SneakerDads

MichaelDSK aka @sneakershigh – the creative behind @slanghere – has decades of experience in the sneaker, clothing and design industries. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, he talks about how a failed sneaker hunt turned into a massive merchandising come up that changed his perspective. He also discusses the integration of his interests in sneakers, clothing and more with his career, bringing h...

Nacho from @NachoAverageFinds and the Sneaker Enthusiasts podcast has been collecting sneakers for more than 20 years – from Reebok Pumps to Nike Cortez back in the day, to shopping in his own stacks and hunting for deals today. Nacho talks about the evolution of his YouTube channel with his brother, the importance of creating an online archive of sneaker history, the changing sneaker culture, and...

Jalani @jalanimorgan is a Toronto-based photographer who shares his perspectives on art and sneakers, how collaborations promote new ideas, and being an uncle of a dynamic kid. Jalani also talks about when photography switched from a hobby to a serious pursuit, his love of sneakers and fitted hats, his experiences and goals working with the Toronto Blue Jays, what he and the players are rocking on...

Los @los_ortiz from @8point5agency has deep roots in the culture, whether it was buying AM90 Infareds as a kid, breakdancing in high school, clipping The Source magazine, or taking trips to New York City. These days, he runs his own agency 8point5.ca, keeps a close eye on the changing retail landscape, finds time to get outside to exercise, and discovers and shares great places to eat. He talks ab...

Matt aka @hutch2303 has been passionate about sneakers since high school, but it was a trip to Chicago to visit his aunt and uncle at a much younger age, when it all started with a pair of original Black Cement 3s. Hutch tells the story of acquiring that pair and others important to him, discusses idolizing Michael Jordan, shares what’s in his rotation of older Air Jordans, and talks about his pre...

Son of the host Cal makes his return to the podcast for this special Father's Day edition of SneakerDads. We talk about his current rotation, basketball, the new @Styll.ca x @SneakerDads father-son hat collection, and much more. We also play some trivia for a pair of sneakers, and go on a shopping spree in dad’s sneaker room. Host: Jon Ratner jratner@gmail.com @headzaintredee @sneakerdads SneakerD...

The wait is over, as me and Andy @aconn1ns finally get to reveal our New Era fitted hat collaboration – the @styll.ca x @sneakerdads Father’s Day collection, featuring hats that pay tribute to the greatest father-son duos in baseball. We dig deep into the designs and stories behind these hats, as well as our involvement in the fitted and sneaker communities. Andy discusses his personal journey, wo...

Andy aka @Ad__Sneaks joins SneakerDads to talk about how his background in basketball sparked his interest in sneakers, how he incorporated photography into collecting shoes, what’s in his photo tool kit, and the importance of Jordan 2s. Andy also tells us what shoes make the cut when searching for matching pairs for the whole family, discusses getting kids involved in the creative process, shares...

Karen @kayinsnkrland joins the podcast to discuss everything from office footwear and her favourite female collaborators, to the good and bad of Jordan 1 Mids. We also talk about what brands can be doing to be more inclusive, the trouble with sizing, Karen’s experiences with @sneakersisterhood and @makeway.co, storing her growing collection, and of course, being a sneakermom. Host: Jon Ratner jrat...

Mark @gassoles joins SneakerDads to talk all things New Balance and why the brand dominates his collection now, but also his days before NB. He also shares stories about outlet hunting, his perspective on the New Balance culture in Boston and on the East Coast, what he wants to see more and less of from New Balance, keeping the collection under control, the @achievebalancepodcast with Erik @gopre5...

In Part 2 with Zach aka @mr.ekos_tx we discuss the history and popularity behind some European brands, how collecting is in his blood, restoration projects, and he breaks down three of his favourite models. Zach also shares a story about his grandmother’s Reebok Freestyle collection, talks about imaginary lines in the sneaker community, having an open mind when it comes to footwear options, how hi...

Zach aka @mr.ekos_tx makes his return to the podcast after being a guest on episode #40. In part 1 of 2, he discusses overlooking a sneaker’s flaws, ensuring older pairs are in the regular rotation, making vintage sneakers last, as well as rekindling memories and making new discoveries. Zach also talks about the size of his eBay watch list, thrifting and estate sales, digging into the design and b...

Jalen @jalenlikerose of the @sneakersinzpodcast joins SneakerDads to talk about growing up in a sneaker family, the market and community for women, hunting for deals, and her custom sneaker projects and other art. She also shares a behind-the-scenes look at organizing @juskickinit_to and much more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee jratner@gmail.com SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks

Mark aka @nineteen.85 – the man behind @sneakersandrecreation – got his first pair of Air Jordans from a friend he played basketball with many years ago. He still plays with that friend today, and has a pair (or two) of those Indiglo 14s in the collection. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, Mark talks about everything from his love of hoops and keeping his collection to a reasonable number, to...

Chris @cb5950 takes us back to when he got recognition for his Air More Uptempos in elementary school, to trading sneakers as a young man, to discovering fitted hats in high school, and more recently – getting his family involved. He also talks about getting started in photography, provides some advice, shares some perspective on the state of Instagram, as well as his process and inspirations for...

Tye aka @curatedvan has been in the sneaker game for a while, but his brand has received a big lift in the past few years thanks to a lot of hard work and some recognition from well-known collectors. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, he talks about sourcing rare pairs of 1985 Air Jordan 1s, the market for vintage sneakers, celebrity clients like Devin Booker and Lil Yachty, unbelievable come-u...

This week SneakerDads takes it back to a favourite destination – Montreal – to talk with @NickPocket, a longtime collector who has a very big and very diverse collection, as well as a lot of great stories to tell. Nick talks about everything from adoring his sneakers in Grade 1 gym class, to getting lost in Germany hunting for a pair of Ewings. He discusses organizing community events, how nostalg...

@OGsneekerz joins SneakerDads to talk about his origins in sneakers, Nike’s Untold Truth Collection, teaching his children the value of money, the importance of community, and of course his love of music. OG also discusses starting a YouTube channel and how it evolved into @TalkinKicks, which he now co-hosts with @Beard__Jedi and @Kadillac_Jackson. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee jratner@gmail.co...

Paul @ibsnegative is a big adidas guy to put it bluntly, and he’s got plenty of knowledge about other brands and the sneaker world as a whole. This SneakerDad, who is General Manager of the adidas Originals store in Vancouver, is not only a source of history, stories and culture but he has an unreal collection that includes pairs that you probably didn’t know exist. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintrede...

Carlos, whose personal page is @darth_fader_12, joins SneakerDads to talk about making content with his 4-year-old son and creating a community through @FrontPageShoes, finding sneakers at kids consignment shops, and some of the most prized pairs in his collection. He also shares stories of customizing pairs as a kid, matching his OG Villanova Dunks with his son, footwear in the barber shop, a ver...

From his youth in Brooklyn hunting for Barkleys and other coveted sneakers on Fulton Street and elsewhere, to selling baseball cards on eBay, and eventually making frequent trips to Japan, Alan, the co-founder of Sneaker Con @sneakercon, seemed destined to be in the business. On the latest episode of SneakerDads, he talks about what he found in Japan, organizing early sneaker events in New York, a...

Derek from @SoleSupremacy joins SneakerDads to talk about his roots in the sneaker game and how it turned into a reselling business, how he keeps his collection to 30 pairs and why it often changes, the state of the market, and his first $100,000 buyout. He also discusses social media and his use of Twitter, the origins and evolution of Beater Boxes, and how he doesn’t get the same joy he once did...

From Hot Lavas to Mac Attacks, Andrew – who runs the @sneakerpreservationsociety Instagram page – has a serious passion for vintage sneakers and particularly the “eternal silhouettes.” On the latest episode of SneakerDads, Andrew talks about sourcing hard-to-find pairs, the desire to complete sets, Andre Agassi and the Challenge Court line, and where Air Jordans fit into his collection. He also sh...

@Kadillac_Jackson joins the podcast to talk about everything from growing up in New York to the community surrounding the @talkinkicks YouTube podcast. In Episode 24 (Year 2) of SneakerDads, Kadi discusses how he got into collecting LeBrons and his most coveted pairs, what he wore to the hospital when his son was born, why his wife supports his collecting hobby, his opinion about retros, his son’s...

From his youth in Queens, NY to being a father of 3 today, sneakers have long been a part of Eric @e_the_astranot’s life. He talks about rare pairs, how his wife contributed to his sneaker habit, what he wants to see from various brands, what’s in his youngest son’s rotation, and much more. Host: Jon Ratner @headzaintredee jratner@gmail.com SneakerDads.com Beats: Chili Banks