How to Cop Limited Pairs | Sneaker Copping Guide

Pre-Release Preparation

Success on limited releases starts days before the actual drop. Here's your comprehensive pre-release checklist:

Account Optimization (1 Week Before)

Adidas Confirmed App: Update to latest version, verify profile completion (100%), save payment method and shipping address, enable biometric login
SNKRS App: Complete Nike member profile, link payment, verify email and phone number, turn on push notifications
Build Purchase History: Buy at least one non-hyped release (GRs) in the 2-4 weeks before a major drop—accounts with recent purchase history show improved win rates
Device Preparation: Clear app cache, ensure iOS/Android is updated, free up 2GB+ storage space, disable battery saver mode during drops

Internet & Setup (24 Hours Before)

Connection Test: Run speed test (aim for 50+ Mbps down, 10+ up). Test ping to Adidas servers—under 30ms is ideal
Backup Internet: Have 4G/5G mobile data ready as backup. Wired ethernet is fastest if available for desktop drops
Multiple Devices: Prepare both mobile and desktop (if drop is cross-platform). Test checkout flow on each device
Disable Distractions: Turn off auto-updates, close background apps, silence notifications except for drop alerts

Drop Day Morning (2 Hours Before)

App Check: Force-close and reopen Confirmed/SNKRS 30 minutes before drop to ensure you're on the latest product feed
Login Early: Open app 10-15 minutes before drop time. Don't wait until the second it goes live—servers slow down from traffic
Size Decision: Know your size in advance. Check our size guide if uncertain—no time to research during drop
Payment Ready: Test Face ID/Touch ID or have card details ready to paste. Every second counts on FCFS releases

Confirmed App Strategy (Raffle Drops)

The Adidas Confirmed app uses a raffle system for most hyped releases. Understanding how to optimize your entry is critical:

Raffle Entry Best Practices

Entry Timing: Enter as soon as the raffle opens—while order doesn't officially matter, entering early ensures you don't miss the window due to crashes
Single Size Entry: Choose one size only. Multiple size entries flag accounts as bots and may reduce your odds or result in disqualification
Don't Refresh: After entering, close the app and wait for notification. Excessive refreshing doesn't help and wastes battery/data
Notification Window: Winners are typically notified 1-6 hours after raffle closes. You'll have 30-60 minutes to complete checkout once selected

Account Boosting Tactics

Consistent Activity: Open the app 2-3x per week, browse products, enter non-hyped raffles even if you don't want the pair
Purchase Low-Tier Drops: Buy GR (General Release) Adidas from the app monthly. Purchase history significantly improves raffle odds
Complete Challenges: Participate in app challenges and exclusives. Creator Club points and badge collection matter for account scoring
Profile Completion: Fill out preferences, style quiz, and all profile fields. 100% completion is minimum—go beyond with app engagement

Pro Tip: Regional Selection

If you're near multiple Confirmed app regions (e.g., NYC and NJ), you can legally enter raffles for both regions on the same account if you can pick up in-store. This doesn't violate terms as long as you're actually able to collect from the winning location.

FCFS (First Come First Served) Strategy

FCFS drops reward speed and preparation. Here's how to maximize your chances when it's a race:

The 30-Second Checkout

0-5 seconds: Page loads, product appears. Tap "Buy Now" or "Add to Cart" immediately—don't hesitate or read descriptions

5-10 seconds: Size selection. Have your size memorized. Tap once, no double-checking

10-15 seconds: Cart page loads. Tap "Checkout" or "Proceed to Payment" instantly

15-25 seconds: Payment screen. Use Apple Pay/Google Pay for instant authentication via Face ID/fingerprint. Manual card entry takes 8-12 seconds longer

25-30 seconds: Confirmation screen. Screenshot immediately for proof of purchase

Desktop FCFS Tactics

Browser Choice: Chrome is fastest for most platforms, but test Safari on Mac—autofill can be faster
Autofill Setup: Save payment info in browser (not on site). Test autofill on a non-hyped release to ensure fields populate correctly
Tab Management: Have product page open in 2-3 tabs. If one lags, switch tabs rather than refreshing
Extension Warning: Disable ad blockers and privacy extensions during drops—they can interfere with checkout or trigger bot detection
Mouse vs Keyboard: Keyboard shortcuts (Tab + Enter) are faster than mouse for form navigation. Practice the flow

Common FCFS Mistakes

Refreshing the page repeatedly (triggers rate limiting)
Not being logged in before drop time
Having multiple browser windows open (can flag as bot behavior)
Waiting to see if size is available before adding to cart (assume it is and move fast)

Shock Drops & Restock Alerts

Unannounced releases and restocks offer some of the best odds due to lower competition. Here's how to never miss one:

Essential Alert Setup

Push Notifications: Enable for Confirmed app, SNKRS, and all retailer apps. Allow notifications even when app is closed
Twitter Monitors: Follow @adidasalerts, @snkr_twitr, @SoleLinks with notifications on. They typically post 30-90 seconds before drop goes live
Discord Groups: Join Adidas/sneaker Discord servers with restock channels. Many have bot monitors that post restocks in real-time
Browser Extensions: Use Distill or Visualping to monitor product pages for "Add to Cart" button changes (advanced users only)

Shock Drop Response Time

Average shock drop sellout times based on hype level:

Ultra-Hyped (Bad Bunny, Wales Bonner): 2-4 minutes
High-Hyped (Yeezy 350 V2, popular Sambas): 8-15 minutes
Mid-Hype (Gazelles, Spezials): 30-60 minutes
Restocks of Old Releases: 1-4 hours (better odds)

In-Store Raffle Strategy

Physical store raffles often have better odds than online due to lower entry volume per location:

Store Selection Strategy

Tier 0 Boutiques: Consortium accounts and boutiques get exclusive allocations. Odds are best but often require purchase history or in-person relationships
Suburban Stores: Adidas and Foot Locker locations 20-30 miles outside major cities have significantly better odds (50-70% lower entry volume)
Flagship Stores: Avoid NYC, LA, London flagships unless mandatory. Thousands enter these raffles—odds are worse than online
Multi-Entry: You can enter at multiple store locations (different addresses) legally. Enter 3-5 stores within driving distance to multiply odds

In-Person Entry Best Practices

Timing: Enter on first day of raffle window if possible—staff are less rushed and more helpful
Documentation: Bring photo ID and payment method. Some stores verify identity at pickup to prevent reselling
Build Relationships: Be polite, ask questions, remember staff names. Regular customers often get preferential treatment for future raffles
Check Pickup Rules: Confirm pickup window (usually 24-48 hours) and whether someone else can collect on your behalf

How to Cop Limited Adidas Releases in 2025