value for collectors. The Holy Grail of sneakers. You'd like one in your collection, right?

GR (GENERAL RELEASE)

Limited edition Nike x Parra Air Max 1 sneakers in the General Release version intended for the wider public

The GR is a generic edition, easy to find both instore and online as all retailers have this version. This means that general release sneakers will be easy to find and, consequently, they will lose value for all sneakerheads who want to grab limited edition releases.

HYPEBEAST

Barte from The Simpsons in Hypebeast version dressed in streetwear clothing, red and black The North Face down jacket, tight jeans trousers torn at the knees and silver Air Max 97 Silver Bullet sneakers

This term is used to describe someone who only follows the hype style. A hypebeast focuses only on limited edition releases, therefore capsule collections or collaborations between brands, this is because they are the most sought after and often have the highest price.

INSTACOP

When something is so stimulating that you buy it at the first opportunity without thinking too much about it.

KICKS

What's on your foot. One of the many names to indicate a sneaker, widely used by the British.

LIT

When something is crackling, explosive.

PE (PLAYER EDITION/PLAYER EXCLUSIVE)

This term indicates the shoes created by the brand specifically for an athlete . They are almost never found in shops and you have to have really good connections to get them. (see BACKDOOR)

PACK

Shoes that are released in series, such as a unique collection , can be found separately or together.

BACK

Basketball sneakers retro Nike Ari Jordan 3 signed by Michael Jordan on the tongue

The current version of a sneaker that was made in the past and is repurposed for sale. A classic example that can be given is the one referring to the Air Jordan models.

RESELLER

A reseller is someone who buys as many of a limited version of shoes as possible to resell them . No, he has no intention of wearing them or even giving them to his brothers and cousins. He simply wants to profit from them by selling them at a higher price.

FULL SIZE RUN

It refers to a complete series of sizes or numbers which for shoes generally ranges from number 6 to 12 (US sizes). Usually most retailers and stores only have certain numbers and sizes in stock. In this case, when it does not receive and/or there is no availability of the complete serial, another term is used: partial size run .

SNEAKERHEAD

Boy proud of being submerged by an avalanche of Nike and Jordan sneakers including Nike Dunk, Air Jordan and other iconic pairs of street culture

We have reached the key word! At this point we could write entire dissertations to explain who (or what) a sneakerhead is but we prefer to keep things short. A sneakerhead is a sneaker enthusiast who collects them immoderately, accumulating models of all kinds in his shoe rack: running, collaborations, retro basketball, limited editions and everything related to the world of sneakers. Obviously without missing out on any releases (or almost no releases).

SUPER FIRE

Being super fire means being superlatively fashionable and giving a completely new vision of a style. (See FIRE)

WILD

We conclude this article with the term wild which refers to a crazy-good pair of shoes . Difficult not to cup, in short!

If you liked this article or think that some terms could be added to this sneaker slang dictionary, write to us on Instagram but above all read the Sneakerhead Dictionary - Part 2, in which we talk about all the specific terms used to describe a sneaker!

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SNEAKERHEAD DICTIONARY - PART 2