Sneakerheads have created their own language over the years. Are you up to date on the latest sneaker slang, acronyms and terms? Fear not! Check out our cheat sheet to keep up with the lingo so you can chat with the kids the next sneaker Expo.
Beaters
Kicks in your collection that you allow to get beat up (just like an old car.)
Bred’s
The oh so satisfying color combo of black and red as seen on Jordans.
Cop
To purchase something, probably kicks.
Cozy Boy
Fashionable yet comfortable—think of Kanye.
Crepes
Another term for shoes.
Crispy
Very clean – as Pete Holmes says “Keep it crispy.”
Deadstock
Pristine kicks aka brand-new. Never tried on, factory-laced.
Double up
When a pair is so choice that you need to cop two pair.
Factory-laced
When the kicks are totally untouched (aka Deadstock)
Fire
Really really good.
Flight club
A kicks consignment store.
Fragment
Fragment design is run by Hiroshi Fujiwara and often collaborates with Nike.
Friends and Family
Very rare kicks, as in only gifted out to friends and family.
Garms
Clothes…you know…garments.
G.O.A.T.
Greatest Of All Time. Jordan, Gretzky, Tiger, Etc.
Grails
Highly collectible kicks, aka the holy grail
GR
General Release, basic and easy to find.
GS
Grade school. Kicks for kids.
Gum sole
A type of dark brown, durable sole
Highs
High-tops.
Hiroshi
Hiroshi Fujiwara, one of the most influential cats in kicks design. He collabs on Nikes.
HTM
HTM is a team comprised of Mark Parker (Nike’s CEO), Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Tinker Hatfield sold in a few stores around the world.
Hypebeast
Someone that only follows hype and buzz.
Icy sole
When the soles of the kicks are clear and kinda see-through.
Infrared
A dope color Nike created.
Instacop
When a thing is so rad, you cop it ASAP.
JB/Jumpman
Jordan Brand, also referred to as Jumpman.
Kicks
Sneakers. Duh!
Lit
Really really good aka fire.
Lows
Low-tops.
Mids
Mid-tops.
NIB
New In Box.
Nike Lab
Limited line of Nike gear.
OG’s
Originals. Old School.
PP/Inv
Paypal Invoice. Direct message me for a better price.
Pack
A set of kicks released as a series.
PE/Player Edition
Player Exclusive made by the brand for the athlete and not sold in stores.
Reseller
Someone that cops as many of a limited release with no intention to own it, but rather sell them for dat coinage.
Retro
A sneaker that came out in the past and is being re-released.
Shoeapy
Buying kicks for the therapy. Groovy.
Size run
The number of pairs a retailer or reseller has. Most stores stock men’s sizes 6 to 12.
Steezy
Combination of style and ease.
Super Fire
Even more fire than fire.
Tinker Hatfield
The most badass sneaker designer of all time—responsible for the Air Max 1 and many Jordans.
Tonal
Single colored kicks.
Unauthorized/Replica
Fake shoes. Bogus.
Upper
Referring to the area above the sole.
VNDS
Very Near Deadstock. Almost brand new.
Wild
Out of control like Regis Philbin.
Yeezy
Kanye West’s sneakers. He started with Nike but now works with adidas.