1 on 1 with Comedian Dan Levy

Dan Levy may not be a member of an XXL Freshmen Class or even the ATF, but the man certainly knows his sneakers. Having had his own Comedy Central Presents special along with shows on College Humor and MTV, Dan boasts quite the?comedy?resume. Having around 200 pairs ranging from Jordans to Air Maxes he also boasts quite the collection. We recently got a chance to talk kicks with Dan as he tours with Aziz Asnari on the Dangerously Delicious Tour. Dan shares his love for retro Js and Bo Jacksons, his thoughts on re-releases, and what Justin Timberlake was wearing during their infamous run in.

Nice Kicks: How long have you been into sneakers?

Dan Levy: I’ve always liked sneakers. When I was growing up I’d get one pair of shoes per year and that was it. I remember having the Off White/Maroon 6s and thinking, ‘wow these are the best shoes of all time’. Then I became an adult and realized I could buy as many as I want! Doing stand up and getting on MTV made it easier to get hooked up. Sportie LA would offer me stuff to wear on my show, and then it just spiraled from there.

Nice Kicks: When did you start collecting?

Dan Levy: I started collecting shoes probably around 2003. For me it’s always been about nostalgia. I got into it when they started re-releasing the Jordans in the early 2000s. I met this dude Josh at college who was a crazy sneakerhead. I visited him in LA and he had one of those closets, and I was just like, ‘this is ridiculous’ and I need this. He took me to UNDFTD and the rest was history. I bought the Olympic 7s in 2004 and from then it was on.

Nice Kicks: How big is your collection?

Dan Levy: I probably have around 200 pairs of sneakers. Some are complete deadstock; I have a sneaker room. Everything is in boxes: Jordans, Air Maxes, Air Trainers. The Air Trainers I love so I have like four pairs of those. Then in my bedroom I have all of my out of the box stuff- tons of PUMAs and Air Max 95s. Stuff I wear everyday that’s kinda dirty. My Space Jams are the same way now, but I’m ok with it. Shoes get dirty, gotta move on with my life.

Nice Kicks: Do you have a favorite pair?

Dan Levy: The Grapes (Air Jordan 5) are my favorite shoe.?My top 3 are the Grapes, the grey and yellow Bo Jackson Trainers, and the Air Jordan 1s. The 1s look good with everything, you can wear them anytime anywhere.

Nice Kicks: The Grapes were pretty tough to get.

Dan Levy: I was standing in line in Inglewood waiting for the Grapes and people had guns. The guy next to me goes “yo man they got their burners!” and I was like, ‘a burner? Oh ya that’s a gun, maybe I’ll get these on eBay!’ Don’t get me wrong I love sneakers, but no need to get murdered over them.

Nice Kicks: When we talked last night you expressed some displeasure towards re-retros, can you elaborate on that?

Dan Levy: My biggest problem with sneaker collecting now is that I feel the companies are taking advantage of the sneakerheads. They come out with these shoes and then they bring them right back.

When I went to get my Trainer 91s I got them from Flight Club. I was so excited to have them since they came out around 04 and went quick. Then they came back out of nowhere. Same with Jordan 11s. I got the Black/Red ones back in 01 and saved them in the box with receipt. At a time they were going for like $600 and then boom, they’re back out. To the sneaker collector it’s still great that I have those, but when you’re wearing them and someone is like “hey I just got those at Niketown” and you think I’ve had those in my closet?for 8 years! That’s my problem. I mean don’t get my wrong I love the knowing that the Cool Grey 11s are coming back in December, but at the same time I understand the frustrated person that has three of those shoes in his closet and loves the fact that he has them and no one else does.

Click Next to hear about Dan’s take on the best cities for pickups, keeping up with releases, and which Jordan’s Justin Timberlake called his “whateva whateva” shoes.