Dunkxchange

Securing rare sneakers normally means navigating the shady pathways of eBay, never laying eyes on the seller of your shoes, or the hideous gnarled feet he claims they never encased. Get face-to-face with your kicks at this Sunday's Dunkxchange.

Set up in Metropolis Downtown, DXC's a sprawling one-day sneaker & streetwear bazaar that puts local & national vendors and individual collectors together with prospective buyers, who instead of guessing at their purchase's quality can stick their nose right in there and hope to God they enjoy that "new sneaker smell". Haggling's the norm, even over new stuff from the likes of professional heavyweights like Footsoldiers, ATC, M.I.A. Skate Shop, Myshirtsco, Bobby Fresh, Rah, l-r-g, Supra, and B-D-K (Better Direction of Knowledge -- though that'll be no defense against your relentless, pity-based negotiating style). Swapping's also common, especially between individual sneakerheads covetous of each others' goods, e.g., older Jordan 1s for three pairs of Nike SB Dunks, First Series Nike SBs for $600 worth of Limited Jordans, or some Undefeated Jordan 4s for the $5,000 engagement ring you will no longer be giving to your fiance.

If you're the type who recklessly does stuff in his sneaks, hit Saturday's SK8 at M.I.A. Skatepark and play S.K.A.T.E. (like H.O.R.S.E. with 'board tricks) to win free tees and skateboards, which you can promptly post on Ebay as "owned by Tony Hawk".