Stop Licking Your Sneakers: The 20 Worst Examples

Putting a stop to this is about 10 years overdue.

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The act of licking sneakers (in sneakerhead culture) began in 2004, when Fat Joe famously appeared on an episode of MTV Cribs. On the show, he licked the sole of his 'Olympic' Air Jordan 7 from 1992 to emphasize the fact that it had not been worn.

But even the most deadstock shoe has been handled several times over by the time it travels from the factory to the buyer's house. And anyone who's ever worked in a stockroom knows that a lot of things involving hands and feet happen to sneakers before they're sold. Things that would make one think twice the next time time he or she did it for the 'Gram.

Sneaker licking is gross. It was mildly amusing (and an iconic moment) when Joe did it, but it's time to put it to bed. As a hopeful farewell, here are the 20 worst examples of the offense found online. 

20. Air Jordan 7 'Olympic'

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Sneaker Licking: Fat Joe and the 'Olympic' Air Jordan VII 7

19. Nike Air Max 90 'Infrared'

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Sneaker Licking: Nike Air Max 90 'Infrared'

18. Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Oregon'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan V 5 Oregon Ducks

17. Air Jordan 6 Retro White/Infrared

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Sneaker Licking: Air Jordan VI 6 White/Infrared

16. Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Tour Yellow'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan IV 4 Tour Yellow

15. Air Jordan 7 Retro 'Cardinal'

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Sneaker Licking: Air Jordan VII 7 Cardinal

14. Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Bred'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan XI 11 Bred

13. Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Cement'

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Sneaker Licking: Air Jordan III 3 Cement

12. Nike Kobe 6 Prelude

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Sneaker Licking: Nike Kobe 6 Prelude

11. Christian Louboutin Spiked Flat

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Sneaker Licking: Christian Louboutin Spiked Flat

10. Ewing 33 Hi 'Fame'

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Sneaker Licking: Ewing 33 Hi 'Fame'

9. Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Legend Blue'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan XI 11 Legend Blue

8. Nike Hyperdunk 'McFly'

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Nike Hyperdunk McFly

7. Nike Air Force 1 Low

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Sneaker Licking: Nike Air Force 1 Low

6. Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Concord'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan XI 11 Concord

5. Jordan Olympia

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Licking Sneakers: Jordan Olympia

4. Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Concord'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan XI 11 Concord

3. Nike Sweet Classic Low

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Sneaker Licking: Nike Sweet Classic Low

2. Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Shanghai'

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Licking Sneakers: Air Jordan V 5 Retro Shanghai

1. Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Gamma Blue'

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Sneaker Licking: Air Jordan XI 11 Gamma Blue