A new week means a new post for Collector of the Week here at The Art of Fatherhood. As a fellow geek and collector of all things Pop Culture I wanted to showcase some cool collections that dads share in our community. We talk about the latest movies, comic books, sneakers and video games that we are enjoying at the moment.
This Week’s Collector – Sneaker Padawan – A Sneaker Enthusiast Since ‘88
I have known Sneaker Padawan for a few years now. Like me he has a passion for sneakers. He also is a big fan of the Star Wars universe. Beyond being fans of Star Wars and sneakers, he is a great dad to his kids. Plus, he loves to coach his kid’s sports teams and volunteer when he can. I am so happy to share his collection here at The Art of Fatherhood. This is what he wrote.
I developed a true fascination about sneakers as a kid in Grade 7, back in 1988. At that time the Air Jordan III had just come out, and I was truly enamored by the concept of Nike Air – specifically the visible air unit in the heel of the sole. Air Max 1 (1987), Air Jordan III, and Nike Air Revolution were three sneakers that really stood out to me as being incredibly unique at that time.
As a kid, I was getting one brand new pair of sneakers a year from my Mom for back to school, and it had to be within a certain price point – so I had to choose wisely! 🙂 Fast forward five years (1993), I turned 16 and was able to get my first part-time job at a sneaker/shoe shop. My passion for sneakers developed even further, and my collection started growing – Jordan, Nike Basketball, and Nike ACG were among my favorites sneaker lines at that time.
A Variety Of Sneakers
I have always had a wide range of sneakers in my possession especially from 1993 onwards, but I’ve been collecting sneakers in a more formal sense over the past 15 years. Buying new sneakers using the latest technology & materials, finding replacements or waiting for retro re-releases of sneakers I wore to the ground as a kid/teen/young adult, or obtaining ones I always wanted, but never had. I fully believe in wearing your sneakers, in fact they last longer if you do (along with protectant spray before your first wear, and regular cleaning after that – my personal tip).
I now have a solid range of sneaker brands in my collection including Adidas, Asics, Jordan, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Vans, and Yeezy. The biggest challenge is working to put different pairs into my weekly rotation, but it’s all about having fun and showcasing your personal style at the end of the day!
I really appreciate your story sir. Thank you for sharing it with my audience. Make sure you follow him on Instagram at @sneakerpadawan
Whatcha Got?
It can be comic books, bottle caps, records, helmets or whatever you are into! I want to see what your passion is and why you started up that collection. For me, I believe that in each collection lies a better story. I want to share your story! Feel free to reach out to me and share your collection. If you enjoyed this post you may check out the an article in this series for Collector of the Week check out my collection of Star Wars sneakers.