10 Things A Non-Sneakerhead Would Never Understand

Being a sneakerhead is probably the coolest hobby in terms of collecting—people with comic books, Pokemon cards, and stamps just don't look fresh while they are doing their thing. Wear any of those things in public and you might get arrested. That said, the dedicated sneakerhead is still subject to ridicule and being misunderstood by people who don't understand our way of life. Complex decided to break it down so sneaker fans know when to be patient with their friends and family—this is also a guide you can share with outsiders who just don't get it. Hit the jump and check out 10 Things A Non-Sneakerhead Would Never Understand.

Follow @ComplexSneakers

You can collect just about anything but when it comes to sneakers, having hundreds (or for that matter thousands) of pairs just doesn't make sense to outsiders. You only have two feet, right? And then there's the tremendous amount of space they take up. Little do the non-sneakerheads know, sneakerheads dream of full rooms dedicated to this crazy obsession that is sneaker collecting. Not to mention there's that amazing feeling of pulling on a fresh pair—who doesn't want to experience that every single day?

We're not sure who started the whole trend of lining up days in advance, but it sure confuses non-sneakerheads to see kids posted up outside of the mall with sleeping bags and hot chocolate. Hell, it confuses some of us sneakerheads who have been buying sneakers for decades. It's not like it's the new iPhone or something. Plus, it's fun to see someone who no doubt at some point made fun of Boy Scouts sleeping outside in 40 degree weather with only mom's blanket for cover.

We are guys, we nickname the things we love—our golf clubs, our cars, a few other things we should keep out of this, and of course our sneakers. Some of them are blatantly obvious and some are going to make us feel very nerdy when we have to explain it, but the game is the game and there is no way we could hold a conversation with our peers if we listed everything by color and or even worse, product number. You don't talk about your kids by their social security number, do you?

If dropping ridiculous amounts of cash on sneakers is considered crazy, imagine how hard it is for someone outside of the sneaker community to wrap their head around buying old—even used—sneakers for ridiculous prices. Then imagine explaining to them that you probably can't even wear them because if you did they'd crack, crumble and become completely unwearable. Seems crazy to us, too. But we're still gonna keep those OG Air Jordan Is on our watch list just in case we come up on some extra spending money.

This one might be an issue with parents who really take pride in tradition but people need to understand that it's your day, your life. Not to mention the drama-filled relationships you had to go through to find "the one" that actually understands your sneaker obsession. Besides, once the drinks start flowing, nobody is going to remember anything but the beauty of your big day and that completely inappropriate toast from your uncle.

Standing on a crowded street taking a picture of your own kicks may seem absurd to some, but it's a way of life for sneakerheads. Funny part is, non-sneakerheads don't even realize that it probably took a dozen tries to get that one pic you actually posted on Instagram. That's how it goes, though. Ain't no shame in that...at least from people that understand.

We get it, going out with us and watching us walk around like a kid playing the hot lava game seems pretty stupid but just like your car, house, or Drake-looking cable knit sweater, our sneakers represent an investment to us. We take great care and pride in something that holds sentimental value and monetary value alike. We can't condone the violence that some 'heads take to but damn, be careful where you're steppin' homie.

Sneakerheads will do some downright crazy shit to protect their kicks, even when it comes at the price of self respect. But hey, you just dropped a couple bills on those sneakers, if not more, so making sure they look fresh for future wearing is the only choice. You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes.

To most people, the above Air Jordan Retro IVs look like the same thing. To sneakerheads, only one will be purchased next month. Though fakes can look close to the real thing nowadays, the difference between feeling good and being the laughingstock of the sneaker community is something non-sneakerheads may never really fully grasp. See, sometimes we DO have our dignity!

Sneakerheads are always looking ahead. Whether it's because they need to plan out the cash they're gonna drop or whatever it is, most teenage sneakerheads will remember when the next Air Jordan Retro drops even though they can't remember to send their grandmother a birthday card even WITH a written reminder. And the same kid who can't keep track of a chore schedule for a week will have an Excel spreadsheet in his head for the next season of Tier Zero drops. Priorities, some people just don't have them.