The sneaker resale empire has stumbled. In this episode, we unpack why once-hyped collectible sneakers—the kind that sparked bidding frenzies and eye-watering markups—are now languishing at discounts. The COVID-era surge in casual footwear collecting has faded, brands have flooded the market with restocks, and ultra-realistic counterfeits have eroded confidence and value. But the biggest shift is cultural: buyers are ditching chunky lifestyle shoes in favor of performance sneakers, loafers, and boots. Today, only the rarest grails — think game-worn signatures from legends who’ve passed—can command sky-high prices. Has the golden age of sneaker flipping finally ended?

https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/04/03/sneakernomics-and-the-surprising-future-of-sneakers