Real Talk: Shoes Crease, So Get Over It - Sneaker Freaker

12 May 2021

Real Talk Real Talk DunkReal Talk: Shoes Crease, So Get Over It

ARTICLE BY

Minh Vuong

The cyclical nature of sneaker trends means particular practices return to circulation like clockwork. Air Jordan 1s and Nike Dunks always return to cool status, and even the ‘Triple Black’ Air Huaraches had their time in the sun. But one thing that has somehow been able to shrug off the sands of time is the pathological obsession with keeping sneakers from creasing. Well, here’s the ugly truth for the umpteenth time: shoes crease, so get over it.

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Why Creasing Happens

It really shouldn’t need to be explained, but sneakers crease along the toe box because that is where the foot naturally flexes.

Toe box creasing is a fact of life. So embrace it, and just let it happen. Like heel drag (which is explained in very deep detail here), creasing is simply a biomechanical function of the foot that enables natural motion.

The Paradox of Crease Prevention in a Post-Capitalist Sneakersphere

Anyone who’s been in the business of sneakers in the secondary marketplace will have undoubtedly encountered various metrics of assessing a product’s condition. Toe box creasing (or lack thereof) is one of these indicators of how worn a sneaker is. Fewer creases imply better condition and thus demand a higher price. Is this really what owning cool sneakers has now boiled down to? Wearing them in a way that maximises the return?

Remember when Justin Timberlake posted this pic? It damn had the whole sneakernet breaking into tears as his box fresh Air Jordan 3s flexed a healthy 90 degrees. JT doesn’t care how much those 3s are worth – he most likely got them for free. While most mortal sneakerheads aren’t on any PR seeding lists and have to buy and wear sneakers with a little bit more discretion, JT makes a good case for simply enjoying shoes. Don’t overthink it.

12 May 2021

Real Talk Real Talk Dunk Air Jordan 1 Nike

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