The Nike x Supreme Air Foamposite is a reminder that sneaker culture is no longer the small, incubated society it once was. Fortunately, police officers on both coasts had the foresight to clear customers camping out at the boutique’s New York City and Los Angeles retail locations before things got ugly, but we know that hasn’t been the case during past releases.
That said, we’ve revisited a list of instances showing Hypebeast suck the air out of what used to be a casual purchase with their incessant need for kicks. Some occasions, of course, are milder than others, while others became violent or murderous even.
Watch for the consistent nonsense that happens each December and with random big shoe releases in the gallery after the jump. Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Photo: Instagram
Nike Dunk SB Dunk “Pigeon” (2005)
Though much milder than the present day madness that ensues, the rowdy crowd of 100 people at Reed Space in New York City’s Lower East Side were threatening enough to make news.
Air Jordan XI Retro “Space Jam” (2009)
Absolute f**kery is promised with each December Air Jordan XI release. The door was literally ripped off the hinges at an Atlanta Footlocker by a group of raging customers-to-be who couldn’t wait get their hands on a pair of the film-themed sneaker.
Air Jordan 11 Retro “Cool Grey” (2010)
“People got pushed down the stairs. I saw it,” said an eyewitness at Deerbrook Mall in Humble, Tex. on December 23, 2010. That’s the day Jordan Brand released the first retro of the Air Jordan XI “Cool Grey.” Yes, the nonsense affects small cities as well.
Air Jordan 11 Retro “Concord” (2011)
The utter struggle of hearing a grown man say, “Don’t spray, bro,” to a cop with pepper spray in tow is saddening. And that’s without mentioning that a pair of Air Jordans are the root of the issue.
Nike Air Foamposite “Galaxy” “2012”
Before the outer space-inspired version of Penny Hardaway’s grandest sneaker skyrocketed to astronomical prices, it incited a riot at this Florida mall.
Atlanta’s Wish boutique was a murder scene June 22, 2013, when a man was shot and killed after attempting to rob customers in line waiting for the limited edition LeBrons.
Air Jordan 11 Retro “Gamma Blue” (2013)
A Bronx Footlocker was the locale of an epic scuffle that went down because of the latest Air Jordan XI release. It’s clear that this is a December tradition.
Nike x Supreme Air Foamposite (2014)
Taking heed of history, police deaded the scene at Supreme’s New York City and Los Angeles locations before things got ugly. Cudos to their foresight. The crowd prior to the mass evacuation was swarming, though.
