Clicks for Kicks

Foot Locker launches Sneakerpedia to satisfy sneaker addicts' fixtion.

THE MAKING OF what's to be the world's largest digital sneaker archive is now underway. Powered by Foot Locker, Sneakerpedia sprung into beta mode on Dec. 8, supplying the most fanatic sneaker lovers with an ever-growing database to search all things sneaker related as well as a forum to upload images of their personal favorites and tell the respective epic stories-like how long the wait in line was-behind those coveted purchases.

A limited number of registration codes were doled out to bloggers, collectors and enthusiasts around the world, with the idea that these individuals will initially populate the site with a sizeable number of kicks-ology and lore. When the site goes live this month, Sneakerpedia will open to fans everywhere. Sneakerheads just need to register an e-mail address and log in to start making entries. After that, the simple search engine makes it a cinch for users to look up everything from rare limited-editions to celebrity affi liations to iconic kicks through the years. Users (registered or unregistered) can search by brand, style name, materials, linings, colorways and even the stitching detail on the toe. Like Internet information source Wiki-pedia, the information entered will be continually updated and build exponentially.

A launch party was held in the heart of London's East End at the Queen of Hoxton to celebrate the debut of what sneaker experts are calling the most comprehensive sneaker library on the planet. Two members of sneaker culture royalty, DJs Bobbito Garcia and Clark Kent, were in attendance. They took turns spinning tunes before the exclusive gathering of bloggers, esteemed collectors and a few lucky fanatics in attendance. "Sneakerpedia is going to be madness!" Garcia says. "I love the idea that anyone can participate, from serious collectors to casual wearers to legendary designers to fi tness junkies."

As for the expected passionate debate from purists as to whether Sneakerpedia is really some Big Brother-esque plot by the world's largest sneaker retailer to capture e-mail addresses and turn the site into a vast money-grabbing sneaker mall, well, we'll just leave that up to the multitudes of sneaker bloggers and their legions of fans to discuss. But for the conspiracy theorists out there, Foot Locker was unavailable to offi cially comment on the launch of Sneakerpedia. -Meagan Walker

[Sidebar]

Polaroid shots of guests' shoes at the website's launch party.

DJ Clark Kent (left) and Bobbito Garcia get the party started.