Uncle's Community Blog

You want to know the elephant in the room for all sneakerheads alike? The grails we just spent boatloads of cash on, have a shelf life! Yes, that is the truth. From personal experience, no matter how exclusive or sought after or expensive the latest pair you were able to cop is, depending on several factors, sneakers go through a deterioration process. Slowing down that process is key, and it’s even possible to sort of “freeze” the condition in time sort of speak, but just like anything else, eventually the materials tend to give out. Whether it’s the sole coming unglued or icy bottoms starting to yellow, or just general wear and tear from heavy use, sneakerheads all face a similar dilemma: Now that I’ve spent all this money, how can I get the most value out of this purchase? That’s where making sure you are following proper handling and care instructions goes a long way, as well as considering extending the shelf life of your purchase by leveraging restoration and cleaning services. This is where Cleankicks LI, a Long Island NY based company has excelled as they provide an array of services focused around the maintenance and extension of the shelf life of your kicks. 

Let’s be clear, being a sneakerhead is surely an expensive hobby. We spend massive amounts of cash on acquiring the kicks we really want whether at retail cost or even on the secondary market, we bring them home, lace them up, throw them on and realize tons of other people have the exact same sneakers. In essence, that’s why the value of limited releases tends to do much better on the secondary market, there’s just a lot less supply for the high demand. Sneakerheads by nature also use their kicks as a form of expression that allows them to showcase their fashion sense, and tend to purchase kicks that can span across the spectrum of colors, styles and materials for that purpose. However, the same dilemma still exists: kicks can be widely available, even the limited releases and everyone else's sneakers look like your $500 pair of GRAILS. 

This is where Get Laced shines. A premier shoelace company based right here in the USA, out of San Bernardino, California and in business since June 2019.

Ask any traveling sneakerhead and most people for that matter, jamming your kicks at the bottom of your suitcase is just not cool. Sneakers and shoes take up a lot of space and running out of room for your essential clothing is almost but a guarantee. If you are sneakerhead and are traveling around with a couple of $600 grails, you’re also probably keen on providing some sort of protection for them while on the move. For these reasons, many in our community found all sorts of interesting ways over the years to travel around with kicks. We have tried it all, from wrapping them in clothing items within our suitcases, to carrying around additional bags altogether on trips, just to pack our sneakers. Unfortunately, these alternatives have not really been successful. Enter travel shoe bags and specialized backpacks. The industry has sort of exploded over the last few years, and many of the current options in the marketplace are focused around solving these issues mobile sneakerheads and people alike face when traveling around with their kicks. One standout in this space is Solepack, a premier lifestyle travel shoe bag company based out of Staten Island, NY, and committed to designing products of uncompromised function, ergonomics and style for our community.

As far back as I could remember, I was a big fan of sneakers. Growing up in New York City definitely contributed to my early love for “kicks”. The city has a reputation of sorts as innovators in the “sneaker game” as well as fashion for that matter. From shell top Adidas on RUN DMC and LL Cool J, to the best ballers at Ruckers and Dyckman park rocking the latest J’s over the years, “sneaker influencers” have existed way before social media replaced physical influencers for internet influencers. 

The comfort level in any sneaker is probably one of the most important factors for customers when considering a purchase, but in particular for those in the market for the most sought after sneakers that can be pretty expensive when purchasing at retail cost, and sometimes astronomically expensive on the secondary markets. Generally, the major brands have done a great job with their latest designs and materials, including the insoles that are included with new models (I will admit, some have done a better job than others), however given the high demand for retro sneakers, that is not the case for all releases, and there is a quite a fluctuation in the “feel”  of the insole from sneaker to sneaker even in the new releases and models. In some cases, really expensive sneakers just aren’t as comfortable as one would expect unfortunately. There really has been a gap in the industry until recently on products that were consistently durable, creatively designed and widely available. 

Enter UPMATIC Soles and their “supercharged sneaker insoles”

Up until the last 2-3 years or so, only a select group of folks within the sneaker community had really focused on diversifying their sock collection. I must admit, I'm just as guilty as the next person who up until recently never really understood the significance of what a pair of nicely constructed, cool looking socks can do for both your comfort level as well as fashion sense. No more are the days of just going to your local discount store to pick up a 6 pack of Hanes or Fruit of the Loom socks, instead customers have the option to really experiment with all different colors, designs, materials, etc.  In fact, many really awesome brands focused on providing customers with these designer sock options have flourished over the last few years. 

Downhill Socks is a great example why. 

Sneaker collectors universally will tell you, not only is their collection important to them, but how they organize, display and sometimes even categorize their kicks is just as significant. From personal experience, and just sheer practicality, the more of these grails you acquire, the more there is a need to develop an efficient system to store and display them, all while making sure they are protected. After all, you did spend all this money already, and the last thing you need is to have your expensive, sometimes priceless collection ruined by a number of hazards like oxidation and humidity to name a few. 

This is where the good folks at The Sneaker Throne come in.