Kicks Worth Knowing
Your favorite sneakers might be sitting in your closet right now. It could be those beat-up canvas high-tops or the sleek runners you can't bear to retire—we don't blame you! Certain sneakers become personal statements and even accidental pieces of history, which is why we're here to explore some remarkable names.
1. Air Jordan 1
The NBA banned this shoe before it even hit store shelves, claiming its black and red colorway violated the league's "uniformity of uniform" rule. Well, Nike's brilliant "Banned by the NBA" campaign turned controversy into cash, generating $126 million in sales in its first year.
2. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
During WWII, American soldiers nicknamed these shoes "Chucks" and wore them during training, inadvertently spreading the design globally as they were stationed worldwide. The canvas high-tops' rubber toe cap and star logo remained virtually unchanged for decades, with over 800 million pairs sold since 1917.
3. Adidas Stan Smith
Initially designed for French tennis player Robert Haillet in 1963, this shoe underwent an identity crisis when Haillet's contract expired. American tennis pro Stan Smith's clean-cut image perfectly matched its minimalist aesthetic. The Guinness Book of World Records also certified it as the world's best-selling tennis shoe.
Jason V from New Westminster, BC, Canada on Wikimedia
4. Nike Air Force 1
Three Baltimore retailers, Cinderella Shoes, Downtown Locker Room, and Charley Rudo Sports, convinced Nike to bring back the Air Force 1 in 1986 after it was discontinued—and we're glad they did! The footwear's thick midsole and premium leather construction made it a status symbol, earning street nicknames like “Uptowns.”
5. Vans Old Skool
Paul Van Doren's random doodle turned into a highly recognizable design element when he sketched that side stripe on the Old Skool's prototype. Released as Vans Style #36 in 1977, it was the company's first shoe to feature leather panels alongside canvas.
6. Reebok Pump
It's said that designer Paul Litchfield spent four years refining the Pump's inflatable technology, drawing inspiration from medical equipment (the shoe's basketball chambers could be customized for ankle support). They really flew off the shelves after Dominique Wilkins' 1989 slam dunk contest victory generated massive publicity.
7. Adidas Superstar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the first NBA player to wear the Superstar in 1969. However, Run-DMC’s song "My Adidas" earned the rap group a $1 million endorsement deal after they demonstrated their influence by having 40,000 concert-goers simultaneously hold up their Superstars.
Yahoo! Blog from Sunnyvale, California, USA on Wikimedia
8. Nike Air Max 1
Did you know that Tinker Hatfield nearly got fired for exposing Nike's Air cushioning technology? Executives were concerned that displaying the airbag would lead people to think it could deploy. His inspiration from Paris's Centre Pompidou architecture, where structural elements were deliberately exposed, convinced the leadership.
9. Puma Suede
Breakdancers in the South Bronx discovered this sneaker's soft suede material was well-suited for spinning on cardboard and linoleum floors during the late 1970s. Different colored Suedes became territorial markers for rival crews, with specific colorways representing neighborhoods and dance styles throughout New York City.
10. Nike Cortez
Forrest Gump's cross-country run immortalized this footgear in cinema, but its real legacy began in 1972 as Nike's first breakthrough design. Co-founder Bill Bowerman's obsession with crafting lighter running shoes led to the innovative nylon and leather combination that reduced weight without sacrificing durability.
11. Adidas Gazelle
Suede manufacturing shortages in the 1970s prompted Adidas to develop the Gazelle using alternative materials to their popular Samba. The Gazelle's low-profile layout and subtle three-stripe branding appealed to British mod culture and Britpop musicians. Its consistent availability across five decades has kept it relevant.
12. New Balance 990
"The $100 running shoe" shocked the industry in 1982 when most athletic footwear cost under $50. However, New Balance justified the price with "Made in USA" craftsmanship and premium materials. Steve Jobs famously wore gray 990s almost exclusively, appreciating their superior comfort for his daily walks.
13. Nike Blazer
George Gervin's choice to wear Nike Blazers during the 1970s ABA playoffs gave this early basketball shoe unexpected credibility. Nike's third basketball model after the Bruin and All Court, the Blazer showcased an exclusive Swoosh that wrapped around the heel and a high-top silhouette.
14. Nike Air Max 90
Infrared became one of sneaker culture's most coveted colorways when the Air Max 90 launched in 1990. Designer Tinker Hatfield expanded the visible Air unit from the Air Max 1, making larger windows that displayed the technology dramatically. The shoe also had bold panel blocking and angular lines.
15. Nike Dunk
College basketball's "Be True to Your School" campaign in 1985 brought about twelve Dunk colorways matching major university teams, from Georgetown's gray and navy to Syracuse's orange and white. Each colorway was sold in its corresponding college town, fostering a collector mentality.
16. Adidas Samba
The Samba was introduced just before the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Although Adidas has stated the name didn't originate from the Brazilian samba dance, the sneaker was nicknamed "Samba" by German football fans, partly inspired by the World Cup's host country.
17. Reebok Club C
Wimbledon's strict all-white dress code inspired the Club C's clean tennis aesthetic in 1985. The "C" in Club C stands for "Champion," reflecting its roots as a tennis shoe aimed at club players seeking durability and performance. This piece reportedly evolved from the Reebok Revenge Plus.
18. Converse Pro Leather
Here comes Converse's answer to Adidas and Nike's growing basketball presence. The Pro Leather was made of premium leather and had a distinctive star logo on the ankle. Converse has released special editions such as the "Birth of Flight" and the "Three Decades" pack.
CONVERSE PRO LEATHER 76 MID 157694C by Altershops Official
19. Puma Roma
Jochen Rindt's tragic passing during the 1970 Formula One season overshadowed the Roma's original motorsport heritage. Named after the 1960 Olympics in Rome, this footwear featured Puma's signature Formstripe and low-profile silhouette. Its EVA midsole and gum rubber outsole provide serious cushioning and grip.
PUMA ROMA CLASSIC GUM - SHOE REVIEW and ON-FEET 2021 HD 1080p by Dave “David Dao”
20. Adidas Campus
It was the Beastie Boys' adoption of the Campus in the 1980s that turned a simple training shoe like the Adidas Campus into a hip-hop essential. Compared to other Adidas models, such as the Samba or Gazelle, the Campus possesses a wider sole, upper, and stripes.
