Have been keeping an eye on the sneaker market over the past 3-4 months and I have to say the reseller culture is super strong these days. Completely different from when I was still into buying/selling about 10 years ago.

Not only have retail prices gone up significantly, but every brand new pair being resold today is past the RM1k mark. Don't get me started on yeezys, lol. They're interesting, and I would have tried to get a pair, but those are essentially the Adidas equivalent of the Nike Roshe (right?) and no one knows if the soles can stand the test of time...

Anyway, couldn't resist to try out a pair of Tubulars - think these are Tubular Radials and 10% off, so why not? They fit true to size, but I've not worn them yet so don't really know how comfortable they are. Someone mentioned they're a pain to have on for long hours, but I guess I'll find out.



Random pair of NBs and he Energy Boost was a RM2 raffle ticket win, lol.

Not just reseller culture, but sneaker culture in general.

Nike SB is dead. Nike AF is dead. Nike Air Max has pretty much gone shitters. Air Jordans, there was never any hype in Malaysia, now folks are buying up new releases, LOL. It seems that the new generation of sneaker enthusiasts really like buying new shoes over previously hard to get pairs.

Just to share some old stuff (some are now sold):

'Ye has always been just 'Ye. He can sell anything, and people around the world, even those who do not understand what or why, will go for the brands and models he reps.

Personally, I'm more into the aesthetics and both the soles of the Boost and Tubular series look interesting; and since its a solid one-piece with no air unit, I have the impression it can/will last longer than air maxes. My older Nikes that were not stored properly (i.e. not bagged, stored in cool, dry spot) have all had crumbling soles.

Adidas have quite an interesting line-up these days, with many of the colourways released looking really good. But a GR like NMD going for over RM1k at resell is just... wow. Willing buyer willing seller, I guess. I'll stay away :-)

Honestly, I cannot differentiate between Ultra Boost and Energy Boost, and all the other Boost models out there. As far as I can tell, sole is the same with a slightly different upper? Anyway, I don't like my EB - they fit smaller and are not very comfortable for running.

The Adidas Boost series have a very interesting silhouette - even without 'Ye I would have bought a pair or two. If you study the design, you'll notice there isn't much to tweak in terms of colour blocking, so in this day of hipster triple black this and triple white that, the Boost and Tubular series sell easily because there are only so many colour palettes.

Of all the Nike silhouettes, my favourite are perhaps the AM87, AM90, and AF1. They have that very classic shape, can have some great colourways, and the occasional use of interesting material. The only gripe I had with Maxes was that the ribbed, nippled design on the sole didn't go very well with driving.

Here are some of my faves:














My small addiction started first with the AF1, then I moved onto Nike SB, Air Max, a few Air Jordans and then back to Air Force 1, where it abruptly ended. I've stopped buying, but I still keep an eye out for good colourways. My older shoes, ones that were stored properly, have stood the test of time, but almost every other pair which I forgot to seal (1999-201x era) have all crumbled. Even my 2002 AF1 Glaciers have crumbly soles.

But, like metaled, I too now prefer comfy footwear. I'm usually in a pair of slippers

Broke out the Tubulars last night. They're not as uncomfortable as I was made to believe; the design of the sole means there's a sort of gap through the entire mid-section of the shoe, and it felt a little odd; like there was almost no support. Doesn't help that I'm a stocky guy.

Although I had it on for a couple of hours, I didn't really walk too much in them. But the upper on these are sockliner material so soft, breathable, and very comfy. Almost never need to propperly lace up as the shape holds by itself. Would not mind them in a different colourway, especially since these are relatively cheap.

The~Joker Discount code? Yes, please. In fact, I might just cop those grey Tubular Radials now No sneakers for me today as I'm on my wings.

Not for the faint hearted... attempted to clear out some space in my sneaker cupboard earlier tonight...

We have sole swappers here in Klang Valley too. Same thing; just need a donor shoe where the soles are removed from the new pair, then implanted on the "dead" pair. Considering Nike's path to re-releasing almost every pair available, doesn't make much sense. Except there seem to be queues to almost every sneaker drop these days, lol.

Of the ones I posted earlier, I may only consider the AJ3s... if I can find a cheap donor pair. Doesn't need to be new; midsole can always be painted. The 3M snakes, I have a spare pair... and probably no one can "re-glue" the 3M dust that has flaked off

New shoes, meet my new new shoes

MOMOchacha on my feet? Adidas Tubular Radials.

With regards to load handling; I don't think they actually care. Even Supreme's website jams up every new season. Same as actually getting in line for shoes I suppose; except now from the comfort of your favourite lounge chair.

Is that the full name? Nike AJ4 White Cement Retro 4 "1989 OG"? Because of that swoosh on the heel tab? I mean its nice, but the materials used are very different from the OGs!

The~Joker bro, the original Air Jordan 4 first dropped in 1989, before it was retro'd in 1999. The retro lost the "Nike Air" and was replaced instead by the Jumpman, including several other minor changes.

When I was still buying, the only retros were the '99s. My mistake with the Jumpman; on other AJ4s, if I'm not mistaken, the Jumpman had already started to appear, even before the 2012 AJ4 white cements.

What I mean to say is; the 1999 are not OGs -- that belongs to the 1989. To find a DS full set is pretty difficult. I don't remember much details anymore, especially since I never bought too many pairs of jays, but did the '99s have the "Nike Air" orange tag?

Anyway, here's for sharing... a pair AJ4 Oreos in kids size which was a recent pick-up.

I stopped buying sneakers sometime in 2007, and went cold turkey. But I have a couple of small sizes; thought of saving them for mini-mes in the future. I forgot how big Y and C sizes are, and mistakenly bought this. I should have gone for 4C and not 7Y!

Slowly filling up again... :-O

Speaking of Solebox, I last heard that Hikmet has left? Anyone know what the reason was for his departure?

With regards to the Boosts; even on that Solebox pair, the gluework seems kind of suspect. I really wonder how these will stand the test of time. I've heard that many of the Boost soles have already yellowed prematurely? Is this true? My pair of Boosts are hidden somewhere, but they've only been worn twice and boxed so I can't remember.

Noooope. Not for me, anyway.

Edit: reminds me of toothpaste.

This post has been edited by r3kahsttub: Mar 9 2016, 09:58 AM

Visiting a legend:


I've been wearing these Tubular Radials for some 10 days for my short holiday, and I have grown to really like them. They're incredibly comfortable, even though I've had to walk in them for hours.



But it seems to build quality is suspect on these; the seams on one of my "cages" has ripped off almost entirely. Definitely unusual wear & tear, and something I've been trying to reach out to Adidas MY about, but no such luck. Anyone have any idea how I can contact them to speak about this defect?

Here's a better pic of the tear:


This post has been edited by r3kahsttub: Mar 22 2016, 11:29 AM

Yiha9944 ah, thanks for that. I'd read it earlier, and assumed that the terms were for online store only. I purchased mine from their shop in Mid Valley. Anyway, I read all the way to the bottom this time, and noticed an email address - which I have now reached out to. Let's see what they have to say.