Image via Complex Original
You’re home. You’re bored. You have nothing to do. Or you have everything to do, especially if you’re into sneakers. Hopefully you're wearing a cool pair of socks or soft slippers (and we genuinely hope you’re staying safe, getting well, or using your best judgment to put yourself in smart situations), but there are plenty of sneaker things to do while cooped up: watch videos, read books, learn your history, organize your sneakers. Here are some sneaker activities to keep you occupied during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Sneakers get dirty. It’s a fact of life. The only way to make sure that never happens is to keep them on ice forever. Who wants to do that? Learning how to clean your sneakers is an artform and a process we should all be familiar with. You can buy products from brands like Jason Markk, Crep Protect, or Sneakers ER. There are different components and materials to consider: leather shoes, suede shoes, laces, outsoles, and much more. Here’s how to clean all of that.
Reorganize your sneakers.
You probably have a lot of sneakers if you’re reading this. Maybe you’re an OCD clean person. Maybe you’re a slob. Either way, it’s a good time to reorganize your shoes. You probably have pairs by the door, and that’s OK. But it’s time to put your pairs back in the boxes that you don’t wear. Line them up by brand, model, or colorway. Whatever helps you best. You’d be surprised at how many sneakers you own that you totally forgot about. If you want to get rid of all the boxes, order a bunch of clear, front-drop sneaker containers for a more uniform setup.
A lot of sneaker content is fleeting. Short clips that don’t fully satisfy your craving for footwear knowledge or are just flat-out clickbait. There are a few sneaker documentaries out there, though—ones that go into the core of footwear culture. Give them a watch.
Watch: Unbanned : The Legend of AJ1
Sneaker YouTube: some love it, some hate it, most can’t stop watching it. Catch up on Sneaker Shopping, Full Size Run, and other sneaker content from Complex.
You don’t see them as often these days, but the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s were full of sneaker advertisements that were pure gold as brands faced off with each other for market share. Here are a few of the best, most important, and most entertaining.
Michael Jordan's Nike ads:
Nike Air Max 1 ad from 1987:
Nike's LeBron James and Kobe Bryant MVPuppets commercials.
'90s adidas ad by David Lynch.
Ken Griffey Jr. commercial for Foot Locker from the 1990s.
Not every sneaker video worth watching is a documentary, an old ad, or something from YouTube. There are also plenty of interviews online that are gold if you love or want to know more about sneakers. Here are a few.
Tinker Hatfield interview.
Kanye West and Steven Smith interview.
Kobe Byrant interview with Jacques Slade.
Fat Joe with Bobbito Garcia from ESPN's It's the Shoes
Michael Jordan interview on his favorite Air Jordans.
Not everything is online. There are plenty of sneaker books packed with knowledge, stories, and anecdotes. Here are a few of the best ones to pick up.
Where’d You Get Those? New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987
Image via Amazon
Image via Amazon
Image via Amazon
Image via Amazon
Start your own Sneaker YouTube channel, podcast, or blog.
You have spare time, why not do something productive? Start your own sneaker blog, Sneaker YouTube channel, or even a podcast.
Here’s some advice on how to do those things.
Why I Hate Sneaker Blogging Today
Learn the history.
There’s often an argument that kids today don’t know enough about the sneakers they're buying. Well, here’s your chance to sit down and really research them. Whether you want to learn the history of Adidas, Nike, the Air Force 1, the Stan Smith, or Air Jordans, there’s plenty of content out there. Linked below are a few good pieces of content to get you caught up to speed.
The History of the Air Force 1
The Untold Story of Michael Jordan’s Banned Sneakers
How L.A.’s Street Culture Made the Cortez Nike’s Most Authentic Sneaker
Look for steals online
In today’s world, we’re used to spending too much on sneakers. But, there are still sneakers you can grab on the low. Search your favorite retailers, whether it’s big box spots like Foot Locker or JD Sports, boutiques like Sneakersnstuff, End Clothing, and Lapstone & Hammer, or mid-tier shops like DTLR or Shoe Palace. Also check Nike and Adidas’ websites (or New Balance, Reebok, Saucony, etc.). All this down time will also give you a chance to scour sites like eBay, GOAT, and StockX to find sneakers for a good price.
Take a break from sneakers and focus on other things.
This whole list is about sneakers. A good portion of your life is probably about sneakers. But it shouldn’t always be like that. There are other things out there. Call your parents. Cook some food. Talk to an old friend. Do some push-ups and air squats. Update your resume. Do the things you’ve been putting off for too long that will put you in a better position in life. You finally have the time to do them, so why not now?
