KYW's Holiday Gift Guide — Shopping for the sneakerhead in your life for less than $100
You don't have to buy shoes!
What’s good, family! Thank you so much for rocking with yerboi on this glorious Monday. Anybody else feeling that holiday malaise? Sheesh, I’ve got it bad.
HOUSEKEEPING NOTE: Friday will be KYW’s last newsletter until January 10. I’ll be giving you all my “Best Everything” column and a Top 10 list for you to destroy me over. That’s coming soon. But today? Ah, yes. Today. It’s gift guide time.
Let’s do it.
We are complicated. I get it.
I feel like I run into this problem with loved ones every single year. People want to shop for me, but they have absolutely no idea what to buy.
They know I love sneakers and they know the kind of sneakers I love are very specific and niche.
They also know that they cost a pretty penny. At least by gift-giving standards, anyway. And don’t nobody wanna drop $220 on me.
Here’s the thing: Sneakerheads do not expect you to buy sneakers for them during the holidays. Most might prefer if you did not. The sneaker lover in your life is very particular and a lot goes into copping. We’d usually just handle it ourselves.
So, no, you don’t need to cop shoes. Instead, we’ve got a few other options here for you to go to. Here’s the KYW sneakerhead gift guide with no sneakers. All for less than $100.
Shouts to my guy Clayton and Sprezza for the inspo.
The accessories
Stadium Goods Socks Box ($65) The best partner for a great pair of sneakers is a great pair of socks and these Stadium Goods joints are GREAT. I was sent a box of 12 and they’re warm, comfy, thick and very stretchy. Top notch gift. There are different colors and moods that come with each box, so you can find a vibe.
Rope Lace Supply Replacement laces ($7.99 for one, $64.99 for a box) Those shoes and socks are going to need some laces to go with them. Rope Lace Supply will kit you with 10 pairs of flat laces for $64.99. That’s great value. There are so many options you’ll easily find yourself falling down a rabbit hole.
Foxtrot Uniform Sneaker Stainer ( $19.99) If you ever want to get a gift for any sneakerhead who has that DIY itch, Foxtrot Uniform is certainly the place to look. Their online shop opens every Sunday. The sneaker stainer is an amazing tool that lets you give your shoes a neo-vintage look that’s in style these days.
Good reads and visuals
Complex’s Sneaker of the Year since ‘85 ($21.99) Complex’s sneaker staff put together a book with what they consider the sneaker of the year for each year since 1985. The book contains some very informative pieces and information on some of your favorite pairs.
Sneaker Freaker’s Ultimate Sneaker Book ($36) This book contains more than 600 pages of thoughts, notes and guides from Simon Wood, Sneaker Freaker’s creator. It’s basically a sneaker history book capturing pivotal moments and information from the culture.
Virgil Abloh’s ICON ( $80) Virgil’s book offers insights on his design process, how he thinks about his sneakers and the pieces of art they are. I might cop this for myself.
Aesthetics
Container store drop-front boxes (6 for $70) At the beginning of every sneakerhead’s journey must be a way to store all of their treasure. Unfortunately for me, I did not have one. I’m now doomed to use creaky shoe racks for the rest of my life unless I win the lottery. Don’t let that sneakerhead you love be me. Buy them these containers.
Hang Your Sole sneaker art ($92.50) The sneaker space in the crib is very often a sanctuary for the sneaker lover. They’ll spend a lot of time in that space. Embrace it. Help them liven it up with some art.
Sneaker candles ($35) I’m not really a candle person, but if I was? Boy, I’d be all over these joints. This is so cool.
Keep ‘em fresh and clean
Jason Markk cleaning kit ($35) I can personally attest to the goodness of this kit. Once spilled Jerk sauce on some Dunks. Cleaned them joints as soon as I got back to the crib. Stain was completely removed. I’ve sworn by this stuff ever since.
CREP Ultimate Sneaker Care kit ($35) This joint has everything you could need in it. Cleaner solution, brushes, shoe trees, shoe pods. But what sells me on it is the waterproofing spray. The water really bounces right off your sneaks.
That’s a wrap, family! See! Wasn’t that bad. Everything is under $100, too. And, most importantly, no sneakers! All my sneakerheads out there, feel free to send this to the family.
Thanks so much for rocking with me on this one. Really hope this stuff helps, yo. Talk to y’all on Wednesday!
Peace. Love. Be easy. Be safe. Be kind. And we out.
-Sykes
The Aha moment is when one is buying something special for a loved one.