April 16, 2021

Meet the Collector: Connor Bradley

As a part of our Thrill of the Hunt series, we launched an interactive campaign - that allows users to show off their collections. This series allows them to tell the stories behind the kicks that make their arsenal unique. Welcome to Meet the collector, your chance to show why you have the best collection.

Meet Connor Bradley - the owner of Cold Beer & Soda, and SB collector who has way too much exclusive heat. Peep below to read about what is currently in his rotation, his dream collaboration, and to check out what product he's presently feeling on our site.

WHAT STARTED YOUR LOVE FOR COLLECTING?

Since I can remember, I have been a collector of all sorts of things, so I guess the natural progression of being a collector has gotten me into sneakers.

EARLIEST SNEAKER MEMORY?

The first time I noticed sneakers was when I got my first ever issue of Slam magazine and saw all the NBA players' shoes. There was also a skate shop in the plaza around the corner from my house called Feet First when I was growing up, I remember going in there with my brothers, and they had some pretty crazy shoes.

WHAT SNEAKERS ARE IN YOUR CURRENT ROTATION?

Nike Air Force 1 Low' Silver Snake'
Air Jordan 1 Retro 'Bred' (2013)
Nike SB Dunk Low Supreme Stars Barkroot Brown
Nike Dunk High Bodega Legend Fauna Brown
Air Jordan 1 OG Hi' Neutral Grey'
Air Max 90 'Bacon'

WHEN PURCHASING A PAIR - WHAT ARE THE MAIN ATTRIBUTES THAT LET YOU KNOW IT'S AN INSTANT COP OR MUST HAVE?

I don't like my shoes to be too crazy or flashy. I tend to wear a lot of crazy colors and tie-dye so I want to have shoes that are color-blocked and flow with a complete outfit.

WHAT IS ONE PAIR THAT YOU MISSED OUT ON - THAT YOU'RE HOPING TO GET SOON?

I have been eyeing up the Off-White blazers lately. I tried hard to get them when they dropped but didn't unfortunately. And I recently fell back in love with them after seeing some random on foot photos on Instagram.

WHAT'S YOUR MOST RECENT PICK UP, AND WHAT MADE YOU COP?

Bacons!!! I love them for their history. Those have always been a pair that has been placed on a pedestal for me based on the storytelling from the original drop. I was pretty surprised that they were getting a retro and knew I needed them!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 5 PAIRS IN YOUR COLLECTION?

Nike Dunk Low Cactus Plant Flea Market Pure Platinum
Nike Dunk High Bodega Legend Fauna Brown
Air Jordan 1 Retro 'Bred' (2013)
Nike SB Dunk High 'Carpet Company'
Nike Air Force 1 Low Cactus Plant Flea Market White (2020)

IF YOU WERE A VIDEO GAME CHARACTER, AND COULD ONLY WEAR ONE FIT - WHAT WOULD THAT FIT BE? TALK ME THROUGH IT - HEAD TO TOE.

This is so tough to answer!!! I feel like it can't be anything that's too crazy if its the only fit I get to wear… but i'll go with my usual uniform:

New York Mets Fitted Hat
A Grateful Dead T
Some Ben Davis "Original Ben's" Pants
White on White Cactus Plant AF1

YOU OWN A BRAND, COLD BEER AND SODA, IS A SNEAKER COLLABORATION SOMETHING YOU HOPE FOR? IF SO, TALK ME THROUGH THE DREAM COLLABORATION.

A sneaker collab is, without a doubt, a dream for me! I would like to do something with Nike, but I would love to do a New Balance collaboration, specifically an 827. I love that shoe because it has a pretty crazy pattern and many places to add small details to make the shoe pop. New Balances are also just classic and kind of "in the cut" compared to collaborating with Jordan or Nike. I'm unsure at the moment what that might specifically look like, but I know it would have a mixture of materials and some good pops of color in it! It's not too thought out, but we have a starting point to help manifest it!

IT'S ALREADY SO HARD TO COP SNEAKERS THESE DAYS, AND YOU WEAR A SIZE 15 - ONE OF THE HARDEST SIZES TO COME ACROSS. HOW DO YOU COP YOUR SNEAKERS?

I have been blessed with some very helpful friends that know the pain I go through to get sneakers. Having a bigger-sized foot means that I have to battle it out with NBA and NFL players on StockX, paying ungodly amounts of money for shoes and dictating the market value in my size.

WHAT STYLES ARE YOU CURRENTLY FEELING ON OUR SITE? PICK 4 AND PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION AS TO WHY.

PAISLEY PRINTS CHUCK 70 HI (HABANERO RED | EGRET | RUSH)

I think these are a great piece to wear as a pop of flash to a basic outfit. Maybe with some light wash jeans and a plain or an essential graphic t layered with a cardigan or something fun.

PAS DE MER X ATMOS LUCKY CAT HOODIE (BLACK)

The first reason why I love this hoodie is that I modeled it for yall. The second reason is that it is one of the most comfortable hoodies I have ever worn in my life.

BRAIN DEAD RUNNING HEAD CORDUROY CLIMBER PANT (BLACK)

Corduroys are already super comfortable to wear. Adding that hiking style belt to these sets them off as maybe the most comfortable pants ever made. These would also be a great pair of pants to wear to any event you know you're going to eat a lot of food at.

'REAL BAD MAN' OVERSIZED SOCCER RUGBY (JUNGLE)

This top reminds me of the great Mexican Goalie Jorge Campos. He might have the best style of any sports player that isn't named Allen Iverson. He wore the most electric tops while playing, and I wish goalies today would adopt that into their kits.