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B-grade - A pair of sneakers with minor cosmetic flaws that are sold at a discounted price.

Beater - A pair of sneakers that are heavily worn or damaged, often used for everyday wear.

Camp out - The act of waiting outside a store or location for an extended period to ensure the chance to purchase a highly coveted sneaker release.

Collab - Short for collaboration, this term refers to a sneaker produced through a partnership between two brands or designers.

Cop - The act of purchasing a pair of sneakers.

Deadstock - Refers to a brand-new, unworn pair of sneakers that are no longer in production.

Deubré - A small metal or plastic tag that is attached to the laces of a sneaker, typically near the toe box. Deubrés are often used for branding purposes, and can feature a logo or other design.

Drop - The release of a new sneaker, often accompanied by hype and excitement.

Exclusive - A sneaker that is only available in limited quantities or at specific retailers.

Fake - A pair of sneakers that are not authentic or genuine.

First come first serve - A release method where sneakers are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fire - A slang term used to describe a particularly desirable or popular sneaker model.

Friends and family - A sneaker release that is exclusive to the friends and family of a brand or designer.

FSR - An abbreviation that stands for "full size run." This term is commonly used by sneaker retailers to indicate that they have a particular style of shoe available in all sizes, from men's size 4 to men's size 13.

General release - A sneaker that is widely available and not limited in production or distribution.

Goat - An abbreviation that stands for "Greatest Of All Time." This term is often used to describe particularly sought-after or iconic sneaker models.

Grail - A term used to describe a particularly rare or coveted sneaker model. The "grail" sneaker is often considered the ultimate goal for collectors.

Hype - The excitement and anticipation surrounding a highly coveted sneaker release.

Hypebeast - A term used to describe someone who follows the latest trends in streetwear and sneakers, often at the expense of individual style.

Laceswap - The act of changing the shoelaces of a sneaker to customize its appearance.

Legit check - The process of authenticating a pair of sneakers to ensure that they are genuine.

Locklace - A type of shoelace that is designed to stay in place once tied. Locklaces are typically made of elastic material and feature a locking mechanism that keeps the lace from slipping or coming untied.

LPU - An abbreviation that stands for "Latest Pick Up." This term is often used on social media to indicate that someone has recently acquired a new pair of sneakers, and is sharing photos or information about the purchase.

On ice - A term used to describe a pair of sneakers that a reseller is holding onto, waiting for the right time to sell. Sneakers that are "on ice" are often in high demand and can command higher prices later on.

Plug - Slang term used to describe a source for limited-release sneakers. A "plug" can be a person or a website that provides early access to sneakers or insider information on upcoming releases.

Proxy - A network or server that allows a user to access a website or online service from a different location than their own. Proxies are often used by resellers to conceal their location and identity when purchasing limited-release sneakers.

Quickstrike - A sneaker release that is unexpected and often without prior announcement.

Raffle - A release method where sneakers are distributed through a random selection process. We have a detailed article about this topic here.

Restock - The act of a brand or retailer restocking a previously sold-out sneaker.

Rock - The act of wearing a pair of sneakers.

Sample - An early version or prototype of a sneaker model produced before the final release to the public. Samples are limited in quantity and highly sought after by collectors for their uniqueness and rarity.

Silhouette - The shape and design of a sneaker.

Slept on - A term used to describe a sneaker model that was initially overlooked or undervalued by collectors, but has since gained popularity and increased in value on the resale market. If a sneaker is "slept on," it means it was underestimated and is now considered a hidden gem by collectors.

Sneaker rotation - The selection of sneakers that a person regularly wears.

Sneaker trade - The act of trading sneakers with other collectors or enthusiasts.

Sneaker trend - A particular style or design that is popular in the sneaker market.

Sneaker verification - The process of authenticating a pair of sneakers to ensure that they are genuine.

Sneakerhead - Someone who is passionate about sneakers and collects them as a hobby.

Sneaker culture - The subculture that has developed around the sneaker market, including collectors, enthusiasts, and designers.

Sole swap - The act of replacing the sole of a sneaker to customize its appearance or improve its performance.

Take an L - The act of losing out on the chance to purchase a highly coveted sneaker release.

Tier zero - A limited edition sneaker release that is only available at select retailers.

UNDS - Short for "unbox and wear," this term refers to the act of unboxing a brand-new pair of sneakers and immediately wearing them. It comes from DS “deadstock, meaning a perso having a pair and keeping it unworn.

Vintage - A term used to describe older, often rare or collectible, sneakers.

Brand related terms