How to Buy Limited Edition Sneakers via Bots Without Getting Banned: Proxy Setup for Releases

Buying limited releases from Nike SNKRS, Adidas Yeezy, Supreme, and other hyped drops is a real battle against bots. Stores use powerful anti-bot systems that ban based on IP addresses, browser fingerprints, and behavior. Without the right proxy setup, your chances of a successful checkout approach zero—even the fastest bot won't help if you get banned at the cart addition stage.

In this guide, we will explore how professional resellers use proxies to buy limited sneakers, which types of proxies work on different platforms, and how to set up the infrastructure for maximum chances of success.

Why Stores Ban Buyers of Limited Releases

Limited sneaker releases are a multimillion-dollar business for resellers. Nike SNKRS, Adidas Confirmed, Supreme, and other platforms lose money when bots buy up all the stock in seconds, leaving regular buyers disappointed. That's why stores invest millions of dollars in anti-bot protection.

Here are the main methods of bot detection used by platforms:

The result of a ban is not just a refusal to purchase a specific item. Nike SNKRS, for example, bans the entire account, and you lose access to all future releases. Adidas bans the combination of IP + account + payment card. Supreme blocks the delivery address. Recovery from a ban can take months or may even be impossible.

That’s why professional resellers use proxies—they create the illusion that each purchase attempt is coming from different people in different locations. However, not all proxies are equally effective for this task.

Types of Proxies Used for Buying Sneakers

In the sneaker community, there is a clear hierarchy of proxies based on effectiveness. The choice of type depends on the platform, budget, and the number of tasks you plan to run.

Residential ISP Proxies — The Gold Standard for Sneakers

Residential proxies from Internet Service Providers (ISP) are IP addresses that providers assign to regular home users but can be rented for commercial use. They look like the IP of an ordinary person sitting at home at their computer.

Why they are effective for sneakers:

• Stability: The IP does not change, which is important for Nike SNKRS and Adidas—they do not like it when one account "jumps" between IPs.
• Clean Reputation: These IPs are not flagged in proxy provider databases; websites perceive them as regular users.
• High Speed: Unlike rotating residential proxies, ISP proxies work quickly—critical for checkout.
• Session Support: You can log into an account, add to the cart, and complete an order—the site sees one user.

Resellers typically buy pools of ISP proxies in batches of 10-50 and link each proxy to a separate account + payment card profile. This allows them to run multiple tasks simultaneously, simulating different buyers.

Mobile Proxies — For the Most Secure Releases

Mobile proxies use IPs from mobile operators (4G/5G networks). This is the most expensive but also the most effective type of proxy for limited releases.

Advantages for buying sneakers:

• Maximum Trust: Nike SNKRS and other platforms know that most regular buyers access from phones—mobile IPs raise minimal suspicion.
• Dynamic IP Rotation: Mobile operators periodically change IPs in their networks, creating natural behavior.
• Difficulty of Banning: Banning a mobile IP means banning thousands of real users of the operator—platforms avoid this.
• Bypassing Raffles: Nike SNKRS uses a raffle system for some releases—mobile proxies significantly increase the chances of winning.

Mobile proxies are typically used for the most hyped releases (e.g., Off-White x Nike collaborations, Travis Scott x Air Jordan), where competition is at its peak and protection is heightened. The price of $50-100 per proxy pays off if you manage to buy a pair of sneakers that can later be sold for $500-1000 more.

Datacenter Proxies — Only for Shopify and Weak Platforms

Datacenter proxies are the cheapest but also the least effective for buying limited sneakers. Nike, Adidas, and Supreme easily identify and ban datacenter IPs.

Where they can be used:

• Small Shopify stores with basic protection
• Release monitoring and drop tracking (not for purchasing)
• Testing bots before the release
• Account creation (but not on major platforms)

Professional resellers rarely use datacenters for actual purchases—the risk of banning is too high, and missing a release costs much more than saving on proxies.

Protection Features of Different Platforms: Nike SNKRS, Adidas, Supreme

Each platform uses its own methods of anti-bot protection, and the strategy for using proxies should take these features into account.

Nike SNKRS — The Strictest Protection

Nike SNKRS (including the app and web version) uses multi-layer protection from Akamai Bot Manager—one of the most advanced anti-bot systems in the industry.

Proxy Recommendations for Nike SNKRS:

• Use ISP residential proxies or mobile ones—datacenters get banned instantly
• One proxy = one account forever. Never change IP for an existing account
• Proxy must be from the same region as the delivery address (USA proxy for USA address)
• Warm up accounts: log in through the proxy weeks before the release, browse products, add to favorites
• For raffles, mobile proxies provide better chances—Nike trusts mobile IPs

Adidas and Yeezy Supply — Medium Level of Protection

Adidas (including Confirmed and Yeezy Supply) uses protection from PerimeterX. It is less aggressive than Nike's but still requires quality proxies.

Features:

• Queue system—you enter a virtual queue, and your position partly depends on the "reputation" of the IP
• Cookie and session checks—it's important to maintain the session throughout the purchase process
• Behavior analysis: too fast actions lead to bans or being sent to the end of the queue
• Captcha during suspicious activity

Proxy Recommendations for Adidas:

• ISP residential proxies work great—this is the optimal choice in terms of price/quality
• You can use one proxy for 2-3 tasks, but no more
• Proxy speed is important—a slow proxy means a position at the end of the queue
• Warming up is not as critical as for Nike, but desirable

Supreme — Speed is Everything

Supreme uses its own protection that focuses on the speed of checkout and the uniqueness of buyer data.

Features:

• Products sell out in 5-15 seconds—proxy speed is critical
• Ban based on data uniqueness: email, phone, address, card must be unique for each task
• One IP = one successful purchase per drop (duplicates are canceled)
• Check for duplicate delivery addresses—you cannot send 10 orders to one address

Proxy Recommendations for Supreme:

• ISP residential proxies with low ping (<50ms)—speed is critical
• For particularly hyped releases—mobile proxies
• One proxy = one task, no duplicates
• Test proxy speed before the drop—replace slow ones

Setting Up Proxies in Popular Sneaker Bots

Sneaker bots are specialized software that automates the process of adding items to the cart and completing orders. The most popular ones are: Cybersole, Kodai, Wrath, Balko, NSB (NikeShoeBot), Velox.

All modern bots support working with proxies. The setup usually occurs in several stages:

Step 1: Obtaining Proxy Data from the Provider

After purchasing proxies, you receive a list in the format:

IP:PORT:USERNAME:PASSWORD
192.168.1.100:8080:user123:pass456
192.168.1.101:8080:user124:pass457

Or in URL format:

http://username:password@ip:port
http://user123:pass456@192.168.1.100:8080

Step 2: Importing Proxies into the Bot

Most bots have a "Proxy Manager" or "Proxies" section. The import process:

1. Open the proxy management section in the bot
2. Select "Import" or "Add Proxies"
3. Paste the proxy list into the text field (usually one per line)
4. Select the proxy type: HTTP/HTTPS or SOCKS5 (depends on what the provider supplied)
5. Click "Test All" or "Validate"—the bot will check the functionality of each proxy

Step 3: Linking Proxies to Tasks

In sneaker bots, you create "tasks"—each task is one attempt to buy a product. Task setup includes:

• Website: Nike SNKRS, Adidas, Footlocker, etc.
• Product: SKU or product link
• Size: which size to buy
• Profile: order details (name, address, card)
• Proxy: which proxy to use for this task

A critically important rule: one proxy = one task for Nike SNKRS and Supreme. For Adidas, you can have 2-3 tasks per proxy, but no more.

Step 4: Setting Up Proxy Usage Mode

Bots usually offer several modes for working with proxies:

• Static: Each task uses the same proxy throughout the process. Recommended for Nike SNKRS and Adidas.
• Rotating: The proxy changes with each request. Suitable only for less secure sites.
• Sticky session: The proxy is retained for the duration of the session (usually 10-30 minutes). A compromise option.

For limited releases, always use the Static mode—changing IP during checkout will lead to a ban or order cancellation.

How Many Proxies Are Needed for a Successful Drop

The number of proxies depends on your goals and budget. Here are typical scenarios:

Beginner (hobby, 1-2 pairs per release)

• Proxies: 5-10 ISP residential
• Tasks: 5-10 tasks (one per proxy)
• Proxy Budget: $15-50/month
• Chances of Success: 10-30% depending on the hype of the release

Intermediate Level (3-5 pairs per release, regular purchases)

• Proxies: 20-50 ISP residential + 2-5 mobile for hyped releases
• Tasks: 30-50 tasks
• Proxy Budget: $100-300/month
• Chances of Success: 40-60%

Professional (10+ pairs, reseller business)

• Proxies: 100-500 ISP residential + 10-20 mobile
• Tasks: 100-500+ tasks on multiple servers
• Proxy Budget: $500-2000+/month
• Chances of Success: 70-90%

It is important to understand: more proxies ≠ guaranteed success. The quality of proxies, bot setup, account warming, server speed—all of this affects the result. Professional resellers spend months optimizing their infrastructure.

How to Test Proxies Before the Release

Testing proxies before the release is a mandatory step. Discovering a dead or slow proxy during a drop means missing a purchase.

Test 1: Basic Functionality

Most bots have a built-in "Test Proxies" function. It checks:

• Proxy availability (does the server respond)
• Speed (ping, response time)
• Geolocation (in which region the IP is located)

Remove all proxies that did not pass the test or have a ping >200ms.

Test 2: Checking for Ban

Some proxies may already be banned on the target platform (if they were used by the previous owner). Check:

1. Set up your browser to work through the proxy (you can use extensions like FoxyProxy)
2. Go to the target site (e.g., nike.com)
3. Try to add a product to the cart and start checkout
4. If you receive errors like "Access Denied," "Blocked," or infinite loading— the proxy is banned

Test 3: Speed Check on the Target Site

For Supreme and other platforms where speed is important, test the page load times:

1. Use tools like curl with the --proxy option to measure response time
2. Or run test tasks in the bot on a non-release product
3. Measure the time from start to adding to the cart
4. Replace proxies that are 30% slower than average

Test 4: Warming Up Accounts Through Proxies

1-2 weeks before the release, start using proxies to "warm up" accounts:

• Log into the account through the proxy
• Browse products, add to favorites
• Check that the account does not receive captchas or blocks
• Save cookies for use in the bot

This is especially important for Nike SNKRS—accounts with a history of activity have a better chance in raffles.

Common Mistakes When Using Proxies on Drops

Mistake 1: Using Datacenters on Nike SNKRS

This is the most common mistake among beginners. Datacenters are cheap, and novice resellers try to save money. The result—instant bans on all tasks. Nike SNKRS identifies datacenter IPs with a 99% probability.

Solution: Use only ISP residential or mobile proxies for Nike SNKRS. Saving on proxies will lead to losing much more money due to missed releases.

Mistake 2: Changing Proxies for an Existing Account

Some users create an account from one IP and then log in with another proxy during the release. This is a red flag for anti-bot systems.

Solution: Link each account to a specific proxy forever. Created an account with proxy A—only use proxy A for that account. Keep a table of account-proxy correspondence.

Mistake 3: Too Many Tasks on One Proxy

Running 10 tasks on one proxy is a clear sign of a bot. Platforms see that multiple simultaneous requests are coming from one IP.

Solution: For Nike SNKRS and Supreme—strictly 1 task per proxy. For Adidas—a maximum of 2-3 tasks. If you need more tasks—buy more proxies.

Mistake 4: Mismatch Between Proxy Geolocation and Delivery Address

An order from a California IP to a New York address looks suspicious. An order from a US IP to an address in Europe is almost guaranteed to be canceled.

Solution: Buy proxies from the same region/country as the delivery address. If sending to New York—use proxies from New York state or neighboring states. For international orders—proxies from the same country.

Mistake 5: Lack of Backup Proxies

Proxies can suddenly go down or be banned right during the release. If you don't have backups—you miss the drop.

Solution: Always keep 20-30% backup proxies. If you plan 50 tasks—buy 60-65 proxies. Backups can be used to replace dead ones or for additional tasks.

Mistake 6: Using Free or Public Proxies

Free proxies are a 100% guarantee of a ban. They are used by thousands of people, are slow, unreliable, and are already on all blacklists.

Solution: Use only paid proxies from reputable providers. This is an investment that pays off with the first successful purchase of a limited release.

Conclusion

Buying limited sneakers through bots without the proper proxy setup is a lottery with minimal chances of success. Modern anti-bot systems from Nike SNKRS, Adidas, and Supreme easily identify and ban automation attempts if quality proxies are not used and security rules are not followed.

Key takeaways from this guide:

• ISP residential proxies are the optimal choice for most releases in terms of price/quality
• Mobile proxies provide the best chances for hyped releases and Nike SNKRS raffles
• One proxy = one account forever, never change IP for existing accounts
• Proxy geolocation must match the delivery address
• Test proxies a few days before the release, warm up accounts
• Keep 20-30% backup proxies in case of issues

Success in purchasing limited releases is a combination of quality proxies, properly configured bots, warmed-up accounts, and experience. Don't skimp on proxies—a missed Off-White x Nike release costs much more than a month's rent for quality proxies.

If you plan to seriously engage in sneaker reselling, we recommend starting with residential ISP proxies—they provide a high level of trust from platforms and sufficient speed for successful checkouts. For particularly hyped releases, add a few mobile proxies—they offer the best chances in raffles and the most secure drops.