Sneaker News 
April 20th marks the unofficial holiday where weed-smokers worldwide do…what they do pretty much every other day of the year. Even if toking up is not your thing, you’ve probably celebrated 4/20 with sneaker releases, because almost every major brand has rolled out designs concepts both unique and unabashedly straightforward. From the Hemp Dunks of 2004 to the leafy graphics seen on shoes from a number of independent skate brands, weed-inspired sneakers have been a vice of ours for as long as we can remember. Take a look back at some of the more memorable releases of the past, and let us know which you’ve got in your own stash.
Above: Nike SB Dunk Low “Hemp” Pack (2004)
Whether or not there’s a crossover between skateboarding culture and the recreational drug, Nike SB has gone far and wide to produce some special edition sneaker releases to commemorate the “holiday”. One of the more memorable releases was the trio of SB Dunk Lows; built with hemp materials on the uppers, these Nike SB Dunk Lows dropped in three distinct colorways of burgundy, cascade blue, and green; the last of those three colors were the most limited (just 420 pairs). What made these shoes even more “collectible” is that a very limited run of toddler-sized shoes were released.
Above: Nike SB Dunk Low “Hemp” Pack In Toddler Sizes
Above: Nike SB Dunk High “Cheech & Chong” (2011)
The “High” version was seemingly a better fit (for obvious reasons). Cheech and Chong as well as the skins of blunts were used to make up previous designs, but the most memorable of the high Highs is undoubtedly the Skunk Dunks, which used a nappy green suede to achieve the cannabis look. Maven skateshop in Vermont stands out for transforming their shop into a temporary hydroponic plant facility for their midnight release.
Above: Nike SB Dunk High “Skunk” (2010)
Above: BAIT x adidas Stan Smith Vulc (2016)
adidas is no slouch when it comes to weed-inspired releases too, and with a guy like Snoop Dogg on your roster of endorsees, it’s hard to pass when the opportunity comes your way. We’ve seen straightforward approaches like the Superstars inspired by Phillies blunts, while BAIT’s release presented the current state of weed in California by releasing a pair of Stan Smiths partly inspired by medicinal marijuana.
Above: adidas Superstar “Phillies Blunts” (2008)
Above: Curren$Y x Diamond Supply Co.(2012)
A number of independent skate brands have gone on to release shoes with the actual marijuana leaf printed on the upper. That’s just based on the leniency of being a smaller brand. San Francisco-born HUF, Los Angeles’ Diamond Supply Co., and even skate/style brand Supra has released sneakers with the familiar plant plastered on the upper, because why be shy about it? Vans, the largest of the brands, has also released shoes with leafy graphics time and time again as well.
Above: HUF Hupper “4/20” (2011)
Above: Vans Vault Authentic
Above: Cam’ron x Reebok Ventilator Supreme “Purple Haze” (2016)
Marijuana-laced kicks aren’t limited to skate shoes. Australia’s Sneaker Freaker designed one of the best Saucony collaborations in recent memory in the Kushwacker, which featured a rich tapestry of purple tones on the recently unearthed Grid SD. More recently, Reebok teamed up with Cam’ron for a Ventilator Supreme taking after the Purple Haze album, which feature one of the best insoles in the history of footwear (yea, we said it). Finally, there’s the “Homegrown” Air Max 90, a collaboration with State magazine; the shoes are considered grails by many and their teaser video stands as one of the best independent sneaker projects we’ve ever seen.
Above: Sneaker Freaker x Saucony Grid SD “Kushwacker” (2015)
Above: State Magazine x Nike Air Max 90 “Homegrown” (2006)
