Retail Vs Replica: What Sneakers Should You Buy?

The most important part of streetwear’s outfit or your outfit Is mostly likely the sneakers or trainers. The more exclusive the shoe the more unique your outfit will be. However, to get the best shoes out there comes with heavy competition from resellers, and consumers alike. In order to get the most sought after shoes, you’ve got to queue online or take part in raffles for the opportunity to purchase the sneaker. This takes time, time that most people don’t have the pleasure of patience for. The majority of the time you won’t be able to even get the shoes, due to resellers. 

Why Resellers Are Bad

Resellers are the archenemy to sneaker fans; they aim to make a profit from every release. Usually by using bots to control the queues and raffles, increasing their chances of winning and decreasing your chances of getting the shoe you want at retail price. These resellers then “resell”. The shoes at almost triple or quadruple the original price. Since these exclusive items are usually deadstock: meaning when they’re gone, they’re gone, consumers are forced to pay up if they want the shoes.

Is There Anything Wrong With Replicas

However, there’s an alternative to paying for the original shoes. There are the replica shoes. Replicas or fakes are copies of authentic shoes. Due to the quality of some of these shoes… Some of these replicas are still high-quality and are still very similar to the original retail shoes yet still cheaper. Usually, these knock-off shoes are frowned upon by sneakerheads, but why?

The ideology behind the hatred of replicas Is deep-rooted and revolved around capitalism. Generally, in this day and age consumers have a deep connection to the brands they wear, ultimately feeling like these brands are significantly above others in quality popularity as well as other aspects. People usually find themselves dressing to impress people. So, wearing something off-brand would be against the social norm. 

How much are Travis Scott’s sneakers?

Similarly, there’s the whole star appeal our favourite rappers, singers’ athletes are all connected to brands like Nike and Adidas and have collaborations with brands. Shoes that superfans would love to get a hold of just to feel a connection to their favourite artist. For example, hip-hop rapper Travis Scott has had over 13 collaborations with Nike over the years and all of them have definitely sold out. In 2019, his most notable shoe was released. The Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 was regarded as the best shoe of 2019.

The Air Jordan 1s are most likely the most popular shoe to date. So, with someone as popular as Travis Scott co-signing the shoe with his own design, it was certainly going to sell out, moreover being resold at ridiculous prices. One of the reasons these particular shoes were so sought after, is the face these were marketed alongside Travis Scott’s highly anticipated album Astroworld. Originally, the shoes were valued at $175 USD, and are currently resold at $1584. Further proof that resellers increase the pricing of these shoes to ridiculous heights.

Why are Replicas Hated So Much?

I think the reason replicas are disliked by the sneakerhead community is one word, honesty. Many think the decision behind purchasing replicas is to trick people into thinking you have the authentic item. A lot of resellers don’t actually sell the authentic shoes; however, they will list the replica as a real version of the issue. Essentially scamming people into spending an excessive amount of money on something they don’t really want.

This has given the whole concept of replicas a bad reputation as people now thinks negatively about them. This has created a whole agenda against counterfeit shoes.  If you wear them, your intent is to trick people, or you support scamming people that wish to buy resold shoes. But luckily many members of the sneakerhead community are open-minded and understand the concept behind purchasing them.

Most people, wear replicas or counterfeit shoes due to resellers. As resellers race to purchase multiples of these deadstock items, many are left with nothing but some people who are lucky are able to grab a few. Exclusivity at the minute is very competitive. Everyone wants it, it’s expensive and there aren’t many items created. This frustration leads to consumers purchasing replicas.

Why spend over £500 on a t-shirt or a pair of shoes when you can get something very similar or half the price or even a normal price? Previously, the general consensus likened replicas to the knock-off Gucci bags. Where the brand Gucci would say “Gussi” or “Guci”, however, that’s no longer the case. The quality of replicas has drastically increased over the year, they look just like the authentic versions and sometimes they even have better quality.

The Moral Dilemma

Although cheaper and more beneficial for you, replicas are also deemed as problematic. The counterfeiting market unfortunately has a direct influence on legitimate businesses. Although questionably legal, buying these cheaper alternatives have a negative impact on the economy. Meaning businesses like Nike and Adidas or whoever they’re mimicking lose revenue each year. Furthermore, these counterfeit operations don’t actually pay taxes. Due to the loss of money involved, there’s obviously an impact on employment in the brand, and so there’s an impact on the job market.

This meant millions of people have lost their jobs. More shockingly, counterfeit goods are known to come from sweatshops that abuse child labour in order to maximize profits. To conclude, counterfeit products may be legal to purchase but there’s an ethical element involved… Whether that matters to you it’s your decision. 

My Opinions
 

The decision of purchasing replicas really differs from person to person. Perhaps the idea of buying an authentic shoe and being one of the limited people that own it might be something you enjoy. But some people are unable to pay for these overpriced shoes yet still enjoy the colour, style. In order to still be able to own these shoes, they purchase a cheaper alternative that still has good quality.

I think knowing where these shoes are made may ease your mind when thinking about the moral dilemma. In any case, I'm not entirely against counterfeit shoes and I myself have flirted with the idea of purchasing some.