From Sole to Soil: An Interview With Lewis Earle, Founder of Sneaker Planters

Creatives of all stripes play a vital role in shaping the sneakersphere – they’re fuelled by curiosity to push the boundaries of design, culture and innovation. From artists and designers to obsessives who turn passion into projects, they bring ideas to life through collaborations, customisations and entirely new concepts that capture the spirit of the scene. One such craftsman is Lewis Earle, the founder of Liverpool-based brand Sneaker Planters. Combining his love for the game with tech, he’s crafted unique 3D-printed vessels that bring iconic silhouettes like the Air Force 1 and Air Max 95 into a new realm. His journey reflects how a passion for both kicks and creativity can lead to something truly original, and his work is a testament to how the industry thrives on innovative thinkers.

We caught up with Lewis to find out more about his journey from sneaker enthusiast to collector, the creative process behind Sneaker Planters, and building giant kicks for Corteiz.

Peep the interview below!

Hey Lewis! I’d love to start things off by asking about the moment when sneakers really clicked for you.
I started collecting around 2015. I think there’s a post on my Instagram from around then with an all-white pair of Air Force 1s. But what really got me into it was the original Ultra Boost. I grabbed a pair from a local adidas store in Liverpool, and they were just so comfortable. I was on my feet all day working in a stockroom, so the comfort was a game changer. They really affected how I looked at sneakers.

Somehow, I ended up on the sneakers subreddit and started seeing different colourways of Ultra Boosts. It was around the time the Yeezy Boosts were dropping, and I was really into the boost technology and comfort, and from there it just took off! That’s when I got my first pair of Jordan 1s, the ‘Shattered Backboards’, which are still my favourites.

How has your collection evolved over time?
There have been a few Yeezys I camped for, but one pair that really stands out is the Air Jordan 1 Retro in ‘Black/Royal Blue’. I camped out on Market Street in Manchester, outside Foot Locker. It was a long one – about 16 hours! But to this day, I’ve still got them and I’ve never worn them. They’re just part of the whole experience for me. They’ve got the classic dust on them, maybe even mildew, but I can just wipe it off: it’s part of the memory.

Love this! On that note, what are your thoughts on raffle culture and its place in today’s market?
Well, I’ve got beef with END. because I’ve never won a raffle, ha! And as much as I enjoyed the camp-outs, it was quite draining. Nowadays, you sit on your screen or SNKRS and try to enter. If you don’t get them then you might pay resale or move on to the next pair. I do feel like that element of camping out and activations (especially with brands like Corteiz) has become a really important part of sneaker culture, and it needs to be continued.

As a Liverpudlian, what is it about the Air Max 95 that resonates so strongly with you?
They're so deeply ingrained in Scouse culture. Growing up, all my mates wore 110s, but my mum would never let me get a pair because they retailed at such a high price. I used to have to wear the Air Max 90s, which I know is a very First World Problem! Ultimately, [the 110s] are a huge part of Liverpool. I know they have their place in many other cities across the UK, but to grow up around them has been such an experience.

What’s your one sneaker grail, and your most recent pick-up?
My grails change all the time. I’d love a pair of Nike MAGs… I was speaking to some designers recently who asked me what I’d do if I was head of the brand for a day. I said: ‘I’d head to the archive and grab a pair of MAGs in my size!’ I’m pretty Nike-heavy. I’ve got the ‘Honey Blacks’ from Corteiz, which they very kindly gifted. I love Jordan 4s and have been picking up a lot of retros – OG Spiridons, blue TNs, that sort of thing.

How did the idea of Sneaker Planters first come about?
One of my passions is tech. [At Lush] I landed a tech job managing their IT systems, laptops, and iPads. One day I decided to buy a 3D printer – a few years ago they were pretty inaccessible to the general public because of their price point, but I saw them online for around 200–250 pounds, so I gladly grabbed one. It was an Ender 3 Pro.

Eventually, I got really fascinated by the process of printing objects from nothing. I saw some companies making Jordan 1s in candle form, so I thought: ‘I can’t print candles, but why not try pots?’ I spent a couple of weeks researching to see if anyone had done something similar, [then] bought a batch of Air Force 1 Mids, Jordans and others.

I decided to go with the AF-1 because it’s an iconic shoe. I loaded it up, pressed print. The first planter didn’t quite fit in the back of the shoe. I had to go back, do some R&D and adjust it. Once I got it right, I posted it on my personal Instagram and the feedback was amazing. That’s when I decided to print more and share them with my friends and followers.

You’ve been on quite the journey then – would you say the process has changed a lot since you first started?
I started out in my parents' spare bedroom with a single 3D printer. That one turned into three, then eventually six – the absolute maximum I could fit in there. Next I moved to a storage unit, which wasn't very typical for this kind of thing because they don’t often come with power sockets! But I relocated there and we went from six printers to 12, and then to 18. That was the sweet spot in terms of what I could do myself. Unfortunately the storage company went out of business so I had to move into a different studio, and now I’m in this building in the centre of Liverpool!

How would you explain the way your background as a collector influences the way you design?
That’s a good question. It is moreso the hobby that influences the design – the 3D models are actually made by my designer. Funnily enough, the packs of models I bought to prototype the designs were made by the designer I’m working with now! We ended up connecting over Instagram: he found my work, was really happy with it, and we started working together. He does all the designing, but the hobby influences how the 3D models are coloured, for example – I like to make sure all the details are spot on.

What about a silhouette you haven’t turned into a planter yet, but you’re dying to try?
I think I'm quite biased – I've made a lot of my favourites! However, there is the Sean Wotherspoon Air Max 97/1 which I’m yet to have a go at. When I first started out I was printing in single colours, so all my planters were just one colourway. Now I’ve evolved to multicoloured printing – I can do up to five colours [on one print].

And why is 3D tech the right tool for what you want to do?
It’s so fast. The printers I use now are so much more advanced than those I was using at the start! These are also great for the job because I can make or colour a planter in an hour – maybe two, depending on how complex the colourway is. I load up the colours, click print, and within a day or two I’ve got [a planter] ready in my hand. You’re not relying on external factors or processes like injection moulding.

You've worked with names like Corteiz. How did that colab come about?
I got an email from Corteiz through my Sneaker Planters email. I gave them a ring. The brief was that Clint wanted an Air Max 95, and it had to be big enough to actually sit in.

A lot of my mates had suggested something like this before, and I always knew it was possible. I’d just never actually tried it. But I thought it was funny, so obviously I said yes! Thankfully, the model’s quite simple and tends to pull away easily: it’s 90% black, with a few yellow hits. Clint’s always all over the world, so we timed [delivery of] the big shoe so Clint would be around to see it and get some content with it.

It was that big, it wouldn’t even fit through the studio door, so I had to build it in sections. I drove it down to London and assembled it in Clint’s office while he was there. It took a couple of hours to make it as solid as possible, and once I finished it we took it downstairs to the warehouse and made some content with it.

Clint couldn’t fit in it – but one of his staff members managed no problem, and it’s been all over social media. I genuinely think it's a Guinness World Record – I did apply for it, but they never got back to me. Maybe the next one!

Finally, Lewis, is there anything you can tell me about what’s in store for the future?
Right now I'm doing a lot of work with JD. I can't say exactly what I'm doing, but we have a great working relationship – other than that, I'm an open book when it comes to business. I do like making my planters, so will probably release some more models down the line!