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Keeping your sneakers deadstock or not is a choice that every sneakerhead faces with each new pickup. There is no denying that a pair of sneakers looks best fresh out of the box, without a crease in the toebox or the slightest hint of dirt on the outsole. Sometimes, our love of kicks takes things to levels that we would have never seen coming at that point of first purchase. Whether you keep them on ice for years or wear them everyday however, sometimes those kicks you like most end up cracked, crumbled, peeling, ripped, stained, torn and above all, unwearable. The path of getting sneakers to a nearly unrecognizable state is up to you, but after checking out 25 Crazy Photos of Destroyed Sneakers, we hope you choose to wear them while you have the chance.
Air Jordan Retro V
Yeah, we all bitch about the clears soles of our Jordans when they begin to yellow, but imagine opening up a box you had stashed away to find this. Get out the Bondo.
Air Jordan Retro XII "Bred"
The Air Jordan XII is prone to serious separation anxiety. As in, when we see this kind of separation, it gives us anxiety.
Nike Dunk Low Pro SB "Takashi"
The Nike SB line of Dunks was intended for skateboarding but over the years has become more collected than skated. If we have to see a shoe like the 2003 Takashi Dunk be demolished, at least we can see that these were used for their original intent.
Air Jordan Retro XI "Space Jam"
The clear outsole of the Air Jordan Retro XI is one of its most popular design elements. Sometimes they yellow and sometimes, they just straight-up don't want to be a part of your shoe anymore.
Nike SB Dunk Low "Old Spice"
SB Dunks that were actually skated in? Yep, amazing stuff. From the looks of it, these Dunk Lows have got some serious stank going on, despite their Old Spice nickname. Good ventilation, though.
Nike Air Foamposite One "Electrolime"
Foamposites have never been so popular, but that won't stop some people from ruining a pair for the sake of being able to Instagram it. We hope the extra three followers were worth it.
Air Jordan XVII "College Blue"
The AIr Jordan XVII may be underrated but damn, seeing a deadstock pair go to waste sucks. Especially in a colorway that MJ wore in his days as a Wizard. Think it's safe to remove that translucent blue tape now.
Vans Rowley III
When you can't be 100 percent sure what model the sneakers started as, that's when you know they've been properly destroyed.
Nike SB Zoom P-Rod II
Of all the ways a sneaker can experience an untimely demise, using them for their intended purpose will ensure these dogs go to sneaker heaven.
Nike Air Jordan VIII 'Playoffs"
Heel separation is a good sign of a sneaker actually being worn but seeing these VIIIs come apart brings a tear to our eye. Ride 'em 'til the heels fall off.
Nike Air Jordan I OG
These OG Air Jordan Is have seen better days but on this list, they might be considered VVVNDS.
Nike Air Jordan VII "Bordeaux"
Visible Air isn't the only kind that can fall victim to decay. These OG Bordeaux VIIs have seen better days.
Air Jordan Retro IV "Bred"
Removable cushioning units were intended for Air Jordan XX1 and up, not retros. Whoops.
Air Jordan Retro IX "Flint"
Peeling and cracking, these Air Jordan Retro 9s look like they've been sitting outside posing for this pic for ages.
11. Nike LeBron 9 "Swingman"
Whoever decided that dissecting new sneakers was a good idea definitely didn't consult with us ahead of time. Hopefully the LeBron 9 "Swingman" isn't a grail for any of you—if so, we apologize for the tears you'll shed seeing this.
Vans Sk8-Hi
Props to whoever wore these to get them to this point, this is the sneaker equivalent to beating a dead horse...for months too long.
Nike Zoom LeBron III
No amount of tape will bring these LeBron IIIs back to life. But hey, it's clear tape, maybe nobody will notice.
Nike Zoom LeBron IV
Broken straps everywhere, if ain't about the...eh nevermind. Looks like someone took the jaws of life to these Zoom LeBron IVs, hopefully the wearer survived because obviously the kicks didn't.
Air Jordan Retro V "Fire Red"
When an Air Jordan Retro model comes along, that's about the only time saying goodbye to an OG feels better, if only slightly.
Vans Half Cab
It's the 20th anniversary of the Vans Half Cab, and coincidentally these look like they were skated for 20 years straight.
Air Jordan Retro XI "Space Jam"
The site Long-7 has made a name for itself by dissecting sneakers and not even a fresh pair of Retro XIs is safe from the knife. Let's be honest though, that "for the good of science" crap doesn't fly. Nobody is donating a heart while they're still healthy, so if the kicks can be worn, why dissect them?
Air Jordan Retro IV "Cement"
Clearly this isn't a typical early death, but seeing the Air Jordan Retro IV disintegrated is rough. Especially with that classic 'Nike Air' on the heel tab.
Nike Air Max TN
Bakers take note: Air, even when finely "Tuned" can turn into crumb cake. Who wants dessert?
eBay x Nike Dunk SB
eBay and Nike made this dunk for charity and then proceeded to slice up the only other one in existence. Chopped and (the rest of us) screwed.
Nike Air Jordan IX "Olive"
Even wrapping your kicks in plastic can't save them. And in some cases, like this one shown by Sneaker Exchange, it actually backfires. Looks like you really are better off wearing them until they fall apart than letting them go to waste.
