OUR GLOSSARY OF HYPE SNEAKERS AND SNEAKER CULTURE
SNIPES has lived sneakers and streetwear for more than 20 years, and as we move the culture forward, we want to share that knowledge with the future of streetwear… if you are reading this you are probably part of the movement. We’ve called upon our family of sneakerheads to give you the rundown on understanding hype sneakers and all the terminology that comes along with it.
Let’s break it down…
Sneaker Dictionary Contents
The Sneaker Dictionary
3M: The reflective material that was originally created to help runners stay visible at night and is found on so many other things such as street signs, and emergency vehicles. This material is also found on some of your favorite shoes like these Women’s Air Max 97 Silver Bullet which sport a reflective 3M silver tongue.
Aglets: The shiny plastic or metal embellishments placed at the end of shoelaces to give them a more polished or luxurious look. Special edition sneakers sometimes get carbon fiber or bright gold aglets to help them stand out.
Beaters: Sneakers that are chosen for daily use and coined their name by the “beatings” they take from their everyday wear.
Bespoke: Shoes that are personalized and made-to-order. These shoes can resemble a GR silhouette but the colors and materials can be chosen by the customer.
Collab: Short for collaboration, this term is used to refer to sneakers that have come out of partnerships between two brands or a brand and a celebrity/personality.
Colorway: The unique combination of colors on a sneaker that differentiates it from other styles of the same model. Nicknames come from these colorways, for example, the classic black and white Nike Dunks are referred to as “Panda”.
Cup Sole: A cupsole differs from a vulcanized sneaker as it is a thicker and stiffer version since it is not heated onto the shoe. To create the cupsole, a solid layer is put down first, then a type of cushion, and lastly a rubber layer to create the cup-like feature.
Deconstructed: A trend of sneakers that intentionally look unfinished. Virgil Abloh started the trend by releasing one of the most hype collaborative sneaker collections to date. He tore apart 10 iconic Nike sneakers and rebuilt them. Take a look at these Air Jordan 1 Mid SE Craft Series.
Deubre: Shiny metal embellishments that can be found threaded through shoelaces. These are also called ‘lacetags’ and are common with retro Nikes.
Double Up: To buy more than one pair of hype shoes with the intent to wear one and keep the other on ice.
EVA: This is a foam that is commonly used in the midsoles of sneakers that provides comfort and shock absorption when you walk or run.
FSR: This stands for ‘Full-Size Run’. This just means that the entire range of sizes for a sneaker is available for purchase.
General Release (GR): Sneakers produced in large volumes for the mass market, such as adidas Forums, AF1s, and New Balance 550s. These are widely available shoes and can be purchased at retail prices.
GOAT: An abbreviation for ‘Greatest Of All Time’. Mostly used when talking about Michael Jordan.
Grails: Sneakers that are super rare and hard to find. It can also be used to refer to a sneakerhead’s regular rotation of shoes that represent their personal style.
Gum Sole: A gum sole is any light-brown sole. Check out these special edition Grade School Air Jordan 4 Retros!
Heat: Any sneaker that is very rare or known to be popular.
High top: Any sneaker that laces up above the ankles. Women’s Dunk High Celestine Cloud Blue.
Hype: A shoe’s perceived value. The more people are talking about a specific release, the more hype the sneaker becomes.
Hyperstrike: Shoes with this label are as exclusive as it gets, and they come in very limited quantities. These shoes are mainly given out to friends and family of artists or celebrities, so don’t expect to see these out on the street.
Icy Sole: The entire part of the shoe that sits below the wearer’s foot is the sole of the shoe. An icy sole is one that is transparent and typically bluish in tint. Check out these Air Jordan 5 Retros!
Lows: A term short for low-tops. Any sneaker that laces up below the ankle. Women’s Air Jordan 1 Lo SE Reverse Ice Blue.
LPU: Stands for ‘Latest Pick Up’, which is used to show the latest time that a sneakerhead can pick up their shoes.
Mids: A term short for mid-tops, and is basically any sneaker that is between a high-top and a low-top. Men’s Air Jordan 1 Mid Ice Blue.
Mules: These are sneakers that have been converted into slides by removing the heel cap and keeping the forefoot closed.
New Old Stock (NOS): These are old, forgotten sneakers that are found in perfect ‘deadstock’ condition.
OG: This is a term you most likely have heard of as it stands for, “original”. This term is used to describe sneakers that are the original release in one of the colorways that a sneaker was first released in.
On Ice: If someone says their sneaker is “on ice”, it means that the sneaker has not been worn yet. In some cases, these are sneakers that are purchased with no intention of being worn.
Pack: A set of sneakers that is released as a special edition or as part of a series. One of Snipes most recent pack’s was the Nike Air Max Frank Rudy Collection.
Quickstrike: Similar to hyperstrikes, these shoes are released without much warning and in limited quantities.
Retro: When a sneaker is re-released in the same colorway, typically with small changes this makes it a retrospective release.
Sample: A prototype sneaker that is created for promotional or testing purposes and never put into mass production. There are two types of samples, one being a sample made purely for design purposes, and the other made for performance testing and feedback.
Tonal: Sneakers that are a single-color tone, usually triple black, red and white colorways. Tonal black and white colorways sell out the fastest.
Un-DS: This term stands for Un-deadstock, which means to take a pair of mint condition sneakers out of the box and wear them for the first time. This is seen as one of the biggest flexes by a sneakerhead.
Upper: This is where all the design work is, including straps, fabric, and the flashiest parts of the sneaker.
Uptowns: This is a nickname for Nike Air Force 1s. In the 80s this sneaker was primarily sold in uptown New York and was popular among kids from Harlem.
Very Near Deadstock (VNDS): Shoes that have only been worn a few times and look good as new.
Vulcanized: A way of constructing the sole of the shoe so that it is two pieces. It is made to make the sole softer and thinner by heating the rubber at a high temperature.
The Nike Dictionary
ACG: This term stands for All Conditions Gear, which was a line by Nike that launched in 1989 with bold colorways and outdoor-focused styles.
AOP: Stands for ‘All Over Print’.
BRED: The term originated from the Nike Air Jordan line, appropriated by sneakerheads to describe any shoe that is black and red.
Futura Logo: This logo comes from ‘90s football, the era of stylish jerseys both on and off the field.
HBR: Stands for “High Brand Read, which refers to “big logo”.
JDI: Stands for ‘JUST DO IT’. “The Famous Nike’s Slogan, created back in 1987.”
Js: The abbreviation for any Air Jordan sneaker. Queue “J-J’s on my feet, J-J’s on my feet”. Shop all of our available Jordan sneakers.
Jumpman: This is the symbol that debuted on the Air Jordan III after the 1984 Olympics photoshoot with LIFE magazine where Michael Jordan showcased his first ‘Jumpman’ pose.
KD: The Nike shoe designed for basketball player Kevin Durant.
LBJ: The Nike shoe designed for basketball player Lebron James. Check out our collection of Lebron Basketball shoes.
NSW: Stands for ‘Nike Sportswear’.
PRM: Stands for ‘Premium’. Nike’s PRM sneakers are one grade above a GR, which means they are created from high-quality materials and extra time is taken to create the intricate detail.
QS: Stands for “Quickstrike.” If QS is incorporated into the name of a Swoosh sneaker, the shoe will be released – or was released – in limited quantities.
SE: SE stands for ‘Special Edition’.
SP: Stands for ‘Special Project’. These shoes are traditionally constructed from premium materials via the NikeLab team, or are a result of a collaboration.
Swoosh Logo: The iconic swoosh logo was first created back in 1971 by graphic design student, Carolyn Davidson. Phil Knight wanted his company’s logo to be a simple design that is fluid and conveys motion and speed. The logo is also said to symbolize the wing of the Greek goddess of victory, Nike.
The adidas Dictionary
The adidas history (the beginning): adidas is one of the largest and most recognizable sports brands on the planet. It all started with a cobbler in a small German town. In the early 1920s, shortly after the First World War, Adi Dassler began making sports shoes in his mom’s washroom. In 1924 his brother joined the business originally called, “Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory.” The company got its first big break when Adi convinced US sprinter Jesse Owens to wear his shoes during the 1936 Summer Olympics. Following Owen’s four gold medals and two world records the popularity of Dassler’s two striped shoes (which were originally added to help provide added support to the track shoes) skyrocketed. Later, Adi added a third stripe to his shoes, and the company became known as the “Brand with the Three Stripes.” The brothers parted ways in 1949, and the company name was changed to “adidas”. The name of the new company is composed of the letters of Adi’s name and the first three letters of his last name. At the time of his death in 1959, Adi Dassler held over 700 patents related to sports shoes and other athletic equipment. In 1978, he was inducted into the American Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame as one of the founders of the modern sporting goods industry.
adidas Three Stripes: The adidas identity mark. The company got its first big break when Adi convinced US sprinter Jesse Owens to wear his shoes during the 1936 Summer Olympics. Following Owens’ four gold medals and two world records, the popularity of Dassler’s two striped shoes (which were added to help provide added support to the track shoes) skyrocketed. Later, Adi added a third stripe to his shoes, and the company became known as the “Brand with the Three Stripes.”
3 Stripe Logo: The original 3-stripe logo began its journey in 1949 when the brand was founded by Adolf Dassler. Dassler picked the 3-stripes because that was what showed up best in photography, which they knew would be important for the brand if they were going to become as world-famous as they are today.
adidas Tracksuit: From rappers to presidents, and remixed by designers, the adidas tracksuit is one of the most universally adored garments and cultural icons. adidas launched its very first piece of apparel, the tracksuit, in 1967. Known as the Beckenbauer, the tracksuit took its name from the adidas-endorsed German soccer superstar Franz Beckenbauer. While warm-up suits were nothing new to athletes at the time, adidas’ use of innovative fabrics and bold branding added a whole new feel. The three-stripe design was borrowed from the brand’s signature sneakers, with three lines placed down the arms and legs of the suit. Initially worn exclusively for sports, the Beckenbauer would exceed its athletic origins to become a cultural phenomenon. From Bob Marley to B-Boys in NYC in the 70’s, the love of the adidas tracksuit continued to evolve. The decade’s hip-hop scene gave birth to break dancing and they made the tracksuit a staple on their crews taking advantage of the diverse and vibrant colors and thin and breathable materials. The era marked a new tracksuit silhouette for adidas called “The Superstar Tracksuit” made famous by Run-DMC in the 80’s. It offered a modern twist on the three-stripe classic with a low-cut standing collar and slimmer pants. The adidas tracksuit remains as relevant as ever.
Crazy 8: Upon his arrival to the league in 1996, Kobe Bryant was signed to adidas and wore one of their existing models during his rookie season. In 1997, Bryant was given his first signature sneaker, “the adidas KB8”, and immediately popularized the model. Once Kobe Bryant left adidas in 2002, the shoe was renamed ‘Crazy 8‘ after its wild design and the player who donned it.
Mountain Logo: adidas athletic line features this logo, and it is arguably the most recognizable one.
Samba: Unveiled in 1949, the adidas Samba was designed by the brand’s founder, Adi Dassler, and made its debut in Brazil at the World Cup of 1950. The all-new sneaker design was named after a dance that was ingrained in the roots of the host country’s rich dance culture. The adidas Samba was first created to provide grip on frozen terrains, with the initial shoe featuring kangaroo leather and a durable gum outsole. Following its inception, the streamlined Samba was quickly altered to serve as an indoor soccer training shoe. This significant shift saw the Samba receive a more distinctive identity. Later on in the ‘90s, skateboarders adopted the Samba as they favored the model’s durable makeup and gum sole for grip on their boards. The brand now makes multiple versions of the Sambas. The adidas Samba has officially been reclaimed as a fashion-forward sneaker but still showcases OG design aspects from its original soccer training roots.
Sportswear Logo: Also referred to as the Mountain Logo. Introduced in 1991, the stripes shifted to a slight angle, representing how they looked on the shoes with the “adidas” written in all lowercase underneath. The logo originally represented the brand’s Performance products but changed in 2023 to represent adidas Sportswear collection. The adidas Performance logo is essentially the same, but without the word “adidas”.
The Superstar: Nicknamed “shell tops” or “shell toes” due to its iconic rubber shell toe cap, the adidas Superstar has been regarded as one of the main influences in the rise of modern-day sneaker culture. While its relevance today is deeply rooted within lifestyle culture and fashion, the shoe was introduced to the public in 1970, debuting as a low-top basketball shoe with an upper made entirely of leather featuring the famous rubber shell toe. It gained the love of athletes for its next-level grip, lightweight flexibility, and enhanced protection on the court. The shoe caught the attention of NCAA and NBA players, notably Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and George Gervin. At one point, 75% of professional basketball players in the US wore Superstars or the high-top version called the Pro model. The explosion of hip-hop from the mid-1980s was where the adidas Superstar’s next chapter would begin when the biggest hip-hop group in the world, Run-DMC removed the laces from their Superstars and penned the famous song, “My adidas” about their beloved sneakers. The Superstar name was cemented in history.
The Trefoil Logo: Launched in 1972 when adidas introduced apparel for the very first time. Since 2000, the logo became reserved for all Originals products to pay homage to the heritage of the brand. The trefoil logo was meant to showcase the diversity of the products while still incorporating the iconic three lines that the brand was known for. The three leaves represent North America, Europe, and Asia – the three continents where adidas shoes were sold at the time.
Tiro Pant: Designed originally 20 years ago as soccer training pants, this pant is now beloved by both athletes and casual wear enthusiasts alike. Featuring a tapered fit and ankle zips, Tiro pants effortlessly glide over your sneakers, elevating your look from mundane to magnificent. It’s an apparel staple and remains one of the most popular styles in the industry. Check out some of our available Tiro 23 Track Pants, also available in Women’s.
Top Ten: Back in the ’80s, Top Tens were only found on the feet of B-ball’s hottest players. The adidas Top Ten was developed with America’s ten best basketball players. One of the select ten, Rick Barry, provided valuable on-court insights to fine-tune the high-top’s performance design, and in 1979 adidas named the flagship footwear after them. Like the adidas Superstar, the Top Ten soon became as popular on the streets as it was on the court. Take a look at our available collection of Top Tens.
This concludes today’s lesson in sneaker culture 101. We hope you take some of this lingo with you into your day-to-day life, or at least we hope it helps you out the next time you’re endlessly scrolling in search of your new favorite kicks. The sneaker world is very complex, but we are here to help. Stay up to date with our blog for all your sneakerhead training. Follow us on Instagram and download the mobile app so you can have all the hottest trends right at your fingertips.
Written By Rachael Bernier – Web Coordinator – Fashionista reporting on the latest trends and streetwear news. With 1 year of experience in the industry under her belt, Rachael is ready to explore the world of streetwear with you.
