How I ran into my sole mates

FILIPINOS HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR EXPENSIVE SNEAKERS. THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY FANCY ‘KICKS’, AS FAR AS THEY’RE CONCERNED

It feels good to get rewarded for the things I do; and, in my case, shoes are the ultimate reward.

Everyone at work notices the shoes I wear — especially the more crazy-looking ones (I have one with soles that resemble oversized insect eyes). And when I tell people I have about 50 pairs of kicks in all that aren’t exactly cheap, either their eyes widen or their jaws drop, as though they’ve seen a life-sized foot walking on, well, two more feet. We all have our reasons for indulgences. Personally, my shoe-collecting spree is the realisation of a childhood dream. When I was younger, some dude named Michael Jordan introduced his signature basketball-shoe line that was a bit out of my budget’s reach at the time, and I greatly envied those who did rock them on the court and on the street back then.

But truth be told, that 50odd figure is like the tip of a toe, compared to those who can truly label themselves shoe collectors or ‘sneakerheads’.

Meet the sneakerheads

“I just want them,” says Indian national Aaron Augustine, a 16-year-old student living in Dubai. Unlike most of his countrymen who live and breathe cricket, Aaron has a particular itch to dribble that basketball instead. And, he says, he will do anything — anything — to get those pairs. To what extent, exactly? “I could pretend to be really kind and loving — enough to convince my dad to give in and think I deserve the shoes I crave after all.”

(Insert silence and a little gust of wind here.) “Just kidding!” Jokes aside, Aaron says he knows not to expect any silver shoe boxes or platters. Running an errand or two, watching out for his little sister — he’s got to work for the prize.

“It actually feels good to be rewarded for things I do; and, in my case, shoes are the ultimate reward.” There’s also the social by-product that comes of this collector’s quirk: making new friends on the basketball court.

Camping out for kicks

What is it about kicks that make them tick? “Aside from balling, my friends and I get to have a good conversation, a healthy debate on what shoes are better than others and, best of all, build stronger bonds with each other [because of this shared passion for shoes]. One day, we may even decide to camp outside a store, just to get our hands on a pair from a limited-edition collection,” Aaron says. “And, of course, we get to brag about what we have on our feet.”

Speaking of camp-outs, Filipinos are famous for doing this when particular pairs of Air Jordans are due for release in stores. To hell with hunger, sleeplessness and even relationships is the rallying cry. Interestingly, not all sneakerheads subscribe to this though.

“I’ve never camped out due to my schedule — but mostly because of my family,” says Joseph Sevillena, who works for a bank in Dubai. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get what he wants. “I make sure to check out online resellers — even those based in other countries.” Even if that means shelling out an extra premium for them.

His efforts have borne soles, er, fruit: Joseph has 18 pairs of Air Jordan 11s alone, by consensus the most popular model in the line. (And I don’t have a single pair yet… If anyone’s willing to donate, I’m a size 9!) He’s followed Jordan since his heyday with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls in the 80s and 90s — so consider it pure passion.

Let’s not forget priorities

Despite his obsession for shoes, however, he has important advice: know your priorities (unless, of course, you’re filthy rich). “You should know where your money should go first, especially if you have a family like I do,” he says. But when you have the cash to spare? “Keep on collecting!”

On November 26 last year, a sports equipment store in one of Dubai’s popular malls held an up-to-90-per cent ‘Super Sale’ in a bid to get rid of stocks — and you can guess which nationality made up 99 per cent of the customers on that day. The turnout resulted in the place looking like a scene the Angry Birds would have been very proud of. (Fun fact: I was there that day; it took me four-and-a-half hours to get past the cashier queue; I did walk away with 10 new pairs though — so I’m not complaining!)

Coveting starts early

Rakan, a Saudi national and marketing professional, says his passion for sole fashion began in high school. “We had uniforms, so the only thing we had freedom with was shoes,” he recalls. I had to get creative.” After all, who wouldn’t get tired of seeing the same shoes every single day?

The saga continued when he joined university. “In university, I felt like I couldn’t wear the same pair of sneakers for all my outfits,” says Rakan.

Adidas Originals were his kicks of choice back when they were trending, but he has since branched out to other brands — and has pairs for specific activities, such as lifting, running and of course, formal events.

As the occasions kept piling up, Rakan decided one pair per setting could never be enough. “I believe that every person should have at least two pairs of shoes for every occasion,” Rakan says. “It’s always good to have options, and there is no shame in having multiple designs of shoes for the same social occasion. It’s all good.” I fervently agree. For their budding or would-be sole-mates, these three gentlemen offer a common denominator in their parting shots: if you really like a certain pair, go for it. You might just get something that’ll get everyone else up on their feet.

Aaron Augustine

I’ve never camped outside a store for shoes… but I make sure to check out online resellers, even from other countries. Joseph Sevillena

It’s good to have options. There is no shame in having multiple designs of shoes for the same occasion. It’s all good. Rakan