Sneaker Store in Denver Colorado Selling Reverse Grinch Nike Kobe 6’s Without Box to Prevent Reselling Fuels Controversy

A sneaker store in Denver, Colorado, has taken a drastic measure to prevent resellers from buying and flipping the highly coveted “Reverse Grinch” Nike Kobe 6s. The store, Sole St. Shoes, posted a video on its Instagram account showing an employee dressed like The Grinch tearing up the boxes that the shoes came in.

The “Grinch” Nike Kobe 6s are a tribute to the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who wore a similar colorway during his Christmas Day game in 2010. The shoes feature a bright green upper with red accents, mimicking the appearance of the iconic Dr. Seuss character.

The shoes were released on December 24, 2020, and sold out quickly at retail price of $180. However, resellers have been listing the shoes for as high as $1,500 on online platforms such as StockX and eBay.

The “Reverse Grinch” Nike Kobe 6s have a name that is pretty self explanatory. Instead of them being green with red accents, they are red with green accents. Essentially a reverse color just in time for the Christmas season.

Sole St. Shoes is hoping that by destroying the boxes, they are making the shoes less attractive for resellers, who often rely on the original packaging to verify the authenticity and condition of the shoes. It’s kind of like honoring Kobe Bryant’s legacy by ensuring that only true fans of the basketball star could get their hands on the shoes.

However, the store’s move has sparked mixed reactions on social media from sneaker enthusiasts and collectors. Some people praised the store for taking a stand against resellers, who they accused of ruining the sneaker culture and inflating the prices of limited-edition shoes. They also said that the shoes were meant to be worn and enjoyed, not stored and sold for profit.

Others, however, criticized the store for damaging the boxes, which they said were part of the value and appeal of the shoes. They argued that after someone purchases a product, they have the right to resell it, since Nike also makes the price of the sneaker way above the actual production cost of the alleged cheap labor that they use in shoe factories in China and other countries. They also said that the store was disrespecting Kobe Bryant’s memory by destroying the boxes that bore his name and logo.

The debate over reselling has been a longstanding issue in the sneaker community, especially as the demand and hype for certain shoes have increased over the years. Some people view reselling as a legitimate and entrepreneurial way of making money, while others see it as a greedy and unethical practice that exploits the passion and loyalty of sneaker fans.

Sole St. Shoes has not responded to the criticism, or the praise that it has received for its controversial decision. It remains to be seen how this will affect the resale value and the popularity of the shoes. It’s possible that resellers will buy the Reverse Grinch Nike Kobe 6’s without the box out of spite.