Sneakerhead Martinez follows in father’s footsteps

Manteca High freshman Quinn Martinez rocks his Yeezy 700 Wave Runners during a photo shoot in the breezeway on campus. With a vast shoe collection, Martinez is a member of the school’s Sneakerhead culture.

By GAVIN GOODWIN
The Tower

Freshman Quinn Martinez is a promising student-athlete at Manteca High School who plays three sports – football, baseball and track. Beyond his athletic talent, his sense of fashion on and off the field shines bright.

It starts with the shoes.

Martinez is part of the Sneakerhead culture on campus, a group of students and staff who covet and collect rare and expensive designer shoes. Martinez wears a size 9 or 10, depending on the shoe, and he is inspired by his father, Manteca High alumni Gilbert Martinez. He uses him as a role model for his shoe game.

“He likes to match,” Martinez said of his father, “and I always remind myself that wherever my dad goes, he always looks nice.”

Each day, Manteca High freshman Quinn Martinez’s style is carefully put together from head to toe. (Tyler Watkins)

Martinez’s shoe collection is vast with approximately 14 pairs. His favorite pair of shoes are Jordans, preferably the Jordan 1 UNCs which he bought for $400. Martinez says he doesn’t mind fake shoes, but he would never own a pair.

“I don’t judge people that wear them,” he said. “… I have nothing against them. If I’m being honest, some reps look like real shoes.”

The Tower kicked it with Martinez for a bit, talking nothing but shoe game:

The Tower: What got you into shoes?

Quinn Martinez: My dad. He inspired me to dress properly.

TT: What is your favorite pair of shoes?

QM: Jordan 1s, Jordan 4s, and Yeezys

TT: How does shoes represent your style?

QM:  I like to match and look nice, reminds of my dad, everywhere he goes he looks nice.

Manteca High freshman Quinn Martinez says his fashion style is inspired his father, Manteca High alum Gilbert Martinez.

TT: How expensive are your shoes combined?

QM: Expensive.

TT: What’s your least favorite shoe?

QM: I would say my Crocs.

TT: How do you select your shoes every day?

QM: I go from my shirt to my pants and to every shoe I got to match the best.

TT: Do you pay for your shoes?

QM: No, my dad pays for my shoes.

TT: What is your most expensive pair of shoes?

QM: Jordan 11s.