Welcome to PIN HUNTER

You’re probably wondering—what exactly is a Pin Hunter? And why am I making this a whole thing?

Well, collecting pins isn’t new. In fact, it’s something most people have done at least once in their life, even if they don’t think about it. Maybe it was a breast cancer awareness pin, a souvenir from a theme park, or something designed by a niche creator. Whatever the case, pins are cool—and honestly, you should be collecting them.

Why collect pins? What’s the trade-off?

Why would you want to become a Pin Hunter? Simple—traveling is fun. And what better way to remember an adventure than with a pin you found along the way? Sure, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of other souvenirs out there, but a lot of them either don’t last, don’t have any real use, or are difficult to display.

Pins, on the other hand, are versatile. You can put them on hats, boards, jackets, or ITA bags (which I talked about in a previous article). But for me, pins are more than just accessories—they’re tiny pieces of art and reminders of the places I’ve been.

What makes someone a true Pin Hunter?

For me, pin collecting is more than just a hobby—it’s a way to travel the world. If a destination has a pin, I’m way more inclined to go there versus somewhere that doesn’t. Of course, I’m not going to cancel a vacation just because there isn’t a pin to grab (I’m not that dramatic), but it does make the experience feel even more special. There’s something about hunting down a pin in person that adds to its value.

Sure, you can buy pins online or from big chain stores, but do those really mean anything? Maybe it’s a limited edition pin from your favorite series, but does it tell a story? Does it mark an accomplishment or serve as proof that you were actually there?

The experience of collecting

The best part of pin hunting is that you don’t have to plan it out too much. Sometimes, you’ll get lucky and stumble into a gift shop with the perfect pin for that location. Some places even have entire stores dedicated to souvenirs—like “United States of Indiana,” a shop I found in Indianapolis that had everything Indiana-themed, including pins.

But my favorite pins? The ones from events. These are extra special because they commemorate something specific—a race, a concert, a festival. Take the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, for example. The Daytona Speedway gift shop sells an official event pin every year. That’s the kind of pin I love—something that ties directly to a memory.

Pins tell a story

If you can think of a theme, there’s probably a pin for it. That’s part of what makes them so fun to collect. They hold a story, a piece of history. Unlike stickers (which I also love but struggle to commit to sticking anywhere), pins are permanent without being restrictive. You can take them off, move them around, and keep them forever.

More than anything, I want to share this experience with others. I think pin collecting is one of the most exciting, underrated ways to document your travels. It gives you a reason to go places you might not have otherwise, to look a little harder, and to appreciate where you are in the moment.

The sentimental side of collecting

Pins are often tied to locations. For example, when I visited the Smithsonian museums in D.C., each one had pins that reflected what they were about—dinosaur pins at the Natural History Museum, portrait pins at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s these little details that make collecting so personal. Each pin becomes a timestamp of where you’ve been and what you’ve experienced.

That’s why, for me, pin hunting has rules. I don’t just buy pins randomly—I have to earn them. If a place has multiple pins, I’ll grab one or two and make a note to return for the rest later. When I finally attend the Rolex 24, you can bet I’ll be heading straight to that gift shop for my event pin.

Exceptions to the rule

Of course, there are always exceptions. Sometimes, a place just doesn’t have a pin—or worse, they’re out of stock. That’s when I might order one online, but only if I’ve truly been there. Case in point: Pocono Raceway. I’ve visited countless times, but every time I went, the gift shop was closed. So, when I got home, I searched online and found an official Pocono pin. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Then there are moments like when I was thrifting and found a Goodyear pin. Normally, I wouldn’t grab a pin from a thrift store since I wasn’t at the event it represents, but I had been to the Goodyear HQ—and ironically, they didn’t sell pins there. So, in that case, I made an exception.

At the end of the day, it’s all about what collecting means to you. Maybe you just like the way a pin looks, and that’s totally fine. For me, though, if I haven’t been there or done something to “earn” the pin, it feels like stolen valor. But hey, that’s just my perspective—if a pin catches your eye, grab it. No judgment here.

The journey ahead

My goal with PIN HUNTER is to document where to find the best pins and share my journey along the way. I’ll highlight where I’ve been, where I found certain pins, and whether there are more to collect in that area. Eventually, I’d love to create a travel map of must-visit pin destinations around the world.

Going forward, I’ll be diving into what makes a great pin, which ones to look out for, and how to display them (including a more in-depth review of my ITA bag). I also plan to do Q&As, share collecting tips, and maybe even some DIY projects for organizing and displaying your collection.

If this hobby speaks to you, follow along! Feel free to reach out via Instagram or email if you ever have questions—I’d love to hear from fellow Pin Hunters. Here’s to the adventure ahead.