In the world of sneakers, the term Ds is used very often. Ds stands for deadstock, meaning completely new, box-fresh, and in good condition.
If you are a beginner getting into the sneaker game, you might be overwhelmed by the dozens of sneaker slang, abbreviations, and nicknames that you have never heard or seen before. It might take you a month to research and understand all of those acronyms.
But most of the time, you will see Ds in sneakers. But what does Ds mean in shoes? In this article, I will give you detailed information about Ds’s origin, its meaning, and where you can find Ds now.
Where Did Ds Come From?
It is believed that the term Ds, or also known as Deadstock, probably first appeared when the eBay phenomena initiated. For some sneaker connoisseurs at that time, this term was something like “weird” or even “corny”.
Accordingly, resellers are trying to describe and sell the unreachable sneakers that they own. However, these models can be bought on bargain tables or owned by the reseller but have never ever been worn or found on dusty basements at old shoe stores. However, these sneakers have never been seen as “dead”.
And when the eBay revolution began, the term Ds (or deadstock) was expanded. It refers to any new shoe, regardless of how old it is or how it was purchased.
For example, Air Jordan 1 Mid SE sneakers were from 1985 or 2001. It can still be sold as Ds or deadstock as long as it has yet to be worn.
If you’re a sneakerhead, you’ve probably heard the term “deadstock” (DS) being thrown around. But where did it come from? Find the answer and more information about deadstock shoes on hoodmwr.com. Learn about the importance of deadstock shoes and where to buy them.
So What Does DS Mean in Shoes?
Now it is really simple. Ds means deadstock and also means new in the world of sneakers or shoes. So, if shoes have been tried on or worn before, they are not technically Ds anymore.
Sometimes, you might have heard or seen the term VNDS, which denotes Very Near Deadstock. PADS is also quite popular, standing for Pass as Deadstock. Some people even try to be “cute” or “funny” and say that their sneakers have been used but are still in good condition. In this case, they refer to the term VVVVVNDS.
In the world of sneakers, most of the time, “worn” sneakers mean that they no longer look new but may be not so old and out of style.
However, some sneaker connoisseurs have redefined the term Ds themselves. For them, Ds or deadstock in the world of sneakers is when you are talking about the original models. They should have never been worn and box-fresh, and even so unique that a sneaker brand will never make them again.
Tip: Always ask for photos of any defects or marks on the sneakers to see what you are going to get before deciding to buy ds shoes. Besides, you should find out if they come with the original shoe box and additional laces. This can be a sign that the sneakers are still in good shape.
What Is The Ds Situation?
Usually, buyers are really interested in the condition of the sneakers or shoes that are resold from the seller. Since these models are completely out of stock at retail stores, you will not need to check them out.
For example, when you purchase a pair of second-hand shoes on eBay, sellers will score it on a scale from 1 to 10. If it has 1 score, that means the sneakers have been used for a long time. And the show with condition 1 is typically sold at a very low price. In contrast, sneakers with condition 10 are entirely new, fresh-box, and of course, will usually cost a fortune.
Let’s take the Off-White x Air VaporMax ‘The Ten’ sneakers as an instance. On Goat, almost all deadstock, brand new pairs of shoes will cost from $900 to $1,500. On the other hand, used sneakers will cost between $700 and $1,000. If you find any pair of $700, it means the sneakers have been worn many times. The higher value the pairs are, the more ds condition they will be.
Furthermore, you will find 2 different types of deadstock. The first type is sneakers that are not out of the box, still in the completely brand new deadstock condition. And the other one is sneakers that were taken out, put on to take some photos, and then put back in the shoe box.
But why do we have these 2 types? This is because once put on, the sneaker will lose the shape of deadstock condition. When the foot is brought in the sneaker, the heel of the shoe will be wrinkled, no longer keeping its initial form.
Therefore, reliable sellers put up for sale, they usually say that 1 is completely brand new, deadstock. And 2 is the sneakers have been tried on feet, but still fresh, whole new as they have not been worn outside.
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The Evolution of Ds Meaning
After the eBay revolution, the word Ds (also known as deadstock) seems to be more widely used. Of course, deadstock is still used a lot in the world of sneakers, describing any new old stock. However, this term now tends to be used to describe any type of product that is unworn.
These might be classic or not. It is also possible that a best-selling sneaker is being resold at a thrift store or consignment shop. So, even though it might not be worn, it is not – and never has been “dead stock”.
Therefore, the term ds or deadstock is now used more as a way to explain the condition of a shoe or any product rather than how and where it occurred.
Conclusion
So, what does Ds mean in shoes? I believe that now you have your own answer to this question. Ds stands for deadstock in the world of sneakers. It simply describes the completely brand new condition of shoes that resellers want to sell.
However, the term deadstock or ds these days is used more to refer to a new pair of sneakers. That is also why some previously-used terms, such as PADS (Pass As Deadstock) and VNDS (Very Near Deadstock), are almost no longer used. And for some people, there is only brand new or worn when it comes to deadstock or ds sneakers.
