1.
by Brandon Richard
Before forums, blogs and social media, sneakerheads stayed up to date on the latest releases by subscribing to Eastbay catalog. There were no sneaker events or meet-ups, but rather classroom circles of people standing around the cool kid who was the first to receive his Eastbay in the mail.
Over the years, some of the best sneaker bargains we've ever have been found within Eastbay's pages. Hyped up kicks don't make it to the catalog these days, but the OG models you love today not only made it at hard-to-believe prices, but were often discounted too.
Today, we're taking a look back at vintages pages from the catalog and some of its biggest sneaker steals.
Air Jordan 13 Low
2.
Year: 1999
Price: $100
Most Recent Retro Price: $160
The Chutney 13s are prime example of how a once-hated Air Jordan eventually became a grail.
Air Jordan 8 Low
4.
Year: 2003
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $110
The fact that the 8 really doesn't work as a low-top probably had somthing to do with these sale prices.
Air Jordan 14
6.
Year: 1999
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $170
Not pictured is the "Last Shot" colorway, which was the mover of the group.
Reebok Question
8.
Year: 2001
Price: $70 Mid / $60 Low
Most Recent Retro Price: $125 Mid / $110 Low
Eastbay was THE spot for Reebok Question fans. They had every flavor readily available for a long period of time.
Nike Air Penny 3
10.
Year: 1999
Price: $50
Most Recent Retro Price: $155
The 3 dropped during a transitional time in Penny's career, right when it was being derailed by his knee injury.
Air Jordan 11 Low IE
12.
Year: 2003
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $170
Now coveted, the IE Low once hit sale prices despited being, hands down, one of the most comfortable Air Jordans.
Reebok Answer 2
14.
Year: 2000
Price: $30
Original Retail Price: $115
The Answer 2 wasn't exactly one of the most popular sneakers in Allen Iverson's line, but a $30 signature sneaker for any athlete in his prime is great deal.
Nike Air Foamposite Pro
16.
Year: 1998
Price: $100
Most Recent Retro Price: $230
It turns out that Jesus Shuttlesworth was ballin' on a budget.
Nike Air Zoom Turf
18.
Year: 1998
Price: $60
Most Recent Retro Price: $140
The Zoom Turf's most recent retro actually didn't do too well, either. We need to educate the youth about how bad of a man Barry Sanders was.
Air Jordan 13
20.
Year: 1999
Price: $60
Most Recent Retro Price: $185
It legitimately appears that Spike may have hit the clearance rack for the He Got Game wardrobe.
Nike Zoom LeBron 2
22.
Year: 2005
Price: $125
Most Recent LeBron Signature Price: $200
Considering LeBron's hype and the fact that he lived up to it from Day 1, $125 was a bargain for arguably the best sneaker in his entire line.
Air Jordan 5
24.
Year: 2000
Price: $120
Most Recent Retro Price: $190
The 2000 retro was actually cheaper than the original.
Air Jordan 6
26.
Year: 2000
Price: $120
Most Recent Retro Price: $185
Aside from the jaw-dropping price, Eastbay pictured the rare alternate midsole sample in its catalog.
Air Jordan 5
28.
Year: 2001
Price: $90
Most Recent Retro Price: $190
Despite this being a good deal, they could have actually been had for even less. "Laneys" were NOT popular the first time around.
Air Jordan 12
30.
Year: 1999
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $170
What a deal for one of the most durable and well-made Bulls era Air Jordans.
Air Jordan 10
32.
Year: 1995
Price: $90
Most Recent Retro Price: $190
MJ's comeback helped move these a little more, after the fact.
Nike Air Max 1
34.
Year: 1987
Price: $65
Most Recent Retro Price: $100
With a little patience, you can still score the original Air Max for this low.
Air Jordan 11
36.
Year: 1995
Price: $125
Most Recent Retro Price: $200
No discount, but $125 for a pair of 11s is the sneaker equivalent of paying Vlade Divac money for Kobe Bryant results.
Air Jordan 2
38.
Year: 1987
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $150
The Air Jordan 2 was slept on from the beginning.
Air Jordan 1
40.
Year: 1995
Price: $80
Most Recent Retro Price: $160
Eighty bucks can't even get you the Air Jordan 1 in kids' sizes today.