9 Ways to Manage Your Sneaker Budget
Most of us would have rooms upon rooms of sneakers if our bank accounts allowed. Nike Flyknit Racers in every color, adidas Sambas with and without the OG extended tongue, every single one of Pharrell’s rainbow-hued Superstars—we admit our sneaker wish list could go on for days. So let’s get real and figure out how to fulfill all of our sneaker needs without breaking the bank.
Assess your current collection.New kicks are always tempting, so keep your current collection in mind when scrolling through the latest upload from your favorite shop. For instance, if you have three pairs of Nike Blazers but never wear them, it’s time to stop adding high tops to your cart. On the other hand, if you have a go-to pair, figure out what makes them your favorite. Is it the color, silhouette, or texture? Are they super comfortable? A great conversation-starter? Figuring out what you like most about your favorite sneakers is the best way to determine what kicks will be worth your hard-earned paycheck come checkout time.
Shop out of season.We get it, it’s not natural to shop for weatherproof boots when you’re on the way to the beach—but thinking like a style editor will be much easier on your bank account. Getting your shopping brain to think opposite from your current needs will give you a new crop of options that are on sale and often more available than in-season kicks. Plus, when a new season rolls around, you will have your ish together. What’s better than that?
Avoid trends.This is a tough one, mostly because a) trends are tempting and b) it takes a beat to realize something is hot now but won’t be later. So use this trick and ask yourself: Am I going to want to wear this in six months? A year? 5 years? If you answered yes to all of the above then we wish you two a happy life together. If not, save your dough for a style you’ll get a little more mileage out of. Also, keep in mind that trendy items often spark conversations. This isn’t always a bad thing, but consider how many times you want to discuss the benefits of the adidas Springblade technology before you’re over it.
Don’t be swayed by the price.It’s totally tempting to buy something just because its price now ends in .99. But check yourself. Do you really want these kicks if your main draw to an item is the price tag? You probably won’t end up loving it more once it’s out of the store. “Nike Waffle Racers for $40?! Who cares, at that price I’ll wear them all of the time,” said someone who was never spotted wearing Waffle Racers (true story). Adversely, if you blow an entire paycheck on a pair of Jordans, you’re probably not going to be the most fun person at the US Open because you’ll be too worried about spilling a ‘lil cocktail sauce on your IIIs (also true story).
Know thyself, brah.Yeah, those neon Lunarglides are dope, but will you actually wear them? If the last running silo you wore was in gym class, don’t do this to yourself. Chances are those beauties will just end up making the inside of your closet look better, so HARD PASS. Unless you’re being Coveteur’ed later this month, skip it.
Stay true to your size.You’ve been waiting for months to cop the latest LeBron, but when it finally does go on sale, it’s two sizes smaller than what you need. As tempting as it is to wear something that’s ill-fitting for the sake of lookin’ good, wincing in pain or tripping over your own damn feet never looks cool. Don’t do it.
Don’t lose your head at outlet stores.Outlet stores are designed to make people lose their freaking minds. You’ve seen that one guy hauling 10 times his body weight in neon fleece from the store to the car, right? Don’t be that guy. Outlets are great for snagging a deal or two, but remember what you’re actually looking for vs. what is cheap and in front of you. Also, never let a ticking clock be the deciding factor on an item. Just like normal retail stores, most outlets restock items on a regular basis. If you’re really fretting over a pair, ask about their backroom stock or if they offer a 24-hour hold on items. More often than not, once you’re out of retail panic mode, you can make a more rational choice before buying a deeply discounted pair.
Stay alert.You can save a lot of money by simply paying attention. If your size is the first to go, you know to scoop up those dreamboats the second they’re available. But if you’re NOT a men’s 11 or a women’s seven through nine, you will definitely benefit from setting up a price alert on your most beloved SKUs.
Appreciate your current stock.If you’re looking to spend your paycheck on something other than your sneaker collection, take a look at the kicks you already own (duh). As cheesy as it sounds, playing around with what you already have is the best way to hit the refresh button. Pull some of your forgotten kicks out of hiding and ask yourself why you’re not wearing them. If you’ve decided you’re never going to wear them, here are some options on how to free up that closet space. If you’re still feeling them, try them with a few looks to get them back into your rotation.
More from Complex
