What Does “SE” Stand for in Sneakers?

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Everything you need to know about Special Edition sneakers
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Whether you’re a fan of Nike, Adidas, or Converse, you’ve likely seen the abbreviation “SE” once or twice—but what does it mean? “SE” stands for “Special Edition” and describes a shoe or sneaker only available for a specific amount of time or a certain event, occasion, or collaboration. Shoe enthusiasts track down these Special Editions because of their unique look and rarity. Read on to learn more about SE shoes and why they’re a great addition to any shoe collection.

What are SE sneakers?

“SE” sneakers or shoes are Special Edition. These shoes are released in limited quantities and are only available until they sell out. They have unique features that set them apart from other shoes and are often in collaboration with celebrities.

Section 1 of 4:

“SE” Meaning

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  1. A shoe or sneaker labeled “SE” is especially rare and hard to come by. Special Edition footwear is unique and only released in small quantities. Typically, these shoes reflect a certain style, trend, event, or celebrity and are only available for a limited amount of time. [1]
    • For example, these shoes below are popular SE sneakers:
      • LeBron 14 Chase Down (2017)
      • Air Jordan 4 What The (2019)
      • NMD_R1 Japan Pack (2017)
      • UltraBoost 4.0 Triple White (2017)
      • CLOT x Nike 1World Air Force 1 (2009)
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Section 2 of 4:

What makes an SE shoe?

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  1. Special Edition shoes are only available to purchase within a specific window. Companies typically release these shoes to celebrate a specific event, holiday, or person. Because of this, they can only be purchased for a set amount of time. [2]
  2. Special Edition shoes aren’t restocked. There’s a limited quantity of these shoes, and once production stops and the shoe sells out, that’s it. This can make it harder to find and purchase the shoes later.
  3. Special Editions tend to be more expensive than shoes that are always on the market. The uniqueness and rarity of the SE shoe hike up the price, and the value can continue to increase for years to come.
    • For example, if you wish to sell SE sneakers, the selling price will be much higher than the purchasing price if you sell 5 years after the release.
  4. More often than not, Special Editions are released in collaboration with a well-known celebrity, athlete, or brand. This makes the demand for the shoes even higher amongst fans.
  5. Special Edition shoes have a unique look to them. They come in different styles and colors than other shoes within the brand or model, and they likely have themed packaging that’s unique to the shoes (such as a newly designed box, case, or carrier). [3]
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Section 3 of 4:

Other Shoe Acronyms

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  1. “SE” isn’t the only acronym used in the shoe world. Check out these common abbreviations you may find on your next shoebox: [4]
    • GR = General Release
    • LE = Limited Edition
    • PE = Player Edition
    • DS = Deadstock
    • BNIB = Brand New in Box
    • TTS = True to Size
    • EQT = Equipment
    • V/VX = Version
    • RNR = Runner
    • SPLY = Supply
Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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  1. Limited Edition (LE) shoes aren’t as rare as Special Edition (SE) shoes. While LE and SE footwear are available for a limited amount of time and have unique features, SE is generally more exclusive. There are fewer SE shoes produced than LE shoes, meaning that SE shoes are harder to come by once they’re sold out. [5]
  2. It depends on the shoe. Newly released SE shoes are usually easy to find online through the company or a reseller. However, vintage SE shoes that were released years ago may be harder to track down secondhand, and they’ll likely cost you a pretty penny.
  3. “SE” stands for “Special Edition,” not shoe size. Even so, SE shoes are most commonly medium-width (labeled as M or D) but can also be narrow (N) or wide (W).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theestablished.com/style/fashion/the-essential-guide-to-sneaker-terminology
      2. ↑ https://www.theestablished.com/style/fashion/the-essential-guide-to-sneaker-terminology
      3. ↑ https://www.golfdigest.com/story/masters-2019-the-special-edition-shoes-pros-are-wearing-at-augusta-national
      4. ↑ https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/sneaker-terminology-glossary/
      5. ↑ https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/sneaker-terminology-glossary/

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