Bargain Buys: 20 Sneaker Steals Found In Vintage Eastbay Catalogs

When it was all so simple.

Bargain Buys: 20 Sneaker Steals Found In Vintage Eastbay Catalogs

1.

Bargain Buys: 20 Sneaker Steals Found In Vintage Eastbay Catalogs

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.

Air Jordan 13 Low Chutney in Eastbay Catalog 1999

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.

Air Jordan 8 Low in Eastbay Catalog 2003

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.

Air Jordan 14 Black Toe in Eastbay Catalog 2000

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.

Reebok Question in Eastbay Catalog 2001

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.

Nike Air Penny 3 in Eastbay Catalog 1999

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.

Air Jordan 11 Low IE in Eastbay 2003

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.

Reebok Answer II in Eastbay Catalog 2000

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.

Nike Air Foamposite Pro Pearl in Eastbay Catalog 1998

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.

Nike Air Zoom Turf in Eastbay Catalog 1998

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.

Air Jordan 13 He Got Game in Eastbay Catalog 1999

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.

Nike Zoom LeBron 2 in Eastbay Catalog 2005

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.

Air Jordan 5 Metallic in Eastbay 2000

Year: 2000

Price: $120

Most Recent Retro Price: $190

The 2000 retro was actually cheaper than the original.


Air Jordan 6

26.

Air Jordan 6 Infrared in Eastbay Catalog 2000

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.

Air Jordan 5 Laney & Metallic in Eastbay 2001

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.

Air Jordan 12 in Eastbay Catalog 1999

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.

Air Jordan 10 in Eastbay Catalog 1995

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.

Nike Air Max 1 in Eastbay Catalog (1987)

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.

Air Jordan 11 Concord in Eastbay Catalog 1995

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.

Air Jordan 2 in Eastbay Catalog 1987

Year: 1987

Price: $80

Most Recent Retro Price: $150

The Air Jordan 2 was slept on from the beginning.


Air Jordan 1

40.

Air Jordan 1 in Eastbay Catalog 1995

Year: 1995

Price: $80

Most Recent Retro Price: $160

Eighty bucks can't even get you the Air Jordan 1 in kids' sizes today.