You just bought a sneaker bot. Maybe it’s Nike Shoe Bot, Wrath, Kodai, or Cybersole. You’re excited, but there’s one problem — you have no idea how to set up proxies. Without proper proxy configuration, your bot is essentially useless. Every task will get IP-banned before it reaches checkout.
Don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything from scratch: what proxies are, which type to buy, how to load them into your bot, and how to test them before a drop. No prior knowledge required.
What Are Proxies and Why Do You Need Them?
A proxy is a middleman server that sits between your computer and the sneaker website. When your bot sends a request, it goes through the proxy first, so the website sees the proxy’s IP address instead of yours.
Why does this matter? Because sneaker bots run multiple tasks simultaneously — say, 20 checkout attempts at once. If all 20 come from your home IP address, the website instantly knows you’re botting and blocks you. With 20 different proxies, each task appears to come from a different person.
The Three Main Proxy Types
| Type | What It Is | Pros | Cons | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datacenter | IPs from server farms | Fast, cheap, unlimited bandwidth | Easily detected and blocked | $1-3 per IP |
| Residential | IPs from home internet connections | Higher trust, harder to detect | Slower, billed by bandwidth | $5-15 per GB |
| Mobile | IPs from 4G/5G cellular networks | Highest trust, nearly undetectable | Most expensive, limited availability | $10-30 per IP |
Which Proxy Type Should You Buy?
If you’re a beginner, here’s the simple decision framework:
- Budget is tight? Start with residential proxies. They offer the best balance of cost and performance.
- Going after hyped drops? Invest in mobile proxies. The higher success rate pays for itself when you hit on a $300+ shoe.
- Just testing your bot? Datacenter proxies are fine for practice runs on non-hyped releases.
For the best results, many experienced users combine types: mobile proxies for their top-priority tasks and residential for the rest.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Proxies in Your Bot
Step 1: Buy Your Proxies
Purchase proxies from a reputable provider. After purchasing, you’ll receive your proxies in one of these formats:
ip:port:username:password
ip:port (if IP-authenticated)
username:password@ip:portYour provider will send these via email or through their dashboard. Copy the full list.
Step 2: Open Your Bot’s Proxy Manager
Every major sneaker bot has a proxy section. Here’s where to find it:
- Nike Shoe Bot (NSB): Settings → Proxies → Add Proxy List
- Wrath: Proxies tab → Import
- Kodai: Proxy section on the left sidebar → Add proxies
- Cybersole: Proxies page → Create new list → Paste proxies
- Prism: Dashboard → Proxies → New Proxy List
Step 3: Import Your Proxy List
- Create a new proxy group/list (name it something descriptive like “Mobile-March2026”)
- Paste your proxies — one per line
- Make sure the format matches what your bot expects (most bots auto-detect the format)
- Save the list
Step 4: Test Your Proxies
This is the step most beginners skip — and it’s the most important one.
- Select your proxy list in the bot
- Click “Test” or “Test All” (every bot has this)
- Wait for results — you’ll see speed (in ms) and status (working/dead)
- Remove any dead or slow proxies (anything over 1000ms is too slow for drops)
What good results look like:
- Response time: under 500ms (ideal), under 1000ms (acceptable)
- Status: 200 OK or connected
- IP type: should show “mobile” or “residential” (check via ipinfo.io)
Step 5: Assign Proxies to Tasks
When creating tasks for a drop:
- Select your tested proxy list
- The bot will automatically distribute proxies across tasks
- Make sure you have at least as many proxies as tasks (1:1 ratio minimum)
- For hyped drops, aim for a 1.5:1 proxy-to-task ratio to have backups
Testing Your Setup Before a Real Drop
Never use a new proxy setup on a hyped drop for the first time. Here’s how to test safely:
Method 1: General Release Test
Run your bot on a non-hyped general release. This lets you test the full flow (add to cart → checkout → payment) without the pressure of limited stock.
Method 2: Restock Monitor
Set up restock monitoring on a shoe that frequently restocks. When it comes back in stock, your bot will attempt to checkout — giving you real-world proxy testing.
Method 3: IP Verification
Use your proxies to visit ipinfo.io/json and verify:
- The IP is from the expected provider/carrier
- The connection type shows “mobile” or “residential” (not “hosting” or “datacenter”)
- The location is reasonable (not flagged as a known proxy)
Beginner Mistakes That Kill Your Success Rate
Buying from random Discord sellers: Stick to established proxy providers with reviews and track records. Discord proxy sellers often resell the same overused IPs.
Using all datacenter proxies on hyped drops: Datacenter proxies will get you banned on any seriously protected release. Invest in at least some residential or mobile proxies.
Not testing before drop day: We can’t stress this enough. Test at least 24 hours before the drop so you have time to fix issues or buy replacements.
Sharing proxies with friends: If you and your friend use the same proxy list, you’re doubling the traffic on each IP. Buy separate proxy lists.
Ignoring proxy expiration: Most proxies are sold with time limits (daily, weekly, monthly). Make sure yours are active on drop day.
Recommended Proxy Setup for Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Recommended Proxy Type | Minimum Quantity | Budget Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-time botting (testing) | Datacenter | 10-15 | $15-45 |
| Regular Jordan/Dunk releases | Residential (ISP) | 15-25 | $50-125 |
| Hyped releases (Travis Scott, Off-White) | Mobile (4G/5G) | 10-20 | $100-600 |
| Mixed strategy (recommended) | 5 Mobile + 15 Residential | 20 | $100-200 |
For those looking to start with mobile proxies, providers in the Southeast Asian region offer excellent value. To understand why mobile proxies deliver the best results, read our deep-dive on why mobile proxies have the highest success rate for sneaker drops.
FAQ
How many proxies do I need as a beginner?
Start with 10-15 proxies. This lets you run 10-15 tasks comfortably. As you learn and scale up, you can buy more.
Can I use free proxies for sneaker botting?
Absolutely not. Free proxies are shared by thousands of users, are extremely slow, and are the first to be blocked. They will never work for sneaker drops.
What’s the difference between IP-authenticated and user:pass proxies?
IP-authenticated proxies whitelist your home IP to use them — no username/password needed. User:pass proxies require credentials but can be used from any location. For botting, user:pass is more flexible.
How often should I replace my proxies?
For datacenter proxies, rotate weekly. For residential and mobile proxies, they typically rotate automatically. If you notice declining success rates, it’s time for fresh proxies.
Can I use the same proxies for Nike and Shopify sites?
Yes, but not simultaneously. You can use your proxy list on Nike for one drop and Shopify for another. Just don’t run the same proxy on both platforms at the same time.