Shows / Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Step into the world of sneakers with host Matt Frates. Each week, we unravel the unique stories behind the sneakers and the culture. From iconic designs to influential figures, discover fresh perspectives and in-depth discussions on the sneakers that shape our world. If you live for sneaker talk and crave insightful takes, this is your go-to podcast. This podcast is brought to you by Matt Frates Creates, LLC This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 -…
Episodes
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
The Longevity of the New Balance 990
Rarely do things breathe in society. We are always looking to the next big thing, or just the next thing. In forty plus years, New Balance has given us only 7…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Life Update: Welcome to Matt 4.0
A major life milestone has changed the trajectory of Matt's life. He gets behind the mic to talk through how a hip surgery will change his entire future. ---…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Nike Caitlin 1 - Too Little Too Late?
On October 1st, the first Caitlin Clark signature model dropped to the masses. CC's fire has dwindled somewhat since joining the WNBA. It begs the question, is…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Kith is King?
Ronnie Fieg has worked to make Kith a premier brand in sneakers and streetwear. With consistent quality and presence, is it time to place Kith in the pantheon?…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
On Has Entered the Sneakers Chat
Nike has taken some hits lately. The latest was losing international football superstar Kylian Mbappe to emerging brand, On. This may or not be a major blow to…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Saucony Has Entered the Chat
Saucony has made its presence felt within sneaker culture over the last few years. They are capitalizing on Nike's current dip. Matt talks about why. --- New…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Nike Stock Crashes: Does It Matter?
Nike falls out of the S&P 100 for the first time in eighteen years and the Air Jordan 41 seems like a dud. Is it time to panic about Nike, or have they hit a…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
You Will Turn This Off
Another episode where we put aside sneakers as the main, and talk about life. --- New episodes released weekly. --- Subscribe to Fire Footwear on YouTube…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sneaker Collabs Are Stale
Sneaker collabs used to feel special when they were fewer and farther between. Nowadays, collabs feel like GRs. Matt talks about how collabs feel stale, and…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Yeezys are Back ... Really?
Kanye West and the Yeezy brand have made a return to the sneaker community, in the form of the Yeezy 800. To Matt, both the sneaker and the man are highly…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
In 2026, Comfort is King in Sneakers
Why are Nike and Jordan brand falling behind? It's simple. Other brands are leaning into comfort being paramount for aging sneakerheads. Couple that with great…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Are Sneaker Prices Too High?
Sneaker prices have climbed over the years. So much so that buyers are sitting out releases. A listen of the show asked Matt to talk through sneaker prices and…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Has Nike SB Lost Its Way?
With the announcement of a Nike SB Foamposite dropping in 2027, you have to ask if Nike SB has lost its way a bit. Skateboard culture and sneaker culture have…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Jordan Design Studio
Jordan Design Studio is the latest announcement by the brand. Focusing on eight cities around the world, and putting names like Chris Gibbs in association with…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Why is Nike So Disconnected?
In what feels like a thriving era for sneakers, Nike seems a bit out touch. Sure, they lead in terms of sales and money on a global level, but where are they…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sneakers are Thriving in 2026
We are halfway through 2026, and sneakers are thriving. Yes you can make the argument that retros are down, resale is gone, and others. In the end, sneakers is…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Culture Vultures in Sneakers
Seth Fowler recently got some flak on X for selling a bunch of his collection. It led Matt to think about creators in the sneaker space who may be culture…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Unresolved Debates in Sneakers
Throughout sneakers, there are debates we all have that never get resolved. After looking back at his own sneaker journey, Matt talks through three of these…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
I'm Not a Sneakerhead (and that's okay)
After seeing some creators talking through what makes someone a true sneakerhead, Matt takes a trip down memory lane thinking through ways he has changed as a…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
A New Direction for SNKRS
Nike made headlines with the firing of 90% of the staff working on the SNKRS app. This begs the question of what is next for the platform? Matt chimes in about…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
The Book of Eastbay - Interviewing Art Juedes and Rick Gering
The Eastbay catalog, for those of a certain age, was one of the most iconic pieces of media in sneaker history. Between its colorful images, consistent…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Jae Tips Goes to Nike
Jae Tips emerged on the scene with his loud and proud work with Saucony. Unmistakeble in their appearance, they took the culture by storm. Recently Jae Tips…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Changing Tastes in Sneakers
A comment on a YouTube video made Matt think about changing perspectives and tastes. As we get older, should our tastes change in our likes and dislikes?…
Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)Air Max 95: Nike's Inflection Point
After receiving his pair of the Neon Air Max 95, Matt realized he underestimated the shoe. In looking through its history and origins, Matt came to see how…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
The Nike Air Max: Stylish and Innovative
March is Air Max month for Nike. They spend time celebrating some of the best shoes in the lineage. While Matt has visited the history of the Air Max before…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Community in Sneakers is Important
Sneaker culture can sometimes be made to be only about mass consumerism of sneakers. In reality, it is so much more. What makes the culture so special are the…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Jerry Lorenzo and Costco SB Dunks: Icons of a Different Color
After a month long hiatus, Matt comes back to discuss the fizzling of Jerry Lorenzo's partnership with Adidas, and the hype and shock drop that was the Costco…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sneaker Releases in 2026
The year in sneakers that was 2025 was outstanding. Now that 2026 is here, what are the expectations? Will it be a letdown by default? Is it even fair to…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
An Authentic Look at My 2025
The end of 2025 is here, and while it was a great one for sneakers and the community, it was not the greatest year for Matt personally. Matt dives in a little…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
My Favorite Sneakers of 2025
Sneaker of the Year is always talked about this time of year. Really, it should just be what sneakers are your favorite, because what you like is all that…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Jeff Staple Makes Headlines (the bad kind)
Jeff Staple is a renowned figure in sneaker lore. His work speaks for itself. Recently he stirred up quite a controversy by making a pair of pigeon SB Dunks…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Is Sneaker Culture Bored, or Spoiled?
As the sneaker year ends, not only do we debate whether 2025 is a great sneaker year, but Nike announces the new SNKRS Code program. Matt talks about who this…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Steph Curry Leaves Under Armor: What's Next?
Big news broke that Steph Curry and Under Armor had ended their long-standing partnership. Speculation is running wild as to where Steph will end up. There is…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Get Inspired!
Matt uses the Bull Airs "The Scarecrow" shoe, and the processing of video making with it, as a means of inspiration recently. Even in the darkest of times, the…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
FTK? - Talking Doernbecher Freestyle Criticism
Every year the Doernbecher Freestyle Series is unveiled as a vessel to raise money for a children's hospital. As sneakers have grown over the the years, so has…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Salehe Bembury: Betting on Himself
Most designers chase Nike. Salehe Bembury went a different direction — and it worked. This episode breaks down how Bembury built one of the most respected…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Cool Kicks (and other topics)
After a three week break from sneaker content, Matt is back to catch up on the topics that were over the last month or. From his opinions on the Cool Kicks…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Being a Sneaker Dad
Creative ruts happen for all creators. At times we get burned out and need new inspiration. As Matt was struggling in what to talk about in coming back to Fire…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Awake NY Accountability (& more)
Sneaker pre-orders and scamming in the sneaker community. These two stories dominated last week in the game. Matt talks through both and drives home a firm…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Embrace Your Life
As the fourth anniversary of his mom's passing comes, Matt has been thinking about life changes over that time. The growth of self and embracing of passions…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
The Undefeated Jordan 4
Nike and Undefeated released the most coveted grail in all of sneakers with their mass release of the Undefeated Jordan 4. By most measures, the release was a…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Toronto Sneaker Culture (with Trev from In Kix We Trust)
Trev, one fifth of the In Kix We Trust podcast team, joins Matt to discuss his life in sneakers and beyond. They talk about sneakers in Toronto, the emergence…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Diluted Sneaker History
Nike and Jordan Brand have a unique ability to tell stories with their rich history in sneakers. The frequency of releases has left Matt thinking about whether…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Angel Reese Gets A Signature Shoe
Angel Reese just got something Caitlin Clark doesn't have — a signature sneaker. Her new deal with Reebok marks a milestone in her career and a statement for…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Who Is Matt Frates?
Fire Footwear is nearing its third birthday, and looking back on the journey to this point is essential as this podcast grows. Matt sits behind the mic…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Social Media Toxicity
Expounding on his initial episode about the Urban Necessities story, Matt goes into the human elements behind the aftermath. Social media is a mainstay in…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Urban Necessities
Urban Necessities, a popular sneaker consignment shop, is under fire due to allegations of defaulted payments and lacking customer service. Matt gives an…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Some Iconic Sneaker Moments
The nostalgia brought on by the NBA Finals has Matt thinking about iconic moments in sneaker history. This episode presents 15 seminal moments along the road…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Breaking Down the Nike Price Hikes
Nike raised prices again — and sneakerheads are not happy. But before you write off today's prices as the worst they've ever been, the numbers might surprise…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Dick's Sporting Goods Buys Foot Locker
On the heels of the sale of Sketchers, Dick's Sporting Goods makes a huge splash with their acquisition of Foot Locker. Foot Locker, like many businesses, is…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sketchers Sells for How Much?!
Sketchers is a major global footwear brand, and one that has probably never been mentioned on this podcast. Their recent sale, for close to $9 billion, got…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Pivoting from Basketball Shoes
Sneaker culture and basketball shoes have been synonymous for ages. Since the advent of the Air Jordan line, countless NBA (and WBNA) athletes have been given…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sneaker Conventions
Back from Rome, Matt dives into sneaker conventions, but not in the traditional way. Prior to leaving, friend of the show DeVante Mack (@realmackism on…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Ronnie Fieg and Kith
There have been many sneaker collaborators and influencers over the years. In the wake of the hype of running shoes in the culture, Matt briefly talks through…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Who Are Sneakers Really For?
The demographics of the sneaker world are dynamic. Many times when people hear about a "sneakerhead" they envision a certain look or behavior. The truth is…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
The Sneaker Economy
With all the hype buzzing about the return of sneakers and sneaker hype, it's a good time to look at what defines the economy of sneakers. Is it just buzz…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
(Unintentional) Gatekeeping in Sneakers
Sneakers is an expensive hobby with a large culture. There is a LOT to learn as you navigate. That knowledge can be a barrier to entry, and at times might be…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Is Nike Tricking Us Into Copping?
The Jordan releases in 2025 have been hot, heavy, and steeping in history. On the surface it appears we are all getting what we want, but underneath the hood…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Restoring "The Feeling" in Sneakers
It's no surprise that 2025 in sneakers has started out hot. Between limited stock and fighting at releases, the question has popped up all over of "has the…
- Fire Footwear: Sneakers Talk (with Matt Frates)
Sneaker Brand Responsibility
Stories in the sneaker news about violence at sneaker releases, Joe Freshgoods creating good will, and Yeezy going up in flames (again). Matt breaks it down…