The Dunk xchange

The DunkXchange is the ultimate and one of the only traveling sneaker expos in the world. With stops in major cities like NYC, LA and Chicago, the dunk exchange attracts sneaker collectors from every age and background.

How does it work Exactly?

Any one looking to trade or sell parts of their sneaker collection can rent a stand at the dunk exchange. Patrons then by a ticket to come in and shop around as if it were a regular store. It is at the Seller's discretion if they would like to trade or sell their sneakers. There are basically two rules of the Dunk Xchange, Cash only or trade, no credit cards or checks. The dunk Xchange attracts very large crowds considering it being a sneaker convention. Anyone can come and anyone can purchase these sneakers, but as stated in my other posts, do not expect prices like your local flea market, these sneakers can reach prices that some people wouldn't spend on shoes in a years time or more! If your looking for a rare or limited release nike dunk, air jordan or any hard to find sneaker, chances are you will find it at the Dunk Xchange!

check out this video for an inside look!

Space Jam Riot

The Air jordan "Space Jam" XI was first seen in the movie Space Jam starring michael jordan, a patent leather basketball sneaker that no one thought would sell. Patent leather on a basketball shoe? The results were quite the contrary, the space jam XI was a huge hit and sold thousands of pairs.

On December 23, 2009 The Space Jam XI was retrod (re released) for a retail price of $175.00. The anticipation of the release was clearly too much for some too handle. The picture above is of a footlocker in New York Completely torn apart after a small riot erupted when the store delayed the release of the shoe an hour.

As you can see, some people take their sneakers very seriously

A Sneaker head's Mindset Summed Up In a Song

Lexicon's Nike Head is the unofficial anthem to all sneaker heads, listen to the lyrics and you will be entered into the mind of a Sneaker Head!

The Sneaker Culture and Community

Believe it or not sneaker collecting has become an extremely popular hobby since the 1980's ever since Nike Brand took a chance and signed an up and coming NBA prospect named michael jordan. It was a move that would change the sneaker industry forever and spark a phenomenon that would grow into a multi billion dollar industry and a world wide culture.

Pictured above, the air Jordan I was released by Nike in 1985, and was the most revolutionary design since the Puma Clyde in 1973, It was like no other sneaker to come out of Nike or any Sneaker company for that matter. The Sneaker gained mass attention and was actually banned by the NBA because the black accents in the sneaker did match the NBA's Uniform code. Michael Jordan was Fined five thousand dollars for every game he wore them in. Needless to say nike payed these fines because the publicity was unlike any other.

Michael jordan was not the only rising stock in the 1980's. Hip Hop (To Which the sneaker culture could also be attributed to) was on the rise. Artists Like GrandMaster Flash, Run D.M.C and Slick rick were bursting onto the scene, with what sneaker heads would call "fire" on their feet. Hip Hop artists were taking sneakers made for athletes, specifically tennis and basketball, and wearing them as a part of their every day wardrobe. A great example would be the world famous Run D.M.C wearing their unlaced adidas tennis shoes which eventually became an unnoffical trademark for the group. This new fad of wearing things like Nike Air jordans and Andre Agassi's off the playing courts became a new fashion trend.

Fast Forward to the late 1990's and sneakers are no longer a fashion trend, but are now a hobby and collector's items. In 1999 the Online sneaker community Niketalk was created. With Threads such as the "Jordan" thread, "Nike Retro" and "Sneaker Showcase" thread, fellow "sneaker heads" can go on and share pictures of their collections and new pick ups, trade and sell sneakers, and check up on upcoming sneaker releases. Niketalk was the first and remains the most popular online sneaker community.

Sneaker collecting has become so popular that people can be seen camping out in front of sneaker shops days before a release to ensure a spot in the line. Things like The "Nike Dunk Exchange" are annual sneaker conventions where people come to buy and trade rare and expensive sneakers.

Plastic wrap not just for leftovers

I would like to introduce you to a place, that one may consider the mecca of sneakers. This is is not your local mall's footlocker. A store no bigger than your average master bedroom, Flight Club New York, is perhaps the absolute number one place in the world to find obscure, rare, expensive sneakers. Nestled very covertly on the corner of green street in the Soho section of Manhattan lies the tiny store with no sign, no advertisement, nothing but a small logo on the glass door. As you walk in you are overwhelmed with rows upon rows of colorful sneakers packed protectivley in shrink wrap to prevent fingerprints and discoloring, usually a line to get in and out, you must be buzzed in and out of the store to ensure the safety of the inventory.

Flight club works on a consignment basis, but do not expect to see good will prices at this sneaker shop. Some limited editions or orignal jordans can go well over a thousand dollars, and believe me i've witnessed first hand at the store, average people dropping serious cash on some of these sneakers. The first time i had ever been to flight club, i witnessed an averaged man in his mid twenties walk in and buy a pair of 700$ original Air Jordans I's as if it were a bag of apples. If your looking to what we in the sneaker culture call "breaking necks" while walking down the street i recommend you visit FLight CLub New york in Soho NYC.