Sneaker collabs used to feel special when they were fewer and farther between. Nowadays, collabs feel like GRs. Matt talks about how collabs feel stale, and how we may be able to get the magic back.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Kanye West and the Yeezy brand have made a return to the sneaker community, in the form of the Yeezy 800. To Matt, both the sneaker and the man are highly underwhelming. What say you?

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

Why are Nike and Jordan brand falling behind? It's simple. Other brands are leaning into comfort being paramount for aging sneakerheads. Couple that with great color ways and storytelling? Nike is taking a standing eight count.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

Sneaker prices have climbed over the years. So much so that buyers are sitting out releases. A listen of the show asked Matt to talk through sneaker prices and their meaning. He gets into their debut prices, how inflation skews the data, and some other factors at play.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

Follow Matt Frates on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattfratescreates

Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

With the announcement of a Nike SB Foamposite dropping in 2027, you have to ask if Nike SB has lost its way a bit. Skateboard culture and sneaker culture have been associated for decades, but this latest attempt at highlighting the former seems like it misses the mark.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

---

Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

Jordan Design Studio is the latest announcement by the brand. Focusing on eight cities around the world, and putting names like Chris Gibbs in association with this, Nike hopes to find the next great idea. On the surface it feels like a true means of connection. Is it?

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

In what feels like a thriving era for sneakers, Nike seems a bit out touch. Sure, they lead in terms of sales and money on a global level, but where are they on the streets? Where are they with the culture? Matt discusses.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

We are halfway through 2026, and sneakers are thriving. Yes you can make the argument that retros are down, resale is gone, and others. In the end, sneakers is thriving and growing for the future because of one element. People like us.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

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Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

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Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

Seth Fowler recently got some flak on X for selling a bunch of his collection. It led Matt to think about creators in the sneaker space who may be culture vultures, and the ones who, despite any financial gain, stick around for love of the game; sneakers and content. Respect to all on the content grind.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

---

Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

Follow Matt Frates on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattfratescreates

Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]

Throughout sneakers, there are debates we all have that never get resolved. After looking back at his own sneaker journey, Matt talks through three of these debates, and why they will never be resolved.

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New episodes released weekly.

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Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@firefootwearsneakers

Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrates

---

Follow Matt Frates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfratescreates/

Follow Matt Frates on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattfratescreates

Reach out to me with questions or thoughts: [email protected]