The History of Sneakers in 150 Words

Rubber-soled shoes (plimsolls) are manufactured. Goodyear launches Keds. Converse revolutionizes basketball. ‘Sneakers’ is coined because the soles are quiet. Converse releases the All Star. All Star’s give way to Chuck Taylors. Adidas produces its first tennis shoe. Converse releases the Jack Purcell. Puma is founded. Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman launch Blue Ribbon Sports. Vans Launches. BRS becomes Nike. Puma develops Velcro. The Nike Swoosh trademark is purchased for $35. Nike introduces Air technology. Nike releases the Air Force One. Michael Jordan endorses Nike. Nike releases the Air Jordan. NBA fines Jordan for violating uniform rules with vibrant sneakers. Spike Lee directs and stars in Mars Blockmon commercial. Run-DMC releases “My Adidas”. Reebok introduces the Pump. Nike introduces the Air Max. Bill Bowerman dies. Nelly releases “Air Force Ones”. Bobbito authors “Where’d You Get Those?”. Nike acquires Converse. Converse re-issues the Chuck and the Jack Purcell. Sneaker Freaker and Sole Collector launch. SneakerPimps begins touring the world. Jordan celebrates its 20th anniversary. Adidas acquires Reebok. Just for Kicks DVD released.



20 Sneaker Books, Magazines, and Movies

Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design – Focuses on rare editions and custom sneakers.

Chucks!: The Phenomenon of Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars – A history of the iconic Chuck sneaker.

Custom Kicks – Custom sneaker designs from over 150 artists.

Just for Kicks DVD – The definitive sneaker documentary.

Laces: 100s of Ways to Pimp Your Kicks – A reference book showcasing over 50 lacing and knot styles.

Made For Skate: Illustrated History Of Skateboard Footwear – Focused on the skate industry/shoes.

Sneakers: Over 300 Classics… – A limited edition book featuring classic sneaker designs and commentary.

Sneakers: The Complete Collectors’ Guide – A visual encyclopedia style book for sneakerheads.

Sneaker Freaker Magazine – Book-sized sneaker magazine founded in 2003, carried in over 40 countries.

Sneaker Freaker Book – Select features from the first six issues of Sneaker Freaker Magazine.

Sole Collector Magazine – Full-sized sneaker magazine founded in 2003, distributed in Foot Locker.

Sole Junkie: The Custom Kicks of Steven Cedre – Graffiti inspired custom shoe designs by Steven Cedre.

Sole Provider: Thirty Years of NIKE Basketball – A history of Nike Basketball and related sneakers.

The Sneaker Book: 50 Years Of Sports Shoe Design – Features advertisements dating back to the 1940s.

Where’d You Get Those? – One of the first and best books published on sneakers.

20 Sneaker Blogs, Forums, and Communities

BLOGS

CustomSnkr – A blog and community showcasing daily updates from the custom sneaker community.

EU Kicks – Daily sneaker release updates with a European focus.

Kicksaholic – Daily sneaker release updates and upcoming release dates.

Kix-Files – Daily sneaker release updates and online store.

KicksOnFire – Daily sneaker release updates, social community, encyclopedia, and upcoming release dates.

KixAndTheCity – Daily sneaker release updates and video features.

NiceKicks – Daily sneaker release updates, social community, and upcoming release dates.

NikeSB – Daily sneaker release updates with a focus on Nike SBs, forums, and marketplace.

SneakerFiles – Daily release updates, dictionary, sneaker search engine, and upcoming release dates.

SneakerNews – Daily sneaker release updates, and upcoming release dates.

Sole Redemption – Daily sneaker release updates and upcoming release dates.

The Shoe Game – Daily sneaker release updates.

FORUMS

CrookedTongues – This UK-based forum focuses on sneaker brands and sneaker lifestyle.

Hypebeast – The Hypebeast community offers discussion on a wide range of sneaker lifestyle topics.

ISS – Billed as the largest sneaker forum in the world, ISS is the online home of Sole Collector magazine.

NikeTalk – NikeTalk covers a wide variety of sneaker lifestyle topics with an emphasis on Nike.

NSB – A sneaker forum with a light emphasis on skateboarding and a thriving marketplace.

SneakerFreaker – This Australia based forum is the online home for Sneaker Freaker magazine.

UpTempoAir – A smaller forum with a focus on basketball and basketball sneakers.

OTHER

KicksFinder – A user-friendly eBay aggregator for sneakers.

SneakerPlay – A social community for sneakerheads.

SuperKix – An online sneaker store search aggregator.

10 Celebrity Sneakerheads

What was once a purely athletic phenomenon has evolved into a style icon. With millions of active participants and thousands of influencers it was extremely difficult to choose only 10. Honorable mentions go to: Eric Haze, ESPO, Gabriel Urist, Methamphibian, Pushead. Without further ado, we present 10 Celebrity Sneakerheads…

Bobbito Garcia

A well-known DJ and basketball insider, as well as the author of of Where’d You Get Those and the host of ESPN’s It’s the Shoes, Bobbito is likely the most renowned sneaker celebrity.

Bruce Kilgore

is the Director of Advanced Research and Development at Nike, and the creator of the Air Force 1 (Nike’s best selling shoe ever), the Air Jordan 2, the Nike Dunk, and the Shox. Known for consistently providing groundbreaking technology to Nike Bruce is often overlooked as one of the most renowned sneaker designers at the company and in the world.

Dave White

An integral part of the touring Sneakerpimps show, DJ turned painter Dave White is well known for his stylized pop art paintings of everything from star wars to sneakers. Although he has recently moved away from sneaker paintings, Dave White’s work has been saved on canvas, printed on t-shirts, and immortalized in sneaker culture,

DJ Clark Kent

Established since the 1980s as a renowned manager, DJ, producer (credits include 50 Cent and Notorious B.I.G), and music executive, DJ Clark Kent is perhaps best known for his extensive collection of AF1s, and for providing countless interviews/commentary on sneaker culture.

Futura

A frequent collaborator with Nike, and an OG graf writer, Futura, a.k.a. Futura 2000, a.k.a. Lenny McGurr is one of the most popular artists in urban art/sneaker culture. Futura is also the designer of a popular clothing/product line with its own flagship store in Japan and distribution worldwide.

Mister Cartoon

One of the most well-known tattoo artists in the world (having worked on the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, and Beyonce), Mister Cartoon is a shoe collector and frequent Nike collaborator (3 Cortez’s 3 AF1′s), as well as the creative director/founder of Joker clothing. Cartoon has also worked with the likes of Nike, Toyota, and Grand Theft Auto on creative work.

Nigo

The founder of A Bathing Ape, and the popular Bapesta shoe model, Nigo has built what started as a few t-shirts into a global clothing and shoe empire including Pharrell’s popular BBC and Ice Cream lines.

SBTG

A true testament to the power of sneaker customization, SBTG has parlayed over a thousand sneaker customizations into commissions from Nike and New Balance, as well as a popular clothing line Royalefam.

Stash

An OG graffiti writer (writing STASH since 1982) and the owner of Recon/Nort (a streetwear/sneaker store with several locations worldwide), Stash a.k.a. Josh Franklin, is a frequent collaborator with Nike and the developer of several extremely sought after sneaker designs.

Tinker Hatfield

A classical trained architect, one of Nike’s top designers, and the mastermind behind the Air Jordan III through Air Jordan XV, the Nike Air Trainer (the world’s first cross-trainer), Tinker Hatfield is the most renowned sneaker designer in the world / the overseer of Nike’s “Innovation Kitchen.”

40 Classic Sneaker Models

The shoes listed below are some of the most common and coveted releases of the first decade of the 21st century. By no means is it a full list – it is missing many current releases/retro’s and many more classics from the early days of sneaker collecting. For a more in-depth look at classic shoes, we recommend reading up on selections from our 20 Sneaker Books section.

Adidas Campus

Introduced in the early 1970s, the Adidas Campus gained popularity when the Beastie Boys began wearing it and immortalized it on their 1992 album cover for Check Your Head.
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Adidas Forum

Introduced in 1984, the Adidas Forum was released as a performance basketball shoe, and was one of the first models to break the $100 price tag in the United States which emphasized the idea of sneaker as luxury.
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Adidas Gazelle

Originally released in 1968 as an all-around training shoe, the Adidas Gazelle features a flat sole with soft leather upper. The Gazelle gained popularity in the 80s as part of the UK hip hop scene, and then later in the 90s when it was adopted by Brit-Pop groups.
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Adidas Rod Laver

Originally released in 1970, the Adidas Rod Laver was initially a white and green release with mesh side panel and a leather tongue/toe piece. Re-issued in the late 1990′s, Adidas has gained popularity due to its minimal branding and smooth sides.
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Adidas Stan Smith

Originally released in 1964 for French tennis star Robert Haillet, the Adidas Stan Smith originally had a thick outsole, no adidas trefoil, and Haillet’s name across the side. Later, Haillet was replaced with Stan Smith and the model has become a bestseller.
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Adidas Superstar

Originally released in 1969, the Adidas Superstar was the one of the first low-top basketball shoes. Identifiable by it’s rubber toe box, the Superstar is more commonly known in sneaker circles as the “Shell Toe”. The Adidas Superstar was the catalyst for Run DMC’s “My Adidas” release which is arguably one of the most important moments in sneaker history.

Adidas Top Ten

Introduced in 1979, the Adidas Top Ten was originally released as a performance based basketball shoe.
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Bathing Ape Bape Sta

Chastised for ripping off the Nike Air Force 1, the Bathing Ape Bape Sta is essentially the same shoe with a star instead of a check. That hasn’t stopped it from gaining world reknown (and much higher price tags than the AF1) along with the BAPE brand, however, as Nigo continues to grow his empire worldwide.

Clark’s Wallabee

Originally released in the 1960′s by Lance Clark, the Wallabee was introduced as a “comfort shoe”. With a wide variety in models and styles, the Wallabee was later popularized in hip hop by artists including Ghostface Killah a.k.a. The Wally Champ.
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Converse All Stars

Introduced in 1917, the Converse All Star b.k.a. the Chuck Taylor, or Chuck, has sold over a billion units. The Chuck has been used in basic military training for the US army, worn by James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” and adopted by musicians worldwide.

New Balance 1500

Introduced in 1993 with a narrower shape than the 576 and 577, the New Balance 1500 was initially described by New Balance as “the cloesest thing yet to a perfect running shoe”. It has since been adopted by sneaker culture and has inspired collaborations with boutiques, etc.

New Balance 574

Introduced in 1988 featuring New Balance’s ENCAP system, the New Balance 574 is one of the brand’s most popular models.

Nike Air 180

Originally released in Spring of 1991, the Nike Air 180 revolutionized Air Max technology with a 50% increase in air and a visible protective outsole.
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Nike Air Force 1

Originally released in 1982, the Air Force 1 is the most ubiquitous shoe in sneaker culture and Nike’s best selling sneaker of all time.
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Nike Air Jordan 1

Released in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 was popularized by Michael Jordan. Named the “dopest shoe on the planet” by SLAM, and the catalyst for the longest running series of sneakers ever, the Air Jordan 1 is arguably the most important shoe in Nike’s history.

Nike Air Jordan III

Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan III was the first in the line to have Michael’s own Jumpman logo on it and contained no Nike check on the side.
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Nike Air Jordan IV

Also designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan IV retained stylistic elements from its predecessor. Well known as the shoe that gets scuffed in Do the Right Thing, the Jordan IV was first reissued in 1999.

Nike Air Jordan V

Rumored to be inspired by a WW2 Mustang Fighter Plane, the Nike Air Jordan V is another classic design from Tinker Hatfield. Retaining a few elements from its predecessor, the Jordan V added a reflex tongue, see through rubber sole, and lacelocks.

Nike Air Jordan VII

Originally released in 1991/1992, and designed by Hatfield, the Air Jordan VII’s introduced Nike Hurache technology to the Jordan, and removed the visible air sole, Nike Air logo, and yellowing soles from previous incarnations.

Nike Air Jordan XIII

Released in 1997 just after Jordan’s retirement, the Air Jordan XIII put Nike in a fix. How do you sell a Jordan without the player that represents it? The rising popularity of other shoe brands and models (skateboarding, slip-ons, etc.) also threatened Nike. Worried about their future, Nike released the XIII to nothing but glaring reviews and the Jordan lived on.

Nike Air Max 1

Originally released in 1987 and first re-issued in 1992, the Nike Air Max 1 has undergone several design changes since its inception, but still remains a classic model.
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Nike Air Max 90

Originally released in 1990, and referred to as the Air Max III until 2000 when it was reissued, the Air Max 90 updated previous renditions with an exaggerated midsole and modifications to the upper.

Nike Air Max 95

Designed by Sergio Lozano, the Air Max 95 is inspired by the human body: the midsole as spine, graduated panels as muscle fibers, loopholes/straps as ribs, and mesh as skin.
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Nike Air Stab

Designed by Tinker Hatfield, and originally released in 1988, the Air Stab utilizes Nike’s Footbridge stability device. Although discontinued in 1990, the Stab was re-issued in the mid 2000s to the joy of many sneakerheads.
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Nike Blazer

Originally released in 1972, the Nike Blazer was popularized by the legendary George Gervin (aka the Ice Man). Produced in leather, suede, and canvas, the Blazer is constructed by baking the shoes at a high temperature to fuse the outsole and the upper.
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Nike Cortez

Initially called the Tiger Corsair, the Cortez was renamed and released in 1972 after the partnership between Blue Ribbon Sports (Nike) and Onitsuka Tiger broke down. A reissued Cortez became one of the first shoes introduced in the Nike ID system.

Nike Dunk

Originally released as a high top in 1985, the Nike Dunk was one of the most worn basketball shoes until the Air Jordan 1 replaced it in form and function. Resurfacing in the late 90s the Dunk became a popular staple in hip-hop and sneaker culture.

Nike Dunk SB

Released in 1999, the Nike Dunk SB slightly altered the Nike Dunk with extra cushioning, a lower center of gravity, and thicker padding around the ankle and tongue, to become the foundation of the Nike SB line.

Nike P-Rod SB

Released in 2002, the Nike P-Rod SB was the first signature skateboarding sneaker from SB, created for Paul Rodriguez.

Nike Vandal

Originally produced from 1984 to 1987, the Nike Vandal diffentiated on design by making its upper with thick canvas and nylon (Nike Vandal Supreme) and by offering different colored sets of laces with a three-way color scheme ankle-strap. Resurfaced in 2003 with special editions including the Jim Morrison, the Haight Street, and the Geoff McFetridge, the Vandal is a popular addition to the 21st century sneaker collector.

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

Following the success 46 Onitsuka Tiger-clad medal winners at the 1964 Olympic Games, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 was released in 1966. It would go on to see success at the 1968 Mexico Summer Olympics, and become immortalized in sneaker culture.
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PF Flyers Number Five

The best selling model of one of the oldest sneaker companies in existence, the PF Flyers “Number Five” has been consistently re-issued since the 1960s.
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Puma Clyde

Introduced in 1973, the Puma Clyde was originally made famous by its endorsement from Walt Frazier. Also known as the Puma Suede and Puma State, the Clyde went on to be adopted by hip-hop and b-boy culture as a staple sneaker.

Reebok Classic

Introduced in 1987, the Reebok Classic originally was released with kangaroo leather due to a misorder at the factory. This ‘mistake’ amassed great popularity for the shoe, and to date the Classic is the best-selling single model of trainer in the U.K.
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Reebok Omni Pump

Introduced in 1991 and made popular by Dee Brown of the Boston Celtics in the NBA Dunk Contest (he pumped the shoe before taking off for a highlight dunk), the Reebok Omni Pump was re-issued in 2003 to the delight of many sneakerheads.
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Saucony Jazz

Originally introduced in 1984 as a running performance shoe, the Saucony Jazz has maintained its status in sneaker culture as an underdog, developing several colorways an collaborations with street brands throughout the 2000s.
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Vans Era

Gaining popularity in Southern California in the evolving skateboard scene, the Vans Era exploded as the first shoe specifically designed with skateboarding in mind. With design help from the Z-Boys, the legendary “Off The Wall” label made its first appearance on the vans Era and would go on to become an icon in sneaker culture.

Vans Half Cab

After seeing street guys cut down his signature 1989 shoe, Steve Caballero approached Vans with the idea to sew the Vans Half Cab and introduce new colorways.
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Vans Slip-On

Introduced in 1966, the Vans Slip-On quickly became the trademark of the L.A. surfer scene. Soon after the shoe would be adopted by skaters, and then the rest of the world.

50 Cities to Buy Sneakers

NORTH AMERICA

Atlanta – Wish
Boston – A.W.O.L. . At the Buzzer . Bodega . Re-Up . The Tannery
Brooklyn – Rime . Wealthy Hostage
Chicago – A.Okay Official . Leaders 1354 . Saint Alfred
Dallas – Adikt . Centre . p.e.g.
Houston – Premium Goods
Las Vegas – Fruition . Undftd
Los Angeles – Alife . El Mercado . Flight Club . Kendo . Proper . Supreme . Undftd
Miami – Air Traffic Control . Arrive . M.I.A. Skateshop . Soles Inc . Univ
New York – Alife . Atmos . Classic Kicks . Dave’s Quality Meat . Flight Club . Premium Goods . Supreme
Norfolk – Cmonwealth . Shop Cream
Philadelphia - UBIQ . Villa . WTHN
Portland – Just B . Niketown
San Diego – FaceValue . Milo
San Francisco – Bows and Arrows . HUF . Niketown
San Jose – Premier Boutique . Purist Boutique
Seattle – Capitol 1524 . Goods . Laced Up . Niketown
Toronto – C-apsule . Goodfoot . Livestock . Retro City . Stolen Riches . The Vault
Vancouver – El Kartel . Livestock
Washington – Major DC

EUROPE

Amsterdam - 90 Square Meters . Concrete . Patta .
Barcelona – 24 Kilates . Bob Sneaker Dealer . Casa Munich . Trust Nobody
Belfast – Bureau
Berlin - Get Shoes . HHV . Overkill . Snea-Q . Solebox
Brussels – Waffles
Copenhagen – My Sneakers . NorseStore . Sneak Freak . Wallace Store
Dublin – Size?
Hamburg – Sneakology
London – Schuh . Size? . The Hideout
Madrid – Consuela
Manchester – Size?
Moscow – Good Shop . Yard Streetwear Shop
Munich – Kickz . Unnh!
Oslo - Hunting Lodge . Sole Service . Stress
Paris - Aimecube . Colette . Opium . Starcow . Street Machine
Warsaw – Warszawska Nike
Zurich – Grandism

INTERNATIONAL

Auckland – Loaded . Quarters Boutique . Qubic . The Loft . Tongue
Bangkok – Humankind Factor . Outcast . Preduce . Sneaka Villa . Zig Zag
Capetown – A Store is Good . Shelf Life
Dubai – Five Green
Hong Kong - Eclosion x Things . Mental Kicks . RMK Store . SampleKickz
Melbourne – Dakota 501 . Evolve . General Pants . Kickz101 . Provider . The Heist
Mexico City - Shelter
Perth – Beyond Skate . Highs and Lows
Sao Paulo – Maze Skateshop
Singapore – Know It Nothing . Limited Edt . Surrender .
Sydney – Crab Shack . Espionage . Footage . Freshin . Our Spot . Supply
Tokyo – Flight Club

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