What does WOYFT mean?
WOYFT? = What's on your feet today?
Mostly seen on various social platforms, this term is often used on or under pictures that show an actual photo of the sneaker that the person is wearing on his/her foot at the moment the picture is taken.
What does LPU mean?
LPU = Latest Pick Up
LPU is also like WOYFT? a term that is mainly seen on posts in social media. The term LPU lets the viewer of the photo know that it is his/her most recently purchased pair to date.
What does TTS mean?
TTS = True To Size
You search the internet for how the Nike Air Max 90 fits to know whether you need to buy a half size larger or smaller. You find that the Air Max 90 'turns out TTS'. This tells you that you can trust Nike's size chart in this case, and you can purchase the sneaker in your normal size.
What does General Release mean?
The term "General Release" literally means "general release". In short, however, a sneaker release is only titled with the term General Release if…
… the sneakers are released without any occasion (e.g. Anniversary, Re-Release, SNKRS Day).
… the sneakers do not drop in collaboration with other brands, designers or the like.
What is a Retro- / Re-Release?
Retro releases celebrate past releases of a particular model and bring them back to the scene with minor changes from the original.
Re-releases, on the other hand, celebrate the comeback of a particular model in its original form. At most, there are minimal changes in the use of materials here.
An exaggerated example of the striking difference a retro release can have from a re-release is offered by the Atmos x Nike Air Max 1 'Safari'. This is the first worldwide release from 2002, and as a comparison, the release of the same shoe from 2016:
The small but subtle difference between the two models can be seen on the base and outsole of the shoes, suggesting that the 2016 release was a retro release, and not a re-release.
What is a Quickstrike?
A 'Quickstrike' or QS release is a limited edition pair of sneakers where the quantity is small and the kicks are only available at a few retailers, for a short time and without prior announcement of the release.
What does Leak mean?
Sneaker Leaks are insider info and/or photos of sneakers that have not yet been released or even announced by the brand that produced the pair.
Insiders get information or pictures directly from the brand's ranks that are actually not allowed to be published yet.
However, you can usually guess that many brands intentionally do not fix these "leaks" or even make them possible in the first place. Thus, the hype before the release is even bigger!
What is a Mock-Up?
A mock-up describes a graphically created image (in most cases), which represents the entire design of a future sneaker release, usually from a leak.
Mock-ups are almost always created only when a leak shows individual, small details of a sneaker, and no other images of the shoes are available yet.
A good example of a mock-up was a leak submission of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low, which was seen in paparazzi photos on the feet of his daughter Stormy:
What does Bootleg mean?
A bootleg refers to a shoe that mimics or takes heavy inspiration from a popular sneaker design, like a Nike or Jordan, but isn't an official release.
Unlike a counterfeit, which try to pass off the real thing, bootlegs put their own twist on classic silhouettes, changing features like colorways and materials, and removing logos or any obvious branding elements.
What is a Replica?
In the world of sneakers, a 'Replica' describes a pair of shoes that has been exactly replicated. Unlike a bootleg, this means that someone has copied a sneaker in detail to look as identical to the original as possible. Some people buy these to avoid paying resale prices, while others unknowingly get scammed.
Replicas are illegal and can be prosecuted, so stay away!
What is an Upper?
The upper of any sneaker describes "the top" of the shoe. More precisely, it describes the entire shoe above the midsole.
What is a Deubré?
A Deubré (or Dubrae) is an additional decorative element on the upper of a sneaker. It's usually made of metal, plastic or rubber, and sits at the bottom of the laces near the toe box. Its original purpose was to help keep the laces in place and prevent fraying, but it's mostly a design element these days. The Nike Air Force 1 is a great example of a sneaker model that features a dubrae.
What is a Lacelock?
A lacelock (as the name suggests) ensures that your laces are fastened and your shoe is laced up without having to tie them.
A prime example to demonstrate a Lacelock is the Air Jordan 6, as it got this otherwise rather rare design element as a fixed part of the silhouette:
What is a Full Sizerun?
If a sneaker is advertised with the words 'Full Sizerun', this means that all sizes on the brand's size chart are available for this release.
What is Family Sizing?
When a pair is announced in Family Sizing, the shoes are produced and sold in every size from very small (baby sizes) to very large (men's sizes).
What does Retail mean?
In the sneaker world, 'retail' refers to the original price of a sneaker when it's first released. When someone says they 'got them for retail' they mean that they purchased the shoes for the launch price. Scoring a pair for retail is normally considered a win, as purchasing at resell prices can be twice, three times, or even more expensive than at retail.
What does Resell mean?
In addition to the retail price you can pay for a new pair of sneakers, there is also a resell price.
For example, the Travis Scott x Nike Air Jordan 1 Low 'Mocha' retailed for €120. The hype for Travis Scott collaborations is bigger than ever, which is why the resale value is so high - the pair now costs between €1100-1300 at resell!
What does Condition mean?
When you are asked about the condition of a pair, you are asked about the general condition of your shoes. Condition can range from deadstock (brand new, never worn, often in the original box with tags) to heavily worn.
Collectors pay close attention to things like sole wear, creasing and scuffs. The better the condition, the higher the value, particularly for rare or limited releases.
What does Deadstock / NDS / VNDS mean?
Deadstock = Often abbreviated to DS. If a sneaker is 'deadstock', it is completely unworn, i.e. new. This increases the value, especially if the sneaker is from a limited or old collection and is no longer available in normal stores.
NDS = Near Deadstock. The sneaker was only worn a few times, and only has minor signs of wear, if any.
VNDS = Very Near Deadstock. Refers to a pair that has been worn once or twice at most and still looks almost brand new. There might be tiny signs of use, like very light creasing or minor outsole wear, but overall, the shoe is in excellent condition—close to deadstock (brand new, never worn).
What does Restock mean?
A restock describes the restocking of certain products. In the case of sneakers, a restock means that a certain shoe model is restocked after it has already been sold out.
What does CW mean?
CW = Colorway
Colorway describes the visual design of a sneaker. It refers to the specific combination of colours used on a sneaker, describing how the colours are arranged to create a certain style or theme.
What does EA mean?
EA = Exclusive Access/Early Access
Exclusive Access means exactly that: exclusive access to certain items from a brand. Occasionally, specially selected people are given the opportunity to buy a certain model exclusively.
Alternatively, Early Access allows a person to purchase a shoe before the official release.
What does PE mean?
PE = Player Edition/Player's Exclusive
A Player Edition sneaker describes a shoe that has been designed for a specific player/athlete and is often available in retail stores as a quickstrike or limited release a short time later.
A ‘Player's Exclusive’ sneaker is a shoe that was designed specifically for a player and was never intended for retail. If pairs do somehow make it to the public, they are only available in the size of the player for whom they were designed. Usually, only one or a small amount of these sneakers are produced.
What does WTB/WTS/WTT mean?
WTB = Want to buy / WTS = Want to sell / WTT = Want to trade
These terms are mostly seen on resell platforms and social media. WTB, WTS and WTT are used on adverts in Buy/Sell/Trade groups to quickly explain what people are looking for.
What does Cop or Drop mean?
On social media, a community is often encouraged to answer the question ‘Cop or Drop?’ in the context of a particular sneaker. Asking 'Cop or Drop' means you want to know if someone would like to buy the pair or let it pass by.
What is an Instacop?
Also mainly used on social media, 'Instacop' is often used in comments or as a hashtag or description of the image of a sneaker. For example, if you post a new Air Jordan 1 in a colorway that you fell in love with at first sight in your Instagram story, it would be appropriate to use the term ‘Instacop’.
With the words ‘Instacop’ you indicate that you bought this pair without thinking twice because you fell in love at first sight and couldn't/wouldn't let it go.
What is a Shock Drop?
Generally speaking, a shock drop describes a release that is published without prior notice, and is a totally unplanned/sudden release of a sneaker.
Shoes are often released as ‘shock drops’ at special events or similar.
What is a Campout?
It's not just when the latest Apple products are released that people camp outside the store. When a pair of limited edition sneakers are released that are so popular that they are only available from resellers after release, it often happens that buyers set up their camping chairs and other camping equipment in front of the store several days in advance and camp out until the release.
What is a Hyperstrike?
Hyperstrike is the term used to describe the most limited versions of sneakers, which, like the ‘Shock Drop’, are usually launched on the market without much warning.
So if you're reading this and you're not already in the queue, camping and roasting marshmallows, you're basically already too late. Hyperstrike releases are kept under wraps for as long as possible and are only announced and released in extremely limited quantities just before release. Sometimes only to friends and family.
What is a Hook-Up?
If a sneaker is sold exclusively as an in-store release, for example, it is often very difficult to get hold of the pair of sneakers you want if you don't live in the centre of a big city. In the community you often help each other and get to know people who offer you the opportunity to buy the pair for you, i.e. offer a ‘hook-up’.
What is a Swoosh?
Some brands' logos have been given their own names, which are commonplace in the world of sneakerheads. One of these names is the Swoosh . This Nike logo is one of the most recognisable trademarks of our time, ranking alongside the world-famous Walt Disney signature and the Coca-Cola logo.
The Swoosh was designed in 1971 by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson. The only requirement given by brand founder Phil Knight at the time was that the logo should be inspired by dynamic movement. Today's Swoosh, as well as the Nike brand name, is meant to evoke the wings of the goddess Nike.
What is a Trefoil?
In 1971, adidas introduced the three-striped logo in a shape reminiscent of a leaf, the so-called "Trefoil." However, the original owner of the logo was actually the Finnish brand Karhu.
However, Karhu was hit hard by World War II, and the owner lacked capital at the time. Therefore, he agreed to sell the trademark for his logo to adidas for €1,600 and two bottles of whiskey. And so, the adidas Trefoil logo was born.
What is a Jumpman?
The Jumpman is the official trademark of the Jordan Brand, which is a sublabel of the sportswear giant Nike.
The origins of this logo can be traced back to 1984. That year, basketball legend Michael Jordan had a photo shoot with the lifestyle magazine "LIFE." The silhouette of Jordan, which reflects today's Jordan Brand logo, originated there.
However, during this shoot, Jordan was actually wearing New Balance shoes. Therefore, the photo was recreated the following year by Michael Jordan and Nike, with Jordan wearing the iconic Air Jordan 1 High 'Black Toe' this time!
What does Custom mean?
Customised sneakers, or often referred to as custom sneakers, are simply individually designed sneakers. For example, you can have a completely custom-designed sneaker produced through services like NIKE BY YOU . This allows you to choose from a wide range of silhouettes, colours, and materials. Of course, you'll pay a little extra for this, but you'll have a unique piece!
A much more expensive option is to have the sneakers hand-painted by customisers. Especially through Instagram, talents like those of Tijs Van Impe, aka "Tazz Customs", have come to the forefront and are they are now creating incredible, unique works for many happy buyers.
What is a Sample?
'Sample' refers to a sample pair of sneakers. As with almost any production, a lot of design and conceptual work is done in advance. The final look of the pair with the pre-made materials must be tested before it can actually go on sale.
In most cases, minor modifications are made on the pair that will later be officially released. Sample pairs always include a label on the inside of the shoe that clearly indicates that they are a sample. Since only a handful of sample pairs are ever produced, a pair like this can bring in a lot of money if you get your hands on one.
What does Beaters mean?
'Beaters' are the pairs of sneakers that you wear most frequently in everyday use. They're the pair that you'd wear to party, take a walk in, or engage in similar activities that are likely to wear out your sneakers.
What is a Holy Grail?
The term "Holy Grail" refers to sneakers that are so loved and adored by a person that they would do anything to be able to wear this pair on their feet or even just to own it.
Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as THE Holy Grail. Everyone has their own, although a global survey would probably reveal one or two models more often.
For example, the legendary Atmos x Nike Air Max 1 'Elephant' or the iconic Air Jordan 1 High OG 'Chicago' could be considered a Holy Grail.
What is a Hypebeast?
The typical 'hypebeast' is not satisfied with general releases, or the typical, off-the-shelf sneakers and clothes. Hypebeasts are people who feel most comfortable amidst hype and trends.
What does Unboxing mean?
Unboxings are becoming increasingly popular on social media. The viewer can experience the exciting moment when the shoe box of a new pair is opened for the first time.
Plus, it's always great to see exactly how the pair arrives and what it looks like in person. Often, even before a sneaker's official release, there are already a few unboxing videos posted on Instagram and other platforms, giving you a better impression and making the purchase decision easier.
What is a Pinroll?
Essentially, the 'pinroll' refers to a special technique for rolling up your trousers.
The pinroll provides the perfect solution to making the sneaker the center of attention, moving your trousers out of the way while still looking good.
To do a pinroll, you typically pinch the fabric at the inseam, fold it over tightly, and then roll the cuff upward a couple of times to lock it in place.
