Image via Complex Original
The end of a relationship is never easy—but to a sneaker collector, a footwear mishap often feels like a break up. Today, Valentine's Day, is meant to be a celebration of love but for many it awakens feelings of loss, lust and missed opportunity. Complex Sneakers talked to a few footwear industry impresarios and sneaker aficionados about life, loss stress and shoe-related setbacks. In honor of the feels in the air today, 13 Sneakerheads Tell Their Most Heartbreaking Sneaker Stories.
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Chris Douglas-Roberts
Profession: NBA Player, Charlotte Bobcats
"In my second season for the Nets, I had a pair of the copper Foamposites in my locker at the practice facility. It was the time of the year when guys out of college were working out for teams and preparing for the draft. Guys would work out and tweet at me, talking about the Foams they saw in my locker. I paid it no mind. I just thought they were feeling the kicks. So I went into the gym to get some shots up one day, and my kicks were gone. One of the college kids stole them out of my locker. I still don't know who stole them to this day."
Jahlil Beats
Profession: Artist/Producer, Roc Nation
"Last summer when I was at Six Flags one of my black/red Jordan IVs came off my foot while I was on the 'Batman' ride and it messed up my whole day. I had to buy thong flip-flops at the souvenir shop and wear those instead."
Tina Nabati
Profession: Blogger and Founder, ShoeQueendom.com
"When I was in college I tried out for Wheel of Fortune. It was a special and exciting occasion, so I wore my baby blue suede Nike Dunk Pro Lows. After a long day of waiting, I won a raffle for a chance to actually try out on stage, and I won the round. I was so excited that I called my dad yelling about the news. I flung my arm across my body while explaining, only to hit my brother, who came with me, by accident, and spilled his coffee—all over my shoes and jeans. Needless to say, I was heartbroken and never got a call back to be on the show, either."
George Kiel
Profession: Associate Editor, Nice Kicks
"Unfortunately, one of my best friends and I were subject to a sneaker theft during the fall of 2009 because of our—well, his—carelessness. We were in Dallas for the Red River Rivalry, and when we arrived to the game, he unconsciously left his keys in the ignition after parking. Long story short, we returned several hours (and a few parties) later to his car, which was apparently invaded.
One of my favorite shoes at the time, the grey Nike Dunk Hi AC TZ, my 'Playoff' Air Jordan XIs from 2008, and his "Eggplant" Foamposites were long gone from the trunk. I think he also had a pair Dunks stolen as well. Luckily, the thieves didn't take the car itself or my laptop computer, which was also in the trunk of his car. To this day, I still give him crap about being so irresponsible in that moment."
Damian Rodriguez
Profession: Social Media Manager, VILLA
"My most heartbreaking sneaker story happened last year, when I met LeBron James during NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston. I accompanied Mache as he met up with 'Bron to present him with a pair of one-of-one 'Iron Man' Xs for a video feature I was capturing during my tenure at SneakerWatch. Long story short, LeBron agreed to sign some shoes for us, and when he got to me, he asked for my name in order to personalize it. I've had issues with people misspelling my name, Damian, with an 'e' over an 'a' so played it safe and said, 'Dame, D-A-M-E.' After a quick photo op and a dap-up goodbye, I realized I must have not been clear enough. My box read, 'Thanks BAND (B-A-N-D), LeBron James #6.'"
Andy Oliver
Profession: Developer - Shopify, Consigliere - Kith
"Being a Canadian, my most contentious sneaker relationship is with Canada Customs. They're like a scorned ex that's making my life miserable for wanting to see other people (in this case, international sneaker stores). They're currently 'inspecting' seven pairs of shoes purchased in the U.S.. Let me live."
Jazerai Lord
Profession: General Manager and Social Media Strategist, Kicks on Fire
"Though it's almost been a year, my heart still hurts over the loss of my 1999 Bred IVs. They gave me 14 good years: from my first college kegger to the birth of my first kid. And then, one day, it was over. I took one step and the earth crumbled beneath my feet—in both the physical and literal sense."
Brandon Edler
Profession: Digital Engagement Strategist, Finish Line
"The Nike Air Yeezy II June 9, 2012 release: No need for a backstory, everyone wanted them and just about everyone missed out, including yours truly. It started with 19 tabs open on my web browser at 7 a.m., only to get them in my cart multiple times but to no avail. I went to a raffle at my local spot shortly after that, and struck out while two of my friends walked away with pairs. It was a rough morning. Later that night, I was watching the Pacman fight with a table of friends when the link went out. I quickly announced I would pay whoever secured them $100 just for the assist (they weren't sneaker people and had no clue of the resale value). Everyone at my table feverishly tried until they were sold out and we all struck out. I had a few extra Henny and Cokes that night and sent out a few salty tweets. I learned my lesson: Grown men need to chill out. But that release definitely got the best of me."
Wesley Johnson
Profession: NBA Player, Los Angeles Lakers
"It was my first year in college at Iowa State, which is a Nike school, so I was wearing my new all-black Jordan Vs. They were my favorite. I was out and a local guy ran up on me. Long story short: We got into a fight. Eventually, he ran away and I started feeling something warm on my leg. I looked down and my first thought was, 'My Jordans are destroyed.' My second thought was, 'My leg is bleeding.' The guy had pulled out a knife as he was trying to duck my punches, and he sliced my Vs from the toebox up until my mid-shin. They were destroyed. My leg healed and I have a scar, but I've never worn Jordan Vs again."
Dallas Penn
Profession: Internets Celebrity
"Two years I had my sneakerhead heart ripped through my chest. I didn't even see it coming, so that made me hurt even more. It was the release of the Foamposite One 'Galaxy' and it would change my relationship with sneakers forever.
"I don't come from the era of waiting in line for sneakers. I don't come from the era of waiting in line for anything, for that matter. Those days were long gone but the new shoe game was nothing like we had ever seen before.
"Limited supplies, purposeful misinformation, and shoe queues hundreds of sneakerheads deep is how the game rolls out now, and I wasn't ready to get played in my pursuit of a sneaker. Little did I know the fuckery that I was in-store for.
"Lines had started forming more than a week before the sneaker's release date. The Foamposite One wasn't the only sneaker dropping on that date, it one of several sneakers being released as part of the annual NBA All-Star Game festivities. I couldn't wait in front of a store for several days just to find out that the store wouldn't have the shoes available for sale. so I canvassed New York City like a bloodhound. Every store I found myself at was either already ram crowded or completely empty because the store clerks said they wouldn't have the shoes in stock.
"I didn't get the sneaker. I was a day late and a dollar short in my efforts."
Terrence Watson
Profession: Sports Blogger, Vibe.com
"I had two girlfriends in college. Not at the same time, but there was a rumor that spoke to the contrary. After breaking up with Girlfriend Number One, I started dating Number Two a few months after. One day I'm coming out of the campus Starbucks and walking to class, when Girlfriend Number One sees me from the other side of the road. I peeped her, but I just kept walking until I reached the front gate, and I heard what sounded like a footsteps running behind me.
"I looked back and running up on me was Number One, and she was steaming mad. Her nostrils flaring like post-game Richard Sherman. I'm trying to talk calm, but she's tight. She smacks my caramel macchiato out of my hand and on to my jacket, jeans, and white Jordan IVs with the green accents that I had barely worn. IVs are my favorite kicks of all time, so I was super mad. Eventually the situation ended, and I was able to salvage my kicks, which I still have, but they're not as fresh as they could've been."
Jay Corbin
Profession: CCO, Sole Selectah
"Summer 1999: I agreed to go on date with a tenderoni I just met at Greek Fest. I came correct with crispy pair of white and chrome Jordan IVs I bought at Nike Town in Caesars Palace while at Magic in Las Vegas. We get to walking on the beach and kicking it, and she tells me to put my shoes in her bag while we're walking. Two hours pass—the night ends and I return to the car and ask for my kicks only to find out she only has one in the bag and couldn't find the other one. It was pitch black and there was no way we were going to find that shoe. Last time I saw the shoe and her."
John Geiger
Profession: Marketing & Business Manager, Darrelle Revis
"I was in Pittsburgh right when the Yeezy 1s dropped, I had plans to go to a club with friends. At that time, Facebook was where you posted photos, and I was bragging about getting all three colorways. I had plans to wear the black ones that night and I did. The club was Alter Bar—it's in the strip district of downtown Pittsburgh. I parked a couple blocks away because it was a busy night for all the surrounding bars and clubs. I had a great night with friends, and I remember a guy saying to me something about my shoes. I didn't think anything of it. Around 2 a.m., I left the club alone, talking on the phone. Right when I was close to my car, three guys approached me and their actual words were: 'Run them Yeezys.' I thought, 'OK, I'm about to fight over some shoes.' Then one of the guys pulled out a gun and demanded I take them off on the spot and hand them over. I'm not going to lie, not once did I think about losing my life over some shoes. I didn't think he was serious until he poked me with the gun a couple times. But shortly after, I took them off and handed them over. I drove home with no shoes on. I guess he needed them more than I did."