'Sneakerheads' seek coveted kicks at Toronto's 'All-Star' Ultimate Sneaker Show

Toronto's annual Ultimate Sneaker Show had "sneakerheads" from far and wide seeking rare and coveted kicks. 

The annual buy, sell or trade event held by Sole Exchange Canada coincided this year with the NBA All-Star weekend festivities and was dubbed the "2016 All-Star Edition."

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"We have a bunch of sneakerheads running around and looking for coveted pairs," Sole Exchange founder and owner Dalton Jackson told CBC News.

Jackson said attending the show is different than shopping at a store or online. For one thing, it's a social event.

"The Ultimate Sneaker Show offers people with the passion and love for sneakers to come out and check out the event and share in the community with the fellows sneakerheads that share that passion," he said. "So it's just uniting the community, essentually."

What's more, he said people have a chance find rare, even vintage pairs that you can't buy wholesale.

"You couldn't necessarily walk into a Footlocker or a Champs and find a 10-year-old pair, but at a show you like this you can find something that someone has had stashed in their closet for 10 years and you get a chance to own that piece," he said. 

"This show's a chance to find rare, coveted sneakers. The prices are sometimes higher than usual, but you know, when you really have the love, what can you do?"

So what are sneakerheads looking for this year? Drake's OVO Jordans are a big draw.

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"Drake sneakers are very hard to find and everyone's looking," Jackson said. "We have a lot of Americans in the city this weekend that are specifically looking for OVO sneakers."

Kanye West's Adidas Yeezy 350s are another hot commodity, retailing at $350, but sometimes going for as much as $2,000 to $3,500.

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"The moment you grab a pair, instantly the value's already boosted," Jackson said. "The moment you get your hands on one you've probably earned $500."

Torontonians, meanwhile, are rocking their best kicks for this weekend's All-Star festivities. Tweet us at @CBCToronto to show is your shoe game.