Muhammad Sidik Vasni/Shutterstock
Whether you're buying your second or 20th pair of sneakers, it's important to know what you're spending your money on.
Michael Portone, the founder of Chicago-based shoe business Endless Supply, says sneakers are like stocks. Just as the stock market has peaks and valleys, the sneaker industry uses the laws of supply and demand to determine a shoe's value. That also means designs, colorways, and brands are always coming in and out of style.
Business Insider spoke with three sneaker enthusiasts — also called "sneakerheads" — about which pairs they think are worth investing in and what styles they'd skip right now.
Here's what they said.
monicalo/Shutterstock
Portone, who has 14 years of experience in the sneaker industry, told BI that there's been a recent resurgence in running shoes, especially from Asics. Based on past and current trends, he sees the brand as a good investment.
If you want something unique that still has staying power, collaboration lines like GD x Asics are a good place to start.
"Collaboration is really key in today's day and age," Roberto Ansani, a manager at one of Portone's Endless Supply locations who's been in the sneakerhead community for 12 years, said.
However, if you're all about the classics, he said the brand's Gel-Kayano and Gel 1130 lines are rising in popularity — particularly because they have aesthetic similarities to Balenciaga's sneaker but for a far lower price.
LUCKY4UU/Shutterstock
New Balance has been around since the early 20th century and is a staple in many sneakerheads' closets.
Although it's probably best known for its "dad shoes," the brand has successfully made a name for itself in the modern sneaker game largely thanks to collaborations, like its JJJJound line.
"We're just seeing the demand go up," Ansani told BI.
He named 9060 and 2002r as some of the most high-demand models in New Balance's arsenal.
Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
Kevin Woods, who founded the curated Chicago vintage shop The Pop Up with his wife in 2019, has been invested in sneakers since his adolescence in the 1980s.
If you're looking for a more affordable (under $100) sneaker that pairs well with items across your wardrobe, he recommends Reebok's Club C design.
"That's a shoe where I don't have to baby it," Woods told BI. "I can wear it and wear it and wear it, and then once they get messed up, I can get another pair of C's."
Saucony's runners aesthetic attracts a wide base of shoppers.
"Certain brands have really leaned into comfort and stability — things that shoes are meant to do anyway," Woods said of the classic brand.
The sneakerhead highlighted the Starcow X Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 as particularly valuable. The mustard-color sneaker has a retro vibe with all the modern comforts of a running shoe.
If you're looking for a similar style outside of the collab, try the original ProGrid Omni 9, which has the same silhouette in different colorways.
Christophe Decaix/Shutterstock
It's hard to ignore Supreme when discussing trends worth investing in. The streetwear brand has become famous for its exclusive releases, minimalist aesthetic, and frequent collaborations, which attract a wide audience of customers.
Ansani said the Supreme Air Force 1 collab is consistently popular, even when the supply of it is high.
The sleek, black design makes them well-suited for a "going out" sneaker — if you're not looking to keep them in pristine condition for your at-home display.
Ansani told BI that some high-end brands are falling behind when it comes to updating their models.
"Certain designer brands are sticking to their heritage too much," he said. "It's them being stuck in their ways and unable to adapt with the market."
One of the best examples may be America's Cup by Prada. The sneaker was once well-loved, but it no longer holds that same value in today's market — especially with its original price hovering close to $1,000 a pair.
This follows the broader theme in the fashion world of high-end brands losing out to the "quiet luxury" aesthetic. Consumers just aren't looking for shoes that scream their price tags with flashy logos and easy-to-spot designs.
phil_berry/Shutterstock
Low-top Nike Dunks brought a new aesthetic to the sneaker world in the 1980s. The brand gave its skateboarding clientele — who had been chopping off the top of the brand's Jordan sneakers — exactly what they wanted.
Although Portone said the shoe had been trendy for a few recent years, Nike responded by mass-producing it in almost every color.
Unfortunately, that high supply with a dwindling demand quickly tanked the sneaker.
