Part of getting old in sneakers is coming to the realization that everything is just not for you. It can't be. So for all of the DOPE SBs that exist, I'm kinda bummed that I'm most drawn to some of the more simple pairs. I've owned a ton of the major pairs...Heinekens, Carhartts, Alphanumerics, Pusheads, Paris', Pigeons...but the only ones I've kept are those that I actually *want* to wear. So...the Orange Box SB...or...the Levi's SB (of which I currently have two pairs). ‘Favorite’ is such a loaded word. I mean…I own these. I CHOSE to own them. I SOUGHT after them. They're super basic. Is that just me getting old? Or is that me honing in more on my style?
But...again...being old...If you asked me what my grail SB is, tho, it’d likely be the one I could get the most money for. Not one that I actually like. Just one that I know *other people like* and are willing to spend unreasonable amounts of money on. Give me an Iron Maiden or a city series or a sample or…whatever. I don’t care. Anything I could get $100k for and I’m good. That’s my grail. I guess that’s because I don’t care much for grails. Or the idea of grails any more. Which is what makes the word 'collector' so loaded. What is collecting without a goal? Isn't that just hoarding?
Seems like *everyone’s* SB grail is a super expensive one. Not one that they necessarily like, but one that they know costs a lot of money. Freddy’s, Paris’, White Lobsters…which...boggle the mind. How is a white on white pair of dunks a grail?
Everything else feels…attainable. Or, if not attainable…past it’s prime. I love Jedi’s and I love Bisons and I love Barfs. But I ain’t buying those for any reason whatsoever. Because I know that they’re no longer meant to be worn. 20 years later…they’re gonna fall apart. And I don’t want to deal with just storing more sneakers. Just give me a fun, classic colorway that I can wear and I’m happy.
What about you? Is your grail SB one that’s just too expensive? Or is it one you’d actually feel comfortable wearing? Are your ‘grail’ and your ‘favorite’ SBs the same shoe?