Sole Superior 2022 will make its official comeback this Saturday, 26 November, marking the event’s first IRL edition since the big C derailed our lives three years ago. Singapore’s OG sneaker convention that helped kickstart and grow the local sneaker and streetwear scene was founded by two sneaker enthusiast-friends Jonathan Fong and Dexter Tan.

“We’ve always looked at global sneaker events and always wondered why there wasn’t something like that for us in Singapore,” said Jonathan, whom we interviewed for our Father’s Day 2022 story, in a press release.

Since its inception in 2013, Sole Superior has grown from strength to strength to include a range of activities such as sneaker customization, graffiti art, and live music and dance performances. Most recently, Jonathan and Dexter have also been chosen as Singapore Tourism Board’s “Passion Made Possible” ambassadors, to share the Sole Superior story with more people.

As we gear up for the return of Sole Superior 2022, here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at the multi-sensory event this weekend!

1. Sole Superior x Saint Barkley Sneaker Preview

On top of this year’s “Superior Things” merch that features Stranger Things-inspired visuals as seen on its marketing materials, a fresh new sneaker collaboration between Sole Superior and Indonesian label Saint Barkley will also be unveiled for the first time.

From the mockup image, it looks like the Sole Superior x Saint Barkley sneaker will come in a light coral color and features an “SS” logo on the lateral side. The sneaker takes cues from scratch and sniff stickers of the 80s with the founders describing the shoe as smelling “hella dope”.

2. Community Marketplace

Like the past eight editions, Sole Superior 2022 will see sneaker and streetwear brands, both international and independent, come together in the event space to peddle their freshest drops. Some things you can look forward to at the community marketplace: sneakers, apparel, accessories, collectibles, and customization… which brings us to “Superior Friends”, Sole Superior’s first online gallery and NFT showcase.

3. “Superior Friends” Digital Showcase

The culmination of a decade’s worth of collaborations with talents from the region, Sole Superior reconnects with friends on their first ever digital showcase. Featuring a diverse collection of digital artworks from artists like Pras the Bandit, Lonerslugs and Preety Chill, you can own a piece and help fund the gallery by bidding for the art. Public auction of the works will be held from 1 to 14 December.

4. Binary Chiptune DJ + Live Set

What’s a sneaker convention without some live music? Sole Superior 2022 will introduce to us Binary—a collective of music acts that span a multitude of underground genres. Chipdoom, Industrial Dark Synth, or Digital Punk Rock? Get yourself acquainted with the next up-and-coming music genre. The Binary DJ + Live set lineup includes SWITCHBLADES, Sludgefeast, Microchip Terror and N3M3515.

Sole Superior 2022 will run at Drip (Concorde Hotel, 100 Orchard Road, Singapore 238840) on 26 November, 1pm to 7pm, with ticket prices starting from $10. Purchase yours here.