The world of sneakers has its own unique language, we also call it as sneakerhead lingo, and if you want to keep up with the culture, it’s essential to understand the terms. Not sure what the difference is between a "cop" and a "drop"? Wearing "deadstock" sneakers as your daily "beaters"? Or maybe you've heard the term "OG sneakers" but were hesitant to ask your sneakerhead friends. While there may not be an official Sneakerhead Lingo, if there were, it would probably look a lot like this guide. It's time to sharpen your sneaker vocabulary and speak the language of sneaker culture like a pro. Searching reliable sneaker websites and getting your favorite sneakers!
Sneakerhead Lingo: General
B Grade: Sneakers with minor manufacturing flaws, often sold at outlet stores. They offer a chance to snag rare colorways at a lower price.
Beaters: Everyday sneakers you wear without worry, even in tough conditions. These are the pairs you don’t mind getting dirty or scuffed.
Bred / Bread: Any sneaker featuring a black and red colorway. Originally associated with Air Jordans in Chicago Bulls' team colors, but now applies to any sneaker with this color scheme.
Bricks: As a sneakerhead lingo, hyped sneakers bought for resale that fail to generate expected profits or don’t sell at all.
Colorway: The unique combination of colors on a sneaker, distinguishing it from other versions of the same model. Often used to create nicknames, like "bred."
Cop: To buy or acquire a pair of sneakers.
Creps: London slang for sneakers.
Deadstock (DS): A brand new, unworn sneaker from a past release, still factory-laced and in its original condition.
Factory Laced: As a sneakerhead lingo, sneakers that retain the original lacing from the factory, a sign they are unworn.
Fire: A sneaker that is particularly rare or stylish on a sneaker sale website.
Flip Flop: When sneakerheads change their opinion on an upcoming release, turning a previously dismissed pair into a "must cop."
Friends and Family: As a sneakerhead lingo, exclusive sneakers gifted only to friends and family of brand employees, often never released to the public.
GOAT: Stands for "Greatest of All Time," often used to refer to icons like Michael Jordan or Kanye West on a sneaker sale website.
Grails: The most coveted sneakers, often rare or expensive, that every collector dreams of owning.
GR (General Release): Sneakers produced in large quantities and widely available at most retailers.
GS (Grade School): As a sneakerhead lingo, neakers designed for children, sometimes purchased by women with smaller feet for their unique colorways and lower price on a sneaker sale website.
Heat: As a sneakerhead lingo, sneakers that are either rare or exceptionally cool.
Hypebeast: Someone who follows sneaker trends without personal taste, only buying what’s currently popular.
Instacop: A sneaker so appealing or hyped that it demands an immediate purchase.
Kicks: Another term for sneakers.
BNIB / NIB / NWB: Short for "Brand New in Box," "New in Box," or "New With Box" – an unworn sneaker that still comes with its original packaging.
NOS (New Old Stock): Refers to unsold, as a sneakerhead lingo, unworn sneakers from an old release, often discovered in small, independent shops or a sneaker sale website.
OBO (Or Best Offer): A term used by resellers indicating they are open to accepting the listed price or a higher offer.
OG’s: Refers to the original colorway of a sneaker from its first release.
On Ice: A pair of sneakers kept unworn for future use.
Pack: A group of curated sneakers released together, often with a common theme on a sneaker sale website.
Player Edition (PE): A sneaker designed for a professional athlete but released to the general public.
Player Exclusive (PE): As a sneakerhead lingo, sneakers made exclusively for an athlete, never to be sold to the public or reliable sneaker websites.
Reseller: Someone who buys sneakers with the intent of reselling them at a higher price, often securing large quantities through connections or by queuing for limited releases.
Restock: When a store receives more inventory of a previously sold out sneaker.
Retro: A re-release of a classic sneaker, usually with minimal changes to the original design.
Sample: A prototype sneaker made for testing or promotional use, often never released to the public or reliable sneaker websites.
Size Run: The range of sizes a store carries for a particular sneaker, with a "full size run" meaning they stock all sizes from a particular range.
Tonal: As a sneakerhead lingo, sneakers that feature a single color across the entire shoe or reliable sneaker websites.
Trainers: The British term for sneakers.
VNDS (Very Near Deadstock): Refers to a sneaker that has been tried on or worn briefly but is still in nearly new condition.
Sneakerhead Lingo Anatomy
3M: A reflective material developed by the 3M company, originally intended to enhance nighttime visibility for runners. It’s now commonly used for decorative purposes on sneakers.
Aglet: The plastic or metal tips on the ends of sneaker laces. Often customized by sneaker brands for added detail.
Gum Sole: A sole made from light brown rubber, known for its durability and classic look.
Highs: As a sneakerhead lingo, short for high-tops, these sneakers lace up above the ankle, providing additional support.
Icy Sole: A transparent sole, usually with a slight bluish tint. These soles tend to yellow over time due to oxidation.
Lateral Side: Refers to the outer side of the shoe, located on the side of your foot where the little toe is.
Lows: Short for low tops, As a sneakerhead lingo, these sneakers lace up below the ankle for a more casual look.
Medial Side: The inner side of the shoe, where the arch and big toe are positioned.
Mids: As a sneakerhead lingo, short for mid tops, these sneakers sit between high tops and low tops, offering a blend of ankle coverage and mobility.
Midsole: The cushioned layer of the sole that sits between your foot and the outsole, designed for shock absorption and comfort. Technologies like Air or Boost are commonly found here.
Outsole: The bottom part of the sneaker that makes contact with the ground. It’s usually made of durable rubber and designed with tread patterns for added grip.
Upper: The part of the sneaker that encases the foot, attached to the sole. Traditionally made of leather or fabric, but now also produced with modern materials like knitted textiles.
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