Sneaker News Presents: 25 Years of Gems on Sneakerpedia
November 20th, 2012 by John K. | 2 comments
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Over the last year-and-a-half or so, the global community of Sneakerpedians have been uploading their personal collection of sneakers onto the Sneakerpedia database, creating a massive library of kicks dating back several decades for users to browse through and share with one another. It’s tough to pick a ‘best of’ list out of the thousands of featured shoes from over the years, so the Sneaker News staff decided to turn the clock back a quarter-century and pick out one standout sneaker gem from each year. Each shoe was remembered for being an impressive new innovation, a sick must-have collaborative release, or an under-appreciated sleeper, so check out this mixed bag of 25 Years of Sneakerpedia Gems below and let us know which of these is your favorite. Think you’ve got some gems that nobody has seen yet? Join Sneakerpedia right now and build your own crate!
1988 – Nike Air Control II
The Air Control II was a sequel to the ’86 Control. An otherwise understated model, the Control II utilized the two-piece midsole that connected at the midfoot. The mesh and suede upper provided stability and air flow, while the original Grey/Pink colorway caught the attention of shoe store browsers. These are a true underrated classic in Nike’s massive Running history! Image via Josh Cole
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1989 - Nike Air Flow
The innovative Air Flow was designed as a long-distance marathon shoe, using a neoprene upper shell to eliminate stress on the foot. The ‘sock’ design served as an evolutionary starting point for some of Nike’s most breakthrough designs – namely the Air Huarache and even the Nike Free nearly two decades later. A 2011 re-issue is considered by many to be one of the most celebrated Retro releases ever completed by Nike. Image via Marco Columbo
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1990 - Reebok Pump Bringback
Reebok changed the game with the introduction of ‘Pump’ technology, debuting first on the Reebok Pump Bringback. Several other brands followed suit with their own Pump mechanisms, but all of them left the gimmick behind while Reebok continued to push forward with re-engineered versions of Pump. The Bringback was the primary opponent to the Air Jordan sneaker, which reflect Jordan and Dominique Wilkins’ NBA Dunk Contest rivalries. Image via Mourad
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1991 – Nike Air 180
The Air 180 was the first real step in Air Max evolution, expanding the original Air Max unit from ’87 into a 180-degree exposure that made the Air visible through the sole. The Air 180 technology wasn’t limited to the running shoe, as the Air Force 180 Low and High featured the new Air technology as well. The Air 180 was also the first Nike Air Max heritage shoe that utilized the neoprene tongue. Image via ICEBERG
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1992 - Nike Air Bo Turf
Nike Air Trainers bearing the name of Bo are revered as some of the greatest shoes of all-time. However, they were cut out for gym floors and hard surfaces and not field turf, where Bo spent just as much time on. The Air Bo Turf was a shoe made just for field turf, using a tougher outsole with upper design cues from previous Air Trainer designs. Image via Ghettocentricity
Man those Lebron 7s > > > >
@dsuaveallday: yeah,the blue 7s are crazy.