Featured Collector: @MercurialKicks

Give us a little background on yourself, where are you from, what you do for work or fun, and how did you get into sneaker collecting?

Hi, my name is Jake. I’m from Melbourne, Australia, and I currently work as a qualified plumber. I’ve always had a bit of an addictive personality, which has shaped a lot of my interests over the years.

My passion for sneakers actually started through basketball, a sport I began playing when I was around 12 or 13 years old. Like most kids getting into the game, I was drawn to the culture around it—the players, the style, and especially the shoes.

Once I got my first pair of proper basketball shoes, that was it for me. I was completely hooked. What started as just wanting a good pair to play in quickly turned into a genuine interest in sneakers—the designs, the different releases, and the stories behind them. From that point on, collecting sneakers became something I was really passionate about.

Very similar to how I felt! How would you describe your collecting style?

I’d describe my sneaker collecting style as heavily basketball-inspired, with a real love for the OGs. I’m especially drawn to the history behind the classic pairs—the stories, the

moments in basketball culture, and the impact certain shoes had on the game. At the same time, I also appreciate the performance side of things and enjoy seeing how new models evolve with modern technology and design.

What’s the most important sneaker to you in your collection?

The most important sneaker in my collection would have to be the Kobe 5 Protro “Chaos.” It was the last pair of Kobes I bought before he unfortunately passed away. Kobe was one of my biggest idols growing up, so losing a hero like that was incredibly devastating. That pair means a lot to me, not just as a sneaker, but as a reminder of the impact he had on me and so many others through basketball.

What was your most challenging pickup and why?

Definitely the Travis Scott 6 “Olives.” I remember being at a friend’s house on release day with about five phones and three laptops out, trying every possible way to cop a pair. Like most hyped releases, it was absolute chaos and I had no luck. The prices never really dropped afterwards, so for a long time I honestly didn’t think I’d

ever own a pair. Thankfully, I was eventually able to get my hands on them thanks to the amazing people over at StockX.

Are you more a collector or investor?

Definitely a collector. Looking at sneakers purely as an investment honestly takes the fun out of it for me. For that reason, I always try to keep sneaker collecting as a hobby first and foremost—something I genuinely enjoy rather than something focused on profit.

How do you usually find your best wins?

I’ve been very fortunate to work with a lot of amazing brands during my time creating sneaker content. Honestly, some of the best wins have come through opportunities with brands like StockX, who have blessed me with pairs I never thought I’d actually have in my collection.

That's nice to have earned those connections. What sneaker or trend do you think is being slept on right now?

Being down in Australia, I’d definitely say the Jordan trend. It’s actually been pretty amazing for me, because I’ve been able to cop pairs that I know a lot of fellow sneakerheads in the United States have struggled to get their hands on.

The Jordan trend had been cool here in the USA for a while, but since February some releases have seemed to invigorate the hype. What’s one sneaker you regret selling or missing out on?

Oh, easily the Jordan 4 “What The.” It was such a clean pair of 4s, and to this day I wish I never let them go. It’s definitely one of those pairs I still think about and would love to have back in the collection.

What advice would you give new collectors today?

My advice would be to buy what you like and not worry too much about what others think. Don’t ever feel like you have to listen to a sneaker content creator about what you should or shouldn’t buy. At the end of the day, we’re no better than anyone else, so our opinions shouldn’t matter more than yours. Just cop what you like and build a collection that reflects your own taste.

What pair are you actively hunting right now?

Right now, I’m most excited about the True Blue 3s dropping later this year. They’re a pair I’ve wanted to add to my collection for the longest time, and I can’t wait to finally get my hands on them.

I'm really excited for the True Blue 3s as well. Thanks for the interview!

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