Best Authentic Sneaker Talk Podcasts (2026)

1
An Authentic Look at My 2025 21:37

Play Pause

4h ago21:37

21:37

The end of 2025 is here, and while it was a great one for sneakers and the community, it was not the greatest year for Matt personally. Matt dives in a little to the uncertainty of the early part of his year, and how that was reframed to a new direction for 2026, and beyond. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfrat…

1
My Favorite Sneakers of 2025 20:18

1d ago20:18

20:18

Sneaker of the Year is always talked about this time of year. Really, it should just be what sneakers are your favorite, because what you like is all that matters. Matt gives his favorites of 2025. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.com/firefo…

1
Jeff Staple Makes Headlines (the bad kind) 19:22

9d ago19:22

19:22

Jeff Staple is a renowned figure in sneaker lore. His work speaks for itself. Recently he stirred up quite a controversy by making a pair of pigeon SB Dunks available for one lucky sneaker lover. Except this pair was fake. Matt chimes in. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help th…

1
Is Sneaker Culture Bored, or Spoiled? 16:44

16d ago16:44

16:44

As the sneaker year ends, not only do we debate whether 2025 is a great sneaker year, but Nike announces the new SNKRS Code program. Matt talks about who this program is for, and whether companies are trying to get sneaker culture outside, because boredom has set in with sneakers. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ma…

1
Steph Curry Leaves Under Armor: What's Next? 16:33

1M ago16:33

16:33

Big news broke that Steph Curry and Under Armor had ended their long-standing partnership. Speculation is running wild as to where Steph will end up. There is a brand out there that excites Matt more than others. Wherever he ends up, his legacy will be defined by long into retirement. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com…

1
Get Inspired! 16:46

2M ago16:46

16:46

Matt uses the Bull Airs "The Scarecrow" shoe, and the processing of video making with it, as a means of inspiration recently. Even in the darkest of times, the smallest of things can light that fire of inspiration. Go out and get it. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this co…

1
FTK? - Talking Doernbecher Freestyle Criticism 14:30

2M ago14:30

14:30

Every year the Doernbecher Freestyle Series is unveiled as a vessel to raise money for a children's hospital. As sneakers have grown over the the years, so has the negative criticism of the shoes within the series. Matt talks about showing a bit more grace with these. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreat…

1
Salehe Bembury: Betting on Himself 17:22

3M ago17:22

17:22

Salehe Bembury has established himself, for better or worse, with his own style in sneakers. Whether it be his work with Crocs or New Balance, his work is recognizable. Recently it was leaked of his turning down an offer to work with Nike and people were confused. In the end, betting on yourself is risky, but may be the most rewarding. Matt talks t…

1
Cool Kicks (and other topics) 30:44

3M ago30:44

30:44

After a three week break from sneaker content, Matt is back to catch up on the topics that were over the last month or. From his opinions on the Cool Kicks scandal, to Tom Sachs and the concept of a sneaker participation award, it was good to be back with you all again. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescre…

1
Why Sneaker Packaging Still Matters (Even If You Don’t Wear It) 22:24

3M ago22:24

22:24

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! The first thing you touch isn’t the shoe—it’s the box—and that moment can change everything. We dive into why packaging still matters for sneakerheads, content creators, and anyone who loves the ritual of a fresh unboxing, then break down what holds up after the hype. From classi…

1
We Sound Crazy To Non-Sneakerheads And That's Okay 30:14

3M ago30:14

30:14

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! What makes someone willingly schedule their entire day around the mere possibility of spending hundreds of dollars on shoes? Why would anyone tape the inside of their jeans or double up on socks just for sneakers? Welcome to the strange and passionate world of sneaker culture, wh…

1
Being a Sneaker Dad 16:39

3M ago16:39

16:39

Creative ruts happen for all creators. At times we get burned out and need new inspiration. As Matt was struggling in what to talk about in coming back to Fire Footwear, inspiration came in a small form: his son. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://k…

1
Awake NY Accountability (& more) 21:30

4M ago21:30

21:30

Sneaker pre-orders and scamming in the sneaker community. These two stories dominated last week in the game. Matt talks through both and drives home a firm message: accountability and transparency are key. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.co…

1
757 Forgotten: The Irony of Pharrell's Virginia Shoe 16:43

4M ago16:43

16:43

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! A Virginia-branded shoe that completely bypassed Virginia? That's exactly what happened with Pharrell Williams' latest Adidas collaboration, the Jellyfish, and locals aren't happy about it. When Skateboard P revealed his chunky new silhouette with "Virginia" proudly emblazoned on…

1
Embrace Your Life 15:31

4M ago15:31

15:31

As the fourth anniversary of his mom's passing comes, Matt has been thinking about life changes over that time. The growth of self and embracing of passions has filled him with perspective and continued yearning for more. Life is short and we should embrace it as much as we can. Are you? --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.…

1
Forgotten Gems: The Sneakers That Defined the 2010s 30:21

5M ago30:21

30:21

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Remember when scoring a pair of KD4s felt like winning the lottery? When Roshis and ZX Flux dominated every sneaker rotation? The early 2010s represented a cultural moment in sneaker history that's rapidly fading from memory, leaving behind silhouettes that once defined streetwea…

1
The Undefeated Jordan 4 15:44

5M ago15:44

15:44

Nike and Undefeated released the most coveted grail in all of sneakers with their mass release of the Undefeated Jordan 4. By most measures, the release was a massive success. There has been chatter about delayed shipping, and it begs the question "is sneaker culture spoiled?". Matt gives his take. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://w…

1
Are You Collecting Kicks or Collecting Likes? 26:48

5M ago26:48

26:48

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! "If no one could see your kicks, would you still buy them?" This provocative question opens a window into the psychology behind our sneaker purchases and forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth about modern sneaker culture. The First Wear Podcast dives deep into the dual mot…

1
Toronto Sneaker Culture (with Trev from In Kix We Trust) 1:13:10

5M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Trev, one fifth of the In Kix We Trust podcast team, joins Matt to discuss his life in sneakers and beyond. They talk about sneakers in Toronto, the emergence of runners, and all the sneaker releases we have now. Trev has a lot to provide the culture, and this chat helps shine some light on his contributions. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube…

1
Sneaker Fatigue: When Did Drops Stop Feeling Special? 31:53

5M ago31:53

31:53

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Remember when a sneaker release felt like an event? When you'd mark your calendar, plan your day around it, and feel that rush of anticipation as you waited in line or refreshed your browser? In this candid exploration of modern sneaker culture, we dive deep into the phenomenon o…

1
The Fake Epidemic: Replicas in Sneaker Culture 48:31

5M ago48:31

48:31

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Authenticity has always been the backbone of sneaker culture, but what happens when the line between real and fake begins to blur? In this candid exploration of the replica sneaker market, I dive headfirst into one of the most controversial topics dividing the community today. Th…

1
Diluted Sneaker History 16:39

5M ago16:39

16:39

Nike and Jordan Brand have a unique ability to tell stories with their rich history in sneakers. The frequency of releases has left Matt thinking about whether the brand is diluting their own history by leaving little room between retros. Should Nike lean more into storytelling, or has the culture changed so much that it just doesn't matter? --- Su…

1
From Campouts to Chaos: The Evolution of Sneaker Drops 29:15

6M ago29:15

29:15

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Remember when getting the latest sneakers meant camping outside stores instead of refreshing your browser? In this nostalgic yet critical look at sneaker culture's evolution, we explore how one chaotic Jordan release in 2014 transformed the entire landscape of sneaker drops forev…

1
Your Grail Is Valid: Breaking Down Sneakerhead Gatekeeping 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! What truly makes a sneaker a “grail”? As the sneaker community continues to debate this, Episode 4 of the First Wear Podcast dives into the personal meaning of sneaker grails — and challenges the gatekeeping that often surrounds them. For many sneakerheads, grails represent the u…

1
Angel Reese Gets A Signature Shoe 14:53

6M ago14:53

14:53

Angel Reese is a polarizing WNBA athlete who is making a name for herself. Her story is also seemingly tied to Caitlin Clark's, fairly or unfairly. Angel Reese recently announced her first signature sneaker with Reebok, something Caitlin Clark does not have to this point. While a notch in her belt for her legacy, the shoe design itself seems on par…

1
Who Really Created the Monster of Modern Resale Culture? 30:05

6M ago30:05

30:05

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Sneaker resell culture has taken over — but who’s really to blame? In this episode of the First Wear Podcast, we break down the history and growth of sneaker resale, how backdoor deals and price spikes impact real sneakerheads, and whether reselling is destroying or saving the sn…

1
Inside SoCal's Best Spot For Cars and Coffee - Michael Rapetti Interview 43:49

6M ago43:49

43:49

In this episode of the Cars and Kicks Show, Jacques Slade, along with Nick Engvall and Erik Valdez, dive into the intersection of sneaker culture and car enthusiasm with Michael Rapetti, the founder of The Motoring Club and Motoring Coffee, one of the coolest a community-driven coffee shop and creative space for car lovers. Michael shares the chall…

1
Who Is Matt Frates? 22:44

6M ago22:44

22:44

Fire Footwear is nearing its third birthday, and looking back on the journey to this point is essential as this podcast grows. Matt sits behind the mic reminiscing about where things started, where they are, and where he wants them to go for the future of this podcast. If you found Fire Footwear recently, this is your chance to get to know the host…

1
Retail Realities: Sneaker Store Stories & Backdoor Culture Exposed 28:57

6M ago28:57

28:57

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Think working at a sneaker store is all hookups and early pairs? Think again. In Episode 2 of First Wear Podcast, EdotREEP goes deep on the real retail experience: the chaos of big releases, shady backdoor culture, and what really happens behind the counter on drop days. 👟 You’ll…

1
Social Media Toxicity 15:55

6M ago15:55

15:55

Expounding on his initial episode about the Urban Necessities story, Matt goes into the human elements behind the aftermath. Social media is a mainstay in society and while it has its benefits, it also has many pitfalls. The Urban Necessities situation has been an example of the toxicity that social media can traffic in: taking sides, false narrati…

1
Perpetuate The Stoke With Jarod DeAnda, The Voice of Formula Drift 35:07

6M ago35:07

35:07

In this episode of the Cars and Kicks Show, hosts Jacques Slade, Nick Engvall, and Erik Valdez welcome Jarod DeAnda, the voice of Formula Drift for over 20 years. The conversation explores the intersection of cars, sneakers, and pop culture, delving into the evolution of drifting, its cultural significance, and the role of fashion in motorsports. J…

1
First Wear Origins: How Sneakers Became More Than Just Shoes 10:44

7M ago10:44

10:44

📬 Got a story or a hot take about sneakers? We want to hear from you! Welcome to First Wear — where sneaker stories actually matter. In this very first episode of the First Wear Podcast, host EdotREEP breaks down what makes your first wear moment so special — and why sneakers are way more than hype or resell prices. From stories behind your first p…