Kick Spotlight: Earl of KC Sole

For the 5th edition of Kick Spotlight we stay in my hometown of Kansas City to bring you 'Earl' of KC Sole. Earl and I met at House of Hoops one day when I was shopping. He saw I had some kicks on my feet, and he asked me if I'd heard of KC Sole. Of course I had heard of the sneaker movement in KC! Well, Earl was wearing one of my favorite models, the KD IV (he happened to be wearing the Christmas colorway), and we have been keeping tabs on each other's collection ever since. Earl's actually one who contacted me about doing my Sole of the City feature. Be sure to follow him on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with some of his "Top Takes."

Earl fronting on my sneaker wall

Profile

Name: Earl of KC Sole

Age: 24

Size: 10-10.5

Instagram: @dirtyredroshe

Twitter: @bluehatredvans

Location: Kansas City

What is the first shoe that you remember buying, or that started it all for you?

Nike Air Garnett III

Garnett 3. I was about 10 or so and it was the first shoe I copped other than a Jordan. I got the blue with the white first, and picked up the away and the black alternate T-Wolves jersey from Kid's Footlocker at Bannister. 

What's your favorite part of the sneaker culture?

Shot from a table at KC Sneakfest 13

My favorite part of the sneaker culture would have to be seeing the individuality and personality sneakers can bring out in people.

What's you leave favorite part of the sneaker culture?

My least favorite part is the overhype for sneakers, and the excessive need for attention and approval people are bringing these days 

How many shoes would you say you own?

Very small portion of Earl's kicks

I'd say roughly around 100

What's your favorite sneaker brand?

Nike and New Balances; tradition, it's the two brands that brought me into the game 

What's the hardest part of getting shoes where you live?

The lack of shops selling shoes I like or would like to add to my collection, but our skate spots been holding me down as of late 

What're your top 3 sneakers in your collection?

Nike Kobe 8 "Mambacurial"

DMP 6, Air Tech Challenge III, and Mambacurial Kobe 8s

What're the top 2 sneakers you wish you had most?

Nike Air Flightposite III Battlegrounds" Gold

Flightposite 3 Blue and Gold Battleground Editions

What's the 1 sneaker you'd like to see re-released?

Adidas Stan Smith

Stan Smith Adidas

What's the first thing you look at when you open up a new box of shoes?

First thing I'm checking for is the overall craftsmanship of the shoe..and the defects if any 

What's your favorite material on a shoe? 

Earl's Nike Air Stab

Suede (true buttery suede) used by New Balance, Saucony, and Asics

What's your most memorable campout?

Nike Air Jordan VI "Defining Moments"

My most memorable experience had to be picking up my DMP over about half of the KC Chiefs squad, I worked at Finishline and we had maybe 80 pairs but there wasn't but two stores in the city with em and maybe 5 in the entire state 

What's the next shoe that you have your eye on?

Cncpts x Nike SB Dunk High "Ugly Christmas Sweater"

I'm excited for the Ugly Xmas Sweater SB Dunk Hi's, but I would like to cop FootPatrol Sauconys, Xmas Asics Pack, and the OG Puma Disc joints 

Shoutouts?

Shoutout to anybody that supports positivity and good vibes..my KC Sole fam Juice, T-Papi, BossLady, JD, B Got It, DQ, Aaron, Darrien, Damon, all the pretty ladies out there that rock sneakers or support their man in this journey, OG Joe, my HoH fam, Relaced, MADE MOBB, FAKE Neb, Justin the Legend, anybody that came and supported or was part of Sneakfest 13 and just anybody that believed I us. Oh and of course my gee FunkMasterKicks and the dope movement he is pushing! 

Any parting words?

Definitely want to thank you for considering me to be chosen for the spotlight and let's make SneakFest 14 epic!! It's beautiful to see KC growing together and pushing positivity no matter the cause.