Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson

For some, collecting skateboarding or SB sneakers is nothing more than a mere hobby. However, for Chris Robinson, the SB Collector, it is something more than that. Ever since he bought his first pair of Nike shoes when he was 14, his mind has been set on being a sneakers collector. Although it all started as a hobby stemming from his love for fashion, sneaker hunting and collecting are now indispensable in his life.

Aside from purchasing more sneakers to add to his growing collection, Robinson also uses the fortune he gets from his career to help others through charities and shoe drives. For instance, he donated more than $15,000 to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation. Furthermore, he purchased a pair of What the Doernbecher Nike Dunk sneakers through an eBay charity auction, with the money benefiting Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

What Sneaker Collecting Means for Robinson

For the SB Collector, hunting for "unicorn" sneakers -- rare kicks that are either limited or special editions -- is a part of his life in more ways than one. Checking for them on websites such as eBay, StockX, and Nike has basically been drilled into his daily life.

Sneakers are more than just a fashion piece

Hunting and collecting SB sneakers are not quests that Robinson does halfheartedly, or just whenever he has the time for it. He takes his endeavors seriously. For him, sneakers are not just fashion. They are also art.

By looking at SB sneakers from that perspective, he also saw them as something that he would like to collect and share with other people. That is why in 2007, he opened Addicted Sole, his first sneaker store in Long Branch, New Jersey. Two years after shutting down the shop in 2009, he purchased another store, Branded Skate Shop. It is located in the same city, and it has maintained its standing in the industry until now.

He collects sneakers not just for money

Although he gets quite a lot of revenue from his business, he cannot emphasize enough that sneaker collecting is more than just a source of income for him. He finds happiness in getting his hands on unicorn sneakers or sample pairs that were made before the brand's official release to the public.

Sample pairs are usually different from the sneakers' official look, making them more sought after by shoe lovers and marketed at a higher price. There are even instances when the sample pair he owns can't be found anywhere else.

Collecting sneakers is his passion in life

Above all, sneaker collecting motivates him to work hard every day. For him it is both dream and reality. He never runs out of sneakers to hunt. Although he already has a vast collection of them, he still wants more.

Conclusion

Even though he has already come so far in the sneakers industry, Robinson still has more aspirations. His current goal is to purchase and customize his own Rolls Royce truck and perhaps also get his net worth to $5 million. For his long-term goals, he wants to collaborate with Nike SB and design his own shoes.