What Are Sneaker Proxies? Your Guide to Copping Sneakers
Sneakerheads and resellers know the deal — those limited edition kicks from Yeezy, Air Jordan, and Adidas are straight fire. But good luck copping them through regular stores. Trying to buy in-person? You might as well pitch a tent outside the shop and pray.
So, is online shopping gonna work?
If you’re looking to purchase those hard-to-get, limited-edition sneakers online, you gotta have sneaker proxies in your arsenal. These online sneaker stores have strict anti-spam systems that usually cap you at one pair per account. To boost their chances, many resellers turn to advanced tech like proxies and bots. These tools let them set up multiple accounts and buy in bulk. This has turned online sneaker buying into a high-tech competition, making it challenging for newcomers to enter the reselling market.
In this guide, we’ll explain sneaker proxies — their purpose, importance, and how to choose the best ones for your sneaker-copping endeavors.
What Are Sneaker Proxies?
A proxy server acts as a middleman between a user and a website, hiding the user’s real IP address. This allows people to make multiple accounts on a site without getting caught, since each account looks like it’s coming from a different place.
Websites use IP addresses to spot potential spam, as each internet device has its own unique IP. By hiding your IP, you can create multiple accounts without raising red flags.
Sneaker proxies are made specifically for sneaker shopping websites. Not all sneaker sites need special proxies, but some with tough security do.
For example, Nike, Adidas, and Supreme have strong systems to catch and block regular proxies. So when you’re using these sites, you need to use proven, reliable proxies to avoid getting caught. But for easier sneaker sites, regular proxies might work fine.
The importance of sneaker proxies lies in their ability to bypass regional restrictions, allowing users to access releases that might be limited to specific geographical areas. By masking the user’s true IP address, they enable the creation of multiple accounts on sneaker websites, increasing the chances of successful purchases. They help users send multiple requests to retailer websites during high-demand releases, effectively multiplying their opportunities to secure coveted sneakers.
What Do Sneaker Proxies Do?
Sneaker proxies work hand in hand with sneaker bots.
Sneaker bots are automated tools used in the sneaker buying process. These bots can complete purchases much faster than a human could manually. They also allow users to buy multiple pairs from a single release.
There are various types of bots targeting specific sites (e.g., Nike bots, Supreme bots) or all-in-one (AIO) bots that support multiple websites. Like limited-edition sneakers, popular bots can be hard to obtain and may need to be purchased from aftermarket sources.
Proxies help bot users manage multiple accounts without getting caught. If you’re using a bot to handle more than one account, you’ll need proxies. These hide your real IP address and use different ones instead, preventing websites from realizing all the accounts are coming from one computer.
Proxies let you switch between different IP addresses. This makes it harder for websites to spot and block bot activity. Some sneaker drops are only available in certain areas. Proxies can make it look like you’re browsing from those places. By using several proxies, you can set up multiple accounts and put in lots of purchase requests. This really boosts your chances of success.
Types of Sneaker Proxies for Main Copping Sites
There are two main types of sneaker proxies: residential and datacenter. Residential proxies mimic regular home internet connections, making them harder to detect. Datacenter proxies are faster but easier to spot and might be blocked by some sneaker websites.
Let’s break down the main sites for copping shoes and the proxies that work best for each:
Demandware (Adidas and Yeezy Supply)
Adidas and Yeezy Supply use the Demandware platform. These sites often have heavy bot traffic, so use high-quality residential proxies from different internet providers. Good providers for Adidas proxies include Bright Data, SimplyNode, and Proxy-Cheap.
Footsites
This group includes Footlocker, EastBay, ChampsSports, and Footaction. These sites see a lot of bot activity. While you can often use datacenter proxies on many of these sites, some might require residential proxies for best results.
Shopify
Many sneaker stores use Shopify, including Kith, Bape, and JimmyJazz. It’s easier to use bots on Shopify, but you still need good proxies due to high competition. For most Shopify stores, datacenter proxies work well. Good options include Proxy-Seller, Proxy-IPv4, and Proxy-Sale. However, some Shopify stores like YeezySupply need residential proxies.
Mesh
Sites like JDSports, Footpatrol, and The Hip Store use the Mesh platform, primarily in the EU. For these sites, residential proxies from European countries are recommended.
Nike
Nike’s website and SNKRS app are challenging for bots. Use high-quality residential proxies from the same country as your shipping address. Good proxy providers for Nike include Smartproxy, Soax, and IPRoyal.
Supreme
Supreme’s website has strong anti-bot measures. Use high-quality residential proxies that have proven effective on Supreme. Proxy providers that work well for Supreme include Smartproxy and Bright Data.
AIO (All-In-One) Bot Proxies
AIO bots are tools that help you buy shoes from multiple websites. AIO Bot Proxies are specialized proxy servers designed to enhance the performance and anonymity of these bots. They provide a large pool of IP addresses, often using residential IPs. Some also offer dedicated IP addresses. They’re particularly useful for shopping on Shopify and Footsites, with varying effectiveness on other platforms like Adidas/YeezySupply and Supreme.
How To Find the Best Sneaker Proxies
When selecting a sneaker proxy, several factors come into play to ensure optimal performance and success. Here’s a breakdown of the key considerations:
Location
Proximity: Choose a proxy server located close to your physical location to reduce latency and improve response times.
Target Website Location: If you’re targeting specific sneaker websites, ensure your proxy’s location aligns with the region where the release is taking place. For example, if you’re aiming for Nike UK releases, a UK-based proxy would be ideal.
Ping
Lower Ping: A lower ping (measured in milliseconds) indicates a faster connection between your device and the proxy server. Aim for a ping below 100ms for optimal performance.
Location Impact: The physical distance between your device and the proxy server can significantly affect ping. Choose a proxy located in a region closer to your location.
CDN Awareness
Research CDN Locations: Many sneaker websites use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to distribute their content across multiple servers. Identify the CDN locations used by your target websites.
Choose Proxies Accordingly: Select proxies located near the CDN servers to minimize latency and improve connection speed.
Proxy Protocol
Ensure that the proxy protocol supported by your proxy provider is compatible with your sneaker bot. Common protocols include HTTP(S) and SOCKS.
Additional Features
Consider proxy providers that offer monthly IP randomization to further enhance anonymity and avoid detection.
Seeking Chances on Mobile Sneaker Copping
Mobile vs. Computer Copping
Though a traditional method, computer copping comes with its own set of challenges. It requires a dedicated workspace with larger monitors and specialized peripherals, which can be cumbersome. The setup also limits mobility, restricting your ability to multitask or cop on-the-go. Additionally, older or less reliable systems may struggle during high-traffic drops, potentially hindering your chances of success.
On the other hand, mobile copping offers several advantages. Its portability allows you to shop and enter raffles from anywhere with internet access. Multitasking becomes easier as you can manage multiple tasks while waiting for drops. You’ll receive instant notifications for upcoming releases and raffle entries, keeping you always in the loop. The compact screens of mobile devices can also simplify navigation and data entry with their user-friendly interfaces.
Mobile copping also offers several advantages when it comes to the payment process. Most mobile apps and browsers allow you to securely save your credit or debit card information, making checkout faster and easier. Many smartphones support biometric authentication, allowing you to quickly and securely authorize payments with a fingerprint or facial scan. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay offer a convenient and secure way to pay without entering your card details. Additionally, some retailers allow you to add the purchase to your mobile phone bill, providing a convenient and often secure payment option. The flexibility and convenience of mobile copping make it an increasingly popular choice among sneaker buyers.
Advanced Mobile Copping Strategies
Most major sneaker brands have their own mobile apps for easy browsing, shopping, and entering raffles. Users on these apps are more likely to be trusted by the system and can often bypass various limits. These apps usually need you to sign up and often have extra steps to verify who you are, making it easier for retailers to know you’re a real person. Regular app users are often seen as more loyal customers, which can sometimes lead to better treatment. When apps aren’t available, you can still hit up retailer websites directly through your phone’s browser.
For those looking to step up their mobile copping game, there are some advanced strategies to consider. Serious collectors trying to score multiple pairs often use mobile sneaker bots, which can automate the process and boost your chances of success.
There are specialized sneaker copping apps, like the Nike Shoe Bot and Addikt bot that can further optimize your strategy. You can install these mobile copping bots on your devices to automate and streamline the buying process.
Bots are designed for multitasking, so using a single device is obviously not the way to make this work. If you need sneaker copping on multiple mobile devices, then cloud phone solutions, like GeeLark cloud phones, can make your mobile copping way more secure and efficient by letting you run multiple instances at once, increasing your chances of scoring those kicks.
FAQs
How many proxies do I need for sneaker copping?
For most standard releases, a general rule of thumb is to have between 10 to 20 proxies per account. This range provides a good balance between increasing your chances of success and managing costs effectively.
However, for highly anticipated drops or when using more advanced bot configurations, you might want to consider scaling up to 30-50 proxies per account to maximize your opportunities.
How much do good sneaker proxies cost?
The cost of high-quality sneaker proxies can vary widely based on several factors, including the type of proxy (residential vs. datacenter), the provider’s reputation, and the specific features offered. Generally, you can expect to invest anywhere from $1 to $20 per GB of data or per individual proxy for premium residential proxies. Some providers offer package deals or bulk discounts that can bring down the per-proxy cost.
Datacenter proxies tend to be less expensive, often ranging from $0.50 to $5 per proxy, but they may not be as effective for certain high-profile sneaker releases. It’s also worth noting that many proxy providers offer tiered pricing plans, allowing you to choose a package that best fits your needs and budget.
Do I need different proxies for different sneaker sites?
Yes, using site-specific proxies can improve your success. Each sneaker site has unique anti-bot measures, and tailored proxies can help you bypass them. For example, some sites might require residential proxies, while others might accept datacenter proxies.
Are free proxies suitable for sneaker copping?
Free proxies are generally not recommended for sneaker copping. They often have slow speeds, unreliable connections, and may be detected and blocked by sneaker websites. Additionally, free proxies can pose security risks as they might log your data. For the best results and to protect your information, it’s advisable to invest in paid, reputable proxy services.
Can I use the same proxies for multiple sneaker drops?
While it’s possible to reuse proxies for different drops, it’s not always the best practice. Some websites may flag and block IP addresses that have been used in previous drops. To maximize your chances of success, it’s recommended to rotate your proxies regularly or use fresh ones for high-profile releases. Many proxy providers offer IP rotation services to help with this.