The Craziest Things People Have Done For Sneakers

Houston Mall Is Mobbed Over Nike's Air Jordan Retro 11s Cool Grey

At first glance, you’d think this surveillance video was a clip from a new Die Hard movie. Not in the least bit. This is the real-life aftermath live from outside a Houston Mall as it was mobbed over the sought-after Air Jordan Cool Grey 11’s. Not too cool at all if you ask us. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

SNEAKERHEAD DON’T #1:

Wearing Bags Over Your Feet To Protect Sneakers While we’ve definitely been there before, this trend needs to be left in 2006. It’s never a good look to walk around looking like a crackhead pretending to be an astronaut. To you, it’s footwear protection. To an outsider looking in—yes that includes the fine chick across the street—you look like an idiot with bags on his feet.

Chicago Teen Murdered Over A Pair Of Sneakers (Refused To Give Them Up)

There’s no reason why your shoes should come before your life. Sneaker culture definitely took an L for this one.

Jermaine Dupri Organizes & Numbers His Sneakers

Numbered, labeled, and photocopied in a book? Unless your sneakers are paying rent, that might be a little overboard JD!

Air Yeezy 2 Sneakers Stolen at Gunpoint

Continuing with the Yeezy 2 craze, a Redondo Beach resident actually got held at gunpoint for his pair. This is when things get a little too real for us. Details on this story below, via Redondo Beach Patch: “The victim had just returned home Saturday night from the Fox Hills Mall in Culver City with two new pairs of Nike Air Yeezy 2 sneakers when a silver BMW pulled up and parked next to his car, police said in a news release. A person got out of the BMW, grabbed the victim from behind and held a gun to his cheek, demanding his shoes.”

Nike Air Yeezy 2 Auction on eBay Closes for $90,300

“Yeezy 2 Mania” was intense—so intense, that people were shelling out thousands to own the coveted pair of kicks. One pair even sold on on eBay for reportedly $90,300 on June 6. We’re not sure if the winning bidder actually dropped the rumored 90+ stacks, but we’ve seen some go for easily an average of $2,000. Yeah, it gets serious out here.

19-Year-Old Boy From NY Killed While Waiting In Line To Buy $300 Nike Foamposite

Another sneaker release, another avoidable death. While our love for sneakers is right up there with the next man, no one’s life is worth losing over a pair.

Making Sneakers Out Of Genetically Grown Stingrays

Would you consider a $1,800 pair of customized sneakers made of stingray skin bizarre & inhumane or stylish & forward thinking? Either way you look at it, growing stingrays with genetically altered DNA, for the sole purpose of using their skin for a sneaker design, is a bit crazy. Rayfish Footwear uses a patented process of bio-customization, which allows you to design your own living, transgenic stingray, using a genetic library, of DNA. You can actually combine the skin patterns and coloration from dozens of different species to make your own unique shoe. If you’re not too PETA to get yourself a pair, by all means click [HERE].

SNEAKERHEAD DON’T #3:

Not Wearing Old Sneakers Because Of Dirt Or Scuffs The vintage look is in when it comes to your old shoes. They definitely deserve more love than the attention they’re currently getting under your bed. A few scratches, scuffs, or dirt stains never hurt. Besides, unless you have 5 platinum albums & more than a few Grammys under your belt, you don’t have the luxury of wearing a new pair of sneakers daily. If you’re way too fresh for the scuff, donate your old sneakers to the nearest Good Will. They’ll definitely find their way on a deserving pair of toes—especially with all the help Hurricane Sandy victims still need.

Going On Judge Judy To Sue Over Yeezy 1s

We’re not sure which is the bigger fail: the fact that you’re on a daytime TV court show fighting over sneakers, or the fact that it’s not even for the newest Yeezys! Do better folks.

Kixclusive Sneaker Store in Manhattan Looted

Not only was Kixclusive one of the many businesses that went through one of the worst storms to hit the east coast, they also had to worry about inconsiderate looters breaking in and stealing thousands of dollars in kicks. The burglars allegedly got away with 30 pairs of sneakers estimated at the value of $30,000 according to NYPD.

SNEAKERHEAD DON’T #4:

Wearing The Same 5 Sneakers In Rotation It’s one thing to wear old sneakers, like we previously mentioned. It’s a completely different world to continuously rock the same pairs of sneakers like it’s your uniform. Don’t be afraid to add some new additions, and go with a brand that you’ve never heard of before. Need help picking out something new? Here are some suggestions to get you stared: Gourmet Footwear Supreme Timberland Adidas x D Rose 3

Yeezy 2 Campout A Month In Advance

A couple of days for a camp-out? Ok. A week in line? Doutful, but understandable in some cases. A whole month of waiting in line for a sneaker that—at the time—didn’t even have a confirmed release date? That’s taking things a little too far.

RSVP’ing on Twitter to Get Yeezy 2’s

You’ve got to admit: it was pretty crazy of us to sit in front of our laptops for hours to DM our name & shoe size for a chance to buy (not win) a pair of Kanye West’s $245 Air Yeezy 2’s. Unfortunately, 99.9% of us did it in vain. As you look at your shoe collection, lacking the Black or Platinums, ask yourself one thing: Was it worth losing my job that one time I called out to sit at home in front of a computer screen for 9 hours?

Man Trades Used Car For Galaxy Foamposites

Most people trade sneakers for money, clothes, or well, other sneakers. This Cragislist seller had another idea in mind sell. The Galaxy Foamposites became such a hot commodity that this person was willing to trade their 96 Chevy Cavalier for it. With the Cav ranging from $1,144 to $1,894 in buying price—and the Galaxy Foam reaching anywhere between $2,000 to $4,000 on eBay—this might actually be a fair trade, don’t you think?

Whoever Buys “ShoeZeum’s” Guinness Book World Record-Holding $1 Million Sneaker Collection On eBay

Call this the Grand Slam of sneaker sells. ShoeZeum has pretty much every sneaker you could possibly want in life, and they’re selling them all—for a cool million, that is. If your pockets can afford the loss, you’ll go down in history as the biggest sneakerhead of all time, or the guy who dropped a million dollars on some sneakers. Look on the bright side though: it’s free shipping! Yo big spender, the listing is [HERE] if you’re interested.

SNEAKERHEAD DON’T #5:

Becoming A Slave To Your Shoes Sneaker culture is one of the biggest, and most praised, lifestyles in the world. With that said, don’t make it your world. It might sound crazy, but there are bigger things to focus on than a pair of Infrared Air Max 90s—like your job to afford said Infrared Air Max 90s. Hopefully we won’t be adding any extra crazy stories to this list next year when the Air Jordan Grape 5’s are released.