First Wear Podcast

We Sound Crazy To Non-Sneakerheads And That's Okay

• EdotREEP • Season 1 • Episode 11

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📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you!

What makes someone willingly schedule their entire day around the mere possibility of spending hundreds of dollars on shoes? Why would anyone tape the inside of their jeans or double up on socks just for sneakers? Welcome to the strange and passionate world of sneaker culture, where these seemingly bizarre behaviors make perfect sense to those on the inside.

The latest episode of First Word Podcast takes you deep into the quirky habits that define sneakerhead culture. From extreme confessions (like prioritizing sneakers over housing in college) to the common rituals we all recognize – stuffing shoes to maintain shape, creating homemade cleaning solutions, and experiencing genuine disappointment when we can't give companies our money for limited releases. There's something uniquely paradoxical about how we chase after the privilege to spend our hard-earned cash on products that companies deliberately make difficult to obtain.

Beyond the habits, this episode explores why sneakers matter so deeply to collectors. They're not just footwear but time capsules connecting us to sports history and cultural moments. "I can look at a shoe and remember when it debuted or the significance of the game it was worn in," our host reflects, highlighting how these objects carry meaning far beyond their functional purpose. This emotional connection explains why we go to such lengths to acquire and preserve them, even when those behaviors might seem bizarre to outsiders.

The episode wraps with a thoughtful consideration of identity – how would our lives be different without this passion for sneakers? For many, including our host, sneaker culture has shaped career paths, social connections, and daily habits. Share your own sneakerhead quirks or what you'd like to hear in future episodes! Buy what you like, wear what you love, and join us in celebrating the culture that brings us together.

🎧 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.



https://linktr.ee/Firstwearpod

Speaker 1

You ever realize how crazy we sound to people outside of the sneaker culture ? Let's get into it . Welcome back to the First Word Podcast . I am your host , edot Reap .

Speaker 1

Yeah , I took an extended break . I'm not going to lie . Life was getting very crazy

Sneaker Culture Introduction

Speaker 1

and you know I didn't want episodes to feel rushed or I didn't want to record out of obligation , like this is still supposed to be fun for me and it is fun for me and I want to keep it that way . So , yeah , I just had to take a little , you know , a little break at the regroup reset . And also , I was really working hard to reach that 100 download milestone . To reach that 100 download milestone and you know like once you reach the certain milestones you've been working hard for you kind of just want to breathe afterwards , you know , like a weight lifted off your shoulder and that's pretty much where I have been the past few weeks . But , like I said , we're back back to your regularly scheduled programming . So , yeah , episode 11 , I wanted to keep it light . You know I wanted to get my rhythm back , get the flow back . A little layup , you know what I'm saying . The free throw line you got to watch the ball go through the hoop . So , yeah , tell me you're a sneakerhead without telling me you're a sneakerhead , without telling me you're a sneakerhead Although I do not like to use the term sneakerhead to describe myself , because I feel like that subgroup of people are very corny , like not saying that the people that I've connected through sneakers are corny , but like the people that use the term sneakerhead as like their identity , I think they are corny but like sneakerheads in general , like the community and everything I rock with y'all heavy .

Speaker 1

We know this . Throughout the years there's been love on my side , you know . Vice versa , but just for the people that use the term as their identity , I don't like to , you know , associate myself with them , but for the sake of today's topic and my collection or habits related to sneakers in general , I am considered a sneaker , so that out the way's , go ahead , get into it , man . So , uh , I've done a lot of questionable things to the , to the outside world , when it comes to sneakers . I've never like put sneakers or sneakers accessories or anything

Putting Sneakers Before Housing

Speaker 1

over like food , but in underground , underground , in undergrad at ODU , I definitely put purchasing sneakers over housing , which caused me to have to live off campus for the remainder of my tenure there . To be honest , it was a mix of miscommunication or misunderstanding and my priorities weren't you know where they should have been , because in the spot I was at , you know , I thought that it was kind of like a lease renewal thing , you know , kind of sort of . I didn't know that I was required to put down a deposit at the same time as my roommates , I thought , you know , since they did it , you know I signed up . I thought we were going to be good . They were good , I was not lesson learned and I would never put myself in that situation again and it was one of those things young , dumb and yeah , that was the moment that really solidified my , my sneakerdom , my , my sneakerhead pass card or whatever you want to call it like . Yeah , that was . That was really a bonehead move , but we live and we learn . I mean it worked out for the better . I definitely um changed my ways since then , for sure , but that's one of the one of the many notches on the sneaker head list .

Speaker 1

What else we got ? Scheduling your day based on sneaker drops . I still do that , currently Only when I'm off . Work is first and foremost , because if you don't have a job , you don't have income . You can't be a sneakerhead unless

Scheduling Life Around Sneaker Drops

Speaker 1

you're young and your parents or your family members , whoever supports you financially then you know that's a different story . But for me , I'm buying everything . So without my job I can't pay for it . But on my off days I definitely schedule any type of errands or plans I have around certain you know times of the day , like if I'm planning on going to the gym , or like recording content or anything outside of the crib , if there's a shoe that I want . I have pretty much like a three to four hour window that you know . I got to be locked in because we all know what the sneakers jobs at 10 and some boutiques might release early , you know eight or nine and then you have the random drops throughout the afternoon Could be 11 , could be noon , one o'clock , it just depends . That is definitely something that is still alive and well for me , even to this day In 2025 , I'm still scheduling my off days around sneaker drops , because you know when you want a sneaker , I want to be able to actively attempt to purchase it .

Speaker 1

Now , whether I'm successful or not is a different story , but I at least want to put myself in the position to be successful , and it's so crazy just to think about it . It's like we as a collective really voluntarily , you know put our money up for grabs and it's like we have to jump through hoops for companies to take our money and give us the product . Like , if you think about it that way , it's like we are adamant about giving away our money Because , like , we won the particular shoe , whatever the release is , and it's like you're giving away hundreds of dollars , well , you're willingly ready to give up those hundreds of dollars and you get upset or you might feel some type of way or there's some type of emotional attachment to winning and losing . It's crazy . It's like we're really like I get upset if I can't give a company my bread , and you know , thinking about it out loud is very , very wild . But it's just like . I don't know man , it makes sense to us . I don't know man , it makes sense to us , like we're a close-knit community and there's like certain mannerisms and actions that won't make sense to anybody but us and that's kind of like that's the beauty of it . You know , there's certain stuff that makes sense to us . You know it's like an inside joke type thing , but that's definitely very , very prominent .

Speaker 1

Still , stuff in your shoes after you take them off . I do that . If the paper is still in there , then I'll put it back . Like the shoe tree , I'll put it back in there . But it's not really a big deal for me If I don't have paper in the shoe . It's not the end of the world . I know some people will make sure

Sneakerhead Habits and Quirks

Speaker 1

they stuff every single shoe or they'll buy the shoe trees , the Ikea shoe trees , not a plug . But you know , just for the sake of getting my point across , they'll buy the Ikea joints and stuff their shoes .

Speaker 1

You know , over time I heard they kind of mess the shape of the shoe up , like it'll be morphed or disformed after a while . So if you're doing that , just be mindful of it . I know they have like the wooden shoe trees and honestly I don't care Like creases are going to happen . It's just the nature of the game , like if you wear your shoes enough , they're going to start getting creased up . It is what it is . I personally don't care . Now , I know , growing up definitely that was like a big thing . You want your joints to be crispy , but at the end of the day , bro , creases are going to happen , especially when you got like certain grade of leather or grains of leather , however you want to subvert it . Some of them come like pre-creased or like wrinkled or whatever . So it is what it is to me , but that particular little mannerism or action or whatever I don't really care about Held a pear in the mirror like you were choosing a pokemon .

Speaker 1

Now that's definitely from , I want to say , like the swag era when he like taking pictures like you got a phone call but your shoes are the phone . I definitely have pictures on facebook like that . I know that recently became like a new trend on twitter when they were like showing like all the old pictures when like the grapes dropped and they put them in like the produce section or what else the peanut butter and jelly candies , the bread ones , the fours aka the black cement and the playoff 11s , or fours aka the black cement in the playoff 11s . They would put them on the shelf with the bread because it's the bread colorway . What's another one ? The Fruity Pebble , lebron's bowl of cereal , fruity Pebbles , stuff like that .

Speaker 1

I never went that far with it , but I've definitely taken pictures like shoes up to my ear , like I was getting a call , even the fat joe era , licking the bottom of the of the kicks . It was definitely crazy like , oh , just thinking about it now , you have no idea where those shoes were stored , what they went through prior to reaching your , prior to your purchase . So it was like licking the bottom of the shoe . It was definitely crazy . But if you're still doing that now , wow , I'm scared of you . Like , all jokes aside , I'm terrified cuz you have to be a certified psychopath if you're still doing that . But no judgment , do what you do , but you know , still kind of crazy .

Speaker 1

He was undead stock in a sentence like his normal unds . Undead stock in a sentence like it's normal Unds . Undead stock is definitely still very , very important to today's like sneakers culture , sneakers society , undies and that's the . It's like the thing to do . I definitely make content around it . First Word Podcast is basically centered around undies in this field , like your first word . So your first word is going to be your undies moment , your undead stock movement . So I'm all for undead stock . I don't say undead stock , I definitely say DS . You know , over the years we've shortened it to DS , but we still use it very much . To this day , undead stock is still a thing .

Speaker 1

I don't know what else to say about double , double sock to make your shoe fit . Yes , I've done that . It definitely went from a casual thing to more of an athletic thing . I like my shoes tight . When I was hooping or playing volleyball I definitely did the double sock thing . I don't like loose shoes . When I'm playing I feel like a tighter shoe is more secure . Whether the science disproves that , that's a myth , but I know personal preference . Every time I hoop , even to this day , if I decide to go to the gym or whatever , I'm going to wear two pairs of socks . But as far as the sneakerhead thing , yeah , if you get a shoe that's a half size too big , definitely double socket . So take out a lot of that room .

Speaker 1

I personally would put a extra insole in there , as long as it's not uncomfortable to make it fit , because you know the sizing now is just so crazy and with me being a 12 like more so 12 and a half , it's hard to get that perfect fit that I want , because retail stores normally you get a 12 or you get a 13 and that 13 for the most part is too big here and there just depends on how you know everything fits . But I'd rather do a 12 and a half if I . So now I'm on the side of taking out that insole . Man , it's like that's not my first , it's not my go-to . Like I don't want to purposely buy a shoe too small , like a half size too small , just to take the insole out . I would rather wear the shoe with everything still attached to it . But , like I said , when you're blind purchasing stuff online , you're not sure how it fits . And I can't get that 12 and a half . My 12 is my default size .

Speaker 1

So if I do happen to get a pair size 12 and they're like maybe a little too snug , I will pop the insole out . I prefer to swap it out with a thinner insole . So that's what I do for the most part , unless the the actual midsole or the insole of the shoe , the actual , the shoe itself if it's the actual , the shoe itself if it's padded . There have been a few times where I popped the insole out and you really couldn't tell the difference once you put the shoe on . So stuff like that . If I have to , then yeah , I will keep the insole out , but I like to swap it out with like a very , very thin insole , just so I have some type of barrier . But yeah , I've done both Double socked it up to make the half size fit a little better and took the insole out to make it a half size bigger .

Speaker 1

Those things happen over time , man . That's what happens when you're a sneakerhead . You know it is what it is . Try the shoe on to walk around the crib . I've done that before for sure Because , depending on what I was doing , like if I knew I had to be out for a while and there would be a lot of walking or standing involved , you definitely want to get a shoe that is going to be comfortable .

Speaker 1

So if there was a particular shoe like a different silhouette , maybe a different brand that I wasn't familiar with and I knew I was going

The Sneaker Community Connection

Speaker 1

to have to be in that particular shoe for a while , then , yeah , I would test them out first . I definitely miss working full time in retail for that reason , because one that helped me eliminate a lot of unworn shoes in my collection Prior to 2020 , I took pride in not having more than like two or three unworn shoes at a time , because I buy my shoes to wear them . So , working in the retail full-time you know I'm in the mall , what five days a week I would be able to break in the new pairs at work . So when it was time for me to rock them outside or whatever , they were already good . So that was my workaround from walking around the crib and I could really get a good idea of how they would perform Definitely done that too .

Speaker 1

So if you're watching this or listening to this podcast , please don't hesitate to add any other examples of being a sneakerhead that I didn't touch on in this list . Like , I just wanted to give a few examples . There are like plenty of examples to choose from , but if I missed anything you had something special , let me know . Please drop in the comments , let me know . Also , I have made my own sneaker cleaner . You know I've had that plastic cup and toothbrush under my sink with the craziest chemical mixture of all time , but it worked . You know what I'm saying . Like it got the job done .

Speaker 1

I've definitely when I was rocking Forces Heavy , when we were in that era with the dark denim , I take the bottom of the jeans , on the inside of my jeans . I definitely take them to try to create a barrier so the jean dye didn't get on the shoes as much as it would have if I didn't have a barrier because then I , you know , you wear a pair of new jeans . I was not washing them . I wanted those to be the darkest denim of all time . Like you knew , they were brand new jeans . In retrospect you definitely should have washed them first before wear , but during that time it was all about being crispy . So the night before I wore them I definitely found some masking tape or duct tape , whatever I had flipped the jeans inside out and taped a good four to five inches , like from the bottom of the jeans on up , just got a good barrier . So you know , when I rocked those fresh whites it would be minimal dye transfer . And when I did , you you know , come back to the crib and I had to dye toothpaste , either the cleaner , the cleaning concoction I had , or I mean toothbrush in the cleaning concoction , or I put a little toothpaste on it and it it did the job , especially after I , you know , take the bottom of my jeans . So that's definitely another one . I'm not sure if that's like a standard one that might just be exclusive to me , or like a select few people , select number of people , but if you ever take the bottom of your jeans on the inside so they didn't die . Let me know Anything else that I did .

Speaker 1

That was weird or different . Oh yeah , before the shoe shields or the force fields , I would put plastic bags like the grocery bags . I would stuff them in the toe box of my Air Forces so they wouldn't crease , because you didn't want creased up Air Force . Those are the one pair of shoes that were really like frowned upon If you crease those up . So I definitely did that . Did I do anything else ? I don't know . I think for the most part that's pretty much any well , that's all I can think of off the top of my head . Or like having a random shoe box full of , like the Jordan retro cards . A lot of y'all probably don't know what I'm talking about , but yeah , but a box of retro cards , any hang tags that came on the shoe , definitely laces .

Speaker 1

I feel like all sneakerheads have either a box , a drawer , a container , a bag or something full of random laces , because a lot of shoes now they come with two or three pair of laces . They come with two or three pair of laces and for the most part , once you pick one , that's pretty much it . You might switch it up down the line , but I know for me , once I switched out those laces initially , I'm not going back unless I'm trying to do like different looks or whatever . So for those particular shoes , I will like keep those laces together . I'll put them inside the shoe and put it back in the container or just put them on the side of the container or whatever . But for those random miscellaneous shoelaces , I have them all in one area . So whenever I think I need a particular lace I can go back to that and I'm good to go . So switching gears a little bit . So that was just , you know , an extended call-out moment for the senior community .

Speaker 1

I feel like it'll be fun just to see what everybody like . Everybody's quirks , because you know we're all different but the same . Does that make sense ? We're the's quirks , because you know we're all different but the same . Does that make sense ? We're the same in the sense of you know , shoes are definitely important to us , for whatever reason Could be . You know expression , you know fashion , statement , time pieces , because I feel like for me I definitely have . It's a mixture of , you know , wanting to look clean , like appearance . You definitely want to put your best foot forward , as well as being able to have like a piece of history , even though it's not the same shoe that was released during that time , I can still say , hey , the same shoe that was released during that time . I can still say , hey , this particular shoe that Retroed this year was worn by whoever , whoever during this time . You know , I can look at a shoe and say , oh man , I remember when that debuted , or I remember the significance of the game , that that shoe was worn , you know . So , like I said , we're different , but the same , and being a sneaker is definitely .

Speaker 1

Attention to detail is definitely important For most of us . We all have our own ways of doing things . I like my laces to be a certain way . I definitely want my shoes to be clean . Of course , wear happens , but I'm not going to put myself or my sneakers in harm's way , like when it's raining or it's muddy . I'm not going to wear certain materials . I'm not going to take , you know , certain routes . I'm not going to take shortcuts . I'm walking on that pavement as much as I can , unless it's like really dry , but I'm definitely taking the sidewalk all the way around .

Speaker 1

Definitely picky when it comes to certain brands , colorways , stuff like that , but in the day man is , I take pride in my appearance and sneakers elevates that for me . I like my outfits , or , you know , whatever I wear to make sense . I like the cohesion , like I want you to say if you see me out in public , I want you to say , okay , he definitely took his time or he was mindful in what he put on . He definitely put some thought behind it , you know . So I'm just a big fan of sneakers and clothing in general .

Speaker 1

It's gotten worse over the years . Shout out to my mom she started it , she created this monster . As much as she doesn't agree with a lot of stuff , it's your fault . You know I have a lot of shoes because you made me this way , but I wouldn't change it for the world . Sometimes I definitely think about what if I didn't care so much about shoes ? How would my life be ? I wouldn't be in front of the camera making content , that's for sure . I wouldn't be in front of the camera making content , that's for sure . I wouldn't have this excessive number of sneakers in my collection , because even 10 pair , one could say that that's definitely overboard . So the average sneaker head is well over that . So it's like dang Makes you think , right .

Speaker 1

But let's go ahead and get into today's social hour prompt . I don't want to keep you too long . Like I said , I just wanted to come back , get the ball rolling again , because I'm happy to be back in front of the camera , back in front of this microphone , dropping a new episode . It's been too long and I just wanted to keep it light , lightweight and fun ,

Future of First Word Podcast

Speaker 1

prompt for those that are listening to the actual podcast on various streaming platforms . So , whatever you would prefer , and for those of you that may stumble upon this clip on social media , what are you looking to get or like ? What do you expect from a sneaker podcast ? For those that are new here , welcome . Appreciate y'all for giving me a chance , but the whole idea behind me starting the first word , podcast is .

Speaker 1

You know , I didn't want to be like every other sneaker podcast , like . I am a huge fan of sneaker culture . I consume sneaker content , constant sneaker information daily . I make sneaker content . So a lot of the content I make and a lot of the content that I was consuming is repetitive , like if I make a video on my YouTube about what's coming out , what I just copped , and then I watch other people saying the same thing , or I listen to a podcast Saying the same thing about what's what's coming out ? My copy everyone . Am I not copying what's new ? What ? What am I looking forward to ? I didn't want to come back To make a podcast and continue that cycle . I wanted to be something different , because I do that enough on my other channels and my peers or other content creators do the same thing , so I just wanted to switch it up .

Speaker 1

So , with that being said , aside from the normal sneaker content , what are y'all looking for From the normal sneaker content ? What are y'all looking for ? I'm open to suggestions , criticism , new ideas . I definitely want to keep this community focused . I want this to be a collaborative podcast , like , if there is a particular topic or a conversation you think that needs to be had in the sneaker community and within the culture , I am more than open to being that their voice for you guys .

Speaker 1

So I've done it , you know , and I've I've gotten ideas in the comment section or through the google form . I definitely do my due diligence and I actively check it and I want to make sure that A I listen , you know , I take the feedback or I take the topic submissions very seriously and I definitely want to give my credit to the people that give me the ideas , like I said , going forward . Just let me know what you guys are looking forward to hearing or what you expect from a sticker podcast , like in general , aside from all the you know , the information side of things . Man , that's going to do it . Man , I appreciate y'all for rocking with me and I appreciate you for being patient while I took my extended hiatus . But this is the First Word Podcast Buy what you like , wear what you love and catch y'all next week .

Head Shot

EdotREEP

Host