Frequently Asked Questions by Sneakerheads

The sneaker industry is growing, its expanding, its getting richer by the second, and we’re all here for it. To introduce this world to budding sneakerheads, it becomes our responsibility to address their doubts, apprehensions and questions. So here’s our Part 1 of some FAQs by sneakerheads.

1. Which is the best sneaker of 2023

It's hard to settle on any one sneaker when one talks of the title of ‘Sneaker of the year’. But the answer lies in the subjectivity of what different sneakerheads consider the most important aspects for terming a sneaker good. Is it style, colour, comfort, price or just simply the overall hype due to limited supply and special edition collabs? 2023 saw a lot of releases, typically retros and within that, the Lost and Found Jordan 1 is right up there as one of the hands down top picks, along with the Onyx 350 Yeezy V2s. 

2. How can I spot fake sneakers when buying online?

Due to the sky high resale prices of some of the most popular sneakers like Dunks, Yeezys and Jordans in India, the market for replica and fake sneakers has unfortunately seen a significant rise as well. A way to combat counterfeit sneakers is to always choose trusted retailers or resellers instead of looking for the cheapest ways out which sound too good to be true. Do your research, speak to people who’ve purchased from resellers before, look at their organic social media presence and make informed choices. Hype Fly India has a wide range of legit-checked authentic sneakers at reasonable prices.

3. Are high-top or low-top sneakers better for ankle support?

This may be a tough choice for all sneakerheads but at the end of the day, it does in fact depend upon one's liking for a particular sneaker. Jordan Highs definitely offer more ankle support due to the supporting leather on the back tab of the sneaker, however for long durations or for walking this added leather can prove to be hurtful and cause a little redness on one's ankles. On the other hand, Air Jordan Lows are usually a go to sneaker choice when one intends to walk quite a bit and is a more comfortable option of the too, despite the lack of added high-top style quotient. As a sneakerhead one should have a pair of both low and high kicks such as the bred toe lows and the UNC highs. One can also choose to settle for a stylish Jordan mid pair like the South Beach mids. Shop all our favourite recs on Hype Fly India today!

4. How do I protect my sneakers from creasing?

It's stupid to think that one can wear their sneakers regularly and not crease them by not moving their feet too much. One should instead invest in Sneaker Care. You can shop for Decreaser accessories from Sneakare on Hype Fly India’s website. The Decreaser holds the toebox in place reducing creasing to a minimum. It's bound to happen eventually though and usually a little rusted look is often preferred cause it gives the wearer a character. In fact shoes like the Nike Air Force 1 are often preferred a little rusty and creased rather than a fresh white pair.

5. What is the value of collecting vintage sneakers in 2023?

In the past decade, the sneaker industry has grown from just a fashion statement to an actual highly valuable investment alternative. The 2010s saw a bunch of OG Air Jordans from 1985 get retroed, whilst the value of the original old pairs shot up by almost 1000%. So it's no denying that there is a high demand for vintage sneakers because that’s people’s way of connecting Michael Jordan’s heritage of the brand. At the same time, if one is to become a collector today, he/she has to be well informed about new drops and their limitedness. Not all shoes will give high returns in the future. But a safe bet can be placed on Grail Sneakers like Off White and other special edition collabs like the Travis Scott x Cactus Jack x Nike collection.

6. What is the difference between Dunks and Jordans?

A Nike Dunk sneaker may look exactly like an Air Jordan, but true sneakerheads can tell the difference. Dunks usually feature a narrower design with a stripe across the side tab, while Air Jordans are typically chunkier with a swoosh on both sides of the shoe which connects at the back tab. But the main difference between the two lies in the fact that Jordans are essentially basketball sneakers and Dunks are skateboarding shoes. The Dunks vs Jordan debate is one that's spanned over a long time, but general consensus says that Jordans are more popular, while Dunks are the preferred sneaker for everyday wear. In fact the Dunk Low Panda Sneaker is possibly the most popular sneaker in the world today, second only to the OG Air Force 1.

7. How can I stay updated on new sneaker releases and restocks in India?

For new sneaker releases, information is usually floated around through third party magazines like ‘Sneaker News”, “HighSnobiety”, “Complex”, etc, but is also made available on the official Nike SNKRS site. However it's hard to cop from the official site at retail, so it's recommended to be on the watch out for trusted resellers the moment a new release is announced. Restocks are rare but are usually facilitated through retail store outlets and the effect of the same is felt through major slashing of prices by resellers.