How to Be a Sneakerhead Who Doesn’t Live in a Major City

Image via Complex Original

The glorification of social media has given people the ability to connect with like-minded heads no matter the distance. Think of the Internet as a gateway of sorts that allows you to peek into what’s going on with sneaker culture while contributing to it at the same time.

Take pictures of your kicks, follow people making waves in the culture, and reach out to other sneakerheads for insight and networking purposes. When you connect with others and progress the conversation, you become a part of it yourself, even if you live thousands of miles away from someone who actually knows what Fragment 1s are.

The best way to stand out in a busy world is to always be you. And with sneakers, you have a chance to do that. Sneakers are one of the first things people notice on the streets. Just ask Jerry Seinfeld. Even if no one else in your immediate vicinity can ID kicks from a block away or wears jogger pants, don’t be afraid to be the only person pushing the limits of your sneaker and wardrobe choices. Show confidence with what you wear. Remember, personal is style is exactly that: Personal.

Besides, you can always stunt on Instagram even though not many people in town have the same appreciation for your steez. If you’re in a smaller city, you have to find ways to constantly shatter glass. Set the tone in your area, and watch everyone else catch up.

One particular challenge that smaller market sneakerheads endure comes down to getting their hands on limited edition kicks. A common belief is that the Internet has leveled the playing field, giving everyone a fair shot at copping that type of stuff. Frankly, that’s not an accurate assessment of the situation.

You can probably get your hands on a bunch of retro Jordan releases, but nabbing the ultra-exclusive sneakers still requires you to live in or near a landmark city. What’s the solution? One way is to find yourself a reliable plug. Future x Drake heaters aside, if you can secure yourself a go-to plug—think local sneaker shops or Twitter connects—the better off you’ll be. It won’t be easy, but when your collection resembles stuff you see on Tumblrs across the globe, you’ll be thankful for that connect.

One good thing about living in a metropolitan paradise is that it’s easy to surround yourself with knowledgeable people. Sneakers and the culture that surrounds them have become a big deal on blogs, the streets and social media channels. When you’re outside of those hubs, you don’t get to learn as much.

That’s why knowledge remains king. Learning everything you possibly can about sneaker culture becomes your lifeblood when you’re stuck outside of those dilapidated concrete jungles. By doing that you’re able to educate others and keep the culture alive. The more you know about use of materials, limited releases, and the moments moving the culture forward, the better off you are.

Can’t find a pair of grails you’re desperate for? Hit a sneaker show. The expansion of conventions like Sneaker Con and The Sole Exchange have provided a home base for kicks enthusiasts. These are excellent places to network, get a taste for what’s out there and of course, pick up hard-to-find sneakers. Latch onto the Internet and find out what shows are flowing through your area.

Another triumphant way to carry the torch for your sneaker community is by repping it on your feet. Plenty of regions have rich history of popular kicks, and part of being involved in global sneaker culture is putting on for the spot you came from. Sneakers and sports have always been intertwined, so Nike ID'ing a pair in school colors or the colors of your state flag are ways of injecting some local flavor into your sneakers.

Living outside of a major city and being about sneaker culture is more about bringing something different to the table more than following the hype train. You don’t need to cop every single Air Jordan retro release. Pass on cliché purchases. Mix in a buttery pair of Diadora N9000s or something else against the grain. Avoid becoming a cog and lining your closet with strictly Jumpmans. With so many viable sneaker options out there, why would you embrace the terrifying art of stagnancy? 

You have no idea how compelling people can be when they talk about something they love. There’s a reason people drive miles and miles to attend Donald Trump rallies after work on a Tuesday night. Besides his peeled back corn on the cob hair, Trump is a passionate dude. If you can put aside his trash philosophies for a second, you’ll see that.

Taking your love of sneaker culture and inflicting it on others can help turn local kids who may not get exposed to that sort of thing into certified athletic shoe junkies. Discuss with them what really makes a shoe great. Punctuate your conversation by discussing the materials that company used, the history behind it or the latest technologic advancements in kicks, like adidas' 3D-printed soles.