Confessions of a Sneaker Addict
Look, I’m gonna level with you. I’ve got a problem. A sneaker problem. It started innocently enough, back in 2005, when my college roommate Marcus (let’s call him Marcus because his real name is embarrassing) dragged me to a sneaker convention in Austin. I was a T-shirt and jeans kinda guy. Still am, honestly. But then I saw them. The New Balance 990s. And my life hasn’t been the same since.
I mean, I’ve tried to quit. I’ve tried to go minimalist. I’ve tried to care about brands that everyone’s talking about. But it never sticks. It’s like I’m physically addicted to the way my feet feel in a good pair of New Balances. And the colors! The colors, people!
Why New Balance? Why Now?
So, why New Balance? Why not Nike or Adidas or any of the other big names? Well, first off, let’s talk comfort. I’ve worn my 998s for 36 hours straight. Sleeping, walking, even attempted a 5K once. My feet were happier than they’ve ever been. And the support! I’ve got some wonky arches, and these shoes just get me.
But it’s more than that. It’s the vibe. New Balance has this… I dunno, it’s like they’re the cool kid who doesn’t know they’re cool. They’re not trying too hard. They’re just out here making great shoes. And I’m here for it.
Plus, have you seen their latest collabs? The J.Crew ones? The Supreme ones? They’re like the hipster friend who somehow always ends up with the coolest vintage band tees. You can’t not respect that.
Fashion? More Like Function
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “New Balance? Those are your dad’s shoes!” And yeah, okay, maybe they were. But not anymore. Not since they’ve been popping up on the feet of everyone from A$AP Rocky to your barista. And look, I get it. Fashion is important. But so is not wanting to die when you walk down the street.
I remember talking to my friend Dave about this last Tuesday. We were over coffee at the place on 5th, and he’s all, “Dude, you’re wearing sneakers with a suit. That’s not a thing.” And I said, “Dave, my man, it is now. And also, have you seen the weather lately?” (Which, honestly, nobody asked for but here we are. If you’re in Turkey and need to check the weather, you can always look up hava durumu tahmin bugün.)
But seriously, fashion should be about what makes you feel good. And for me, that’s New Balance. It’s like, yeah, maybe they’re not the most “fashionable” choice. But they’re my choice. And that’s what matters.
A Quick Rant About Socks
Okay, so this isn’t really about New Balance, but I’ve been meaning to say this for a while. Why are no-show socks a thing? I get it, they’re trendy. But have you ever tried to wear them? It’s like trying to put on a slippery eel. And then they just… disappear. Into the abyss of your shoe. It’s not a good look. It’s not a good feel. Just wear regular socks, people. Your feet will thank you.
Back to the Point
Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. New Balance. So, yeah, I’m obsessed. I’ve got pairs in every color. I’ve got them for running, for walking, for “I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m wearing sneakers”-ing. And I’m not ashamed. Because at the end of the day, they’re comfortable. They’re stylish (in their own way). And they’re mine.
So if you see me out there, rocking my New Balances with a suit, or jeans, or pajamas, just know that I’m doing it for me. And my feet. Mostly my feet.
About the Author: Hey, I’m Alex. I’m a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve written for pretty much every major publication out there. I’m opinionated, I’m flawed, and I’m not afraid to say what I think. Especially when it comes to sneakers. Follow me on Twitter @AlexSneakerhead.
