Sneaker Cypher – Interview with Tinker Hatfield
We all know that Tinker Hatfield is a true living legend, but how much do you really know about him? Tinker’s designs are behind many of the sneaker culture’s favorite shoes from Air Jordans, Air Max, Air Trainer, Cross Trainers (Bo Jackson), Air Safari, Huarache line, and more. It’s no secret, Tinker has and will always play a key role in Nike’s footwear history.
In RiseMag’s “Sneaker Cypher” episode 3, they interviewed Tinker and they asked some interesting questions. This interview will provide some background information on Hatfield’s early years, career moves, first shoe, designs, etc. As you can imagine, Tinker also gives some helpful tips on entering the shoe designing business. If you’ve got the time check out the informative interview here
Check it out, it’s a good read!
We already know this, but Tinker is the man. Thanks Tinker!!
LOL…that was good.
I didn’t know Tinker was a PT-stud like that.
Good find G.
Thank you sir!
I try to post the good stuff and stuff that we can learn from. I also like to have fun and entertain as well. J, are you gonna show your sneaker collection to the world?
tinker is legend. great read and i did learn a few things. i didn’t know tinker designed the air max and air safari. tinker is that dude.
LOL…Dang G.
You know, to be honest, I just don’t feel like I got enough of a collection to put out there like that.
I got about 50+ Retro J’s (DMP, Spacejam Retros and alot of double GR’s), newer J’s (XVII’s, XVIII’s, XIX’s, XX’s-XX2’s), misc. B-Ball kicks, a few runners, and a pair of OG Penny II’s..
Other than that, nothing else man. No real HEAT as they say. No PE’s, nothing autorgaphed, no samples…
That’s why I don’t feel bad about wearing my kicks.
I used to not like to wear them. I used to get all anal and obsessive about using them and “damaging” them. But more and more I see dudes that have really HEATED collections, that I’m like, “okay, it’s all good”. Realistically I don’t see myself making THAT much bread to where I can copp REALLY exclusive kicks, PE’s, etc., so I’m slowly getting myself used to wearing my stuff.
Long story short, there’s always someone out there with bigger and better. So what’s the point of me letting all these perfectly wearable, good GR’s go to waste??
There is none.
So…LOL, am I happy with what I got? Hell yea. I’ve loved kicks since I was a kid…wasn’t always able to have what I wanted cuz my folks couldn’t afford it, but now I get what I can (I try and keep my priorities staight).
Am I willing to put my collection out there?? I wouldn’t initially advertise it, LOL… but like I said, it aint much…but yea, I guess I eventually would.
It’s all good J
My collection is not the average HEATED collection, but I got what I like. Of course I’m missing some stuff I want, but I will eventually get them.
Seriously, my collection is not what most people would think. Don’t get me wrong, I got a few heaters that most people don’t have. Since I’v always been into making money I sell every PE and sample I get my hands on. At the end of the day it’s all about you like and people will respect a quality collection, not a collection 200+ deep full of BS.
I was talking to Street about the new series and he likes it. He also said people should be proud of what they have, and as long as your into sneakers the collection will continue to get better and better.
I know he should be the last person to talk…lol That man has more heat than hell (whoaaaa!). I look foward to seeing what people will show, and you don’t have to show your entire collection, just the kicks you want to show.
It was just a thought and no pressure at all bro.
tinker is the best!
i didnt know any of that, haha…
i feel enlightened…
^That’s good!
I FEEL 100% JAIME. WHAT U SAID FEELS LIKE EXACTLY WHAT IM GOING THRU. I GOT SHIT THAT I LIKED AND IS HOTT, BUT NOTHING SUPER EXTRAORDINARY. I AM SATISFIED. I WAS NEVER THE KID WIT ALL THE HOT STUFF NEITHER YO. SO IT MAKES U APPRECIATE WHAT U DO FOR YASELF NOW ALITTLE EXTRA. MUCH LOVE 2 MY PARENTS FOR NOT RAISING A SPOIL BRAT LOL.
I Used To Have A Good Collection But A Brother Needs To Pays Bills G Roc
^Thanks realtalk, I feel you to. And G-Roc is right, I just gotta be cool with what I got, no matter what.
Hey G, for the new segment, did you want to have as many dudes show their collection, big or small? Cuz I’m down to help for the cause man…I’m down to help get this ball rolling then if that’s what your intention was.
^^^^ What up Jaime and Realtalk??? You guys are cool and down to earth. And Jaime if you ever come around to it you should post ur kix up. As far as Im concerned if your space jamz and DMPS are clean your ahead of the game. You said the most important thing tho, only get what you like. That way when your gettin fited and you throw the kix you want to wear, cant nobody stop you from feelin like a champ. Im from the same voat, I come from a family of 6 kids and strugling parents. I only got 1 pair of shoes every year for $70 or under. I knew my mom would never get me jordans but every time I went to the mall I was happy to go to footlocker and just look. Since my b-day is the day after x-mas I got my one and only pair of Js in 1996 the OG concord 11’s. I’ll never forget them. ANd I dont like to glorify how I supported my addiction for shoes but I hustling really hard, and you know what the say about fast money, easy come easy go. SO I made sure I grabbed every pair of kix I wanted. Anyhow if you worked hard for what you got and you love shoes, like all us, be proud of your kix and the world know it. By the way sum people or sum bull shit so even tho our collection wont be no fat joes or greg streets you probally got tighter one than others on here weather they like to admit it or not.
G-roc, thanx for doing you, and keep it going. Ive peeped just about every sneakerhead site and nothing comes clos TSG. Hats off!!!!!!!!
^Thanx Hyphy J, your down to earth too man. I DEF feel you too.
OK GUYS ITS TIME FOR A GROUP HUG LOL. BUT THIS IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT. TO RELATE 2 ONE ANOTHER, EXPRESS R SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT OPINIONS, AND OPEN R MINDS 2 NEW THINGS YO. BELIEVE IT OR NOT MY FIRST PAIR OF JORDANS WAS THE 15′S WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT, AND THE ONLY REASON I GOT THEM WAS BECUZ THEY COODNT FIT MY COUSIN, SO HE GAVE EM 2 ME LOL. EVERYTIME I WENT SHOPPIN FOR KICKS I DIDNT EVEN WANNA LOOK AT THE JORDANS, CUZ I KNEW THERE WAS NO WAY IN HELL I WAS GETTIN THEM. MY DAD USE 2 SAY ” DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT LOOKIN AT THEM SNEAKERS”. LOL THOSE WERE THE DAYS YO. THATS WHY IM THANKFUL FOR THE LITTLE COLLECTION I HAVE NOW. KIDS USE 2 BE CRUEL BACK THEN. ITS LIKE THEY AINT EVEN GO 2 SCOOL 2 LEARN OR NUTTIN. THEY CAME 2 SCOOL SUPER DUPER FRESH, JUST 2 STUNT ON THE KIDS WHO AINT HAVE IT LIKE THAT. BUT NOW I BET THE TABLES R TURNED.
Jaime – I just wanted to give anyone of the TSG readers 1st hand if they want to showcase their collection. Instead of people hearing about it, e-mailing me and getting to go 1st. That’s not fair, and I wanted to give TSGers the heads up 1st. I don’t plan on posting it in TSG News, I figure the word will get around. And I will always be surfing the net for new collection vids. So whenever your ready is cool with me NO rush bro. Take your time, I was just asking.
Hyphy J Lover – Thanks for the kind words, love, and support. That means a lot (seriously). It took a min to get respect, traffic, and loyal readers, but it was worth every HARD hour spent on the computer day in and day out. I’m glad people finally get TSG and understand my mission. I want this site to be the most well rounded site for new and old shoe heads, or people that just wanna know what’s going on in our culture. I want TSG to be fun, educational, entertaining, and dope all at the same time. I’m too silly to be acting all high class with my head in the clouds. I have to bring the news that people want to see, plus the random news that catches everyone off guard. Thanks once again and it only gets better.
realtalk – LOL @ the group hug. On the flip side it’s all about what you like. We all know it’s 10984045893596840598 people out there that have a collection full of kicks that everyone likes. So sad but true. It’s nothing like having a collection full of the kicks you’ve always wanted. That’s a real collection to me.
True, our collections may not be where we want them to be, but thank GOD their not where they use to be
^I jacked that line from my Pastor, but I had to re-word it…lol
http://www.worldchangers.org/
dang thats tight what up world changers they had that at my church also!! Never got to do it because i was always to young to do it but then we moved churches and the church that im at doesnt have it. But if anyone can world changers is awesoem and if you get a chance id say do it!!