Sneaker-heads queue for shoes

Auckland sneaker fans have been queuing for a pair of rapper Kanye West's latest shoes - six days early.

On Saturday, the coveted $490 adidas Yeezy Boost 750s will launch in New Zealand - and the rest of the world - with just 30 pairs up for grabs.

Twelve people have set up camp outside High St shoe store Loaded in the hopes of securing a pair of the sought-after sneakers, which have glow-in-the-dark soles.

"It's like a subculture, a shoe-collecting subculture," said Loaded manager Luke Parkinson.

He said the store was preparing for a crowd of more than 300 to arrive on Saturday morning.

Mr Parkinson said shoppers were lining up on Saturday, but he sent them away saying they would "die in the cold".

The fanatics were back with camp chairs and sleeping bags at 6am on Monday.

Joshua, the owner of High St store Prosper, who would not provide his last name, had been in the queue since Tuesday morning.

"When I get them I'll put them in my house and worship them. They're special shoes, I don't want to damage them," he said.

Riki, 17, said he didn't mind missing school if he could score a pair of the new Yeezys.

"It's the hype that makes them special, if you're not first you'll miss out on the chance to get them at all."

The student said he was planning on donning the sneakers at his high school's pre-ball this month.