Sneaker and fashion culture has become one of the most prevalent in the world, and along with its rise to the top, it has given way to its own slang. Some sneaker slang and shoe terms are pretty straightforward, while other sneaker terminology can be a bit strange to understand. If you are new to the world of sneaker slang or want to keep up with the latest trends, this is the perfect guide for you. Let’s look at sneakerhead talk.
1s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 10s, 11s: These numbers reference Air Jordan sneakers made by Nike. The ones Michael Jordan played in are prevalent, like the Jordan 1s, Jordan 3s, etc. If someone says, “I got a pair of 1s for my birthday,” they’re referring to the Nike Air Jordan 1 sneaker.
ACG: All Conditions Gear. This is a trendy line of Nike products known for their weather-resistant qualities. Perfect for any outdoor adventures.
Alphet: Another word for outfit. If someone says, “Dope alphet”, they mean that the outfit looks really cool.
Aglets: Aglets are the small components found at the ends of shoelaces. Initially crafted from basic plastic, they are now available in a variety of materials, including carbon fibre and even customized versions with specific labels.
Beaters: These are shoes in your collection that you don’t mind getting beat up because you wear them a lot. No matter how many kicks you have, you probably wear these in rough conditions, like when it’s raining or partying all night.
BNIB: Brand new in the box.
Bred: This term often refers to the colour combination of black and red, typically seen on Jordans.
Coke Whites: Distinctively white sneakers, like the substance. Having some Coke whites in your closet adds a touch of mystery and impresses others. Think of a fresh new pair of white Air Force 1s, for example.
Cop: To buy something. If someone says, “I’ll cop a pair when next they are on sale”, they mean they want to buy one.
Cosy Boy: A style that combines fashion with extreme comfort, creating a cosy and stylish look.
Creps: Another word for sneakers. For example, “Check out the new Adidas creps.” Typically used in youth culture within Europe.
Crispy: Used to describe something that is exceptionally clean and well-maintained.
Deadstock: A term for a brand-new pair of shoes that have never been worn, are factory laced, are still in their original “undamaged” box, but weren’t sold commercially or via retail stores.
Double up: When you love a pair of sneakers so much, you buy more than one pair.
Dunks: Short for Nike Dunk High or Lows or SB Dunk sneakers. Nike Dunk shoes have been around since 1985, and their popularity isn’t slowing down either. Popular Dunks include the Panda, Nike Dunk Low ‘Chicago Split’, and Photon Dust. They are also very popular in the custom sneaker community and in skateboarding circles.
Factory-laced: Refers to shoes that have never been worn, and the laces are still as they were when the shoes left the factory. It’s all about keeping them in pristine condition.
Fake: Counterfeit sneakers not made by the official brand.
Fire: When something looks too cool to ignore. For instance, “Those kicks are fire, bro!”
Fit: If someone says the word fit, they mean your outfit. It’s similar to Alphet but more recent. “That fit is fire” implies that your outfit is fantastic.
Flight Club: A popular sneaker consignment store where resellers and buyers can find limited edition sneakers.
Fragment/Fragments: Collaborations with Nike, often found on very limited kicks, from the brand run by Hiroshi Fujiwara.
Friends and Family: When a pair is scarce, it is usually gifted to the friends and family of the collaborator. These runs are often limited to just a few pairs.
Garms: Slang for clothes. Only wear the most fashionable clothes – those are thRMS.”
G.O.A.T.: Stands for “Greatest Of All Time.” It is often used to refer to Jordans, Yeezys, or wildly classics like Vans or Converse sneakers.
Grails: Highly coveted and collectable sneakers that are considered a personal treasure.
GR: Stands for “General Release”. This means these sneakers are widely available and not as exclusive.
GS: Stands for “Grade School”, indicating that the shoes are designed for kids.
Gum sole: A sneaker sole that is dark brown and highly durable.
Highs: High-top sneakers that extend above the ankle for extra support, like those worn on the basketball court.
Hiroshi: This refers to Hiroshi Fujiwara, a highly influential figure in streetwear known for his collaborations with Nike.
HTM: A limited kind of sneaker release that involves a team consisting of Mark Parker, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Tinker Hatfield.
Hypebeast: Someone who follows and buys into hype. They focus on excellent and highly sought-after releases, sometimes to the extent of being superficial.
Icy sole: When the sole of a sneaker is slightly see-through, giving it an “icy” appearance.
Infrared: A colour developed by Nike that is associated with some of their most popular sneakers.
Instacop: When something is so unique, you immediately buy it without hesitation.
JB/Jumpman: Refers to Jordan Brand, often recognised by the iconic Jumpman logo.
Kicks: Another word for sneakers. For example, “Got these brand new kicks for retail value today.”
Lit: When something is incredibly cool or impressive.
Lows: Low-top sneakers that sit below the ankle, perfect for summer and casual vibes.
Mids: Mid-top sneakers that reach just above the ankle, often associated with skater style. Brands like Vans and Stussy sell many mids.
NIB: Stands for “New In Box,” indicating the sneakers are in pristine condition and haven’t been worn.
NSW: Nike Sportswear Nike Lab.
Nike Lab: A high-end line of limited Nike gear sold in select stores worldwide.
OGs: Short for “Originals,” referring to classic and timeless sneakers.
Pack: A set of shoes released together as a series, often themed or complementary.
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PE/Player Edition: Sneakers made by a brand specifically for athletes are rarely available for public sale.
Player Exclusive: This indicates that the sneaker item was produced by the brand specifically for the athlete and is almost never available for purchase in retail stores. In some cases they are one of one.
Quickstrike: To infuse an element of surprise, the terms ‘quickstrike’ or ‘QS’ are used to denote exclusive, limited-edition sneakers released without prior announcement and, naturally, in scarce quantities.
Reseller: Someone who buys limited releases intending to sell them for profit. Most people don’t like them, but they are prominent in sneaker culture.
Retro: A re-release of a shoe that was previously dropped, bringing back the nostalgia of past designs. For example, many new Jordans are Retros (re-makes or re-releases of previous models).
Size run: Refers to the range of sizes a retailer or reseller has available for a particular sneaker release.
Steez/Steezy: A combination of style and ease, resulting in a relaxed and effortlessly fashionable look.
Super fire: A level above regular “fire,” indicating something is exceptionally cool and impressive.
Special Edition: As the name suggests, these are limited “special” sneaker releases that don’t come around too often or will have a limited release.
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Tink/Tinker/Hatfield/Tinker Hatfield: The legendary sneaker designer responsible for iconic models like the Air Max 1 and various Jordans. Tinker is to sneakerheads what Einstein is to scientists.
Tonal: When a sneaker is monochromatic or features a single colour, like all red.
Upper: Refers to the part of the sneaker above the sole.
VNDS: Stands for “Very Near Deadstock”, meaning the shoes are almost in brand-new condition.
Wild: Describes something that is outstanding, out of control, or exceptionally amazing.
WTB: Someone who wants to buy.
WTS: Someone who wants to sell.
WTT: Someone who wants to trade.
Yeezy: Sneakers designed by Kanye West, known for their hype, limited releases, and high prices.
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What is your favourite word on this list of sneaker slang, and did we leave anything out? Do you understand sneakerhead talk?
