Being a sneakerhead isn’t easy. There are so many questions to answer, like “Do I tie my laces out or keep them inside the shoe?”, so many decisions to make like “Do I cop the low cut AF1s or the mid cut AF1s? or do I just get both?”, but the most frustrating problem most sneakerheads have is that there are so many shoes to cop but with so little money to do so. Life is tough. So if you are new to the sneaker game and you want to embark on this treacherous journey called “The Sneaker Game”, we warn you, it is not gonna be an easy one.
Luckily for you, our editorial staff got together to compile a list of 10 sneakers which we think every new sneakerhead should get to know, and hopefully help you in your quest of building your sneaker empire. But before we get into the details of our list, we would like to say that the shoes on our list are there after a considerable amount of discussion, and also after passing a few criteria which we put in place. Like for instance, each pair stated here isn’t above the RM500 mark. Reason being is so that you won’t go broke trying to build your sneaker empire. Second criteria is that the shoes are pretty easy to maintain (i.e no complains of paint cracks, sole crumbling, material failure). Also, we took into account how easy is it to resell the pair, if you do decide to let it go, but this criteria is not really a deal breaker. And the last criteria is how easily available it is in Malaysia.
Puma R698
In recent years this model has become a hit amongst sneakerheads due to some of the collaborations done with some pretty prominent streetwear brands over the past 2 years. Although the collaboration pairs (e.g. BWGH) are pretty much sold out and also pretty pricey due to the resell value that the pair holds, PUMA has some very strong colorways of this model for their general releases. It’s comfy, looks good, and doesn’t cost much to own.
Vans Authentic
This is one of those pair that is so basic that you just gotta have it in your collection. Besides formal dressing, you can basically wear them for almost everything else and it would still look great. You simply can’t go wrong with this one. Easily available at most sneaker stores and is probably one of the cheapest pair of sneakers on this list.
Nike Air Max 1
When Nike released this pair back in 1987, it was during a period of time where footwear companies were at war with each other by trying to outdo one another in performance running footwear. And the moment the AM1 came out, it changed the game entirely. Wait, let us rephrased, it wasn’t just change, Nike TAPAUed the game hands down. The shoe was revolutionary, it was sexy, and it was a pair that mixed performance and lifestyle perfectly. Even in our present day, the AM1 is still such a big hit. Although the midsole of the AM1 will crumble after a few years, and prices of the AM1 have gone up quite a bit, it is still worth it, because you can still fetch a pretty decent price for a used AM1 (depending on which design) if you choose to resell them.
Adidas Stan Smith
This pair is Adidas’ best-selling pair of all times. It is a classic that all sneakerheads should have. Why? because it is such a plain, simple and clean looking pair but yet still manage to catch your eye with the little small details on the shoe. Over the years, Adidas have reworked this shoe over and over again with various materials and collaborations with many artiste, celebrities and brands but if you’re wondering which pair of Stan Smith to start with, just start with the OG one. Can’t go wrong with that one.
Saucony Shadow Original
Here’s a choice for those sneakerheads who want to be different and pull a “hipster” move to opt away from the usual big footwear companies. Not saying that it is a bad thing to be different. In fact we think it is a great thing. Saucony is one of the oldest footwear companies to date, having a heritage that dates back all the way to 1898. Throughout the years the company was better known for their athletic footwear but only in recent years, and after many collaborations ( Kith, Penfield, Ubiq, BAIT, etc etc ), Saucony have made a major comeback into the lifestyle market. That is why we think the Shadow Originals model deserves to be a staple in every new sneakerheads rotation. Cheap (RM299 for the basic model), comfy, and the details on this pair is pretty amazing too.
New Balance 999
Over the recent years, NB has started moving production of some of their shoes to China. Like the 574, 996, and the 999. The reason why we picked the 999 is that it looks sporty, and a little bit more sophisticated than the other models. It has more details, and a sharper look too. Super comfy, looks great on your feet, and priced very decently too (RM399).
Reebok GL6000
What? GL6000? What is that? Exactly. The GL6000 is such an underrated pair of shoe but yet it still packs heat. Best part about it is that it is easily acceptable by most people because it isn’t too over-the-top or too futuristic looking compared to other popular models from reebok like the instapump fury, shaqnosis, and the pump. This pair is solid, eye catching, durable, and most importantly, doesn’t hurt your wallet too much. Although the GL6000 isn’t very popular in Malaysia at the moment, it is a very popular model in Europe and in certain parts of Asia (Korea & Taiwan). The upside to the GL6000’s unpopular-ness is that you won’t get a lot of other sneakerheads wearing the same pair as you (if you do decide to get a pair of GL6000), and sizes are easily available in stores.
Pic by Crossover Concept Store
Asics Gel Lyte 3
The brand has become a pretty big hit here in Malaysia, and the model that is most popular with our local sneakerheads is the Gel Lyte 3. The split tongue is a feature which no other shoe has that makes it very unique. Not to mention that they last a pretty long time without much complains of sole cracks or crumbling, and they are really comfy too. Although the prices for collaboration models can sky rocket to as high as RM1000++, the entry level price for a pair of Gel Lyte 3 is RM349. Very decent for pair of sneakers of this quality.
Nike Roshe Run
The Roshe Run is probably the youngest shoe on this list. The pair was introduced into the world back in 2012 and it immediately became a hit and right now, it is one of Nike’s biggest success stories. With an entry level price tag of only RM199, the pair is surprisingly very versatile, very comfortable, easy to maintain, and most importantly easily available at most shoe shops in Malaysia. It looks good and feels good. Definitely a good pair to have in your collection as a pair of beaters. Reselling it is also very easy as it is a pair that is pretty sought after here in Malaysia.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Many of you may be wondering, “why a pair of converse?”, “There is no hype” and “it is so plain”. Well our answer to that is every sneakerhead needs an off day. You can’t be wearing Js, Yeezys, and Y3s all year round. Sometimes you gotta keep it low profile and chill out just a bit. Also, another reason why we chose the Chuck Taylor All Star is because Converse is one of the first sneaker companies around and the Chuck Taylor is their most iconic model of them all. A classic that can match with any outfit, easily available at various stores and very affordable too.
