10 Things Every Sneakerhead Should Do (But Probably Doesn't)

This feels like a constant admonition, but it's one worth repeating: WEAR YOUR SNEAKERS. Wear them inside, wear them outside; wear them in the sun, wear them in the rain. Wear them without looking down every five seconds, wear them without walking like a duck to prevent any creases from forming (they will anyway). You don't have to go out of your way to jump in mud puddles, but be a little more carefree. They're just sneakers.

Yes, this is supposed to be "do" rather than "don't." But seriously, take a break. Wear that pair of oh-so-dope sneakers for yourself, and not to impress a bunch of people you don't know on the Internet. We're not saying you should NEVER post what you're wearing on Instagram (and when you do, don't forget the #ComplexKicks tag), but take at least one day a week and wear your sneakers for you and the people who see you in real life.

Sneakers don't come in cardboard boxes because they're the optimum way to store and keep sneakers forever. They come in cardboard boxes because they're cheap, recyclable, and ship easier. That box is meant to transport your shoes from the factory to the store, and that's about it. So while keeping your original shoes in the original box is the dream, it's not the best solution in reality. Face it, the only reason you need the original box is for resale — and you're not selling anything. Go to the Container Store and find a better solution.

Someone explain this: You finally get the sneakers you've been lusting after since you were in third grade — or at least a retro version of them — and you immediately put them in the darkest, coolest spot in your closet, fill the box with those silica gel packets and only take them out to look at them at night when there's no chances of them being hit by direct sunlight. Are these the actions of a sane person? Would you buy a Ferrari to just keep it in a dark garage? If they're your favorite sneakers in the whole wide world, shouldn't you wear them MORE than any other pair? Face it, they (and you, for that matter) are going to crumble eventually no matter what. Wear them, enjoy them, make them yours.

Don't be a narrow-minded sneaker connoisseur. See how the other half lives sometimes. If you live in tech basketball shoes, buy a pair of Converse All Stars. If you always wear skate shoes, get some LeBrons. And if you're a Free/Woven kind of guy, pick up some Skytops. Try something different — you might even like it.

Face it, you probably have way more shoes than you're ever going to wear. Or maybe you have a few pairs of beaters that are a little more beat than you'd like. Forget selling them on eBay or NT, and just donate them or pass them on to someone who might appreciate them. Sure there's the tax write-off or the satisfaction of paying forward, but just do it because it's the right thing to do. Donate to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, or see what other organizations exist that collect unwanted sneakers — there are plenty. And the next time you see DJ Clark Kent, don't ask him how many pairs of sneakers he has, ask how many pairs he's given away.

If you've noticed a recurring theme about wearing your sneakers, it's purely intentional. But go a step further. Get off your couch and go see why your favorite sneakers were made the way they are. Run in your Frees, hoop in your Jordans, skate in your SBs. We're not saying you need to become the next Usain Bolt or LeBron James or Eric Koston — but at least jog a few steps, shoot a layup or kick-push to the next block. It's a good reminder that before sneakers became objects of worship, they were pieces of sports equipment.

There's something pathological about being first that's a little bit scary. Whether it's being the first to comment on an image or thread, or the first to cop the latest pair of must-have sneakers (or anything else, for that matter), the modern-day consumer society supports the whole idea of "I want it and I want it NOW." We're here to tell you that sometimes it pays to wait. There are so many releases nowadays that only the most limited of them sell out right away. There are re-stocks and mysterious outlet appearances, let alone all the sneakers that find their way to clearance racks both in real life and on the internet. So pick your battles wisely. Sure the Yeezys aren't going to wind up on a shelf for $69.99, but those Air Maxes or Lunars probably will. Sometimes good things indeed come to those who wait.

Why so serious? Instead of ice grilling everyone else's feet and trying to assess your own standing, tell someone else that you like their kicks. Everyone wants approval on some level and one real-life "yo, nice shoes" from a fellow sneakerhead means more than a thousand Instagram likes. We're all in this together.

Know what the best thing about "major" sneaker releases are? There's always another one, generally the following week. So instead of settling into a camp chair for the weekend with a pocketful of Power Bars, sleep in. Let those other poor suckers spend the day and night in front of Foot Locker waiting for whatever shoe it is that they'll Instagram tonight and sell as VVVVVVVVNDS next week. No need to abandon the ride entirely, just take a turn off and see how you feel. Worst case scenario is you have to spend double retail on eBay later — at least you won't have pneumonia.