Custom sneakers are popular right now, arguably more than they have ever been. While there are still some who trivialize its place in sneaker culture, most people would agree that, when done well, custom kicks are works of art and often better than what's on the shelves. Many hours are spent prepping, painting, sewing, and gluing leather, suede, and rubber so that someone can wear (or collect) a pair that they know they won't see in someone else's stacks. Even a limited run of 10 is better than being one out of thousands. And for those who don't care about the exclusivity, having something made especially for you still feels better than being an average consumer. While there has been a flood of so-called "customizers" in the past couple years, all are not created equal. Lots of generic paint-by-numbers customs make it onto sneaker blogs and Instagram. The formulas of airbrush plus stencil plus shoe, or paintbrush plus sneaker plus colorflip equals success are played out, and those people don't last long;
however, those who study the history and are passionate about custom culture live on. To assist in the shift away from the posers and towards the true artists, here is a list (not all-inclusive and in no particular order) of 20 Sneaker Customizers You Need to Know. for the assist on this one. RELATED: The 50 Best Custom Sneakers of All Time RELATED: The 50 Worst Custom Sneakers Of All Time RELATED: A Step-By-Step Guide to Sneaker Customization by Mache RELATED: Green Label - 15 Items to Keep Your Sneakers Looking Fresh J.I.D's Red Clay RealitySnoop Dogg Joins BadBadNotGood, Kaytranada in Clown-Filled "Lavender" VideoBeyoncé Surprises an L.A. Dance Troupe and They Lose ItEd Sheeran's '÷' Leads Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Debut of 2017Watch Nicki Minaj Join Drake on the Boy Meets World TourThe Rumored Supreme x Lacoste Collaboration Is Really HappeningInterview: Allen Iverson Didn't Get an NBA Jersey Until He Was in the NBAAfter Beating Depression, Emerging British Teen Model Uses Social Media to Discuss Societal IssuesHere's What It Was Like To Be At Rihanna's Biggest Fashion Show YetLivestream Rihanna's Fenty Puma Fashion Show in ParisMichelle Obama Gives 'Black-ish' Star Yara Shahidi's College Career a Boost in a Major Way'Breaking Bad' Is Now a 2-Hour Movie After Fans Spent Years Recutting Entire SeriesPROMO: TNT Transforms SXSW into a SoCal Beach
, 'Animal Kingdom' StyleCatching Up With the Stars of TNT’s ‘Animal Kingdom’ at Their SXSW ActivationKim Kardashian Sobs as She Tells Sisters About Paris Robbery: 'I Saw the Gun'Video Shows Ezekiel Elliott Exposing Woman's Breast During St. Patrick's Day ParadeDerrick Rose Praises Chance the Rapper for Making a Difference in ChicagoJoel Embiid Shoots His Shot at Rihanna Again: 'I Love You'Charles Barkley Rips Donald Trump for Not Filling Out NCAA Tournament BracketLakers General Manager Rob Pelinka Reportedly Spoke to Kobe Bryant About Helping the TeamYou Missed a Totally Random 'Turtle Dove' Yeezy Restock TodayRumor: 'Black Cat' and 'Katrina' Air Jordan 3s Releasing in 2017Introducing the Nike Hyperdunk 2017The Nike Air Zoom Talaria Is Ready for the SummerAn Understated Adidas NMD in Khaki BrownKellyanne Conway Explains Spying Microwave Claim by Confirming She's 'Not Inspector Gadget'This Bugatti 'Super Yacht' Might Be the Most Baller Sh*t EverVideo of California Cop Beating Man and Pulling Gun Now Under InvestigationWatch This Teacher Rap About the
Civil War Over Migos' "Bad and Boujee"Republican Congressman Blasted for Tweet That Appears to Support White NationalismStay plugged in to all the latest sneaker drops by following along with these 20 sneakerhead Instagram accounts. While many of the most recognized sneaker collectors and sneakerheads are still of note – not limited to OGs like Mayor, DJ Clark Kent and Fat Joe – a new generation of younger sneakerheads is using Instagram to flex their kicks harder than ever before. In our list of the best 20 sneakerhead Instagram accounts, you’ll find insights into some of the most exciting retailers and brands, looks from the industry’s top bloggers, and that dose of #sneakerporn we all need from time to time. Check them out below and find out who you should be following during New York Fashion Week. New Balance aficionado Robert “Glasgow Rob” Stewart owns a larger archive of vintage models than New Balance itself. Rob recently held a New Balance retrospective at the Glasgow sneaker event Solebloc, where hundreds of new and old models were on display.
Also make sure to follow along with Rob via his other account, @newbalancegallery. Female sneaker blogger and influencer Jessica Gavigan aka JuiceGee is often called on by brands like PUMA and others to assist in seasonal campaigns. Gavigan also runs Small Feet Big Kicks, a blog and retail resource offering smaller sizes for girls. To see what’s currently on her feet, peep Jess’s Sneaker Rotation. Dominic Chambrone – better known as The Shoe Surgeon – has an affinity for slicing and dicing rare kicks, which has garnered him a considerable following on Instagram. Based in Los Angeles, the sneaker customizer also entertains bespoke orders from clients, if you’ve got the dough to spare. Make all your wildest sneaker dreams come true here. Assistant designer at Ronnie Fieg’s KITH, Victor’s job puts him in close proximity with some of the hottest and most covetable sneaker releases. Victor’s feed also provides a nice sneak-peek inside the KITH world. Community manager at UK sneaker retailer size?, Luke’s feed is dripping with limited creps, as you might expect.
Check out our Sneaker Rotation segment for a better idea of what Luke has been rocking. Heading up digital marketing for Jordan Brand, you can always rely on Dany Nunez to share the latest and greatest Jumpman kicks on his ‘gram, including other behind-the-scenes snaps and developments from Jordan, as well as pictures of Danny dapping MJ himself. Ugly Mely runs her own blog based out of Paris, which surveys sneaker culture and showcases the latest joints from all your favorite brands. Check it out here. Co-founder of Freshnessmag and various other streetwear-centric online publications including Sneaker News, Celeb Kicks, and Jordans Daily, OG sneakerhead Yu-Ming Wu keeps his feed nicely curated and packed with exclusive gems. Dennis Todisco is the founder of viral hashtag-turned streetwear Instagram account Outfit Grid and currently occupies the community manager role in San Francisco at Niche. Hit him up with a follow, if you haven’t already. This Filipino sneakerhead and member of Team Streetwear Philippines adheres to a policy of ultra-clean photography for his Instagram feed, focusing on streetwear and sneaker culture.
Selma mixes travel photography from Tunisia to Florence with gratuitous sneaker porn, and it’s no secret this Instagrammer is a fan of the Swoosh and A Bathing Ape. Germany’s best known sneakerhead and longstanding member of #teamearly, Sneaker Bob’s identity remains anonymous, despite being a high profile sneaker personality on Instagram. If you know, you know. Sneaker community Team Cozy – run by @bludshot and @takubeats – took the Instagram sneaker landscape by storm with a focus on well-curated sneaker photography. Not only will you find snaps of the latest drops, but Team Cozy maintains a high aesthetic level. Stay tuned for big news from the Team Cozy team in the future. This founder of Australian retailer Highs and Lows includes a heavy dose of bulldog photography alongside tons of rare kicks. Check out this recent sneaker collaboration between Highs and Lows and Reebok on an LX 8500. Manager of Chicago’s RSVP Gallery, Isimeme “Easy” Otabor is often on the road with Travi$ Scott, and keeps his Instagram updated with sneakers that most of us will never be able to cop.
The Hundreds’ resident sneakerhead Jon Hundreds is clearly partial to vintage Nikes and Jordans, and his collection is rumored to be more than 2,000 pairs strong, floor to roof. Catch his sneaker reviews over on The Hundreds’ blog. Michael is a former A Bathing Ape employee now working for Jack Threads, who stays rocking heat from NikeLab, adidas Originals and all the big players. Dylan’s feed is an archive of vintage kicks, while he also revives select models, breathing new life into some of the rarest OG Jordan and Nike models. After some tender loving from Dylan, even the yellowest, most cracked sole will be court-ready. This Canadian sneakerhead and self-identifying Winnipeg Jets fan is a part-time member of the KITH set, while also working for Shopify. Dude gets a few kicks in the mail now and then. Let’s put it that way. Sneaker blogger Runner Wally is one of the most reliable sneaker resources on Instagram, keeping tabs on all the buzzing releases and providing top-notch original visuals to go along with each shoe.