The Complex Sneakers Podcast

The Truth Behind Reselling Sneakers In 2025

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT

On the final episode of 2025 of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal are joined by sneaker reseller Sole Street, Andre Arias, to talk about the current state of sneaker resale, if resellers are down bad, and the glory days of reselling sneakers. They also talk about Jeff Staple throwing fake Pigeon Dunks on a traffic light, Jerry Lorenzo leaving Adidas, and the Air Jordan 14s coming back.

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Tracy McGrady Says Kobe Leaving Adidas Helped Him Get a Bigger Deal

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT

On this week of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal are joined by NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady and he talks about his history with Adidas, how Kobe Bryant leaving the brand helped him negotiate a bigger deal, LeBron James wearing his sneakers in high school, where Adidas basketball went wrong, wearing Yeezys, and his infamous viral baggy suit, and more.

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Rich Paul Talks NBA Sneaker Deals, Steph Curry's Free Agency, and New Balance Sneaker

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 GMT

This week on the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal are joined by legendary sports agent Rich Paul, who's a longtime friend and business partner to LeBron James, to talk about NBA sneaker deals, Steph Curry's sneaker free agency, and his upcoming sneaker release with New Balance. Paul talks about how he used to buy Air Jordans early for over retail, helping Nike and LeBron work on the LeBron 6, 7, and 8, and how he hand-delivered the Watch the Throne LeBron 9s to Jay-Z and Kanye West. He goes to on say that Ja Morant has the best sneaker in the NBA out of younger players and talks about how he signed to New Balance and the release details on his New Balance 2010.

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Ranking Our Top 25 Shoes Of This Century

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

This week on the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal talk about the 25 Best Sneakers of the 21st Century. They break down Kanye's Air Yeezys and Adidas Boosts, the Nike Mag, Pigeon Dunk, Tiffany Dunk, Galaxy Foamposite, and more. They say whether or not the sneakers should have made the list and if Yeezy 350s were way too low. They also discuss Travis Scott wearing an Adidas Y3 jacket and Steph Curry's sneaker free agency.

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Joe Freshgoods Keeps It Real About His New Balance Releases, Bootlegs, and Nas Wearing His Sneakers

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

This week on the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma and Matt Welty takeover the podcast duties with Upscale Vandal out sick. They’re joined by designer and New Balance collaborator Joe Freshgoods to talk about his long line of projects with the brand including his recent 2010 collaboration, the 992, and his 990v3 and 1000. He talks about how many units he makes, the reality of the industry, Nas wearing his sneakers inspired by the movie “Belly” and more.

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Our Personal Top 10 Sneaker of The Year Lists

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

On the latest episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal finally put the Sneaker of the Year talk to bed. The hosts give their personal top 10 sneaker of the year lists with some constants from the ComplexCon panel, some surprises, and plenty of debate. They also unbox the SoleFly x Air Jordan 3 and the Travis Scott x Fragment x Air Jordan 1 Low, talk about sneaker theft, and much more.

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The Best Sneakers of 2025 | Complex Con(versations) Panel

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT

At ComplexCon 2025, Joe La Puma was joined by Fat Joe, Vashtie, Matt Welty, Brendan Dunne, and Upscale Vandal to discuss and rank the best sneakers of the year as chosen by the Complex team. Nigel Sylvester’s Air Jordan 4s, Air Max 95s, Awake’s Air Jordan 5s, and more are all debated as the audience discusses whether they like the choices or not and gives feedback to the panel in real time.

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The Shoes That Didn't Make the Sneaker of the Year List

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

This week on The Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal discuss the sneakers that didn’t make the Sneaker of the Year list and why: Vans Souvenirs, Yu-Gi-Oh 95s, and more.

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Salehe Bembury Changed the Game at New Balance, Crocs, and Yeezy

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Salehe Bembury joins this week’s episode of The Complex Sneakers Podcast to talk about his new book, “I Make Shoes”, his new brand, SPUNGE, and his sneaker history with Yeezy, New Balance, and Crocs.

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Ghostface Killah Tells Hilarious Wu-Tang Sneaker Stories

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

This week on the Complex Sneakers Podcast co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal are joined by Wu-Tang Clan member and rap legend Ghostface Killah to talk about his love for Clarks Wallabees, Nike Air Maxes, his rap lyrics, influence on streetwear and fashion, and to hear hilarious stories about his changing footwear choices over the years.

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How Coolkicks Got Busted With $500,000 of Stolen Sneakers

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

This week on the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Upscale Vandal talk about the Coolkicks stolen sneaker scandal, Pharrell’s Jellyfish sneaker with Adidas, and why JLP doesn’t love all patent leather sneakers.

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Is Jordan Brand Rinsing the Air Jordan 11?

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT

On this week’s episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty and Upscale Vandal discuss Air Jordan retros sitting on shelves, whether or not Jordan Brand is doing too much with the Air Jordan 11 for its 30th anniversary, and Welty seeing Michael Jordan at a NASCAR race in New Hampshire.

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Tom Sachs Talks the Mars Yard 3.0 And Announces His Next Sneaker

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:04:47 GMT

Tom Sachs is on the Complex Sneakers Podcast this week to talk about his Nike Mars Yard 3.0, to unveil the brand new and upcoming Nike General Purpose Participation Shoe, address the allegations made against him at Nike in 2023, and his history in footwear and art. We even found out that Tom Sachs used to be an Air Jordan 9 guy. Elsewhere, the guys talk about the return of the "Toyko" Air Jordan 5, the return of grail-level shoes in general, and more.

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Ranking The Best Sneaker Collaborators Right Now (2025)

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is back for its first episode since Upscale Vandal joined Joe La Puma and Matt Welty as a new host. The three guys catch up, Vandal explains why he joined the podcast and they go over the Sneaker Collaborator Power Rankings, as decided by the Complex Sneakers team. The team debates Travis Scott, Nigel Sylvester, Jae Tips, ASAP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, and more.

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Is the Air Jordan 4 "White Cement" Worth It or Not?

Fri, 23 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

On this week's episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the upcoming Air Jordan 4 "White Cement," that re-released for the first time since 2016. The crew looks at the shoe's quality, leather, history, and more. And discusses whether or not they deserve a price tag of $225. They also discuss Lil Yachty's Air Force 1 release in NYC, Dick's Sporting Goods buying Foot Locker, and how good the Air Max 95 is this year.

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Reacting to the Spicy Sneaker Talk Online

Fri, 16 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

It happens to the best of us—we let a sneaker argument online get us in our feelings. This week, we relive a recent online drama involving our own Matt Welty and the Cincinnati sneaker store Unheardof over their “Piggy Runner” Adidas collaboration. The other cohosts, Joe La Puma and Brendan Dunne, give a progress update on the great sneaker purge of 2025. Also in this episode: “Rodeo” SB Dunks, more NIke Kobe retros, the “White Cement” Jordan 4, and Dunne going belt shopping at a random man’s apartment. Note that this week's episode was shot in a temporary studio—we'll be back to normal in a few weeks.

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Nike Is Really Selling Dirty Triple White Air Force 1s

Fri, 09 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

The ‘Dirty Triple White’ Nike Air Force 1 is the most viral sneaker this year. It’s a shoe from Nike’s Dot Swoosh division that’s made to look like it’s been worn-in right out of the box. The shoe is supposed to get cleaner as you wear it, revealing a crispy white Air Force 1 underneath. Why are people so mad about it? On this episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the sacred status of the white-on-white Air Force 1s, the less-talked-about black pair, and the real thing you should be mad about when it comes to Uptowns. Also on this episode, a preview of New Balance’s Grey Day celebration, a recap of the best sneakers of the year so far, and the upcoming Undefeated x Air Jordan 4.

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The Worst Air Jordans of All Time

Fri, 02 May 2025 09:05:00 GMT

We love Air Jordans—and we’ve spent a lot of time discussing the best ones—but let’s be honest, there have been some truly awful Jordan releases in the past 40 years. In this episode, co hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty pick out their least favorite Air Jordans of all time. Who is responsible for the J2K “Filbert” Jordan 7? Why do the “Plaid” Air Jordan 5s exist? And are the Dub Zeroes really that bad? Also in this episode, discussions about the latest Nike SNKRS update, the tariffs’ effects on Adidas sneaker prices, and even more Air Max 95 talk.

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Is Nike's $900 Hyperboot Recovery Shoe Just a Gimmick?

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 09:05:00 GMT

Nike and Hyperice are dropping a wild pair of $900 boots that they say will help you warm up and recover from physical activity. How do the Nike Hyperboots actually work? And how wearable are they as shoes? We test a pair out in this episode. Also, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the upcoming Nike SB Air Max 95, too-early picks for sneaker of the year, and that new shoe smell that we’re still all obsessed with.

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Ranking Every Nike Signature Sneaker From Best to Worst

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:05:00 GMT

There’s no debating that Michael Jordan has the best signature sneaker line ever in the Air Jordans, but who comes next? How close is Penny Hardaway to the top tier of signature shoes with designs like the Foamposite? And where do Bo Jackson and Ken Griffey’s shoes stack up? Does Carmelo Anthony deserve a spot in the tier list? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty put together a tier-list ranking of all-time Nike signature lines in this episode. Also, an update on the Air Max 95 “Neon” rollout, news about Bodega’s struggles, and a narrowly avoided April Fools’ prank.

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Eric Koston Reveals the Secrets of the Nike SB Air Jordan 4

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:05:00 GMT

Skateboard legend Eric Koston is on the podcast this week to talk about his history in skate sneakers, his input on the Air Jordan 4 SB, and his favorite Air Max models. Is he ready to talk about his Nike SB version of the Nike Air Max 95? Not exactly, but we did our best anyway. Elsewhere on the episode: Zadeh Kicks is guilty, Nike is down bad, Cactus Plant Flea Market is as wacky as ever, and former Swoosh CEO Mark Parker has been back in Beaverton.

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What Are the Best Nike Air Max 95s of All Time?

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:05:00 GMT

It’s not really up for debate that the “Neon” Nike Air Max 95 is the best version of the Air Max 95 that’s ever released. But what are the other great colorways worth celebrating? How good is Atmos’ “Beast Pack”? What about insidery pairs like the Mita flip on the Sergio Lozano prototype? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty break down a ranked list of the best Air Max 95s of all time in this episode. Also, they catch up on sneaker news like the leak of the Adidas AE 2, the frenzied drop of the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 9, and the F1 endorsement deal between Lewis Hamilton and Nike that never happened.

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Is It a Mistake to Bring Back Nike's Biggest Sneaker Grails?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:05:00 GMT

How far would Nike possibly go when it comes to bringing grail sneakers back out of the vault? Could untouchable sneakers like the “Red October” Air Yeezy 2 and the Nike Mag actually see some sort of retro? Would people line up all over again for a classic like Sean Wotherspoon’s corduroy Air Max 1/97? What about the return of Virgil Abloh’s Off-White x Nikes? In light of Nike bringing back heat like the Wu-Tang Dunks and Undefeated x Air Jordan 4s, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty debate the merits of that kind of retro in this episode. Also in the episode: the best Air Jordan retro era ever, Stussy’s Nike Baltoros, and the leopard print Adidas Sambas.

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Why Is ASICS So Popular Right Now?

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

ASICS’ sportstyle sneakers, including runners like the Gel 1130 and the Kayano 14, have been on a tear for the last couple of years. Where did the hype around these Y2K running sneakers come from? Who is buying all the Asics? And how did we get to a world where resellers are flipping the shoes? On this episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, Brian Nadav, owner of Philly sneaker boutique Lapstone & Hammer and a lifelong sneaker retailer, breaks down the ASICS momentum. Also on this episode: co hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the hype around the “Galaxy” Foamposite retro, Undefeated’s next Spiridon, and the brazen Air Jordan train heists happening in the middle of the desert.

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Is Sneaker Reselling Dead?

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:05:00 GMT

There’s no doubt that sneaker reselling has cooled off from its peak in the early part of the 2020s. But has the bubble totally popped? Answering that question in this episode is Puneet Singh, aka Sole Supreme, a collector and reseller who owns the store Legacy in New Jersey. Singh talks about the death of the Panda Dunks, the rampant Travis Scott Air Jordan fake market, and the truth about who’s spending money in sneaker stores. Also on this episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the heavy Air Jordan presence during All-Star Weekend, the return of the Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yards, and the billion-dollar potential of Nikeskims.

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Is the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 Actually Coming Back?

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 10:35:00 GMT

The Off-White x Air Jordan 1 might feel like too sacred, special, and recent a shoe to get a retro treatment, but rumors are circulating that Jordan Brand is planning to bring the Virgil Abloh design back out as a retro at the end of this year. What’s the truth behind those rumors? And is it right to bring the shoe back so soon? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss that in this episode. They also recap the controversial ‘Bred” Air Jordan 1 85 retro, do an in depth review of the 2025 “Galaxy” Foamposite retro, and talk about the fate of the PlayStation x Nike Air Force 1, another grail-level bring back from Nike. This episode was recorded during Super Bowl LIX weekend in New Orleans live at the Family Style food fest, hence the new set and slightly different look.

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Is the 2025 Air Jordan 1 'Bred' Retro Worth $250?

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:35:00 GMT

The biggest sneaker release of the year so far is the 2025 retro return of the original black and red “Bred” Air Jordan 1. It’s going to be an expensive shoe at $250, and a hard one to get with around 10,000 pairs floating around. How good of a job did Jordan Brand do in recreating its most seminal sneaker? Does this year’s iteration of the black and red “Banned” Jordan 1 actually feel like a premium shoe? And does anyone even care about all the little details? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty answer those questions on the latest episode. Also here, they discuss the “Ruby Red Slipper” version of the Wizard of Oz x Nike SB Dunk Low, the recent JJJJound New Balance 993, and Lorenz.OG’s hectic New Balance drop.

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Ranking the Best Air Jordan 3s of All Time

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 10:00:00 GMT

What are the best Air Jordan 3 colorways of all time? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty debate that in their latest list rundown on this new episode. What’s the best non-original Air Jordan 3? How good is the “Cool Grey” Jordan 3? Does the “Mocha” Jordan 3 deserve a spot? Also on this episode, the panel discusses ethics around sneaker leaks, the impact on the resale market of Stadium Goods closing its New York City store, and more.

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The Biggest Sneakers Releasing in 2025

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

We’re early into 2025, but there are already a handful of important sneaker release dates to look forward to. The “Galaxy” Nike Air Foamposite Ones are coming back in February. The legendary Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 is getting a legit retail release. Tom Sachs and Nike are back working together. Which will be the biggest sneakers this year? And will some of these highly anticipated pairs—like the “Banned” Air Jordan 1—not live up to expectations? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss those topics on their first episode back in the new year. Also, Brendan live cops sneakers, Joe swings by JD Sports to do some buying of his own, and more.

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Our Favorite Sneakers of 2024

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:00:19 GMT

We’re still in year-end list-making mode when it comes to the best sneakers of 2024. With the dust from the ComplexCon Sneaker of the Year panel finally settled, we’re revisiting that compilation to briefly go over our final sneaker of the year selections. More than that, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about their personal favorite shoes from 2024, like Ronnie Fieg’s run of Kith Asics and the Stash x Nike Air Max 95s. Also, they discuss the Corteiz x Nike Air Trainer Huarache release in New York, the “Legend Blue” Air Jordan 11 release, and the biggest flop sneakers of 2024.

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The Best Sneakers of 2024 | Complex Con(versations)

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 13:00:22 GMT

What are the best sneakers of 2024? Which pairs will we remember the most that set the tone in sneakers over the last 12 months? Is the Adidas AE 1 really that good? What about Wu-Tang Dunks? Did Jae Tips make a top-10 sneaker of the year? The Complex Sneakers Show co-hosts got into these questions at the annual ComplexCon Sneaker of the Year panel last month with guests Lil Yachty and PJ Tucker. As is customary, we’re uploading the full conversation as a recap here. It starts with a tribute to DJ Clark Kent, who the panel will be named for going forward, features that infamous Yachty moment over the Concrete Boys Air Force 1s, and eventually settles on a pretty unanimous choice for sneaker of the year. Follow along with the picks, debate in the comments, and let us know how your choices differ.

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How Good Is the ‘Black Cement’ Air Jordan 3 Retro?

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:00:29 GMT

The ‘Black Cement’ Air Jordan 3 is one of the biggest sneakers of the year. But how does the 2024 Jordan 3 ‘Black Cement’ compare to the 2018 ‘Black Cement’? And which one is more like the original Jordan 3 that was released in 1988? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty review the sneakers in this episode. They also recap ComplexCon, from the Travis Scott drops to Nike’s 3D-printed sneaker to the dramatic Sneaker of the Year panel. Also, some reflections on tier rankings for Air Jordan 11 colorways.

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Remembering DJ Clark Kent

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:00:41 GMT

DJ Clark Kent was a huge figure in hip-hop—he discovered Jay-Z and worked with Biggie—and an influential sneaker collector who made shoes with brands like Nike and Adidas. Clark, who died in October, was also a close friend to Complex. In this episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Wetly reflect on Clark in the wake of his passing. Elsewhere in the episode, they talk about the lifespan ASICS Kayano trend, running into Michael Jordan, and all the exciting sneaker releases coming up at ComplexCon.

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RZA's Difficult Decision to Retro the Wu-Tang Dunk

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:00:50 GMT

The leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, the RZA, joins the Complex Sneakers Show this week to discuss the long history of the Wu-Tang x Nike Dunk High, breaking down how the shoe finally came back as a retro after all these years. RZA runs through his sneaker history, from ducking gangs with ODB in Coney Island to collecting all flavors of Havana Joes. Also in the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the viral New Balance loafers and the next Coreiz x Nike Air Max 95s.

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Michael Vick Wants to Recreate His Nike Success on His Own

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 07:00:56 GMT

Michael Vick has one of the NFL’s defining signature sneaker lines with a series of Nike shoes that matched his electric play with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2000s. Before that, he was turning heads by wearing Air Jordan 17s on the field. On this episode, he breaks down how his Nike deal happened, how he got back together with Nike, and why he wants to start his own footwear brand now. Vick touches on the influence his shoes had in Atlanta specifically, where the Nike Vick line was embraced by the likes of T.I. and Young Jeezy. Also in the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk Nigo’s upcoming Nike collab and Nike’s incoming CEO, Elliott Hill.

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What’s the Best Nike SB Dunk of All Time?

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:00:59 GMT

Is the Staple x Nike SB Dunk Low “Pigeon” the best SB Dunk of all time? What about the legendarily rare “FLOM” SB Dunk High by Futura? And does a shoe like the “Chunky Dunky” SB by Ben & Jerry’s even deserve consideration in such a discussion? In this episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty give their takes on the best SB Dunks of all time, and respond to some of the recent feedback over the rankings. They also talk about spending big money on grails, hunting for rare shoes, and the generally stale state of Air Jordans right now.

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J Balvin Trolled Sneaker Resellers on His Air Jordan Release

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 10:00:00 GMT

J Balvin is four sneakers deep with Jordan Brand, and it sounds like he has more to come. In this episode, the Colombian artist discusses his relationship with Michael Jordan, his battle against sneaker bots on the Air Jordan 3, and what might be next up for his collaborations. He even touches briefly on that recent Air Jordan 4 custom he wore that Jordan was apparently not too happy about. Elsewhere in the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about finding your true sneaker size, the merits of the Air Max Dn, Wale’s Foams, and getting caught wearing basic sneakers.

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Michael Rubin Reveals How Travis Scott's 'White Party' Jordan 1s Happened

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 10:00:31 GMT

Michael Rubin is a billionaire, entrepreneur, and close personal friend to Travis Scott. In this conversation, he talks about Travis’ sneaker business, and even dishes a bit on the ‘White Party’ version of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low that popped up this summer. Rubin also talks about Jay-Z gifting him Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s, recounts a business meeting with Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and talks about his own history reselling sneakers in the '90s. At the top of the episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk Noah Lyles’ sneaker wish, hunting down rare footwear, and the Wizard of Oz x Nike SB Dunk Low.

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Ranking the Best Sneaker Collaborations Right Now

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:00:31 GMT

Who is the most powerful collaborator in sneakers right now? In this episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty run down a long list of industry heavyweights to determine who in the industry is generating the most buzz, sales, and genuinely cool sneakers. They discuss how high Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God work at Adidas puts him, everything Joe Freshgoods has contributed, and why Travis Scott is still a titan. Also in the episode, some quick catch up on Odell Beckham Jr.’s Nike lawsuit, LeBron 22 updates, and Salehe Bembury’s new challenge at Puma

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Is Nigel Sylvester's AJ4 One of This Year's Best Sneakers?

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:02 GMT

Nigel Sylvester is back with Jordan Brand, with what might be his most ambitious project ever. This time around, the BMX superstar is reworking a new take on the Air Jordan 4, the Jordan 4RM. It's a low-cut shoe with a frame that's inspired by bikes. The story behind his shoes takes root from his grandmother's driveway, where he first learned how to ride a bike. In this episode, Sylvester talks about making the shoes and shows off the green and grey colorways of the sneakers. He talks about Lil Yachty wearing the shoes, Ronnie Fieg giving his feedback on them, and comparing them to his Jordan 1s. The guys also talk about Michael Rubin's all-white Travis Scott Air Jordan 1 Lows, when it's time to retire shoes in your rotation, and the sneakers they've been wearing the most this year.

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Why Is Nike Retroing Its Most Expensive Grail Sneakers?

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 09:00:32 GMT

The Wu-Tang x Nike Dunks are releasing for the first time ever. The “Galaxy” Foamposites are coming back. It even looks like the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 grails are retroing next year. Why is Nike scrambling to drop so much heat? And should the brand show any restraint when it comes to bringing sneakers back out? Should certain sneakers remain in the vault? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss these questions in this latest episode, and try to situate the decisions with respect to Nike’s current financial woes. Also, the trio talk “Pink Diamond” SB Dunks and pays tribute to the late reseller Upscale Cracc.

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What's the Best Sneaker of 2024 So Far?

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:58:56 GMT

What’s the most exciting new sneaker in the past year? How much do big retros like the Air Jordan 4 “Military Blue” deserve to be celebrated in 2024? What about Nina Chanel Abney’s Air Jordan 3? In this mid-year episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the best sneakers to drop now that the year is halfway over. They also preview some upcoming releases, like Nike’s Sunder Max retro and the Swarovski versions of the TN. And, an important conversation about Kendrick Lamar popping out in Nike Shox.

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Fabolous Realizes He Has Too Many Sneakers

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:00:45 GMT

Fabolous is a serious sneaker collector—he’s seen every era, from original Air Jordans to the wild fake shoes of the 2000s to the current retros and Travis Scott collaborations. He joins the show this week to discuss all that, along with his influential style, the heyday of throwback jerseys, filling your house with sneakers, and more. Also, the cohosts address Action Bronson’s New Balance drops, “Flu Game” Jordan 12s coming back, and Bad Bunny’s big Gazelle collab.

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What's the Best Nike Air Max of All Time?

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:00:34 GMT

Is the first ever Air Max sneaker still the best in the line? Or did the post-Tinker Hatfield designers who worked on massive shoes like the Air Max 95 and the Tn do it better? Cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty rank all the best Air Maxes in this episode, whittling them down to the best of the best. Also, they talk about LeBron James’ mysterious new shoe, Cam’ron’s Adidas diss over the Anthony Edwards spot, and the SB version of the Air Max 95.

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What's the Best Air Jordan of All Time?

Fri, 31 May 2024 07:00:05 GMT

What’s the best Air Jordan model of all time? What are the most important colorways to consider in such a ranking? How much have the best Air Jordans changed through time? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty end up on a winding debate on those topics in the latest episode The general consensus is that the S-tier, the most elite of Air Jordans, consists of the Jordan 1, Jordan 3, Jordan 4, and Jordan 11. Also in the episode, the trio discusses the end of Kool Kiy’s Nike lawsuit, the return of the Pro B Dunk, and the knockoff Travis Scott Nikes.

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How June Ambrose Helped Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, and Busta Become Style Icons

Fri, 10 May 2024 11:14:39 GMT

June Ambrose is a costume designer and creative director who’s spent 30 years elevating the style of hip hop icons. She was there with Jay Z since the beginning, she was there when Missy Elliott signed her deal with Adidas, and she was there when Busta Rhymes needed exaggerated visuals to match his energy. In this episode, she relives her long resume, reflects on her Puma work, and dishes out some style advice. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about Jack Harlow’s New Balances, upcoming Nike SB Dunks, and the LeBron James’ potential sneaker for his last season in the NBA.

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Are Travis Scott's Air Jordan 1s Still Good?

Fri, 03 May 2024 07:00:51 GMT

Travis Scott is finally switching up his retro Air Jordans with a new colorway of his Cactus Jack Air Jordan 1 Lows inspired by his high school colors. Does the new palette make the “Elkins” Air Jordan 1 Low his best in a while? In this episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty break down the merits of those, LaMelo Ball’s Lanvin Curb/Osiris D3-looking Puma lifestyle shoe, and the 2025 flip on the “Black Cat” Air Jordan 4. They also reveal the hidden layer underneath the A-Cold-Wall x Nike Air Max Plus by breaking down the black pair with a bit of sandpaper. In this no-guest episode, they also catch up on big sneaker news topics like Nike and Bape settling their lawsuit, Adidas’ CEO reflecting on losing the German football team, and Riccardo Tisci’s next collab.

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Aaron Cooper on Designing Nikes for Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Kevin Garnett

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:00:37 GMT

Aaron Cooper is a Nike design veteran who worked on genre-defining basketball sneakers for athletes like Charles Barkley, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, and Scottie Pippen. Cooper started out as Nike’s first design intern in the 90s, ascending from there to influence classics like the Nike Free, Air More Uptempo, and Air Max Plus. Cooper talks about his long resume, his design philosophy, and what he believes is the future of the industry. He also gives updates on his current work with EQLZ and Better Guards. At the top of the episode, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty anticipate next year’s “Bred” Air Jordan 1 and break their moratorium on the Air Max Dn.

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Debunking Drake's Kendrick Lamar Sneaker Diss

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:00:51 GMT

Drake dissed Kendrick Lamar last week for being a “big stepper” with a size-7 men’s on, but it turns out the bar wasn’t actually factual. As the Rap War of 2024 now includes a footwear-related jab, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty reacted to the line and also talk about the clarification, from sneaker store Rif LA, that Lamar is in fact a few sizes up from that. Also, the co-hosts discuss Nike’s Olympic rollout of its A.I.R. prototypes in Paris, the plan to have less Air Force 1s in the market, and just how good Anthony Edwards’ AE 1 is.

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How Reebok Pumps Took Over the World, With Inventor Paul Litchfield

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:00:31 GMT

Paul Litchfield is a mad scientist, a shoe dog with decades of experience, and the innovator who created the original Reebok Pump. In this episode, he talks about his long history in footwear and the Pump’s iconic lineage from Dee Brown and Dominique Wilkins to Jackie Chan and John Cena. Litchfield, a fireball of Irish-American energy, has truly seen it all in sneakers. Lately he’s been making footwear at GoRuck, a company that’s laser-focused on legit training gear. Ahead of the Litchfield interview, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the return of the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12, the Nina Chanel Abney x Air Jordan 3, and the “Metallic” Air Jordan 5 retro.

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Ian Ginoza on Making Sneaker Magic With Virgil Abloh, Huf, and Nike

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Ian Ginoza has worked in sneakers for decades, playing a part in collaborative projects with the likes of Drake, Tom Sachs, Beyonce, Ye, Frank Ocean, and more. He started the Honolulu sneaker store Kicks HI, then did stints at Converse, Nike and Adidas. Now, he’s the global vice president and creative director of pinnacle product at Vans. Ginoza has mostly worked in the background, opting to let his work speak for itself. Here, he tells the story of his life in the industry and how he ended up at Vans. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss Bode x Nike Astro Grabbers and try not to discuss the Air Max Dn. The episode is a monumental one, the 200th overall episode of the Complex Sneakers Show in all its forms.

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Kerwin Frost Talks Adidas, McDonald's, and Post Malone

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:04 GMT

Kerwin Frost—designer, wearer of big fits, talk show host—has worn many hats in the streetwear industry. Here, he talks about the realities of signing with a big brand like Adidas, making footwear with McDonald’s, and Post Malone’s total lack of footwear. Frost also gives his perspective on the many collaborators he’s seen go through Adidas, from Jonah Hill to Jerry Lorenzo. At the top of the episode, hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Wetly discuss Lil Nas X’s absurd half marathon sneakers, Nike’s Bape lawsuit, and Adidas trying to sign Taylor Swift.

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The Problem With Military Blue Air Jordan 4s

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:00:21 GMT

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Stop Hating on the Panda Dunk

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:12 GMT

Love it or hate it, the Nike Dunk Low “Panda,” the black and white colorway you’ve seen everywhere every day for the past three years, isn’t going anywhere. In this episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Wetly discuss the positives and negatives of the unavoidable sneaker, and react to Welty’s claim that it’s the most influential sneaker of the past five years. The group also discuss the ethics of sneaker mockups, Ben Affleck’s latest Dunk moment, and those questionable Off-White basketball sneakers.

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Did Donald Trump Destroy Sneaker Culture?

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 08:00:14 GMT

In one of the most bizarre moments in the history of sneakers, former President Donald Trump popped up at Sneaker Con last weekend to sell a gold pair of $399 sneakers called the Never Surrender High Tops. Is it a low point for sneaker culture? Is it the end of sneaker culture as we know it? Here, the co-hosts discuss Trump’s Sneaker Con appearance and new line of footwear, Biden’s response, and the generally gross idea of politicians hopping into sneakers in order to pander to voters. Also, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about Central Cee’s Nike collaboration, Anthony Edwards’ Adidas signature model, and the Nike KD 4 “Galaxy” retro.

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Is Nike Falling Off?

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:00:46 GMT

Nike is still the biggest brand in sneakers by a large margin, but it feels like the Swoosh has slowed down a little in the past couple years. Where are the exciting new products? How long can Nike rely on retro? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss these topics in response to a recent Business of Fashion story about Nike’s sluggish business. The trio also leak some upcoming sneakers (from Corteiz, Kobe, and Stash), dig into Jay Z’s Reeboks from the Super Bowl, and pine for the coming Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 retro.

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Greg Selkoe on the Rise and Fall of Karmaloop

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:19 GMT

With the legacy of Karmaloop being a hot topic on social media in the past few weeks, we sit down with the company’s founder, Greg Selkoe. Selkoe tells never-before-heard stories about the company and also explains the highs and lows of running the streetwear juggernaut. Earlier in the episode co-hosts, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty talk about Nike seizing $5 million in sneaker inventory from a Los Angeles-based warehouse.

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What Makes a Sneaker Classic?

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:32 GMT

There’s no denying the Nike Air Max 95 is a classic sneaker, but what about the Air Max 96? What about a pedestrian shoe like the Air Max 270, which is everywhere but not that loved by sneakerheads? What about the VaporMax? Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the merits and bounds of the term “classic” in sneakers in this episode. They also talk about the rumored Kobe x Nike SB collaboration, the Flyknit era of the 2010s, Chinese New year Air Force 1s, and how horrible bar lacing is. Also, Welty explains his Twitter getting hacked.

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Why Clot’s Edison Chen Left Nike For Adidas

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:33 GMT

Edison Chen is the co-founder of Clot, a streetwear brand that’s spent 20 years tying together the East and the West. Clot is best known in sneakers for its high-profile Nike collaborations, but that’s about to change. Last year, Chen and Clot started a new partnership with Adidas that promises to expand their sneaker empire by allowing Clot more resources and freedom to create. In this episode, Chen talks about leaving Nike, signing with Adidas, and the bygone era of lining up for sneakers. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty recap some Nike Book 1 drama on social media.

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Are the Reimagined 'Bred' Air Jordan 4s Any Good?

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT

Is it too early to start talking about the best sneakers of 2024? Absolutely, but that hasn’t stopped people from throwing around that distinction for the “Bred” Air Jordan 4 reimagined, which changes up a classic with a leather makeover. In their comeback episode, co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the merits of the latest Jordan 4 retro. They also break down the hot year New Balance is already having, the lukewarm reaction to Devin Booker’s first Nike shoe, and the continued proliferation of fake sneakers.

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The Best Sneakers of 2023

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 08:00:56 GMT

This is the one you've all been asking for, the best sneakers of the year. The most hotly debated subject this year, or almost any year, what were the best sneakers over the past 12 months? After the panel at ComplexCon, many were wondering what we'd put as our top 10. Would Drake's Nocta shope be on the list? Would a Samba make it? How much did people care about Travis Scott's Air Jordan 1s still? Were we feeling the Nike SB Dunks this year? How good were the SB Jordan 4s? Would Jae Tips get a spot? Action Bronson? and more. We answer it all.

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Action Bronson Is Pure Chaos in the Sneaker World

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:00:39 GMT

Action Bronson’s next step in footwear is his boldest yet. On this episode, the rapper, chef, painter, sculptor, body builder, and all-around renaissance man debuts a wild EVA foam shoe that looks like something between a shoe you’d slip off as you step into the mosque and an old-school Dutch clog. Bronson also teases what’s to come from his New Balance 1906 collaboration and discusses how limited his sneakers are, how involved he is in making them, and how hackers tap into the stock numbers on his drops. Also, at the top of the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty break down the Travis Scott vs. John McEnroe marketing stunt, more Messi Adidas, and even more discussion on infamous Complex underrating of the “Red October” Nike Air Yeezy 2.

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The $32 Million Sneaker Reselling Allegations Against James Whitner

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 11:00:59 GMT

The biggest sneaker scandal of the year is the bombshell allegation that James Whitner, owner of sneaker stories like A Ma Maniere and Social Status, has for years resold millions of dollars of product, breaching his Nike contract and getting involved in what prosecutors say is an illegal money laundering scheme. In this episode, the cohosts respond to the allegations and what they might mean for Nike and Whitner. Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty also react to the long-awaited debut of Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God Athletics line with Adidas and rehash a controversial Complex list from 2014—yes, we put the “Red October” Nike Air Yeezy 2 that low. Elsewhere: Samba memes and re-soling your sneakers.

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Tony Finau on Golfing With Michael Jordan and Golfing in Jordans

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:51 GMT

Tony Finau wants to change the game of golf, from how it looks to who plays it. In this episode, the PGA Tour pro talks about his deal with Nike, golfing with Michael Jordan, and how that infamous ankle roll changed his approach to sneakers. Finau even teases some early heat in the form of the “Reverse Grinch” Nike Kobe 6. Elsewhere in the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss some 2024 sneaker leaks including a Stash x Nike Air Max 95, a Corteiz x Nike Air Trainer Huarache, and the possible return of a classic Patta x Nike Air Max 1. This episode was recorded at ComplexCon a few weeks back, meaning some of the conversation is a little dated, but the show will be back on schedule next week.

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Why Those Old Jordans You Loved Wouldn't Sell Today

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:35 GMT

The sneakers that you loved decades ago may not be all that exciting today—no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. Here, Complex Sneakers Podcast co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about wanting old Air Jordans to come back only to realize that a lot of them really don’t hold up. The retro market is different, and more saturated now, which affects how we consume retro staples like Jordans and Air Maxes. The co-hosts also discuss the black and royal Air Jordan 1 “Reimagined,” which arrived to not that much fanfare last weekend and may be an indicator of how people feel about too many tweaks on original Jordan styles. Also: the TMNT x Adidas Superstar, Nigo x Nike Air Force 3s, and a look ahead at ComplexCon.

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Nicole McLaughlin Turned Scraps Into Massively Cool Sneakers

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 07:00:33 GMT

Designer Nicole McLaughlin, who started out in the sneaker industry as an intern at Reebok before her quirky upcycling creations ever went viral, is ready to expand her footwear portfolio with a new collaboration from Hoka on its Mafate Three2 model. In this episode, McLaughlin relives her resume, from the Reebok years to her time at the Adidas Farm in Brooklyn (with a Kanye West cameo) to making her own collaboration with Vans. McLaughlin, queen of upcycling that she is, also gives tips on thrifting and turning old items into new shoes. Elsewhere, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the best Nikes of 2024, how to wear Off-White Nikes, and the latest Adidas Yeezy drama.

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Horror Stories From Working in Sneaker Stores

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:01 GMT

Ever seen someone try to return a pair of fake sneakers at Foot Locker? Or witnessed sneaker theft in real time? On the latest episode of the Complex Sneakers Show, cohosts Matt Welty and Joe La Puma relive their past lives as sneaker salesmen with tales of avoiding district managers, showing up late, and wage theft lawsuits. Also in the episode: Brendan Dunne’s report on the Adidas Yeezy release plan pause, the purported Lil Yachty x Nike collab, the sneaker scene in the UK, and a lot of Nike Air Max Plus/TN talk.

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Westside Gunn on How to Build a $10,000 Outfit

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:00:14 GMT

Westside Gunn, who just released his album “And Then You Pray for Me,” is a rapper who’s well-versed in rare sneakers and elite garments. In this episode, he talks about the footwear of professional wrestlers, his aspirations to own a pair of Nike Air Yeezy 1s even if they’ll crumble on him, and the blight that is fake Denim Tears. Westside also drops a teaser that Griselda will reunite in 2024 for a sequel album in “WWCD 2.” At the top of the show, Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne discuss Taylor Swift’s New Balance influence, the Malaysia excursion, and making people golf to get a pair of Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 1s.

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Bimma Williams on What It's Really Like to Work in the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:26 GMT

Bimma Williams is an entrepreneur and podcast host who spent years in the sneaker industry at brands like Saucony, Adidas, and Nike. Now, he interviews subjects from the footwear scene and beyond on his Claima Stories podcast. In this episode, Williams tells stories about his work on the Adidas Yeezy business, his time alongside Travis Scott at Nike, and finding his community as a Black man in the industry. Williams previews his first sneaker collaboration, a Saucony set to drop this weekend. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty get caught up on sneaker news like Taylor Swift’s New Balances, the Born x Raised Dunk release, and Anthony Edwards’ Adidas signature model.

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The Record-Breaking $1.8 Million Yeezy Fail

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 07:00:32 GMT

Remember the rare Nike Air Yeezy 1 Grammy sample worn by Kanye West that sold for $1.8 million dollars just two years ago? The shoe just sold again, this time losing 90 percent of its value and selling for a mere $180,000 at an auction at Goldin. The cohosts discuss the market of high-end sneakers, why pairs like this are suddenly selling for way less money, and who benefits from it all. Also, Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the latest signature shoes from LeBron James and Devin Booker, what’s coming from Jerry Lorenzo x Adidas, and how good J Balvin’s Air Jordan 3 collab is.

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Michael Jordan's Untold New Balance Story

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT

Did you know Michael Jordan wore New Balances in the original photo that inspired his famous Jumpman pose? Joe Freshgoods celebrated that 1984 moment on his latest New Balance collaboration, which cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss here. They also react to the incoming Powerpuff Girls set of Nike SB Dunks, which may or may not be a totally unnecessary collaboration. Elsewhere in the episode, the cohosts react to Rihanna’s rekindled Puma deal, the merits of the reimagined black/red Air Jordan 4, and the uselessness of SNKRS Day.

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Fat Joe Says No One Can Beat Him in Sneakers Still

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:00:13 GMT

Sneaker king Fat Joe just hit a new milestone, releasing his first-ever Nike collaboration to the public in the form of the “Terror Squad” Nike Air Force 1s. The sneakers’ long history traces back to the early 2000s, when Joe was paying a Nike employee to quietly design and produce samples for him without the brand knowing. Here, Joe talks about that history, trading sneakers with DJ Khaled, how Macklemore stood him up for a pair, and the absurd, unseen shoes in his collection. Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the upcoming Travis Scott Nikes and Union’s Field General retro.

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Kobe Expert Ranks the Best Nike Kobe Sneakers of All Time

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 07:00:14 GMT

What are the best Nike Kobe sneakers of all time? Complex recently ranked the top 24 designs from Kobe Bryant’s run of Nike signature shoes in celebration of Mamba Day. Coming off that list, the Complex Sneakers Show recruited Kobe fanatic Darryl Glover to get his reactions to the list and also talk about his history with the shoes. Is the “Grinch” Nike Kobe 6 really the best Kobe ever? Is the HTM Kobe 9 overrated? Also, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty catch up on recent sneaker news and react to Patta’s Barcelona version of the Air Max TN, the upcoming Union x Nike Field Generals, and the Huf x Nike Air Max 1 retro.

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Is Nike Making Too Many Travis Scott Sneakers?

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 07:00:19 GMT

Yes, Travis Scott just released another Nike collaboration in the form of his Utopia-themed Air Force 1 Low. Does that make one too many sneakers for Cactus Jack? Cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss his sneaker collaborations in the latest episode of the Complex Sneakers Show. They also talk about how wearing fakes of hyped pairs like the Nike Mags is becoming more accepted, getting bad shoes growing up, the Born x Raised x Nike SB Dunk debacle, the latest Adidas Yeezy restocks, and more.

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Ronnie Fieg on the State of the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:00:15 GMT

Kith founder Ronnie Fieg is back, returning to the podcast to celebrate the launch of his X-Men-themed Asics Gel Lyte 3 collaboration with Marvel, but also to survey the state of the industry. Fieg talks about the Y2K trend in sneakers, how preordering might become more common in the future, and the recent dominance of the Adidas Samba. He responds to the critique about the “Kith Filter” look to his rollouts and gives his take on the ascension of Teddy Santis and Aime Leon Dore. At the top, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about Nike’s lack of good collaborators and why a Spiridon retro is needed. This historic episode marks the 100th video episode of the show and also a slight shift in the naming: the Complex Sneakers Podcast will be henceforth known as the Complex Sneakers Show.

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Adidas Yeezys Are Actually Coming Back

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 07:00:36 GMT

After all the controversy and the end of the Adidas Yeezy deal, it looks like Ye’s sneakers will once again be made available for sale. Can these restocks be as successful as they were in the past? How long will shoes like the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 stay around? The cohosts of the Complex Sneakers Podcast—Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty—tackle these questions in the latest episode. They also discuss the CRTZ x Nike Air Max 95 London release, the idea of getting too old to wear high-top sneakers, and Teddy Santis’ latest New Balance project.

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How Dad Shoes Became So Cool

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:00:16 GMT

In this episode the co-hosts dissect why there’s been a recent boom in performance running models from Asics, New Balance and other brands. They also talk about the origin of the “Cool Dad Shoe” boom of 2017-2018. Elsewhere in the episode, Dunne, Welty and JLP talk about the upcoming Terror Squad Air Force 1s and compare the project to the Tiffany & Co x Nike Air Force 1. Finally the crew comments on Hoka and On’s rise in the market.

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Nike Kobes Are Finally Coming Back for Real

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:00:23 GMT

Los Angeles legend and the founder of Born x Raised Chris ‘Spanto’ Printup was lost in a tragic accident, and the episode opens up with the cohosts paying their respects as well as talking about the release update for the upcoming Born x Raised x Nike Dunk SB. Also, with Nike CEO John Donahoe revealing that the Kobe line will get an official relaunch ahead of “Kobe Day” on August 24, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty discuss what this will mean for Nike Basketball as well as their favorite Kobe models. Elsewhere in the episode the crew celebrates Dunne’s birthday and solve the Inter Milan Nike Air Max 97 mystery.

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Ranking the Best Sneakers of 2023 So Far

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 09:00:23 GMT

Is the “White Cement Reimagined” Air Jordan 3 the best sneaker that’s released this year? Does the Tiffany x Nike Air Force 1 deserve a slot? What about big releases from smaller brands like Saucony? In this episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, the cohosts rank the best sneakers that have released so for at this year’s midpoint. They also talk about the tragedy of sneakers falling apart, like an old pair of Air Bursts, and what to do when your personal life becomes overwhelmed with footwear.

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Steve Madden Says the Sneaker Industry Is a War

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:00:10 GMT

Steve Madden is a footwear industry icon who’s seen it all, from independent success to an infamous relationship with the real-life Wolf of Wall Street to lawsuits over sneaker designs. Here, Madden retraces his career in shoes, discussing that Jay-Z shoutout, his respect for Master P, his work with Ja Rule, and more. Elsewhere in the episode, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about the recent Air Max 97 “Gold Bullet” re-release, buying shoes on the resale market, and what's happened in sneakers in the past week.

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The Nike Roshe Is Back From the Dead

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:11 GMT

The Nike Roshe Run, a budget sneaker that became an icon in the 2010s before turning into a meme and fading out, is coming back. But how will its return be received by sneaker collectors who helped make the shoe hot in the first place? The cohosts discuss this on the latest episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast. They also check the temperature on the Nike Dunk, another iconic shoe that’s been watered down in recent years. Elsewhere, cohosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty discuss the closing of Hanon, the state of physical sneaker retail stores, the collaboration between Travis Scott and John McEnroe on the Nike Mac Attack, and more.

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Jae Tips Remembers Who Fronted on Him and His Saucony Collab

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 07:00:54 GMT

New York designer and rapper Jae Tips has been making waves this year with the release of his Saucony Grid Azura 2000 collaboration. Here, he joins the podcast to talk about his long history in the footwear industry—from working chaotic Foamposite drops at Foot Locker to reselling in the streets of New York to landing his own official collaboration. Elsewhere on the episode, the cohosts talk about those nasty fakes that landed on Shein, the bad rumor about Travis Scott’s SB Dunks restocking, and what’s next for Nike in terms of innovation.

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Why Do People Wear Fake Sneakers?

Fri, 26 May 2023 07:00:42 GMT

Fake sneakers, which were once universally condemned in collecting, have become increasingly embraced by people who want limited edition Air Jordans or Nike SB Dunks but don’t want to pay crazy resale prices for them. In this episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast, the cohosts discuss the eventual embrace of counterfeit sneakers. They also break down the upcoming Adidas Yeezy relaunch, the mystery Jordan shoe worn by Travis Scott, and Carmelo Anthony’s best player exclusives.

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Denis Dekovic on Making Shoes for Ronaldo, Pharrell, and Michael Jackson

Fri, 19 May 2023 08:00:25 GMT

Denis Dekovic is a designer who spent decades at the world’s top sneaker brands—Adidas and Nike, most recently. He started out at Lotto right out of high school, moved to Puma to make shoes for Michael Schumacher, helped Nike take over in soccer, and famously defected to Adidas as part of the “Three Amigos” crew of designers. Here, Dekovic talks about his long career, from sketching shoes as a kid to getting sued by Nike to working with Michael Jackson on the Moonwalker footwear brand before his passing. Also, the cohosts react to the news of Adidas’ latest plans with Yeezy.

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Workaholics' Anders Holm Influenced Your Sneaker Choices

Fri, 12 May 2023 07:00:55 GMT

Anders Holm liked every sneaker you like now 20 years ago. The Workaholics co-creator talks here about his long footwear history—from getting an early pair of Air Jordan 6s as a kid to watching the Three Stripes Posse in high school to getting free Reeboks during his time in college. Holm waxes poetic on sneaker trends that have come and gone, and how he was there for it all. Sambas, Salomons, New Balances, Holm had them all. He even met Virgil Abloh in college, between getting caught up in an NCAA sneaker scandal. Elsewhere in the episode, the cohosts react to the Tom Sachs x Nike Mars Yard 3.0 rumor and the Nike SB Instagram account taking a shot at Private Selection.

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The World's Most Valuable Sneakers With Ken Goldin

Fri, 05 May 2023 07:00:23 GMT

What’s the most valuable sneaker in the world? Ken Goldin might have the answer. The auctioneer brought some of the most coveted sneakers he has access to—all the shoes worn by the 1992 Olympic Dream Team and Michael Jordan’s original ‘Flu Game’ Air Jordan 12s, for example—for the latest episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast. Goldin talks about how to identify game-worn sneakers, how to identify when sneakers aren’t actually game-worn, and the best sneaker collection he’s ever come across. Also, the cohosts discuss which sneakers they’d wear for the rest of their lives and leak some upcoming Nike releases.

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The Air Jordan 1 'Lost and Found' Restock Fail on SNKRS

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 08:00:51 GMT

Last week’s restock of the ‘Lost and Found’ Air Jordan 1 in the Chicago colorway on the Nike SNKRS app was a bit of a disaster. Co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about what went wrong during the drop and how frustrating it can be to try and buy a pair of shoes from Nike. They also break down Jerry Lorenzo’s first-ever Fear of God show, which featured the debut of his upcoming Adidas collaboration. Elsewhere, the cohosts make predictions for the Nigo x Nike collaboration and look forward to the return of the “Galaxy” Nike Air Foamposite One and the “Olive” Air Jordan 5.

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The Nike 'Air' Movie, Do Sneakerheads Love It or Hate It?

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 07:00:21 GMT

The new movie ‘Air’ from Ben Affleck and Matt Damon recalls how Sonny Vaccaro helped sign Michael Jordan to Nike in a deal that birthed the Air Jordan sneaker line. In this episode, the co-hosts discuss its merits, historical accuracy, and the portrayal of real-life footwear industry legends like Phil Knight and Rob Strasser. They also breakdown the possible decline of the Air Jordan 1, the best and worst Jordan hybrids, Bode’s Nike collaboration, and the coming Terror Squad Air Force 1s by Fat Joe.

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Elissa Steamer on Nike SB Deal, Jordan 4s, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 07:00:55 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by skateboarding legend Elissa Steamer, who broke onto the scene with her part in Toy Machine’s Welcome to Hell video in 1996. Steamer talks about her career in footwear, from her signature shoe at Etnies to her Gnarhunters collabs with Nike SB, and how skateboarders helped inform the SB x Air Jordan 4. She breaks down her different sneaker deals over the years and also the lucrative agreement that led to her appearance in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game series. Elsewhere, the hosts discuss Joe’s rare white footwear, the Air movie, and John Cena’s custom Air Force 1s.

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Nike OG Betsy Parker on How to Get a Job at the Brand

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 07:00:39 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Betsy Parker, a Nike veteran who spent 35 years at the brand. At Nike, she worked on trend research out of the brand’s New York office and helped recruit design talent. Parker talks about her visits to footwear factories, interactions with legends like Rob Strasser and Tinker Hatfield, and what Nike recruiters are looking for when hiring. Also, the hosts talk about the CRTZ x Nike Air Max 95 launch, Zelensky’s hyped sneakers, and Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God x Adidas line.

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StockX Sold Someone 38 Pairs of Fake Sneakers

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 07:00:41 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio catches up on sneaker news around the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 release, Tom Sachs’ trouble and how it relates to Nike, and the latest on a batch of fake shoes from Nike’s lawsuit against StockX. Also, the cohosts anticipate the upcoming Supreme x Rammellzee Dunks, reflect on Nike’s release policies, and get into some glizzy talk.

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Did Nike Screw Up the Air Jordan 3 'Reimagined'?

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 07:00:11 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three examine a pair of the new white/cement Air Jordan 3 “Reimagined” and discuss the complaints over quality control issues on the elephant print. They also debate how the Tiffany x Nike Air Force 1 will rank once the year-end sneaker lists arrive and give a quick update on Adidas’ massive Yeezy stock problem. Also, Brendan shares some vintage sneakers, Joe remembers his lacrosse days, and Welty breaks down Mario’s big Red (Wing) boots.

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StockX CEO Scott Cutler on Fakes, Nike's Lawsuit, and Rejecting Shoes

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:00:35 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by StockX CEO Scott Cutler who discusses how he first got into sneakers, goes into detail on StockX’s authentication process and gives his thoughts on the current lawsuit between Nike and StockX. Also, the cohosts discuss if the Tiffany & Co x Nike Air Force 1 will make the top 10 sneakers of 2023, and Welty preaches well-rounded athleticism for any dire life situation.

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Nike’s New Release Policy, Is It OK to Wear Fakes?

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 08:00:10 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they discuss Nike’s new release policy and how it will affect drop days. The co-hosts then talk about the consistent rumors of Kanye West and Adidas working together again and what Adidas may do with their leftover Yeezy inventory. Finally the guys touch on the Supreme Nike Air Bakin’ collab and Welty and Joe trade more sneaker retail stories.

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Astor Chambers' Game-Changing Work With Pharrell, Nike, and Adidas

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 08:00:41 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by Astor Chambers, a sneaker marketer and brand builder who’s been in the industry for decades at brands like Nike, Adidas, and Billionaire Boys Club. Astor traces his long history in the industry, from first connecting with Nike as a high school student to hooking up rappers like Fabolous and Jadakiss with free shoes to working on Beyoncé’s Adidas line. Also, the cohosts pontificate on the big bubble Air Max 1 ‘86 and finally dish on the ComplexCon sneaker of the year panel.

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Are MSCHF's Big Red Boots Good? Are Tiffany's Air Force 1s Terrible?

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:00:09 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they discuss the super viral Big Red Boots from MSCHF, and Welty explains why he appreciate this piece of footwear over the brand’s other creations. The co-hosts also debate the merits of the Tiffany x Nike Air Force 1, a project that’s so far been met mostly with contempt, and Adidas’ potentially massive loss from unsold Yeezy products. Other topics include Nathan VanHook joining Adidas basketball, the rumor of Adidas trying to re-engage with Yeezy, and a quick update on Bape and Nike.

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Matt From Corporate on Resellers, Backdooring, and Fair Sneaker Releases”

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 10:00:52 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they are joined by Matt Tomamichel, who owns the Ohio-based sneaker boutique Corporate. Tomamichel discusses the realities of the sneaker business—from convincing a brand to let you sell their shoes to being put on credit hold by Nike to why backdooring happens. Also Tomamichel talks about how to make sneaker releases fair and hints at an upcoming Corporate sneaker collab.

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Ex-Adidas Exec Eric Liedtke on Adidas' Rise, Yeezy, and His Departure

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 08:00:05 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they are joined by Eric Liedtke, Adidas’ former brand president who’s since moved on to found Unless Collective, a plant-based streetwear brand. Liedtke relives his decades with Adidas, from the 1990s all the way up to the brand’s dominant period in the 2010s. He discusses Yeezy, Adidas’ attempt to sign Drake, the NMD mania, and even that infamous meeting with Ye in 2022. Also, the cohosts break down Nike suing Bape and the Tiffany Air Force 1.

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The Most Anticipated Sneakers of 2023

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 08:00:46 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio look ahead to the biggest and best sneakers of 2023. The year is young but there is already lots to look forward to, like DMP Air Jordan 11s, Jarritos x Nike SB Dunks, Terror Squad x Nike Air Force 1s, and more. They also touch on Fear of God’s upcoming Birkenstocks drop and the highs and lows of the Nike ISPA line.

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Are Sneaker Mystery Boxes a Scam? Did Nike Copy Yeezy Slides?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:00:23 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts come back together after their break to catch up on sneaker news like the immediately infamous sneaker mystery boxes sold by Chase Briner at ComplexCon and also the Adidas Yeezy Slide-looking Nike Calm Slide. Also, Joe stands by the “Black Phantom” Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1, Brendan looks forward to the ‘86 Air Max 1 retro, and Welty talks about a brewing sneaker battle.

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Our Favorite 5 Sneakers of the Year

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:00:01 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio reflects on the year in sneaker releases and runs down their personal favorite sneakers of the year. They also spend some time discussing the consensus sneaker of the year picks from Complex and how that list is determined. From the Stray Rats x New Balance MT580 to Up There’s New Balance projects to the “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1, these are their choice for best sneakers of the year.

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The Unreleased Off-White Nikes, What Were the Best New Balances of 2022?

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 08:00:04 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio talks about the huge set of unreleased Off-White x Nike Air Force 1s on display at the Virgil Abloh Codes show in Miami, including the “Olympic,” Sheed, and Off-White inspired versions. They discuss Nike dropping Kyrie Irving, Kool Kiy’s sneaker lawsuit, and the release of the orange “Lobster” SB Dunks at Concepts. Also, the cohosts give a quick tribute at the end to the many people who make the show possible.

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The Moldy Air Jordan 1 'Lost & Found', Fear of God and Adidas Basketball

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:19 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts catch up after ComplexCon, discussing recent sneaker news like the moldy ‘Lost and Found’ Air Jordan 1s, the apparently shifting nature of Fear of God’s Adidas collaboration, and the Our Force 1 program on Nike’s Dot Swoosh platform. Also, they reflect on the brief sighting of elusive future guest PG Knows and talk about the worst post-Tinker Air Jordans.

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Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky on Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Shaq

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 09:00:40 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Reebok CEO Todd Krinsky, who started out in the sneaker brand’s mailroom and worked his way up to the top of the company. Krinsky relives Reebok’s sneaker wars in the ‘90s, the mega endorsement deals with Jay-Z and 50 Cent, its bid at signing LeBron James, and more. Also, the cohosts touch on Odell Beckham Jr.’s lawsuit against Nike and their favorite holiday-themed sneakers.

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Stan Smith Relives His Legendary Sneaker Career

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 08:00:53 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Stan Smith, the legendary tennis player who became an icon in sneakers through his namesake Adidas shoe. Smith talks about signing with the brand, the millions of pairs of Stan Smiths they’ve sold through the decades, and what he thinks of the sneaker market today. Also, the cohosts get ready for ComplexCon and discuss the most fair way to release sneakers—raffle, online, lineup, etc.

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Is SNKRS' Jordan 1 Lost & Found Drop Fair? Why Did Nike Suspend Kyrie?

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 08:00:02 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts discuss the exclusive access release that Nike’s SNKRS app is doing for the “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 and the Jordan 1’s status in general right now. Elsewhere, they react to Nike’s decision to suspend Kyrie Irving and break down how important his sneakers are to its basketball business. The cohosts also discuss the Run the Jewels x Nike SB Dunks, Fat Joe’s Terror Squad Air Force 1s, and how to clean your Air Max 95s.

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How Eastside Golf Got Jordan and Obama to Believe in Them

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:00:06 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by Olajuwon Ajanaku and Earl Cooper, the founders of Eastside Golf. The duo talk about how they’ve landed multiple successful Air Jordan collaborations, their relationship with Michael Jordan, and the goal of placing Eastside on Barack Obama. Also, the cohosts give an update on the Adidas Yeezy fallout and a tribute to Takeoff.

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Adidas Dumps Ye, Jordan 1 Backdooring, and Anwan Glover on DC Style

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:40:52 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts react to the news of Adidas dropping Ye and ending the Yeezy deal early after his antisemitic comments. The cohosts also break down the recent fiasco of alleged backdooring around the “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1. In the second half of the episode they’re joined by Anwan “Big G” Glover, who played Slim Charles on “The Wire.” Glover explains the style choices for the show, the history of sneaker culture in his native Washington DC, Wale’s sneaker game, and even gets into the debate about who started the Nike Boots trend.

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What Does Adidas Do With Kanye? Can Nike Fight Resellers?

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 07:00:11 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they go in depth on Kanye West’s disagreements with Adidas, from the execs whose faces were blurred out in his meeting with the brand to his partnership being placed under review. Also, the cohosts discuss Nike’s new policies made to fight back against resellers. Elsewhere in the episode, Welty fires back at the fake sneaker comments, Joe preps for the Blink-182 reunion, and Brendan apologizes for his Salomon error.

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[Replay] Why Is New Balance So Popular Right Now?

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:59:24 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about New Balance's collaborations and the sustained energy around the brand's lifestyle sneakers. Beyond from the recent heat by partners like Joe Freshgoods and Salehe Bembury, the co-hosts reflect on the last 15 years of special edition NB collaborations from Solebox, Concepts, Hanon, Burn Rubber, and more. Also, Brendan relives a tense situation in Times Square and Joe plans for a very special dinner.

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Did Nike Copy New Balance? Did StockX Have a Huge Coupon Fail?

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 07:00:23 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they break down the release of the Tom Sachs x Nike GPS at Kohl’s, whether or not the Nike Air Max Bliss looks like a New Balance 992, the closing of NikeLab 21 Mercer, and the StockX coupon code leak that people tried to abuse over the weekend. Also, Joe gets back from his Kith trip, Welty talks about signing with a brand, and Brendan talks about selling ukuleles.

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Will the Trophy Room Air Jordan 7 Be Hyped? Does Supreme x Nike Have More Hits or Misses?

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:03:47 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they discuss the upcoming Trophy Room x Air Jordan 7, the hype around the JJJJound x Asics Gel Kayano 14, and Patta’s Nike collaborations. Also, Welty hops on the On wave, Brendan comes back from vacation in Portugal, and Joe joins remote on a trip in Florida.

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Langston Galloway on NBA Sneaker Deals, Camping Out, and Making His Own Shoes

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 07:00:03 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they're joined by the NBA's Langston Galloway to talk about starting his own sneaker brand, his custom sneakers that made it to the Hall of Fame, how he used to camp out for sneakers, and how Chris Paul gave him free shoes, and more.

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Kanye West's Fight With Adidas Over Yeezy

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 07:00:06 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about Kanye West’s Adidas deal, his very public battle with the brand over the past week, and what it means for the future of Yeezy sneakers. The cohosts debate whether West truly wants to leave Adidas and discuss what that might look like. Also, Welty breaks out a bunch of shoes for Labor Day, Brendan returns from Atlanta, and Joe goes toy shopping back in Bay Shore.

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The Best Back to School Sneakers, Then and Now

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 08:00:51 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about back to school sneakers, reminisce on the shoes that were popular when they were in high school, and break down how bad RTV requests are when you work in footwear retail. They also leak some exciting Nike shoes that aren’t releasing until 2023. Elsewhere, Joe hits some serious buckets at Got Sole, Welty hits a personal best in the gym, and Brendan reflects on his Hood to Coast run.

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The Most Exciting and Disappointing Sneakers Coming This Year

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:00:48 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the co-hosts discuss some of the most anticipated sneakers that are still releasing in 2022, like the A Ma Maniere x Air Jordan 4, the Concepts x Nike SB Dunk Low “Orange Lobster,” the “Lost and Found” Air Jordan 1 High Chicago and more. Also, they explain their absence last week, talk about the viral video of someone drinking a beer out of a hot dog straw at a Yankees game, and discuss Joe’s fit at his high school reunion.

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Asspizza Is Willing to Go Broke for His Sneaker, Says Sneaker Brands Are Done

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 08:00:01 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by Austin Babbitt, better known as Asspizza, a young streetwear designer who came up in the Soho scene in the 2010s. Asspizza’s latest product are his 730 sneakers, which are based on the popular Nike Air More Uptempo. In the episode, he talks about how he got the shoes made, avoiding legal issues around them, meeting with Kanye West, and more. Also, Joe wins a prize on the boardwalk, Welty survives food poisoning, and Brendan does some complaining.

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Should Kanye Be Mad at Adidas? How Should Sneakers Fit?

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 08:00:13 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the co-hosts discuss the fallout around Yeezy Day, which Ye challenged Adidas over and claimed happened without his approval. They also talk about how to figure out your appropriate sneaker size and make a shocking discovery about one of the cohosts’ footwear. Elsewhere, the trio reacts to the latest in the Zadeh Kicks sneaker reselling saga. Also, Welty influences Rihanna’s sneakers, Joe has some more dyed pairs coming up, and Brendan goes golfing.

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How Good Are Travis' 'Mocha' Jordan 1s? Are 'Panda' Dunks That Bad?

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 08:00:58 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio discuss Travis Scott’s latest Cactus Jack sneaker, the Air Jordan 1 Low, and where it ranks in his work. They also break down the hate around the “Panda” Nike Dunk Low and discuss whether it’s really justified. Later, Welty questions Donald Glover’s New Balance campaign and also the newfound interest in suede Adidas models. Also, Brendan gives up on the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 and Joe La Puma relives an episode of “borrowing” from his parents to get Air Jordan 17s.

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Arthur Kar on His Salomon Collab, Virgil’s Nikes, and Paris SB Dunks

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 11:00:11 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts are joined by Arthur Kar, the man behind the auto brand L'Art de L'automobile. In addition to supplying rare cars to artists and entertainers, Kar has collaborated with sneaker brands like Vans and Salomon via his streetwear brand. A super connected individual, Kar talks about his time with Virgil Abloh, projects like the “Bred” Off-White x Air Jordan 4 and Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1, buying loads of Mars Yards, shooting a video with Pop Smoke and Quavo in Paris, and more. Also, Joe gives Welty a very special gift and Brendan talks about badminton.

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James Whitner Reveals Unreleased A Ma Maniere Air Jordans

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by James Whitner of the Whitaker Group, the company behind sneaker stores A Ma Maniere and Social Status. Whitner brings along a never-before-seen Air Jordan 12 collaboration and talks about his stores’ rise, the realities of fighting bots, and how backdooring happens in the sneaker industry. Also, Joe and Welty practice yoga while Brendan recovers from a go-karting session

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The Best Sneakers of 2022 So Far

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 09:00:58 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they discuss the best sneakers of 2022 so far, breaking down the Complex’s staffs picks for the biggest pairs that have released in the first half of the year. The cohosts debate the merits of shoes like Travis Scott’s Air Max 1s, Drake’s Hot Step, and Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1. Also, Joe gives a glizzy update, Welty reminisces on his history in fireworks, and Brendan relives recent travels to London and Mexico.

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Alex Dymond Tells Classic Stories About Supreme and Nike SB

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 08:00:11 GMT

DESCRIPTION: The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the cohosts are joined by Alex Dymond, a behind-the-scenes designer who’s worked on sneakers with the likes of Quartersnacks, Alltimers, and his wife, Olivia Kim. Dymond discusses the early days of sneaker and streetwear culture in New York City, touching on his time at legendary stores like Nort and Supreme. Also, Welty talks about his workout playlist, Joe extolls the values of scuff remover, and Brendan heads to Mexico.

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Ibn Jasper Shares Untold Stories From Kanye's Louis Vuitton, Reebok Deals

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 08:00:32 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they’re joined by Ibn Jasper, a Chicagoan who got his start cutting hair for artists like Kanye West and Don C. Ibn gives an inside look into the creation of Kanye’s unreleased Reebok shoe, the Nike Air Yeezy line, and his short-lived Louis Vuitton sneaker collection. He also talks about his own journey in footwear, from skating in Air Jordans to releasing multiple collections with converse. Elsewhere, the cohosts discuss West slamming Adidas for ripping off the Yeezy slides, Welty liquidating some sneakers, and recent travel.

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The Most Regrettable Air Jordan Retros

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:00:14 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about the ups and downs of Air Jordan retros over the past three decades, from good pairs like the “Grape” Air Jordan 5s to forgettable pairs like the “Crimson” Air Jordan 3s. Also, Wetly relives some sneaker backdoor sagas from his Foot Locker days, Joe breaks down the SWAT tactic, and the group celebrates over a platter of glizzies.

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The Zadeh Kicks Resell Saga and Why New Balance Is So Expensive

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:00:26 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three unpack the saga of Zadeh Kicks, the Oregon-based sneaker reseller who’s been accused of scamming customers out of millions after shutting his business down. They also discuss the upcoming Tom Sachs x NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe, the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 collection, and a long-awaited dinner that finally came to fruition.

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Jeff Staple Talks the Pigeon Dunk, Warren Lotas, and Turning Down Nike

Fri, 27 May 2022 08:00:35 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Jeff Staple, a sneaker and streetwear designer who has worked with Nike, New Balance, Tag Heuer, and whose brand is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Staple talks about his legendary Nike Pigeon Dunk SB, turning down a job offer from Nike, the current NFT space as it relates to sneakers, and more. Also the cohosts talk about StockX vs Nike and how tough it will be to get the Louis Vuitton Air Force 1.

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How Salehe Bembury Became One of the Hottest Sneaker Designers

Fri, 20 May 2022 08:00:35 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Salehe Bembury, a sneaker designer who’s worked with Versace, Yeezy, Payless, New Balance, Crocs, Anta, and more. Bembury talks about his approach to design, how his sneakers are doing on the resale market, and teaching Andre 3000 how to make sneakers. Also, the cohosts reminisce on the simpler days of pep rallies and five-disc changers.

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Christopher Bevans on Kanye's Nikes That Never Released, Kobe, and Tinker

Fri, 13 May 2022 08:00:29 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Christopher Bevans, who was just named creative director at Eddie Bauer. Bevans has a long history in sportswear that includes helping Kanye West make his first pair of Nike sneakers, designing Roger Federer’s logo at Nike, and helping out on the Nike Kobe collaboration with Stash. Also, the cohosts have a heated discussion about the merits of insoles.

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Trophy Room Air Jordan 1 Backdooring, Nike Kobe Release, & Peter Moore

Fri, 06 May 2022 08:00:04 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three have a long conversation about Marcus Jordan’s infamous Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 release fiasco, how it affected his reputation in sneakers, and the spicy photos circulating on Twitter. They also break down the “Mambacita” Nike Kobe 6 release and reflect on the career of Peter Moore, the Nike and Adidas designer who passed away last week. Elsewhere, the cohosts discuss the latest in the MSCHF lawsuit over the Wavy Baby shoe and, yes, hotdogs.

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Backdooring, Sneakers Getting Stolen, and the Nike Jordan Movie

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:00:50 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three touch on the Union x Air Jordan 2 fiasco, from people’s cards getting charged for pairs they couldn’t get and the accusation that the sneakers were backdoored. Infamous reseller Benjamin Kickz makes a brief cameo via FaceTime to discuss his involvement. Also, Joe and Welty reflect on thwarting sneaker thieves at their retail jobs and Brendan tries his best to put in a bid for a role in the coming movie about Nike signing Michael Jordan.

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MSCHF Responds to Vans Wavy Baby, Nike Satan Shoe Lawsuits

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 08:00:33 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they're joined by Lukas Bentel, a chief creative officer at the Brooklyn art collective MSCHF. Bentel brings with him the recently released Wavy Baby sneaker, a Vans-lookalike model that is the latest MSCHF creation to earn a trademark infringement lawsuit. He defends the shoe, discusses the controversy over the Lil Nas X Satan Shoe that Nike sued over, and explains why he feels confident about his company's legal issues. Also, Brendan and Welty leave Joe out of another PG dinner.

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DJ Khaled's Air Jordan 5s, Love Them or Hate Them?

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 08:00:54 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they talk about DJ Khaled's newly unveiled "We The Best" Air Jordan 5 collection, Fragment x Air Jordan 1s, Drake Nikes, and other top-tier collabs. The co-hosts discuss the merits of these shoes and whether being a collab alone makes them exciting. Also, Joe celebrates a birthday with a pair of glizzies, Welty runs down the latest in MMA news, and Brendan preps for a trip to New Balance HQ in Boston.

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Sneakers That Need a Retro, The Best Nike Flyknits

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:00:41 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three hosts talk about sneakers they want to see come back, like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Nike lifting shoe, the Nike Air Burst, and the Joe-favorite Air Zoom Citizen. They also reflect on the early days of Nike Flyknit, which launched 10 years ago now. Joe gives a breakdown of the latest Kith trip, Brendan explains Treefort Music Fest in Boise, and Welty starts laying out plans for the Complex Sneakers Glizzy Tour.

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Which Yeezys We'd Actually Wear, the Sneakers We Regret Buying

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 08:00:05 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three reminisce on the sneakers they wore in college, along with the regrettable outfits and tendencies toward extreme matching that they went through in that period. We're talking absurd streetwear graphic tees, "Olive" Air Jordan 9s to go with your brown Lacoste polo, and green 10 Deep pants in the same color as your SB Dunks. The co-hosts also discuss which Yeezys they'd actually wear, Ye hiring a former Nike ACG design director, and college memories in general.

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Why the OG Sneaker YouTuber Gave It Up for a Crypto Fortune

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 08:00:11 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they welcome Carlos Sanchez, aka SneakGeekz, to the show to talk about his history as one of the first sneaker YouTubers doing in boxings. Sanchez discusses his highs, lows, fake sneakers, Galaxy Foams, and how he got out of the game to invest in Bitcoin and focus on crypto. Also, Joe returns from Miami, Brendan visits Aime Leon Dore, and Welty keeps his workouts going.

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What's the Worst Sneaker of the Year? The Best Nike SB Dunk Era?

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 08:00:45 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about the hype around the Air Jordan 1 "Rebellionaire" and whether the sneaker was actually any good. Also, the co-hosts discuss the best Nike SB Dunk box colors of all time and get into some upcoming Air Max 1 releases. Brendan also takes some time to explain his mutilated face and the car accident that caused it.

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Why Is New Balance So Popular Right Now?

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 09:00:01 GMT

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The Most Viral Sneaker Memes

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 09:00:16 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they reminisce on viral sneaker moments, trends, and memes from "What Are Those?" to the Chef Currys and Air Monarchs. The co-hosts break down moments like the "Damn Daniel" Vine video and John Geiger's infamous 'Red October' Nike Air Yeezy 2 stunt, feeling out how they've aged years later. Also, Brendan is forced to pick between Tom Sachs and Tinker Hatfield, and Welty (kinda) gets a shoutout from Jack Harlow.

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Steven Victor on Pusha T’s Adidas Deal, Nigo’s Album and BAPE's Golden Era

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 09:00:44 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they're joined by record label exec Steven Victor, who's been instrumental in Pusha T's career, Nigo's recent return to music, and much more during his decades in the music industry. Victor talks about helping Push sign with Adidas, his personal love for the Jordan 6, and more. Also, the hosts ask him for his take on Drake's Adidas deal that Pusha leaked during their battle.

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The Best And Worst Designer Sneakers

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 09:00:31 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week the three guys discuss the best and worst moments over the history of high-fashion sneakers. From the Gucci Tennis 84 to the Prada Americas Cup to the Dior x Air Jordan 1 and Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s. And everything in between. The guys also talk about Mache's first New Balance collaboration and whether or not it's OK to eat six-day-old pizza.

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Shawn "Pecas" Costner Tells Kanye West, Chris Paul, & Fat Joe Sneaker Stories

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 09:00:17 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Shawn "Pecas" Costner, a music industry veteran who now works with Dwyane Wade at his agency, CAA AMP. Pecas traces his history in sneakers, reliving the time Kanye West gave him an early pair of Nike Air Yeezy 2s, a sneaker tradeoff he had to make to get a DJ to play the right music, and spilling wine on Fat Joe's $600,000 couch. Also, the co-hosts talk about their time in the snow over the weekend and Welty tackles his superintendent duties.

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Sneaker Room’s Suraj Reveals What It’s Like to Work With Kyrie Irving

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:00:30 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they welcome Suraj Kaufman, owner and founder of Sneaker Room, a Jersey-based store known partly for its charity releases with Nike. Kaufman talks about going from being a reseller to getting on Nike's radar and partnering up with signature athletes like Victor Cruz and Kyrie Irving. Also, he discusses his role in the infamous Fat Joe fake sneaker saga surrounding the "Entourage" Air Force 1 and how he responds to resellers these days. At the top, the co-hosts react to the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s and Kanye West saying he wanted to meet with Michael Jordan.

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The Biggest Sneaker Releases of 2022

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 09:00:33 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three return from the holiday hiatus to take a look forward at the sneakers releasing in 2022. The co-hosts break down the most anticipated sneakers in the year ahead, touching on big releases like Drake's first Nike collaboration, the "Fire Red" Air Jordan 3, and more. Also, an admission on the omission of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 and a discussion on just how hard that sneaker will be to get. Elsewhere in the episode they discuss Finish Line's Nike collab series, Joe's history in the Air Max 97, and gambling.

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REPLAY: Sonny Vaccaro Talks Signing Michael Jordan to Nike and Kobe Bryant to Adidas

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 09:00:25 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Sonny Vaccaro, one of the most influential sneaker marketing executives of all time. He single handedly changed the way sneaker deals were ideated, created, and executed. Sonny Vaccaro was responsible for some of the most impactful deals of all time such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The guys get into how he got his start, his relationship with some of the big brands now, and his thoughts on the sports documentary series, The Last Dance.

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REPLAY: Marcus Jordan Tells Michael Jordan Sneaker Stories

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 09:00:10 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they're joined by Marcus Jordan, Michael Jordan's youngest son, and sneaker retailer. They talk best moments of The Last Dance, memories of growing up in the Jordan household and, of course, lots of sneaker stories.

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What Were the Best Sneakers of 2021?

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio is guestless as they discuss the best sneakers of 2021. In this last episode of the year, the co-hosts explain the rationale behind Complex's choices for the top-ten sneakers of the year and run through the whole list. They also add in a few of their personal favorites that deviate from the list. At the top of the show, Joe and Brendan recall their recent trips and Welty gives a brief update on superintendent duties.

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Victor Cruz Unveils His New Signature Shoe

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. Their guest this week is Super Bowl champion and one-time Nike signature athlete Victor Cruz, who talks about his new sneaker project with Pierre Hardy. Cruz also discusses getting his own Roc-a-Fella chain, buying fake sneakers in high school, and meeting Virgil Abloh for the first time. And, he puts a public service announcement out there about his Comme des Garcons x Nike Air Foamposite Ones that went missing. Perhaps most importantly, Joe revisits his rollerblading past once more at the top of the episode.

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Trinidad James Breaks Down Designing His Own Sneaker

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this episode, they are joined by Trinidad James, a member of the Complex family and Full Size Run co-host. Trinidad talks about his Hommewrk brand and landmark first sneaker collaboration with Saucony, explaining exactly how the shoes happened and reliving the moment he sold out of them at ComplexCon. Also, the co-hosts discuss Joe's squandered rollerblading career and reflect on the impact Virgil Abloh had in sneakers.

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Gentry Humphrey Shares Untold Stories About Michael Jordan, Jordan Brand, and Nike

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this special bonus episode, which was filmed live in front of a studio audience at ComplexCon earlier this month, they are joined by Gentry Humphrey, the legendary Nike and Jordan Brand exec who retired from his role as VP of Jordan footwear in September. Humphrey reflects on his long career, from the first Air Jordan retros to creating a Nike signature shoe for Allen Iverson to battling trolls on NikeTalk with the help of Oprah. He also reveals some Michael Jordan gems from his time working with the GOAT. Also, the three co-hosts share their most exciting moments and meals from ComplexCon.

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Ronnie Fieg on Asics Collabs, Supply Chain Issues, & Kith's 10th Year

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. They are joined this week by Kith founder Ronnie Fieg, who brings with him some exclusive Asics collaborations to unveil around his brand's 10-year anniversary celebrations. In addition to breaking down the "Salmon Toe" and "Leatherback" Asics Gel Lyte Vs, he talks about how much supply chain issues have disrupted the footwear business, sneaker trips to Tokyo, and that lost feeling of opening a box and seeing a new shoe for the first time. Also, Welty celebrates his new gig as superintendent and the co-hosts talk car crashes.

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How Nigel Sylvester Became Air Jordan's First BMX Rider

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they bring on professional BMX rider and friend of the program Nigel Sylvester for a conversation from ComplexCon. Sylvester discusses the new deal he signed with Jordan Brand, his days going into Supreme to buy SB Dunks, and his love of the Air Jordan 1. Also, the three cohosts talk about the best booths at ComplexCon, the best food at ComplexCon, and the outfits they put together for ComplexCon.

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How Premium Pete Got 500 Pairs of Limited Nike SB Dunks

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they welcome back a friend of the show Premium Pete, a renaissance man who's gone from sneaker retail to podcasting to pasta sauce to acting and everywhere in between. Pete joins the crew to share footwear stories—like how he got Air Force 1s while locked up or his stash of 400 pairs of MF Doom x Nike SB Dunk Highs—and reminisce on his journeys. Also, the gang cracks open some Manhattan specials, preps for ComplexCon, and gives some analysis on the latest UFC card.

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Salomons + Hokas, Nike HQ, and Having Virgil Sign Your Off-Whites

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the trio return from their brief week off to discuss smaller sneaker brands like Hoka and Salomon as well as generally recap the sneaker-related things they've been up to. This includes some reminiscing on the golden era of soccer cleats, stories of run-ins with sneaker industry insiders like Steven Smith and Frank Cooke, and a hypothetical around letting Virgil Abloh bless your Off-Whites. Plus, a look ahead to all the fun that will be had at ComplexCon, where the podcast will be recording a live episode.

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GQ's Jim Moore on Collaborating With Virgil Abloh, Ronnie Fieg, and Kanye

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, they are joined by Jim Moore, the legendary GQ creative director who spent four decades at the magazine shaping how men in America dress. Moore talks through his career and points in it where sneakers interacted with his work, from shooting with Michael Jordan in the late 1980s to helping push athletic footwear to a new space in the wardrobe of the modern man. Moore also discusses his interactions in the past decade with more streetwear-specific designers like Virgil Abloh, Ronnie Fieg, and Kanye West. Also, the co-hosts discuss sneaker cleaning tips, Welty steps in dog feces, and Joe gets honest about his screen time.

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Bernie Gross Explains What Really Goes Into Running a Sneaker Store

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the trio is joined by Bernie Gross, creative director at New York sneaker boutique Extra Butter. Gross recalls his journey in the footwear industry, from buying SBs at stores like Special Sauce in Long Island to helping longstanding LI sneaker shop Renarts establish itself anew with Extra Butter. He breaks down what running a sneaker store really takes—from handling chaotic releases to managing relationships with brand partners and collaborators. Also, the co-hosts discuss the merits of beat sneakers: When is it time to throw your old shoes out? How much wear is too much wear? Can a pair of Air Force 1s that spent a year in the Armenian mountains go any further?

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Super Collector Abdul Says Dirty Air Force 1s Are OK to Wear

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the trio is joined by Abdul, sneaker scene mainstay with powerful friends and a powerful collection. You may not know exactly who Abdul is or what he does, but you've definitely seen him in the background or at the front of the line at footwear happenings around the world. In the episode, he talks about his 30 years collecting shoes, dirty white Air Force 1s, whether or not Mids are acceptable, and how he obtained some of his rarest shoes. Also, Joe breaks down Dave Matthews' out-of-body BBQ experience, Welty relives his out-of-T-shirt weekend, and Brendan returns from vacation.

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How Many Sneakers Is Too Many?

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the hosts discuss how big their personal sneaker collections are and how often they've reached the point of having to downsize. What do you do when you have too many sneakers? Is a storage unit for your shoes really a good idea? What's the best way to donate footwear that you're not using? The questions are relevant for anyone who's spent years amassing sneakers at an unreasonable rate. Also in this episode, the hosts reflect briefly on Met Gala fashion and dream up what their own Ben Baller chains would look like.

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Debating This Summer's Biggest Sneaker

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week’s episode, it’s just the three guys debating their pick for the sneaker of the summer for 2021. Dunne makes a case for Nike Dunks, as a whole, being his choice, while Joe brings up why the Travis Scott Jordan 1s were a force to be reckoned with. Welty sides with Dunne, but zooms in on Virgil Abloh’s the 50 project. Joe Freshgood’s New Balances and more are discussed this week, too.

EPISODE CHAPTERS / TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Start of show.

05:00 - JLP talks WWE smackdown event and the wrestling outfits he saw.

10:00 - Brendan Dunne talks traveling for college football games and the flight hookup he got.

15:00 - Welty talks a BIG package he got that got caught in customs.

18:27 - Joe introduces the Sneaker Giveaway of the Week.

26:00 - Topic of the week, this summer's biggest sneaker!

30:00 - Welty lets out his frustrations about the "Un-Tiffany" dunk.

35:33 - Welty talks New Balance 550 possibly being the sneaker of the summer??

40:00 - Brendan talks Lightning Jordan 4s, possibly his sneaker of the summer.

45:00 - JLP talks about what he wore a lot this summer.

50:00 - Welty talks his certified choice for biggest sneaker moment of the summer.

55:00 - Brendan talks about his StockX resell failure.

1:00:00 - JLP talks his Slam City Dunks falling apart on Sneaker Shopping shoot.

1:03:21 - End of episode.

Enter for next week's sneaker giveaway here! https://ebay.complex.com/

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Conceited Tells Hilarious Stories About His Sneaker Addiction

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the hosts are joined by battle rapper Conceited, who is a longtime cast member on MTV's Wild 'N Out. He goes into his sneaker history, recalling the time he lost a pair of "True Blue" Air Jordan 3s in high school, the fakes he used to spot people in, and how much time and money he's spent on getting the rare shoes that makeup his collection. ESPO x Nike Air Force 2s? He remembers them from high school. Entourage x Nike Air Force 1s? It took Conceited years to track them down. Also in this episode, the co-hosts discuss Salehe Bembury's new New Balance collaboration and look forward to what else is releasing in 2021.

Enter for next week's sneaker giveaway here! https://ebay.complex.com/

Looking for the Complex Sneakers Podcast Dad Hats? Shop on Complex Shop now!

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Dennis Todisco Reveals Stories About Nike's SNKRS App, Red Octobers, and Karmaloop

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the hosts are joined by Dennis Todisco, the lead of streetwear and sneaker partnerships at Instagram. Todisco brings with him stories from his long time in the industry that stretch from the era of selling Dead Serious hoodies at Karmaloop to the dawn of the Nike SNKRs app to his founding of Outfitgrid. He gives rare behind-the-scenes insight into life at Nike, discussing the moment when the Air Yeezy 2 "Red October" dropped and some secret sneakers that he's not allowed to show to the public. Also, the co-hosts gear up for a weekend of ice cream in Williamsburg—make sure to show up on Saturday if you're around.

Enter for next week's sneaker giveaway here! https://ebay.complex.com/

Looking for the Complex Sneakers Podcast Dad Hats? Shop on Complex Shop now!

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Debating Travis Scott's Best and Worst Nike and Jordan Sneakers

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the hosts are discuss the history of Travis Scott's sneaker collaborations, from his Air Force 1s to his Air Jordan 4s all the way up to his most recent projects, his duo of Jordan 1s made with Fragment Design. The hosts discuss their favorite sneakers that Travis has released and which ones they think made the most impact. Also, they tackle the question of Travis vs. Kanye West in the sneaker game. Aside from the Travis talk, the three relive Welty's wild weekend, Brendan's Action Bronson experience, and Joe's most recent sneaker pickup.

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Are NFT Sneakers for Real or Just a Scam? Bobby Hundreds Explains

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. In this week's episode, the hosts are joined by Bobby Hundreds, co-founder of the Hundreds, to discuss how footwear can exist in the metaverse. Bobby breaks down his thoughts on sneakers as NFTs and expounds on his idea that a screenshot of a "Got Em" on SNKRS for a pair of Travis Scott x Fragment x Air Jordan 1s is just as valuable as the real thing. Also, the group discusses the tragic shooting of Shoe Palace employee Jayren Bradford and the recent name change for the brand formerly known as Chinatown Market.

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Why Is Nike Suing Sneaker Customizers? Mache Responds

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts sit down with Mache, a sneaker customizer who has done work for rappers like Wale, NFL stars like Stefon Diggs, and wrestlers like Kofi Kingston. Mache reacts to Nike's recent lawsuits against custom sneaker designers, explaining how he thinks those entities could move differently in order to avoid legal action. He also breaks down a new footwear business he's entered—making his own silhouette in the Mache Runner. Mache details how he gets those shoes made and how well they've been selling so far. Also, Brendan and Welty give a recap of last week's special kebab dinner and Joe gives some behind-the-scenes on the Soulja Boy episode of "Sneaker Shopping."

Enter here for next week's sneaker giveaway: https://ebay.complex.com/

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Flight Club’s Most Notorious Employee Reacts to Modern Day Resellers

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts sit down with Chris Vidal, one of the original employees at Flight Club and an outspoken figure in the New York City sneaker scene, to trade stories past and present. Vidal contrasts the sneaker resell world of then vs. now, remembers selling the “Justin Bieber” sneakers at Supra, relives pulling out a fake gun during his tenure at Alife, and talks about helping out David Beckham at the same store. A longtime collector, Vidal also breaks down his history with rare shoes like the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 and the PlayStation x Nike Air Force 1, and even shows off his SNKRS purchase history. Meanwhile, Welty takes it back to show and tell, Brendan reveals his skin care mistakes, and Joe gets the details on Space Jam 2.

Enter here for next week's sneaker giveaway: https://ebay.complex.com/

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$120,000 Nike Air Force 1s? DJ Clark Kent Reacts

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts sit down with DJ Clark Kent for his second appearance on the show to discuss the recent Sotheby's auction sale of the Scarr's x Nike Air Force 1 for $121,000. Clark, who designed the shoe with Nike, talks about his feelings about the price, the upcoming Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s, why he'll never wear mids, and more. Also, Joe relives his career in concessions sales with the New York Mets, Welty relives his career in concessions sales at the local waterpark, and Brendan explains his college girlfriend's disdain for the "Copper" Nike Air Foamposite One.

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Ranking the Best Sneakers of 2021 So Far

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts countdown the 10 best sneakers of the year so far. In selecting the shoes they also break down the criteria and go behind some of the arguments that go into deciding Complex's sneaker lists. How high does the Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 deserve to be? What's the best New Balance so far? The co-hosts debate these topics while running through the list. Also, Brendan celebrates his birthday, Welty lends some super helpful air conditioning tips, and Joe ponders PacSun's sneaker resell business.

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How Steven Smith Ended Up Designing Yeezys With Kanye West

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to Steven Smith, a legendary sneaker designer who's worked at New Balance, Adidas, Fila, Reebok, Nike, and more. While Smith was for many years best known as the creator of the Reebok Insta Pump Fury, he's recently reignited his portfolio by leading sneaker design for Kanye West's Yeezy brand. Here, he discusses his long history in the sportswear industry, battling with Nike, getting hired at Nike, and much more. Also, Welty takes a walk down memory lane, Joe takes us through his Amtrak history, and Brendan eats Italian food.

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How Drew Greer’s Nikes With Wu-Tang and Jay-Z Changed the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to Drew Greer, a sneaker industry veteran who started at Nike back in 1994 and helped pioneer its strategy around limited edition and retro footwear. Greer’s long resume includes important shoes like the Wu Tang x Nike Dunk High and the Roc-a-Fella x Nike Air Force 1, which were integral in helping Nike explicitly cross over into hip-hop culture. Greer breaks down his decades in the game and how he changed the industry. Also, Welty finally gets his Diamond Dunks, Joe checks in from Miami, and Brendan talks ice cream tactics.

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How Victor Cruz and Nike Brought Sneaker Culture to the NFL

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to former NFL Giant and Super Bowl winner Victor Cruz about his sneaker resume. Cruz talks about how he got his own Nike shoe, getting royalties on every pair sold, and the lengths he's gone to to get shoes. He even reveals some details about former teammate Odell Beckham Jr. considering signing with Adidas instead of Nike. Also, Welty relives a college memory of calling out someone's fake Bapes and Brendan and Joe discuss Italian food.

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Off-White x Nike: The Best, the Worst, and the Rest

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts discuss Virgil Abloh's growing body of Off-White x Nike sneakers, starting at the first release of The Ten in 2017 and extending to the upcoming 50 set of Dunks. How big of an impact have sneakers like the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 had on collaborations and Nike's approach to them in general? Do we really need another 50 pairs this summer? Also, Welty explains his Memorial Day workout while Joe and Brendan discuss Italian food.

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Jesse Leyva on Making Nike's Coolest Sneakers for Decades

Fri, 28 May 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts are joined by Jesse Leyva, a Nike veteran who spent 20 years at the company creating some of its coolest sneakers. As the design director at Nike Sportswear and later the creative director in charge of Nike SB and Nike ACG, he was responsible for sneaker collaborations with Kaws, Geoff McFetridge, Undefeated, Stussy, and many more. Leyva discusses his decades-long history in the industry and the inner workings of Nike. Also, Welty ponders a holiday weekend workout, Brendan preps for the Nets game, and Joe talks his adventures on NIKEiD.

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Is Nike Making Too Many Dunks or Not Enough?

Fri, 21 May 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts discuss the Nike Dunk, a retro sneaker from 1985 that’s been huge in the past year thanks to SB collaborations and inline styles. But is Nike over-saturating the market with the shoes or should they keep making more? The co-hosts discuss their personal history with Dunks, current resell prices, and some of their favorite pairs old and new. Also: Joe gives some teasers on the next season of Sneaker Shopping, Welty relives his wild weekend, and Brendan comes back from vacation.

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How Jon Wexler Signed Kanye to Adidas and Helped Build Yeezy

Fri, 14 May 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they're joined by sneaker industry veteran Jon Wexler to talk about his 18 years at Adidas, which included working with Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady and most notoriously signing Kanye West in 2013. He discusses his time with Yeezy and some of the craziest and most notorious moments with the brand, as well as trying to sign Drake to Adidas before Wexler moved on to Shopify in 2020.

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How Haze Made One of the Greatest Nike Dunks of All Time

Fri, 07 May 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to graffiti writer and graphic designer Haze. The artist talks about his long history working on collaboration sneakers, from his New Balance 574 to his Nike Air Force 1 to the set of Dunks he did in 2003. Haze also discusses building his brand and connecting with Japanese streetwear icons Hiroshi Fujiwara and Nigo. Elsewhere, Welty gets a brief birthday celebration and the co-hosts talk about the effects of sneaker hype.

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Hikmet Sugoer: The Sneaker King Who ate Ice Cream Out of Chunky Dunkys

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk to Solebox founder Hikmet Sugoer about his decades in the German sneaker scene, from sourcing sneakers through American military bases to helping bring new energy to brands like New Balance and Asics. Sugoer breaks down his Nike beef, his exit from Solebox, and that time Pharrell didn't recognize his own Dunks. Of course, he also addressed the viral video from last year of him eating ice cream out of the Ben & Jerry's x Nike SB Chunky Dunky.

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The Stories Behind Our Biggest Interviews With Kanye, Nigo, and More

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the three co-hosts talk about the most memorable interviews from their shared decades of experience in sneaker media. Joe recalls linking up with Kanye West for an early Complex feature on Kid Cudi, Matt relives meeting Nigo, and Brendan remembers his conversations with industry insiders. Also, the co-hosts discuss sneaker deliveries, workout routines, and a garbage bag full of Mars Yards.

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How Croatian Style Became the Most Exclusive Sneaker Reseller

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Andre Ljustina aka Croatian Style. Andre shares his story of how a game of pop-a-shot basketball lead to his lifelong passion for sneakers. It's a passion that he has cultivated into becoming not only one of the biggest sneaker collectors around, but also a celebrity plug for stars from all walks of life, from Beyonce and Jay Z to Travis Scott to Mark McGwire and the late DJ AM.

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How the Shoe Surgeon Became the Go-To Customizer for Drake, Justin Bieber, and Nelly

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Dominic Ciambrone, also known as, the Shoe Surgeon. Dominic shares how he became inspired to create custom designed sneakers with a surprise story that includes Pharrell Williams. He goes on to tell some stories behind some of his custom designs for celebrity clients, what's coming down the pipeline in the future and more.

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Aleali May Talks Her Air Jordan Journey

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 08:00:33 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Aleali May, the second woman to design an Air Jordan and the first woman to ever design a Jordan 1. Aleali takes us back to the beginning of her career, shares the moment she met Michael Jordan, gives an early sneak peak of her upcoming Air Jordan sneaker release and so much more.

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Paul Mittleman on Making Sneaker History With Stussy, Adidas, and Converse

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Paul Mittleman to discuss his work and mark at brands like Stussy, Adidas and Converse. Paul discusses what it was like being the Creative Director of Stussy at their early stages as well as what it was like working with Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Nigo and Tyler The Creator.

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Jerry Lorenzo and Jason Mayden on Building the Future of Adidas

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Jason Mayden and Jerry Lorenzo on what their future at Adidas will look like. The guys discuss how their partnership came to be, the importance of not trying to be in competition with Nike, and the impact they believe they will be able to bring to Adidas. Jerry Lorenzo also shares the story behind his 3 stripe tattoo as well as the conversations he's had with Kanye leading up to and after the deal was signed with Adidas.

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How Dave Ortiz Cooked Up the Classic Nike Air Max 90 “Bacon”

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys speak to Dave Ortiz, a true New York legend and co-founder of the sneaker boutique, Dave's Quality Meats. Dave deep dives into his process as an artist and the many collabs he has been apart of over the years. He tells the story of how he came up with one sneaker in particular the Nike Air Max 90 "Bacon." Dave also talks about what lead him to move away from sneakers and what he hopes comes from the rerelease of the Nike Air Max 90 "Bacon."

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Nike's Scandal and the World of Sneaker Reselling

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys discuss the sneaker reselling business and its recent crossover moment with the resignation of Nike VP Ann Hebert after news broke about her son's reselling business. The guys deep dive into their own personal stories with reselling and when they first saw the beginning stages of what now has become its own industry.

Nike VP Resigns After Family Tie to Sneaker Reseller Uncovered

https://www.complex.com/sneakers/nike-vp-ann-hebert-resigns-sneaker-reseller-west-coast-joe

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Edison Chen on How CLOT’s Collaborations Connected the East and West

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to cultural icon, actor, musician and designer, Edison Chen, the founder of CLOT and designer of the Nike Air Max 1 Clot Kiss of Death. In this episode the guys talk about a number of sneakers Edison was able to create with Nike over the years as well as what he has coming out this year.

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Paul “P-Rod” Rodriguez Talks Landing His Dream Nike Deal

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to Paul Rodriguez, legendary skater and the first skater to ever receive a Nike signature shoe. Paul talks about what it was like becoming part of the brand, knowing Kobe Bryant, his sneaker releases to come and his most recent sneaker additions.

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How Bun B Became One of Rap's Most Connected Sneakerheads

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to the one and only, Bun B. Bun B shares how he became so connected in the sneaker game and shares his newest addition to his collection, the Air Jordan 1 Retro High Trophy Room Chicago.

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Brooklyn Projects' Dom DeLuca Relives the Heyday of Nike SB in Hollywood

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week the guys host, Dom DeLuca, the owner of the first skate shop to invade Hollywood, Brooklyn Projects. In this episode the guys go back in time to the beginning of Dom's love for sneakers and end with his imprint on the sneaker industry.

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Discussing Jordans, Nike SB Dunks, and Air Yeezys From Our Sneaker of the Year Book

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 09:00:05 GMT

Complex Sneakers Podcast hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty break down the Complex "Sneaker of the Year" book. Get your copy of the book here: https://www.complex.com/sneaker-of-the-year-the-best-since-85-book

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Marc Eckō’s Complex Sneaker History

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 09:00:43 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Marc Eckō the founder of Eckō Unlimited and Complex. He shares stories of his start at Rutgers, moments with Kanye West, and what it was like turning ComplexCon from a concept to a reality.

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Sonny Vaccaro Talks Signing Michael Jordan to Nike and Kobe Bryant to Adidas

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:25 GMT

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How Nice Kicks’ Matt Halfhill Took Over the Sneaker Internet

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to the founder of Nice Kicks, Matt Halfhill.

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Ranking Our Favorite Sneakers of 2020

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk about their personal favorite shoes of 2020 and Welty has Nike on his list.

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How Rick Williams Went From Burn Rubber to Ninja’s Sneaker Whisperer

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on Rick Williams, the co-owner of Burn Rubber. They get into the early days of the store, working with mega-gamer Ninja, and what its like to share a city with Danny Brown.

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How Frank The Butcher Played Every Role in the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Frank 'The Butcher' Rivera and together the guys talk about Frank's career, his time at Concepts and working at Reebok as the Director of Brand and Product Storytelling.

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How Nick Diamond Created the Crown Jewel of Nike SB

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Nick Diamond, the founder of Diamond Supply Co. Together the guys talk about Nick Diamonds career, his extensive sneaker collection, past Nike SB collabs and memories from ComplexCon before COVID.

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Our Wildest Sneaker Press Trip Tales

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk about their past press trips and how it connected them to their now sneaker industry network and long friendships. Welty tells us the one interview question that made Kendrick Lamar snap at him, Joe La Puma talks meeting Michael Jordan and Brendan Dunne talks watching Ben Baller fighting to get into a VIP lounge area.

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How Dallas Penn Pioneered the Sneaker Internets

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host the OG Dallas Penn. They talk his influence on the culture, being an early sneaker blogger on YouTube, and the first time he met Kid Cudi.

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How Derek Curry Built a Mini Sneaker Empire From Nothing

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host, Derek Curry, owner of the sneaker boutique, Sneaker Politics. Derek shares the story of how he became the head of an empire and the people that helped him get there. They talk about how he ended up in the army, the way he met his long time friend and mentor Deon Point, and the multiple collaborations he has had with big sneaker names like Nike, Reebok and more.

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How Stash and Nike Made Sneaker History

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host, Stash, a NY based graffiti artist, designer, and business man who collaborated with Nike to create some of the most iconic silhouettes in sneaker history. Stash will take us down memory lane on what it was like designing with Nike and how what he did opened the doors for many designer collaborations to come.

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How We Got Jobs in Sneaker Media

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys celebrate their 50th episode and talk how they ended up in Sneaker Media. Matt Welty shocks everyone with his story on dropping out of college, Joe La Puma talks his full Michael Kors outfit to his Complex interview, and Brendan Dunne talks moving across the country to a city he's never been to and knows no one in.

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How Stevie Williams Grinded His Way Through the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to skateboarder, Stevie Williams. Stevie talks his first signature sneakers, signing to Reebok, his Nike deal that fell through and the boundaries he pushed as one of the most influential skateboarders to ever live.

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Ari Forman on His Bootlegs and Lawsuit That Changed Sneaker Culture

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to Ari Forman, a graphic designer with a passion for sneakers who created an iconic bootleg design based off the Air Force 1's. Ari Forman deep dives into the history of the Ari Menthol 10s, the lawsuit that came with his design, and comments on the current sneaker industry today.

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How Nick DePaula Went From Sole Collector to the NBA’s Sneaker Guy

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys talk to NBA feature writer, Nick DePaula. They go back to his time at the University of Oregon, what it was like working at Sole Collector, and some of his memorable moments.

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How Corgishoe Became The World's Most Infamous Reseller

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host one of the oldest resellers in the game Corgishoe. Corgi shares stories about how he got into the game, how he stayed in the know, and how the sneaker market has changed since his early beginnings.

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Revealing Our Biggest Sneaker Come-Ups

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 08:06:42 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys tell stories about their biggest sneaker come-ups. Matt Welty talks finding 7 year old sneakers in a local sporting goods store, Brendan Dunne pulls out all the coupons to get the biggest discount on a pair of retro sneakers, and JLP gets a special pair of Kanye samples.

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How Wrong Did We Get the Best Sneakers of 2018?

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:00:57 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they look back at Complex’s best sneakers of 2018 list and make some revisions as to which sneakers they got right and which they got wrong—Sean Wotherspoon’s Air Max 1/97, the Nike Element React 87, the “Concord” Air Jordan 11, etc. Also, Welty explains Fat Joe’s Virgil Abloh connection, Joe gets let down on the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4, and Brendan’s F1 dreams are coming true.

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Gary Aspden Explains the Influence of Adidas

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Adidas legend, Gary Aspden. He talks about creating the Spezial, meeting Kanye for the first time, growing up in the 80s & 90s, traveling Europe at a young age, his love for Hip-Hop and more.

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Samuel Ross on A-Cold-Wall's Groundbreaking Collaborations

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Samuel Ross, one of UK's most significant fashion designers. He's worked along side Virgil Abloh on a number of projects such as Been Trill, Off-White, Kanye West, GOOD Music, and more. He then went on to found his own label, A Cold Wall*, that has since developed a cult-like following and made its way into stores like Barneys New York. Samuel Ross talks about his past experiences and how they've all lead up to his most recent work with Converse and Nike.

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Joe Grondin on Creating New Balance's Biggest Collabs

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty, and this week they have on Joe Grondin, Senior Manager of Global Collaborations & Energy at New Balance. They pull back the curtain on New Balance and discuss past and future sneaker collabs, how it all comes together, and much more.

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Debating The Sneaker Of The Summer

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys discuss the sneaker of the summer and what those qualifications are in a year where we didn't really have one...

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How Chris Gibbs' Sneaker History Inspired the Union Jordan IV

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 12:12:26 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host, Chris Gibbs, the current owner and operator of UNION Los Angeles. Chris Gibbs takes the guys back through his 25 years in the sneaker industry to his now Union Jordan IV.

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Josh Luber Addresses StockX's Wins and Losses

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Josh Luber the co-founder of the consignment shop, StockX, a hybrid of a stock market for sneakers and a user-friendly platform to buy and sell products like we've never seen before. In recent years the company received an evaluation over 1 billion dollars. Josh takes the guys through his story going all the way back to his time at IBM to present day and his belief in the future resale market for sports trading cards.

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Deon Point Tells Crazy Nike SB Release Stories, Concepts' History

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week the guys host Concepts’ Creative Director, Deon Point. He started as a store manager in Boston in 2005 and went on to help shape the shop into one of the most respected retailers in the country. After a decade of building up the Concepts Boston location he then moved on and expanded the boutique brand to New York City. He joins the podcast this week to talk about the upcoming Lacoste Collection and tells some crazy stories of past sneaker releases.

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Ben Baller Tells Unfiltered Sneaker Stories

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on the legendary jeweler Ben Baller who started his lengthy career in the music industry before becoming an early name on the streetwear scene. In this interview, Baller talks about sneaker shopping with Missy Elliott in the 90s, starting the Nike SB Dunks craze, and which sneakers he'll never wear.

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How Mache Went From Making Customs for LeBron and Jay-Z to His Own Sneaker

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on renowned sneaker customizer Dan “Mache” Gamache, who started customizing in the early 2000s and has since built a career making shoes for the biggest names in sports and music. They talk about customizing for the NFL schedule, WWE, and of course, Mache’s first sneaker, the Mache Runner Centralia.

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Jacques Slade Talks the Ins and Outs of Sneaker YouTube

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on actor, blogger, and YouTube host Jacques Slade, a footwear expert who has done everything from rapping to unboxing. They talk about going to Michael Jordan’s house, Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story, and becoming the Ryan Seacrest of sneakers.

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Debating the Best Sneakers of 2020 So Far

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they discuss the ins and outs of the ten best sneakers of 2020 so far, as decided by the Complex sneakers team.

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How John Geiger Gave Up Everything to Start His Sneaker Brand

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on sneaker and streetwear designer John Geiger who started off by designing the infamous Misplaced Checks custom Air Force 1s and has since built his own brand which has become a favorite of professional athletes and artists alike. They talk about selling everything to start his brand, jumping in the pool with Red Octobers, and one of the best gifts Joe’s ever gotten.

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Frank Cooke Reveals How Exclusive Air Jordans Are Designed

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have on sneaker designer extraordinaire Franke Cooke who has worked on projects like Nigel Sylvester air Jordan’s 1, Aleali May’s collabs, Collette Jordan 1s, Travis Scott IVs and models like the “Top 3,” and “Reverse Shattered Backboard 2.0.” They get into what its like working for Jordan Brand, the GOAT himself, and Cooke's new projects.

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How Jerry Lorenzo and Fear of God Reshaped the Sneaker Industry

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty, and this week they have the inimitable Jerry Lorenzo. They talk about his breakthrough in the Chicago fashion scene, his relationship with Nike and much, much more.

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How Joe Freshgoods Became the Voice of Chicago's Sneaker Culture

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty and this week they speak with Chicago native, Joe Freshgoods. They get into the history of streetwear & sneakers in Chicago, the numerous collabs he's part of, and why his city deserves more love.

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James Whitner Breaks Down Racism and Privilege in Sneakers

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty and this week they're joined by James Whitner, a veteran of the footwear industry, and owner of sneaker shops like Social Status, APB, Propser and Atlanta’s A Ma Maniere. They talk about the protests sweeping the nation, what the sneaker community can do to combat racism and much more.

James Whitner’s Message to the Industry: A Social Media Post Condemning Racism Isn’t Enough

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Jimmy Gorecki Responds to the Nike SB Hype

Fri, 29 May 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty and this week they're joined by Jimmy Gorecki, professional skater and co-owner of Standard Issue Tees. They get into the old and new hype of Nike SB, skating with Pharrell's ICECREAM skate team and much more.

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Marcus Jordan Tells Michael Jordan Sneaker Stories

Fri, 22 May 2020 08:00:00 GMT

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Bobby Hundreds Tells Behind-the-Scenes Sneaker & Streetwear Stories

Fri, 15 May 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they're joined by streetwear pioneer, Bobby Hundreds to talk about his latest Puma collab, why his business is doing better than ever, and much more.

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Bobbito Garcia Explains the Birth of Sneaker Culture

Fri, 08 May 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have Bobbito Garcia whose contribution to sneaker culture is undeniable. He gets into the history of the Air Force 1's, why he thinks the Jordan 1 is wack and what it was like owning the first sneaker boutique.

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DJ Greg Street Settles the Air Force 1 Debate

Fri, 01 May 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they have the legendary DJ Greg Street on to talk Air Force 1's, the heat he fishes in and much more.

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Ariel Helwani Breaks Down UFC Sneaker Deals and His Love for Nike SB

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty and this week they're joined by Ariel Helwani, ESPN journalist and broadcaster. They talk about the MMA, his love for Nike SB, and much more.

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Answering the Fans’ Best Questions

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty and this week they answer all your burning sneaker questions.

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How KITH’s Ronnie Fieg Went From Stock Boy To Mogul

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week they are joined by Ronnie Fieg, the footwear and clothing designer and owner of Kith. They get into Fieg's early years in the business, his retail philosophy, how Kith is surviving the pandemic, and much more.

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Our Wildest Sneaker Retail Stories

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. This week it gets personal as the co-hosts share their craziest stories from inside Footlocker, to chasing people outside Finish Line to meeting your sneaker idol in a record store in Idaho.

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Running Through Nike’s Air Max History

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne and Matt Welty. In honor of Air Max Day, they share their favorite Air Max stories and go through the sneaker's most important cultural moments.

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How Premium Pete Pulled the Strings in New York City's Celebrity Sneaker Scene

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the co-hosts are joined by the legendary Premium Pete - a staple in New York City's sneaker scene, and they discuss Pete's relationship with Drake, his stint in retail and early sneaker media.

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The Highs and Mids of Air Jordan's Year So Far

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 08:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, the co-hosts discuss Jordan Brand's run in 2020 so far—its women's releases, the huge Dior collaboration, Virgil Abloh's Off-White 5s, the brand's young talent—and what it means. They also reminisce with some personal Air Jordan stories from years past.

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Vashtie Explains How Her Air Jordan Collab Got Made

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty and this week they're joined by New York's Downtown Sweetheart, Vashtie Kola. They talk about her iconic Jordan collab, her rise in the New York streetwear scene, and the story behind her Drake shoutout.

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From Fakes To Full Size Run, Trinidad James' Sneaker History

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they're joined by rapper and sneaker extraordinaire, Trinidad James, to talk about his transition from buying and selling fake sneakers to "All Gold Everything" to Full Size Run and everything in between.

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How Virgil Abloh and Kanye West Took Over All-Star Weekend

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week they talk about the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Chicago and whether Kanye West and Adidas or Virgil Abloh and Jordan Brand won the event.

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Inside Nike's Biggest Night of the Year

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about the huge Nike Forum 2020 product unveiling and all the stars that were in attendance. Also, Welty breaks down his behavior at Adidas's party on the same night and the guys look forward to All-Star Weekend sneaker releases.

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Honoring Kobe Bryant's Sneaker Legacy With Russ Bengtson

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty and this week they’re joined by legendary sneaker and basketball journalist Russ Bengtson to talk about Kobe Bryant's legacy, Russ' sneaker collection and what it means to be a sneaker critic.

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How Mayor Became the Most Infamous Man in Sneakers

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty and this week they’re joined by Mayor to find out some of his wildest and most frightening sneaker stories, how he accumulated his $1.8 million collection, and how he’s been able to change over the years.

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DJ Clark Kent Shares Untold Sneaker Stories

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne, and this week they’re joined by legendary sneakerhead and producer DJ Clark Kent to talk about the genesis of his sneaker obsession, hear untold hip-hop industry sneaker stories, and why he loves the Air Force 1 so much.

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The Best and Worst Supreme x Nike Sneakers

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne, and this week they’re joined by co-worker and sneaker collector and hoarder Kevin Luyster. They talk about the history of Supreme’s Nike collaborations through the good and the bad.

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The Truth About Owning a Sneaker Store with Mike Packer

Fri, 10 Jan 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne, and this week they're joined by Packer Shoes owner Mike Packer to talk the ins and outs of running a sneaker business, the current state of sneaker retail, and to reminisce on the glory days of owning a sneaker boutique.

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How Rappers Took Over Sneakers in the Last Decade

Fri, 03 Jan 2020 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne, and this week, with the decade coming to a close, they discuss how rappers, like Kanye West and Travis Scott, and designers, such as Virgil Abloh and Jerry Lorenzo, became more important in the sneaker industry than athletes.

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The Best Sneakers of 2019

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 09:00:00 GMT

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne, and this week they argue and list the best sneakers of 2019, including Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1s, Sacai x Nike LD Waffles, Virgil Abloh x Nike Air Force 1s, and more.

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How the Air Jordan XI Became the Biggest Holiday Sneaker

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 09:00:00 GMT

On this week of The Complex Sneakers Podcast, hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne discuss the Air Jordan XI releases over the years, why it's become a staple in sneaker culture, and their personal memories of the shoe.

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The Secret History of Flight Club with Chris Vidal

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 09:00:00 GMT

On this week of The Complex Sneakers Podcast, hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne are joined by Chris Vidal. Vidal shares untold stories from behind the scenes at New York's first sneaker consignment store, Flight Club, in the early 2000s and more.

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Crowning the Best Sneaker Collaborator of the Year

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 10:00:00 GMT

On this week of The Complex Sneakers Podcast, hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne break down the year in sneaker collaborations including Sacai x Nike, Travis Scott x Jordan Brand, and much more. Plus, the hosts also reveal their sleeper picks for their favorite collabs of the year.

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Kanye West’s Billion Dollar Yeezy Empire

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 09:00:00 GMT

On this week of The Complex Sneakers Podcast, hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne unpack Kanye West's billion dollar Yeezy empire and whether or not the rapper's signature Adidas line could ever eclipse Nike's Jordan Brand.

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The Reemergence of the Nike SB Dunk

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 09:00:00 GMT

On the premiere episode of The Complex Sneakers Podcast, hosts Joe La Puma, Matt Welty and Brendan Dunne discuss the importance of Nike's SB line, why it's come back to the forefront of sneaker culture, and their personal memories of the shoe.

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The Complex Sneakers Podcast Trailer

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 18:10:32 GMT

The hosts of the Internet’s biggest sneaker shows, Sneaker Shopping and Full Size Run, come together in The Complex Sneakers Podcast. Joe La Puma, Matt Welty, and Brendan Dunne discuss the most important sneaker news and topics every week, and give their expert opinions that can only be told authentically from Complex.

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