Wondering how many STEPN shoes you should own to maximize your earnings? It’s a common question for both beginners and experienced users in the move-to-earn app.
The number of STEPN shoes you should have depends on your goals. With more shoes, you’ll have a higher daily energy cap and earning potential.

The STEPN energy system rewards users who hold multiple sneakers. With one shoe, you’ll have just 2 energy points daily, limiting your earning time to 10 minutes.
However, owning 3 shoes increases your energy to 4, and having 9 sneakers can boost your energy to 9 points. Each sneaker quality also matters, with uncommon shoes counting as an extra energy point toward your total. A rare gives you 2 extra energy, and Epic gives you 3 extra.
Key Takeaways
- More STEPN shoes directly increase your daily energy cap, allowing for longer earning sessions and greater rewards.
- Sneaker quality affects your energy calculation, with higher rarity shoes contributing more to your total.
- Your investment strategy should balance the initial cost of multiple shoes against their long-term earning potential.
Understanding StepN

StepN combines fitness with blockchain technology to create a “move-to-earn” experience where physical activity translates to cryptocurrency rewards. The app uses NFT sneakers as digital assets that determine your earning potential.
What Is StepN?
StepN is a Web3 lifestyle app launched in 2021 that rewards you for physical movement. When you walk, jog, or run outdoors with the app open, you earn cryptocurrency tokens called GST (Green Satoshi Token) or GMT (Green Metaverse Token).
The core of StepN revolves around NFT sneakers that come in different qualities: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Each pair has unique attributes that affect your earning potential.
To start using StepN, you need to purchase at least one NFT sneaker on marketplaces like OpenSea or directly through the app. The more sneakers you own, the more daily energy you receive, allowing for longer reward-earning sessions.
The app primarily operates on the Solana blockchain, chosen for its fast transaction speeds and low fees.
The Technology Behind StepN
StepN utilizes blockchain technology to verify movement and distribute rewards. The app employs GPS tracking and motion sensors in your smartphone to confirm you’re actually moving, not just shaking your phone.
Your NFT sneakers function as digital assets stored on the blockchain, typically Solana. Each sneaker contains various attributes like Efficiency (affecting token earning), Luck (for mystery box drops), Comfort (for GMT earning), and Resilience (repair cost reduction).
The energy system limits daily earning potential, creating scarcity in the token economy. Your energy refreshes every 24 hours, with the amount depending on how many sneakers you own.
StepN’s dual-token economy uses GST for in-app activities like repairing shoes or minting new ones, while GMT serves as the governance token for the ecosystem. This creates a sustainable economic model where token value is tied to real-world activity.
The Basics of Move-to-Earn
Move-to-earn apps combine fitness activities with cryptocurrency rewards, creating a financial incentive for physical exercise. These platforms track your walking, jogging, and other movements to generate tokens that have real monetary value.
Defining Move-to-Earn
Move-to-earn is a Web3 concept where physical activity translates directly into cryptocurrency earnings. You complete fitness activities like walking or jogging, and a mobile app tracks your movement using GPS and motion sensors.
The app then rewards your effort with digital tokens. These tokens typically have value in cryptocurrency markets and can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat money.
Unlike traditional fitness apps that only track progress, move-to-earn platforms create a financial feedback loop. This system motivates you to maintain consistent exercise habits while potentially earning income.
The technology uses blockchain to verify your activity and distribute rewards transparently. Most platforms require an initial investment, usually in the form of NFT items like digital sneakers.
How StepN Utilizes Move-to-Earn
StepN pioneered the move-to-earn model with its digital sneaker NFTs. You purchase virtual sneakers and earn GST tokens by walking or jogging outdoors at specific speeds.
Your earnings depend on several factors including your sneaker’s attributes, energy level, and how many NFT sneakers you own. More sneakers means more energy, which directly increases your earning potential.
Energy is a crucial concept in StepN. One shoe gives you 2 energy, three shoes provide 4 energy, and nine shoes give even more. Each energy point typically allows for 5 minutes of earning activity.
StepN requires strategic planning as sneakers must be leveled up by burning GST tokens. Higher-level sneakers earn more tokens, creating a balanced economy of spending and earning within the app.
The Role of NFT Sneakers in StepN

NFT sneakers form the foundation of the StepN move-to-earn ecosystem. These digital assets enable users to earn tokens by walking, jogging, or running while providing different benefits based on their quality and attributes.
What Are NFT Sneakers?
In StepN, NFT sneakers are digital assets that allow you to earn cryptocurrency rewards through physical movement. These sneakers come in five different quality levels, affecting how much you can earn. Each StepN NFT sneaker has unique properties and characteristics.
Types of sneakers include:
- Walker: Best for walking (4-6 km/h)
- Jogger: Optimized for jogging (6-10 km/h)
- Runner: Designed for running (8-20 km/h)
- Trainer: Versatile for various speeds
Each sneaker type works best within its optimal speed range. Using a sneaker outside its intended range reduces earning efficiency. Your choice depends on your preferred exercise style.
NFT sneakers also vary in rarity: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary. Higher rarity levels typically offer better earning potential and attributes. They also give you more energy!
Acquiring Your First StepN NFT Sneaker
To begin your StepN journey, you must purchase at least one NFT sneaker. You can buy sneakers through the in-app marketplace or on secondary marketplaces.
The cost varies depending on:
- Rarity level (Common being cheapest)
- Attribute stats
- Current market conditions
For beginners, a Common sneaker is usually sufficient. This provides access to the basic earning features while requiring less initial investment.
After purchasing, you’ll need to transfer the sneaker to your in-app wallet. The app guides you through this process. Once acquired, you can start earning tokens by moving outdoors at the speed range appropriate for your sneaker type.
Remember that each sneaker comes with a specific amount of daily energy. More energy means more earning opportunities each day.
The Importance of Sneaker Attributes
Each StepN NFT sneaker has four key attributes that affect your earning potential and experience:
Efficiency (E): Determines how much GST (Green Satoshi Token) you earn per energy spent. Higher efficiency means more earnings.
Luck (L): Affects your chances of finding mystery boxes containing gems and tokens. Higher luck increases chances of better rewards.
Comfort (C): Influences GMT token earning (available at higher levels). Better comfort means better GMT earnings.
Resilience (R): Determines how quickly your sneaker loses durability. Higher resilience means less repair costs.
You can upgrade these attributes using GST tokens. Balance is important, but many users prioritize Efficiency for beginners to maximize initial earnings, followed by Resilience to reduce maintenance costs.
Sneaker levels also matter – you can upgrade from Level 1 to 30, with each level increasing attribute points and earning potential.
Optimizing Your StepN Experience

Getting the most from your StepN journey requires strategic planning about your shoe collection and usage patterns. The right approach can significantly boost both your fitness outcomes and earnings potential.
The Right Number of StepN Shoes
The ideal number of StepN shoes depends on your available energy and daily goals. Having 9 shoes gives you a maximum of 45 minutes of walking time, as mentioned by StepN users. Each shoe you own increases your energy capacity, allowing for longer earning sessions.
For beginners, start with one quality shoe rather than multiple basic ones. A single well-chosen sneaker can earn up to $50 per day with the right strategy.
As you progress, consider expanding to 3 shoes (4 energy), then 9 shoes (9 energy), and eventually 15+ shoes for maximum daily earnings. Remember that each additional shoe increases your earning potential by extending your available energy.
Key consideration: Quality over quantity is essential when building your collection.
Considering Your Fitness Goals
Your fitness objectives should guide your shoe selection and optimization strategy. Different shoe types support various activities:
- Walker: Best for steady, consistent exercise
- Jogger: Ideal for moderate-paced movement
- Runner: Perfect for more intense workouts
- Trainer: Versatile for mixed activities
Match your shoe attributes to your fitness routine. If you enjoy running, prioritize shoes with higher Efficiency and Resilience. For casual walking, Comfort attributes help maintain shoe health while still earning.
Use the StepN Guide to optimize your sneaker’s performance based on your movement preferences. Your shoes should complement your natural exercise habits rather than forcing you to adopt uncomfortable routines.
Balancing Comfort and Earnings
The Health Points (HP) system makes comfort attributes increasingly important. Optimizing your sneakers requires balancing earnings potential with sustainability.
Consider these factors when balancing comfort and earnings:
- Gem placement: Level 2+ gems significantly boost performance
- Attribute distribution: Allocate points strategically between Efficiency and Comfort
- Regular maintenance: Repair shoes to maintain earnings potential
Your earning strategy should be sustainable. High-efficiency shoes generate more GST but may require frequent repairs. Shoes with better comfort ratings maintain their condition longer, reducing maintenance costs.
Successful StepN players carefully strategize their shoe attributes, balancing immediate earnings against long-term sustainability. This approach ensures you maximize returns while maintaining an enjoyable fitness experience.
Financial Aspects of StepN

The financial structure of StepN combines fitness activity with cryptocurrency earnings through a unique play-to-earn model. Your financial success depends on understanding the earning mechanisms, token economics, and market dynamics that drive the platform.
Understanding Earning Potential
Your earnings in StepN directly correlate with the number and quality of shoes you own.
With 3 shoes (2 common, 1 uncommon), you’ll have 5 energy points to use during walks or runs. More energy means more earning time.
The quality of your NFT shoes matters significantly. Higher-level shoes generate better returns.
While StepN originally capped shoes at level 30, STEPN GO has increased this cap to level 60, potentially boosting earning capability.
Your earnings are affected by shoe attributes like Efficiency (GST earning rate) and Luck (mystery box chances).
The new Charm attribute in STEPN GO also impacts earning potential.
Users previously reported earnings of $300 per day during peak periods, though returns fluctuate based on market conditions and token prices.
GST has since come way down in price, but there is hope it shall rise from the ashes again someday!
The StepN Tokenomics
StepN operates on a dual-token system: GST (Green Satoshi Token) and GMT (Green Metaverse Token).
GST is the utility token earned through movement, while GMT has governance functionality.
Your earned GST can be used for:
- Repairing shoes (required after use)
- Leveling up shoes
- Minting new shoes
- Converting to other cryptocurrencies
The minting process requires GST and GMT, creating a “mint flip” strategy where users create and sell new shoes for profit.
Token value is tied to user adoption, platform growth, and market sentiment. Many users convert earnings to USDC for stability, as GST prices fluctuate significantly based on supply and demand dynamics.
StepN’s Impact on Trading Volume
NFT shoe trading forms a significant portion of StepN’s ecosystem economy. Shoe prices vary based on:
- Rarity (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary)
- Level
- Attribute distribution
- Mint count (shoes with fewer mints command higher prices)
The platform has created a vibrant secondary marketplace where beginners should follow strategies to maximize profits.
Trading volume fluctuates with overall crypto market trends.
During peak periods, StepN generated millions in daily trading volume across various blockchains including Solana and BNB Chain.
The introduction of STEPN GO has renewed interest in the platform, potentially revitalizing trading volume.
Your investment strategy should account for both earning from movement and potential NFT value appreciation or depreciation.
StepN Community and Networking

Connecting with other StepN users enhances your experience and maximizes your earnings potential. The relationships you build can provide valuable insights, trading opportunities, and motivation to stay active.
Building Connections within the StepN Community
The StepN community is active across multiple platforms.
Reddit hosts discussions where users share strategies about energy management and shoe attributes.
Facebook groups allow you to ask questions like how slots work on different shoes.
Discord and Telegram channels offer real-time advice about:
- Shoe maintenance and upgrades
- Gem placement strategies
- Market timing for buying/selling NFT sneakers
Participating in community challenges can increase your daily steps while connecting you with like-minded fitness enthusiasts. Many StepN users organize local walking groups, creating opportunities to discuss strategies face-to-face.
Leveraging the Web3 Community for Growth
The broader Web3 community offers additional resources for StepN players. Understanding blockchain fundamentals helps you make informed decisions about GMT tokens and NFT sneakers.
Key web3 resources to explore:
- NFT trading communities for price analysis
- Crypto education platforms explaining tokenomics
- Web3 fitness groups testing multiple move-to-earn apps
YouTube tutorials like comprehensive beginner guides explain the technical aspects of StepN in accessible ways. These resources help you understand how StepN fits into the larger move-to-earn ecosystem.
Your network can alert you to upcoming updates or partnership announcements that might affect shoe values. This community knowledge often provides advantages before changes are widely known.
Collaborations and Partnerships

StepN has made significant strides in the move-to-earn space by forming strategic partnerships with established brands. These collaborations have not only enhanced the platform’s credibility but also expanded options for users looking to maximize their earnings.
StepN and Asics: A Strategic Partnership
StepN’s collaboration with Asics stands out as one of the most impactful partnerships in the move-to-earn ecosystem. In 2022, Find Satoshi Lab (the company behind StepN) joined forces with the renowned footwear brand to release limited-edition NFT sneakers.
This partnership allowed you to access specially branded Asics sneakers with unique attributes and potentially higher earning capabilities. The collection sold out quickly, demonstrating the high demand for co-branded digital assets.
When deciding how many shoes to have in your StepN collection, having at least one from the Asics collaboration can provide diversity to your portfolio. These collaboration sneakers often come with special features that standard sneakers don’t offer.
As reported by Yahoo and other media outlets, these partnership sneakers typically maintain higher floor prices on secondary markets, making them valuable investments beyond their in-game utility.
The Importance of Collaborations in Scaling StepN
Collaborations help StepN expand its user base and increase platform adoption. When you’re building your shoe collection, understanding these partnerships can guide your investment strategy.
Brand partnerships bring legitimacy to the StepN ecosystem, attracting both crypto enthusiasts and traditional fitness audiences. This wider appeal creates a more stable marketplace for your digital assets.
For you as a user, these collaborations translate to more diverse earning opportunities. Different branded shoes might offer specialized benefits for different activities or energy systems.
Find Satoshi Lab continues to pursue new partnerships to enhance the StepN experience. Recent collaborations with Adidas have introduced Genesis Sneakers with potentially unique attributes that could complement your existing collection.
Future of StepN and Move-to-Earn

The move-to-earn space is evolving rapidly, and StepN remains a key player in this exciting Web3 fitness revolution. Looking ahead, you can expect the StepN platform to continue developing its core features while adapting to market conditions.
NFT sneakers will likely become more accessible to beginners as the ecosystem matures. This could mean lower entry costs or new membership models that don’t require such large initial investments.
The blockchain infrastructure supporting move-to-earn apps is also improving. Better scalability and lower transaction fees would make daily interactions with your StepN shoes much smoother.
You may see more integration between StepN and other Web3 applications. This could create more utility for your NFT sneakers beyond just earning while walking or running.
The economic model will probably undergo adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability. Early users could earn significant amounts, but future earnings may be more modest yet stable.
Competition in the move-to-earn space is increasing. This is good news for you as a user, as it drives innovation and better rewards systems across all platforms.
Remember that your NFT sneakers represent both utility and potential collectible value. As the Web3 fitness category grows, early adopters holding quality digital assets may benefit from increased demand.
The most successful users will be those who balance short-term earnings with long-term strategy, treating their StepN involvement as both fitness motivation and a Web3 investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many STEPN users wonder about the ideal sneaker collection size for optimal gameplay. The number of sneakers affects energy levels, earning potential, and overall strategy in the move-to-earn app.
What is the optimal number of STEPN sneakers for active participants?
For active STEPN participants, 9 sneakers represents a sweet spot in the energy-to-investment ratio. This number gives you 9 energy points, allowing for longer earning sessions without excessive initial investment.
Most dedicated users aim to eventually own 9-15 sneakers. The energy jump from 9 to 15 sneakers (from 9 to 12 energy) provides significant additional earning potential for those who can exercise longer.
Very committed players might target 30 sneakers (20 energy), though this requires substantial capital investment.
What factors should determine the amount of STEPN sneakers in one’s collection?
Your physical activity level is the primary consideration. If you can only walk/run for 10-20 minutes daily, having many sneakers won’t be beneficial since you won’t use all your energy.
Budget constraints matter too. Each additional sneaker requires investment, so align your collection with financial comfort.
Your sneaker quality (common, uncommon, rare, etc.) affects earnings regardless of quantity. Sometimes investing in fewer higher-quality sneakers beats having many common ones.
How does having multiple pairs of STEPN sneakers impact performance and earnings?
Multiple sneakers directly increase your energy cap. Each energy point allows for 5 minutes of earning activity, so more sneakers mean extended earning sessions.
The energy allocation follows a stepped approach: 4 sneakers give you 4 energy, 9 sneakers provide 9 energy, and 15 sneakers grant 12 energy. This energy system creates strategic breakpoints for collection building.
Multiple sneakers also provide flexibility to optimize for different movement types or attribute combinations, potentially increasing GST earnings through specialization.
For regular STEPN users, what is the recommended variety of sneakers to maintain?
Regular users benefit from having at least one of each sneaker type: Walker, Jogger, and Runner. This variety allows you to match your sneaker to your actual physical activity.
Or get a trainer–then you can go as slow or fast as you wish!
Having sneakers with different gem socket configurations helps maximize attribute benefits. Aim for combinations that enhance Efficiency and Luck for balanced earning.
For daily use, many players prefer a mix centered around their typical exercise pace, with at least one optimized for GST earning and another for luck/mystery box farming.
Is it beneficial to specialize in one type of STEPN sneaker, or to diversify?
Specialization works well if your exercise routine is consistent. If you always jog at 6-8 km/h, focusing on Jogger sneakers makes sense.
Diversification provides flexibility as your exercise habits change. Having different sneaker types accommodates varying energy levels, weather conditions, or workout goals.
Most successful players maintain a core collection of their preferred type, then diversify as their collection grows beyond 9 sneakers.
What is the minimum number of STEPN sneakers necessary for efficient gameplay?
The minimum for meaningful participation is one sneaker, which provides 2 energy points (10 minutes of earning time).
This is sufficient for casual users testing the platform.
For sustainability, 3 sneakers (4 energy) represents the practical minimum. This allows for 20 minutes of daily earning activity, making the investment more worthwhile.
Many experienced users recommend starting with an Uncommon sneaker rather than multiple Commons.
One Uncommon provides better stats and the same energy as two Commons, often with better long-term value.