Sneaker peeks
People call them trainers, joggers, runners, gym shoes, kicks or sneakers. Whatever the name, they have evolved from being sporting apparel to become fashion statements and quintessential streetwear.
Avid collectors, known as 'sneakerheads' - who are as passionate as wine or car connoisseurs - are forever hunting for drool-worthy trainers: styles most mainstream consumers are oblivious to. Their search for trophy shoes often takes them to specialist stores around the world and onto the internet.
In the past two years, the Web browsers of knowledgeable aficionados have often been directed to Hong Kong-based kix-files.com - which has become to cyberspace what Sneaker Street in Mong Kok is to the physical world.
What started as a kicks-enthusiasts' blog in 2003, then became a small online shop in 2005, has steadily grown into one of the top stores on the Web for hard-to-find special-edition and exclusive regional releases by major sport-shoe brands.
Sourcing from authorised dealers in Hong Kong, Japan and elsewhere, there are plenty of collectables to be found on the site. Examples include the Air Jordan Spiz'ike Cool Grey (left), the Nike Dunk High Pharrell (below), custom New Balance CM576 by artists SBTG and Methamphibian, the adidas Consortium Star Wars Superstar (bottom) and the Reebok Pump Omni Lite Revolver.
Although overseas customers account for 99 per cent of the site's business, local buyers get an opportunity to swap kicks-hunting stories in person with kix-files.com's sneakerheads, including co-founder Michael Huang.
It's not unusual to find Huang, clutching a bag filled with the shoes he hand delivers, chatting at length with a customer at an MTR station. He's happy to share the latest news and trends, and will even point the way to regular stores carrying cool new trainers. Now that's service with a kick.
