Yo guys! It’s been a while, But I’m back at it! After the first edition of TSWM, shot by Mandy back when I launched the new website, shit got a little busy and Mandy didn’t have time to shoot TSWM any longer. Also, finding out that working full time and wanting to add lots of new items to the blog on a monthly base is quite a struggle.
BUT; I found a new photographer and I’m scheduling some TSWM interviews together with Jordy soon!
Today I’m presenting to you; TSWM number 2! the person I’m talking sneakers with is widely known vintage collector and seller Rod Runners. We spent pretty much the entire day talking about pretty much everything sneaker-related. From vintage to retro, from Tommy Hilfiger to the Nike Air Craft.
For this occasion my mister shot the pictures. And I think he did a pretty damn good job.
The location Rod picked is the store from a friend of his called ‘Hit & Run’. It’s a Vintage design shop with lots of cool stuff! Whenever you’re in The Hague make sure you visit Vinz at Hit & Run, Weimarstraat 344. He serves great coffee as well!
Let’s get started;
Tell me something about yourself?
I’m Rod Runners and I live in The Hague, Holland.
At the moment I’m trying to downsize my collection a little, I want it to be a maximum of 60 pairs. My collection only consists of vintage. Im wearing all my pairs and my size is US10-11. My job is in sales as well and right now I’m working on some new projects to come.
Which shoe got it all started?
Let me think, one of the first things I remember about sneakers is the late 80’s. I used to play ball on my Converse Weapons in the Lakers colorways.
My teammate always rocked the latest Jordan his dad brought him from the states. I envied him for this. The pair that made the most impact on me was the white Jordan V. This icon of a shoe was basicly the pair that got it all started for me. Years later I traded a AM1 Atmos for an Air Span with Heiko and I duck deep into the vintage game and never came out.
Is the sneaker scene different nowadays if you compare it to back in the days? (and why is that)
Well right now it’s all about collabs. Every single week a new one. It kills the magic in my opinion. Its all about hype, not really about the look or build of the shoe anymore. Take the pink hyperstrike Kid Robot AM1 for example. A shoe that would end up in the sales racks if it was a GR. Of course there are a few people who like a pink pair, but 90% loves them because it’s a Hyperstrike. And when I see people drooling about how beautiful this pair is I just have to laugh. It’s very sad in my opinion. Nowadays it’s like: “Im buying all the AM1 collabs and Ronnie Fiegs and Im a sneakerhead” Surfing on Facebook and watching the same hype pairs get posted over and over again each day.
Back in the days it was more like “well thats a super cool looking pair. I want to wear it.” Of course with the likes of Jordan and other stars one shoe became more popular than others but it was not so extreme back then. What I really love is when people create and wear their own style. I think that’s a big reason I love vintage clothing and kicks. Just one of a kind items you can’t find in the mainstream stores anymore. I just love it.
I think I’m still stuck in the 90’s, haha!
What do you think about the female sneaker scene?
Obviously the whole female sneakerscene gets bigger and bigger. Also on the vintage niche side. Not too long ago there was little to no demand for a cool vintage pair. Nowadays you see more and more girls who are just fed up with the flyknits, am1’s or superstars like everyone else has and trying to find themselves some cool OG’s like the Nike Air Icarus to rock. On Instagram I see questions like “Woo where did you get those, crazy pair”. When they are told its a pair from 20 years ago they are stunned. Now that’s a cool thing.
What are your favorite sneakers for women?
Well that’s hard to say. Depends on the women as well. But most models I like are from the late 80’s early 90’s. Nike Devlin AC, Icarus, Targets. But I also really like a good trainer or hightop on a women if rocked stylish.
How did you get into the vintage sneaker ‘business’? and why?
I started collecting vintage sneakers and at one point I had to think of a way to pay for the expensive pairs I really wanted myself. I sold a few newer models and added some vintage to the collection. From there I started buying other sizes than just my own and started reselling them. I also saw more and more women getting interested in vintage and at time vintage women pairs were still easy to get. So I just bought them and thought why these have to be so cheap. I can sell them for a good price. And so I did.
Also It’s not just sneakers, I’m really into 90’s clothing from brands such as Polo Sport RL, Tommy Hilfiger and original vintage snapbacks. I think I’m still stuck in the 90’s, haha!
But the thing with vintage sneakers is; You rarely find whole size ranges. You have to be lucky with whatever sizes you can get your hands on.
What is the craziest thing you did to get your hands on a pair of sneakers?
I never did crazy stuff to be honest sorry haha. I never camped and those things. Those newer releases just don’t interest me as much as the old stuff. When it comes to vintage I’m always falling from one thing into another. I just ask around a lot or get tips from friends. A more recent funny story is I went to a place in the south of Germany and I was told that all the “sneakerheads” around Munich have cleared this place several times already. Anyway you never know and I just walked in to see if anything was left. Well there was some “gold” just waiting to be picked up and I did. Probably no one even thought it was worth anything and they never took it. It was sold within 30 minutes for €700 to an UK collector who is now my friend by the way.
Where do you get your stock from (or is that a secret)?
Well Im not sharing any contacts in public. I find a lot of good stuff online and I have my contacts all around the world. I’m also a man of my word. This is something that gets more rare online. Besids that I’m a honest and quick buyer. I make a deal and I pay simple as that.
Nike has a big name in making fucked up retro releases. I dont know who responsible for this but they should fire him, haha
There are a lot of (re)sellers nowadays, How do people find you?
When it comes to vintage kicks I have become pretty well known. There are not so many out there. I sell most of my stuff via Instagram, Facebook or just via via. People sometimes also ask me to look out for a specific style. But the thing with vintage sneakers is. You rarely find whole size ranges. You have to be lucky with whatever sizes you can get your hands on.
Which model should be brought back as a new release in your opinion?
Nike has a big name in making fucked up retro releases. I dont know who responsible for this but they should fire him haha. Well recently they did the Nike Aloha. I have to admit that was spot on. For the future. The Nike Air Support would be awesome. So I can transplant the sole of the retro on the original pair.
How important is the story behind a shoe to you as a vintage sneaker lover? And tell one of your favorite stories?
I personally love a genuine story behind a shoe. One of my favourites ones in the one of the Nike Air Huarache which was introduced in the 1991. With the no swoosh and neoprene sock in it. I was a game changer then and grew out to be an icon.
We have our differences and may not have to be best friends but we share the same passion.
What do you think about the change in quality and shape nowadays? How big is the difference compared to what it used to be?
Well there are good pairs made these days but you talking about a high retail price. For most models the shape and quality were definitely better back in the days. Right now I see Nike releasing “banana’s” for €140 a pair, but they’re flying off the shelves. Well who can blame Nike.
Do you have a holy grail, a pair you hope to have in your possession one day?
There is this mystery pair. It’s the Nike Air Base 2 in the ACG colorway or the one in with neon yellow. I have only seen a couple in smaller sizes. No one actually knows if they were even made in bigger sizes. Probably they were some Asian exclusives back in the day.
Is there anyone who you look up to (sneakercollector-wise)?
I wouldn’t call it look up to. I would say I have respect for many guys out there with a nice build up OG collections and they time and effort they have put into their collections what it is now. To name a few Tiago, Overkill Marc, Cool Modie, Zbona, Neiko, Driss, Clyde Vellacot, Bluntchy, Mallory, Sneakerqueen, Quote, Alozer, Karl and many more. We have our differences and may not have to best friends but we share the same passion.
Rod Runners Faves
City The Hague | New York | Berlin | Bali
TV The Vikings | Game Of Thrones.
Guilty pleasure the famous 90’s dance hits like cappella, twenty 4 seven etc
Food Indonesian | Japanese
Stores Overkill Berlin | Asphaltgold | Foodt
Be sure to follow:
Instagram: @zoozoostore @heygirlsvintage (only womens vintage kicks & items)
Facebook: Zoo Zoo Vintage, Hey Girls Vintage
