First Wear Podcast
Real sneaker stories. No hype. From your first wear to the culture’s biggest moments, First Wear Podcast takes you behind the counter, behind the releases, and into the real side of sneaker life.
Hosted by @EdotREEP, we dive into the moments that matter — first wears, campouts, raffles, retail nightmares, resell culture, and how sneakers truly shape the community. Whether you’re a sneakerhead, a curious collector, or just someone who loves the culture, there’s something here for you.
🎧 New episodes every Tuesday.
👟 No bots. No flexing. Just authentic sneaker talk.
🎧 New here?
Start with Episode 1: “My First Wear” — the sneaker that started it all.
👉 Link in bio or search “First Wear Podcast” wherever you listen.
Rate & review us on Podchaser to help more sneakerheads discover the pod → https://www.podchaser.com/Firstwearpod
First Wear Podcast
Forgotten Gems: The Sneakers That Defined the 2010s
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you!
Remember when scoring a pair of KD4s felt like winning the lottery? When Roshis and ZX Flux dominated every sneaker rotation? The early 2010s represented a cultural moment in sneaker history that's rapidly fading from memory, leaving behind silhouettes that once defined streetwear but now collect dust on retail shelves.
This nostalgia-fueled journey explores the forgotten heroes of 2010s footwear—the models that had us camping outside stores at midnight releases but now struggle to generate excitement when retroed. From the golden age of Nike Basketball (KD4-6, LeBron 8-11, Kobe 6-8) worn casually with skinny jeans and elongated tees, to the rise and spectacular fall of Foamposites, we're examining how dramatically the sneaker landscape has shifted in just a decade.
The episode traces how Yeezys and Ultra Boosts dramatically redirected consumer attention around 2015-16, creating a seismic shift away from basketball silhouettes toward lifestyle runners. We explore how the "outfit grid" Instagram era defined personal style, with layered looks complementing these now-vintage silhouettes. For OG sneakerheads, there's a silver lining to this cultural amnesia—pairs that once sold out instantly and commanded outrageous resale prices now frequently sit on shelves, offering redemption opportunities for those who missed out years ago.
Whether you're a seasoned collector who lived through the NMD craze or a newer enthusiast curious about sneaker history before the app-based raffle era, this trip down memory lane reveals how quickly trends rise and fall in footwear culture. What forgotten gem from this era do you miss most? Share your thoughts and join us as we approach our 100th download milestone!
🎧 First Wear Podcast: where sneaker culture comes first and hype takes a back seat. New episodes every Tuesday — audio drops at 6 AM EST, video at 6 PM EST. Follow @firstwearpod to join the conversation and share your sneaker stories with the community.
When you think of the 2000s , you probably think of Yeezys , roshi or KD4s , but what about the pairs that got lost in the hype , the sneakers that defined a decade but are now sitting collecting dust or going for pennies on the aftermarket ? Welcome to the First Wear Podcast . I am your
Lost Legends of 2010s Sneakers
Speaker 1host , edyreep . Today we have episode nine . So this episode , man , I wanted to , you know , bring back a little nostalgia , man , especially with everything going on in the sneaker game right now . I felt like this was a good time to like circle back to , you know , about 15 years ago , when everything was different . So , you know , during the early 2010s , man , like the Roshis were killing the game . Do y'all remember when Roshis were selling out Roshis with a hot shoe Like ? I remember having ? I had a few pair of Roshis for sure , especially working at Finish Line . That was the go-to work shoe Between like Roshis and prestos beautiful , so lightweight , comfortable , cheap , for real . Then they had like the chukkas , the mid-top joints . They were more I kind of think they were more like a lifestyle shoe . With doing that , I went up to the chukkas and they had like the different , different materials and everything . But , yeah , roshis had me in the chokehold for real and they also had the ZX Flux , the Adidas ZX Flux with the tubulars . You know , back then it was all about the skinny jeans and the joggers and you had the ZX Flux with the tubulars . You were doing it big . That's when everybody was layering their fits . They had the long line or the elongated tees , you know , with the scoop hem at the bottom . Y'all know what I'm talking about . The 2010s were crazy man . But yeah , like I don't even see any ZX Flux releasing anymore , like you can find Roshi's randomly at the outlets , but of course they're not dropping anything new . But yeah , the ZX Flux tubulars , the SL loops you don't see any of those anymore . It's so crazy that most of the shoes you see now are retro . They dropped years ago , however many years 15 , 20 , 30 , 40 years ago and they're spinning the block and they're still doing pretty well . As of late , a lot of them are sitting ago and they're , you know , spinning the block and they're still doing pretty well . You know , as of late , a lot of them are like sitting , but for the most part , there's still like a demand and market for them . But when it comes , like the rochers and the tubulars and ultra boosts even the ultra boosts , like they're making them still , like you'll find them in the outlets , but it's not like a crazy buzz .
Speaker 1What was another joint that used to go crazy with the ds ? Oh , the nmds . The nmds , they were like the top of the line shoe to get . At one point they were reselling for crazy numbers , especially the . Which one ? Was it the all-black nmd that had the tricolor uh stripes on side ? Oh my God . But now , like you tell somebody about an NMD , if they weren't around then they wouldn't even know what you're talking about .
Speaker 1Man , it's so crazy how the culture and like your style or your taste , like trends
Rise and Fall of Nike Basketball
Speaker 1during certain time frames , like you're not even looking for a Zx flux or a tubular or nmd ultra boost . Now it's wild . And then definitely that's when the influence I guess that's when the influence started for real , because you had those , the outfit grids . Like before to get ready with me , you had the outfit grid . I don't know , man , I don't take pictures anymore , Like I'm just I record everything . But I feel like you know that was like a great breakdown of your fit for real . So you have , for those that don't know , you'll post your picture or whatever on Instagram and then either the slide following that , or the slide that was before your actual like fit pic . You had that outfit grid where you know you had your shirt , jacket , pants , shoes , accessories all that just lined up or like placed in a certain in a frame . You know what I'm saying . Then you like had the breakdown of what brand the shirt was , you know whatever . The outfit grids was so crazy . It was like there was a page . The outfit grids were so crazy . It was like there was a page dedicated to outfit grids , like on Instagram , and they like would repost your stuff , like it was beautiful times , man , beautiful times . It's sad to see now .
Speaker 1Well , I mean , let me , let me , before I say that it's like you know , there are pros and cons to everything , because this episode , really this was not supposed to be episode nine . I recorded a full episode nine and when I went to you know edit and the playback or whatever , the audio was so crazy . It sounded like I was possessed , like I don't . I deleted that junk immediately . I don't know what happened , so I've been testing it out . Hopefully , everything is , you know , on the up and up . But I didn't want what happened , so I've been testing it out . Hopefully , everything is , you know , on the up and up .
Speaker 1But I didn't want to redo that episode just because with this podcast you know , first World Podcast I want to keep the you know authenticity , even with my YouTube channel . Man , I don't like to fake reactions . Like people think I like go back and like record stuff over or whatever . Like every video I put out is my like raw initial reaction . Like I unbox stuff on camera so you can see my initial reaction of the shoes , like I don't go look at them first and then like tape the box back up , whatever . So I wanted to keep that energy with the podcast . So I don't like talk about the same thing twice and I won't have the same energy and I won't have the same like emotional . You know if that makes sense . I want to keep it like raw , authentic , uncut . You know what I'm saying . So I had to redo this .
Speaker 1But this topic , like I was getting to , stemmed from a customer interaction yesterday . The customer I was ringing him , him out and he was like you are kobe's and like jordan's , just not selling anymore . Because he was like man . I remember back in the day I couldn't imagine seeing the aqua 8 sitting on the shelf and I was like you're right , like this , this new sneaker generation man is different , like they don't really care about the same stuff that we cared about . We're old heads now I guess , ogs , whatever you want to call it . That brings me to my next topic . Nike basketball was running the game . That was the golden age of Nike basketball man . The KD 4-6 , the LeBron 8-11 , kobe 6-8 . Those were the hot sellers . Of course , you know the Mikes , you know what I'm saying .
Speaker 1The Jordans I feel like they're in their own category .
Yeezys Changed Everything
Speaker 1Jordans are going to sell regardless . It may not be like a crazy demand for it , but Jordan brand knows , or they wouldn't keep dropping the same colorways and the same silhouettes over and over and over again . They know they're going to sell . At some point they're going to be gone . So I don't even count Jordan in this particular category because they're a league of their own . But yeah , man , people were rocking Nike basketball shoes casually .
Speaker 1So now , when you see , like the KD4s I never imagined the KD4s would drop again Because those colorways went crazy . Those were a lot of people . The Aunt Pearls that's how countries are the Aunt Pearls ? Them Aunt Pearls was going crazy . Back in the day I never thought I would get my hands on those without having to pay a high ticket . So to be able to get those joints for retail in 2025 , or was it 2024 ? Was it last year , this year , I can't even remember but for me to be able to get those for retail where I could not even fathom Except the scoring titles , the nerfs , the Galaxy KD4s for retail , it was so crazy to me . But they only appeal to a certain demographic , which is the people that were outside copping shoes back then . You know what I'm saying .
Speaker 1Kd4 is still sitting on the shelves in pretty much every retail store I can imagine , depending on your area and how many stores you have , but you can get LeBrons on it . The Kobe 6 WNBA is still sitting on shelves in Snipes right now . It might be limited sizes , but you can go in there . You can get the Pure Money 3 just sitting , aqua 8s , I think , the French Blue 12s a few sizes of those , of course , the Kobe's . So it's like the Rare Air 3s . It's like wow .
Speaker 1I can't fathom a time where you would Like , if you would have told me like you can go in the store right now and get three to four retro shoes for retail , get Kobe's for retail phone posits sitting on the shelf . I wouldn't believe you , especially not doing the 2010s . They were going crazy for those joints . Like people were lined up , camped out faithfully for these releases and that's when we were still doing the midnight releases , kind of , when that Galaxy Pack dropped Midnight release . So I'm like I'm thinking , okay , let me go for the KDs , kind of . That's the time LeBron 9s were going crazy , kobe's were definitely going crazy . So I was like all right , the KD4s you know they're $100 retail . I think that Galaxy pack might have been higher , but I know like the retail for the KD4s at first were $100 because KD wanted to keep them affordable . So I was like all right , let me try for the lesser popular shoe , which in my head I thought they were , but clearly I was wrong . All of them were equally popular because they sold out immediately At like 12.01 , they were gone . So I don't even know if they were having bots then . They were just like manual users going crazy .
Speaker 1So I you see the shift from the basketball to you know there are more . There's more lifestyle now , more runners , designer shoes , shoes like the 2010s were all about . You know we were still rocking the basketball kicks casually , like it was nothing for you to throw on a pair of lebrons , kobe's , kds , throw some cargo , some khaki cargos , on and whatever your shirt was a graphic tee or whatever you're rocking at the time and and you'd get money . They was rocking cardigans with KDs and Jordans . Like that was the thing back then . Like nobody really . That was kind of like a shift from , like , the basketball shoes to the runners when , like , the Yeezys started dropping . So you know that whole era where , or the time where you know the Yeezys and the Ultra . So you know that whole era where , the time where you know the Yeezys and the Ultra Boosts started going crazy . So he kind of went away from the basketball shoes and that's when the whole runaway started . But that was what 2015 , 16 or something like that .
Speaker 1So it was a good five , six-year run where Nike basketball was just taking over . Nike basketball was dominating Foamposites , kobe's , lebron's , kd's , barkley's , going crazy .
When Foamposites Ruled the Streets
Speaker 1But I guess you know it's just the younger generation is coming up . They just know hoop shoes as strictly on court . There's .
Speaker 1No , I can't rock this with a fit because , like the style man , like designer depending on what designer it is and how it looks certain designer fits would look crazy with a pair of LeBrons or like Kobe's on , I'm not going to lie , it would look crazy with a pair of LeBrons or like Kobe's on . I'm not going to lie , it would look wild . So I understand the shift because you know the clothes . Whatever you're wearing , it has to make sense . Everything has to tie in together . So I think the new wave of the designer clothes and whatever they're rocking , they don't hit the same with , like the Nike basketball shoes . They're transitioning now . So , like man I don't know what happened Like I want to blame everything on Yeezy man Cause I know for me personally it was a good two years , maybe three , that I stopped buying Jordans .
Speaker 1I was just solely focused on copping Yeezys because that was a new thing . Like I wanted something that you know everybody couldn't get their hands on . And if y'all know , if y'all were outside , y'all know that Yeezy used to be tough to get . Now people are like trying to give them away for you know obvious reasons . You know everybody has their own , you know thoughts and opinions on that . Not getting to all that , but when they first were introduced , when they first dropped , those were . If you got a pair of Yeezys , then , like you were , you were doing something like in the eyes of the community . You know it's just a material thing . At the end of the day You're not really better than the next person . But for the sake of this argument or for the sake of getting my point across , if you had a pair of Yeezys back then you know , 2015 , 16 , you were definitely doing something . Man .
Speaker 1I'd rather try my hand every single Yeezy Saturday , opposed to getting some Jordans , because getting Jordans at that point I was working in retail , so a pair of Jordans was so easy to get it wasn't fun for me in the sense of the hunts . It always comes back to the hunt in the sneer community . There was no hunting , I knew . All right , they come in , boom , there's a 12 . We have enough sizes , I'll be able to get my pay or whatever . Or if I had to go to another store in the mall easy money A lot of this time the 12 was sitting .
Speaker 1I remember going to get the Sp the spits like sixes across the hall from jimmy jazz after , really after the initial release . They had eight and twelve left . So you know I went over there and caught my pair , so saying that to say it was too easy for me to get jordan's at that time . So I wanted to try something , I wanted a challenge , so I was trying to get every easy I could get my hands on . I failed miserably , but I did get enough pairs to . You know , I felt like , all right , I'm doing something . I'm different right now , you know . I mean , let me see what else .
Speaker 1Oh yeah , the janowski's had a nice little run . I never really cared for the janowski's , but that was like another shoe . It fit that time frame , like you know , with the skinny jeans and everything , when the people was rocking the Yeezys . Like it made sense for the Janowskis . I know a lot of colors were dropping , a lot of different like materials . They had a nice run . I like the shoe . It looked cool . But I know , personally , I know I just wouldn't wear them . I wasn't a fan . I wasn't a fan enough to wear them . It was one of those shoes that you admire from afar , but you know you would never put them on . That's how I felt with the Janowskis .
Speaker 1The Currys I cannot talk about the 2010s without mentioning Steph Curry . Bro Wardell , steph Curry , under Armour , was selling out like crazy man , especially when he started dropping the low-top Currys . Oh man , and they were winning too . So , like the low-top Currys had some crazy colors , man , I just I don't know what it was I just couldn't see myself rocking Under Armour casually . I think that was the only thing that was holding me back , because of course they were coming in the store and I could get them on a discount . And I seen my fellow employees , or peers , or whatever you want to call it , like my coworkers I think that was that was the best word to use co-workers . I don't know why I said everything but co-work , but seeing them rocking them joints , like they were tough , but I just couldn't picture myself rocking them . You know , for whatever reason . Like there was a few pairs , I was like , yeah , I would have copped if they were like any other silhouette . That's how crazy the color was . I just couldn't see myself rocking under .
Speaker 1On mccasley , I don't know , but he had a crazy run , the one and two , so while he was dropping packs they were selling out online . I want to say a few of them were reselling at that time , I'm not sure like which particular , like colorways , but I know there were a good amount that were definitely going for like three to four hundred . I want to say maybe that's like peak . I don't think it was going too crazy . I don't know if anything hit like over 500 , but they were up there for sure .
Speaker 1And the phone posits , the phone posit , run the rise and fall of phone posits run . The rise and fall of phone posits needs to be studied like . I feel like the consensus with the phone posits . Just keep it simple , whatever the color of the phone posits
The Social Hour: Buying Used Shoes
Speaker 1material is , and then the new buck , keep it black or whatever . Two solid colors is all you need on a phone posits of the foam positive material is . And then the new butt keep it black or whatever . Two solid colors is all you need on the foam positive .
Speaker 1I think when they start doing the Weatherman and the Spiderman joints and what else the Asteroid , the Safari they start getting too crazy with it . Just do the simple colorways . I really think that's when people start really rocking with them , because I know the classic foams . They were always going crazy . And then they started dropping the slimes , the electro-lime joints , the pine green joints , the island green joints . They were definitely one of the favorites Because people were doing the South Beach twist with those Because of LeBron . South Beach had everybody in the Chocos . So you drop the South Beach colorway , throw those pink laces in there and then you get money . But then when they started getting crazy with it , that's when people started liking them .
Speaker 1I know personally , I was like , yeah , I'm not rocking with these crazy phones . I kept the pairs I had , of course , like the classic joints , but the Yeezy pack was like the last good wave of phones before they started dying down . You know what I'm saying ? The solar red with all red joints , the red Octobers I got those . Then they had the black and the what was it ? Zen gray , I think , is the other colorway they had , the glow in the dark soul . That was like the last you know non OG colorways that actually did some numbers before they . They ruined it . You know how Nike does they get a little popularity with something and they run it to the ground . I said what else ? The um Flyknit was going crazy . The Flyknit was going crazy . The Flyknit trainers I still have a few pair of those . Everything Flyknit was , you know , flying off the shelf .
Speaker 1Man , it was just that time where , you know , there were a lot of options for footwear and it didn't really matter what you were into because , like everybody had , or every brand had like their go-to joint and the resale I think that's the resale is at an all time high because everything was popular , everything was going for some crazy . On the aftermarket , I think numbers were probably low as far as allotment for the stores , so it was easier to you know everything was selling out because you know they didn't want that many , and then the resellers were taking advantage of that and asking for an insane amount of money for everything . But it was different then . I do miss the 2010s and you know , but the quality wasn't there . Now we're getting like the remasters and reimagined and the retros and the true to og form , like you , were getting better shape . I feel like the quality is better . I'm not saying it's the best quality , but most of those retros during the 2010s the leather was definitely stiff . I know I can tell the difference from like . I really touched a lot of pairs during that time working in retail . I see them come in shipment .
Speaker 1I was buying my own pairs . I'm coming from a place of experience . I'm not just guessing what I see on YouTube . I'm talking about . I had the pairs in hand . I've wore them like like the great fives the pair I have in 2013 .
Speaker 1Compared to the , the new retro , which I probably need to go ahead and cop them at some point the shape and the leather are like night and day . The new ones are so much softer . I'm not sure that soft leather equates to better leather or better quality . I just know they feel better to me on foot than that stiff boot type leather like the 5s were in 2013 . But that's just my opinion . Everybody's entitled to their own opinion . Let me know what y'all think , but give me the more sleek , narrow you know what I'm saying silhouette closer to what Mike wore when they originally dropped , and give me some soft leather . I don't care if they crease up , just give me the soft leather . I don't want that stiff leather . So what pairs do y'all think need a retro from that era ? I feel like most of them . I think most of them . They definitely . They either retro them already or they plan to in the future , like within a year or two .
Speaker 1I want to say but I can't think of anything that dropped then that I'm waiting on to drop . You know what I'm saying ? I don't know . I think all the Yeezys spun the block . You got all the LeBrons and KDs starting to spin a block . I want to say the KD6s are next . They're not going to drop the 5s , which I understand .
Speaker 1I had one pair of the KD5s . I wasn't a big fan . Give me the low-top KDs all day , every day . So , yeah , the KD6s dropping again . Of course , all the Kobe's starting to resurface I don't know .
Speaker 1Yeah , y'all got to help me out with this one . What am I missing ? That dropped in the 2010s , that has not retro yet , that needs to retro ? Yeah , let me know down in the comments or wherever you're seeing this . Maybe you see the clip on TikTok , instagram or Facebook . Let me know .
Speaker 1So , yeah , that is a good time to be a sneakerhead overall man , especially if you were a fan of the 2010s , like I am , because all your favorites or the classics are dropping again and you're able to . You have a a fighting chance to get certain shoes that you know or unattainable when they originally released , because the Jordans are not really Jordans and Nike basketball shoes are not really moving like they used to , and the prices are . You know , prices are crazy . So people are prioritizing what they spend their money on , which I totally understand , I'm all for , and you're also getting a million drops a week , so it was like some stuff you know you're just gonna have to circle back or you're just not interested in . So as far as og , sneakerheads or like old heads , it's a great time you can get . That's going to do it for episode nine .
Speaker 1We're going to get into this social hour question . Shout out to my dog , matt . You can hit him up or follow him . Samson underscore Matt underscore on TikTok , ig and YouTube . Definitely doing this thing out there in Philly . What he asked him are you against buying used shoes ?
Speaker 1I'm all for buying used shoes , especially when you know you get a condition that you that you're comfortable with . I'm all for doing your research . There's plenty of options out there depending on what shoe you're looking for and your size , of course . But you have ebay , you have goat , you have makari grailed . I want to say it might be something I'm missing , but those are the only sites that I look at for used shoes . I know there's probably more , but those are the ones I trust . For the most part . My ebay is number one . Ebay and goat probably my top for like used shoes . The rest of them I get like some like old jerseys or something , but for shoes definitely ebay and goat . Ebay more often than . But yeah , you can just type in whatever shoe you're looking for and size , and there are going to be plenty of pairs . You know the prices vary from seller to seller and condition definitely varies .
Speaker 1So my rule of thumb is I want the used shoe to be in better condition than my like worst shoe . That makes sense , like if I wouldn't wear my shoe to the point that it looks like that . I'm not buying it for somebody else Because you shoes definitely they're hit or miss , because you know hygiene plays an important factor . I know for me anyway . I don't want bunch of dirt or whatever on the ankle , collar and the insole or pet hair or whatever type of stuff you got going on in your crib . I don't do that , so I'm not going to bring that into my crib . I want stuff that's been worn once . Twice you went to the movies and you had your foot up . You've been reclined the whole time . That's the type of condition I'm looking for . I'm not looking for no crazy creasing and paint chipping and all . That's not the use I'm looking for . I want my junk as soon as I get them and I clean them like not a deep clean , but like I can use a sneaker wipe and there's a wipe down the upper and the midsole and they look like a brand new pair , like I could sell them as a new pair . I'm not saying I would , but that's the type of condition that I look for . So when it comes to stuff like that , yeah , I'm all for you .
Speaker 1Shoes everybody's different . I know a lot of people when they get like a grail or something , they feel better buying the used because they're not . You know , it's easier for them to rock it since somebody else already broke the ice . Like a lot of people , they're scared to mess up certain shoes so they really don't want to wear them because they want to keep them pristine . But when they buy them used , somebody already did the hard work for you so you can rock them freely . I guess you know I don't agree with that personally . But hey , it's your money , your purchase , you do what you want with it . So that's your logic . That's your logic . More power to you , no judgment . Okay , let me know what y'all think about that . How do y'all feel about you shoes ? And a lot of times that's way well , that's the most affordable way to get your grills . You know what I'm saying Because you know , of course , dead stock pairs are going to fetch a higher value or they're going to go for more money than a used pair , naturally . So Do what you got to do , man .
Speaker 1But yeah , the 2010s that was a beautiful time . Man Gave us the classics it it was a beautiful time . It gave us the classics . It's sad to see all these releases sitting that normally wouldn't have during that time frame , but on the same hand , it's easier to cop the old joints that you probably would have missed out on because of the hype . So you know pros and cons to everything . But if there was an era that you know
Sign-off and Future Plans
Speaker 1, I would live in , going forward . Definitely the 2010s . Like you know , once you start , once you stop chasing trends and you just settle down into like your own , your like your fashion , your , your style , whatever 2010s will definitely be mine for sure .
Speaker 1But yeah , thank you all for tuning in to the First Word . Podcast , episode 9 , going Strong . We're up to 82 downloads . Hopefully we get that 100th download marked soon and I'm definitely going to be introducing guests in the near future . So I just wanted to , you know , establish my , know , my podcast , my channel , my voice first , before I start introducing y'all to different characters . Man , if y'all listen to me , then y'all will listen to me with somebody else , so that makes sense . But yeah , man , this is the first word podcast . Buy what you like , wear what you love .
