The sneaker resale market has crashed hard in early 2026, sparking talk of the end of the sneakerhead hype era. Brands like Nike flooded the market with too many “limited” releases, killing scarcity and causing resale prices to plummet—pairs that once flipped for 100-200% premiums now sell near or below retail, like 2023 Jordan 1s dropping to $200-300 from $500+. Inflation, tariffs raising costs, and Gen Z shifting to fresh styles have worsened the slump, leaving resellers stuck with unsold stock and forcing many sneaker shops to close. Platforms like StockX highlight the change: hype Jordans are out, while affordable runners from ASICS and Salomon are surging. Nike itself faces sales declines, especially in China. The overall sneaker industry remains big and growing, but the speculative bubble has burst, returning focus to wearing shoes over quick profits.
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