Everyone knows how it is to wake up and look forward to a release you’ve been eyeing for a minute. As the release time inches closer, you start to think more about every possible scenario. Sneaker woes and online releases go hand in hand. Too many people know how it feels to miss out and feel hopeless with slim chances during certain online sneaker releases. A win or loss feels more dramatic when its a pair you want to wear endlessly.
Sneaker online releases often utilize different operating systems, sites, tricks, or none at all. Some companies take the time to make sure everything runs smoothly while others look to unload stock as quickly as possible. Sneaker releases are disproportionately online releases especially in recent times. Online releases are often easier and quicker for companies, but tend to be frustrating and hopeless for manual computer users.
Bots and the Lack Of Protection
If there was a sneaker dictionary, the term ‘bot protection’ would most likely have the most definitions. Not because it’s a complex term, but because of the fact that every sneaker online seller views bot protection differently.
Some companies are known to take better care of loyal customers than others. Some could care less who sneakers go to at the end of the day. Most aren’t as in touch with customers as they should be.
The lack of bot protection will always be one of the major sneaker woes. Nobody can beat a bot no matter how hard they try. An experienced sneakerhead can usually tell how much time and effort a company put toward bot protection rather quickly.
Bots are virtually impossible to beat manually; sneaker brands need to put bot protection high on their priority list if they want to keep loyal customers. Nobody wants to continue to support brands who don’t care about their most loyal fans.
Different Types of Online Sneaker Releases
All online sneaker releases aren’t built the same. Some favor bots while others favor human users. The debate of which type of release is best will be never ending.
Standard online sneaker releases typically seen on Footsites (Foot Locker, Champs Sports, etc.) heavily favor bots. The stock is made available as soon as the clock hits the release time and a free-for-all is unleashed. These releases basically have no bot protection and give human users little to no chance on hyped and sought after releases.
Another type of online release is the infamous SNKRS Draw. Although this isn’t common amongst other brands, it’s still one of the most utilized release types by Nike. Basically, a timer is set for users to enter into the draw before the system starts to select winners. This kind of online release allows both human users and bots to enter multiple times in a short window. Many people make numerous accounts (some buy accounts) to increase their chances of winning. Bots are still effective, but not nearly as much as first-come first-serve online releases.
The queue has become relevant and necessary in an attempt to handle bots as much as possible. Although queues, or virtual waiting rooms don’t deter bots completely, they attempt to slow them down if utilized correctly. Queues can be frustrating when it feels like you might have a chance. Looking at a waiting page increases the anticipation and ultimately the let down when the size is notified as sold out. Some queue releases favor bots because there’s little to no bot protection. Queue releases don’t act as protection alone, but can add to a strong bot protection system if utilized efficiently.
Online raffles have become increasingly popular as a way to limit the use of bots. Especially raffles that are live for multiple days, these releases are a hit or miss. More often than not, so many entries are placed that the odds of winning are closer to zero than one- and it’s not even close. Raffle bots allow users to enter multiples times in a short window. Even if a human user spent all day and night entering a sneaker raffle online, they still wouldn’t come close to the numbers a bot could put up.
Less Sneaker Woes: Hope for Change
Although online sneaker releases are often frustrating and sometimes demoralizing, there is still a reason to stay hopeful. Sneaker brands are becoming more aware of increasing and strengthening bot protection.
Some companies are larger than others and have immense resources. Despite resources not always being utilized to the fullest extent, there is still hope that brands can find a way to better use their resources to improve the conditions of online sneaker releases.
Online sneaker releases must change sooner rather than later. Countless sneaker enthusiasts around the world deserve a fair chance at buying pairs for personal wear. There is still hope that online sneaker releases can improve and become more fair for manual users looking to snag a hot pair of kicks.