Year after year, brands dig into the archives to bring back some of their classic and forgotten models. Some may be on their second or third tour, while others have yet to hit the scene since its original drop. Here, the Sole Collector shares some silhouettes that haven't been retroed yet, but need to be this year.
Nike Air Ship
Originally Released: 1984
There's no doubt that Jordan Brand will be pulling out all the stops this year for the brand's 30th anniversary, but are there really going to be that many surprises when pairs will likely be of the standard Air Jordan models? If they really wanted to do the unexpected, they'd have the Nike Sportswear squad across campus bring back Michael's first NBA shoe — The Nike Air Ship. It isn't a particularly interesting design on its own, its similarity to other Nike Basketball silhouettes of the day is part of the reason why it's been able to slip by mostly unnoticed as the real "Banned" shoe for all these years. But this would be a cool nod from Nike regarding its own myth-making. Maybe the brand couldn't risk tearing down the "Banned" legend like that, but Jordan Brand did reference the sneakers in a social media post last year, so anything is possible.
McLaren x Asics
Originally Released: 1991
Generally the idea of retroing collaborations is kind of a turn off, but this would be an appreciated bringback. Nike gets most of the credit when it comes to partnering up with entities outside of just sneaker spots and personalities, but the oddball Asics x McLaren set from the '90s, which consisted of the Asics Gel McLaren F-1 and the Asics Gel McLaren MA-2, is a reminder that other footwear brands certainly have heritage there. These pop up on eBay every once in a while and have gone for surprisingly cheap, but it's safe to say that most of those vintage pairs are beyond wearability. Asics can only get so much mileage out of contintually partnering up with sneaker boutiques across the globe, and this sort of a project might serve to remind them of the possible positive outcomes of aiming higher and weirder. In the worst case scenario, kids still tripping off the all-red hype will snap them up, or people can try to pass them off as Fieg x Nice Kicks Gel Lyte IIIs.
Nike Air Worm Ndestrukt
Originally Released: 1996
When you think about '90s basketball, you think about the Chicago Bulls NBA dynasty. The characters around Michael Jordan that contributed to a team that emphatically destroyed opponents on a nightly basis. Dennis Rodman was known for his flamboyance play on and off the court, so Nike went big on design and created a unique signature sneaker known as the Air Worm Ndestrukt. There were two colorways Rodman wore on court — white/red/black and black/white. The zipper on the upper allowed you to securely hide the speed lacing system, while ventilated screen holes kept you cool up and down the court. Branding was prominent on just about every aspect of the shoe with a variety of swooshes, “Air Worm” on the back, "NIKE" on the medial and "AIR" on the lateral. It was a sneaker that took a good pounding and one that's never seen a retro.
Nike Air Barrage
Originally Released: 1995
Nike was out to make a statement as the best company not only on the basketball court, but on turf as well. The Air Barrage was endorsed by a couple athletes such as Ernie Mills and Marshall Faulk. The shoe’s most notable branding comes with the word “AIR” on the lateral in similar fashion to its basketball cousin, the Air More Uptempo. It had a midfoot strap to keep your foot locked in and was a great shoe off court in an assortment of colors such as white/red, black/white, white/green, and white/blue.
Air Jordan XX
Originally Released: 2005
There may not have been a more blatant celebration of Michael Jordan’s career on a sneaker better than the Air Jordan 20. The sneaker, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was inspired by cycling shoes and featured a laser-etched midfoot strap that called out significant moments in MJ’s career and life. It's been 10 years since the Jordan Brand dropped its 20th flagship sneaker, and if leaked info is true, this sneaker may actually see a retro this year. As of late, the sneaker has been spotted on less than a handful of NBA players on court – including one of the Jordan Brand’s newest endorsers, Jabari Parker.
Nike Air Zoom Generation
Originally Released: 2003
It’s the sneaker that started it all for Nike and LeBron James. LeBron’s signature shoe line is now over a decade old, and perhaps King James is due for his first retro. His counterpart on Nike Basketball, Kobe Bryant, has already received the honor, and LeBron himself has said he’d eventually like to see the Air Zoom Generation make a comeback. 2015 may not be the year, but it's likely that an Air Zoom Generation retro is possible at some point.
Nike Air Shake Ndestrukt
Originally Released: 1996
Few shoes embody the signature athlete like Nike’s Air Shake Ndestrukt. Aesthetically, the model was unlike anything people had ever seen. In an era of iconic Chicago Bulls-related silhouettes like the Air Jordan 11 and Air More Uptempo, the Air Shake Ndestrukt still stood out — a testament to designer Eric Avar’s cutting-edge vision and Dennis Rodman’s flamboyant persona. The re-worked Air Shake Evolve was welcomed in 2012, but to be honest, the shoe didn’t really need to evolve. It was already ahead of its time and a return to retail is long overdue.
Reebok Preacher Ice
Originally Released: 1996
Shaquille O’Neal’s most underrated signature shoe, the Preacher Ice is quintessential '90s Reebok Basketball. Part of the VizHex Collection, the Preacher featured an aggressive application of the cushioning technology on a chunky silhouette that probably could have only worked for Shaq. And it did. He won Olympic Gold in the model, then wore it as he began his career as a Laker. Admittedly, the Preacher is suited for a niche audience, but Reebok owes it to loyalists after the Sermon.
Nike Air Zoom GP
Originally Released: 1998
After seeing a successful return of the Nike Zoom Flight ’98 (aka the Zoom Flight The Glove) in 2013, I think it’s safe to say that Nike Sportswear should continue to resurrect the Gary Payton line. While the line may have been short-lived, the Zoom GP still remains untouched. Originally released in 1998, it featured a unique ratched lock-down system inspired by ski boots. Only four colorways were released, including a black/neon yellow pair in 1999.
Nike Air Max Plus II
Originally Released: 2000
The red-headed stepchild of the Air Max Plus, the Air Max Plus II is one of the most underrated Air Max sneakers to date. Sure, it may lack in comparison to some other classic Maxes still waiting to be retroed. But, they can still hold their own. The Air Max Plus has been retroed numerous times, with it still continuing its latest run overseas. If Nike does bring back the Air Max Plus II, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them debut outside the United States first. Tuned Air deserves a proper comeback.
Nike Air Max 120
Originally Released: 1998
Gradient fades may have found form in '95, but the design element hit stride with Air Max models in '98. The Air Max Plus and Garnett III are notable examples, but one of the best remains the unheralded Air Max 120. It's a trainer with running DNA—on trend then and now—and with Air Max Plus finally getting its due in the U.S., there'd be no arguments if the 120 landed strongly on big box retailer shelves. Like the AM Plus, the 120 was a general release with a heavy niche following. Sneaker culture needs another underground hero right now. Let it be this shoe.
Nike Air Tech Challenge LWP
Originally Released: 1995
Few tennis players enjoy as much sneaker fame as Andre Agassi. For good reason: The Vegas-born baseliner was, at least initially, all about looks. Tech Challenges (in all incarnations) enjoy healthy fanaticism, as do some of Andre's other signature sneakers. In fact, we're promised an Air Flare retro in the near future. While that shoe will adequately commemorate Agassi's 1994 US Open win, it's the following year—an actual anniversary year—and the Air Tech Challenge LWP that should be remembered. 1995 began with a newly refocused Andre (crew cut and all) winning the Australian Open. He then reached the quarters in Paris, the semis at Wimbledon, and lost to rival Pete Sampras in the year's final slam. It was the first season Agassi held the world no. 1 ranking, and after his brilliant run in 1999, '95 was probably his best year as a pro. All that is largely forgotten in sneaker mythology, and strangely so seems Light Weight Performance as a Nike product push. The Air Tech Challenge LWP was the best of the bunch (sorry, Penny fans), and given that it came in tremendous white and black colorways is dead on trend 20 years later. Toss in the matching microfiber shorts too and court looks may actually come back.
Nike Air Max ‘96
Originally Released: 1995
Had it not just happened to release between the outrageously popular Air Max 95 and Air Max 97, there probably wouldn't be a need to discuss the Air Max 96. Then again, Nike didn't skip retroing the Air Jordan 5, just because the 4 and 6 were also popular. Based on the strength of its design, and the fact that only two men's colorways were ever released, there's a lot of new ground that could be covered with a retro release of the Air Max 96. We've seen enough Air Max 95s to last a lifetime. It's time to give that sneaker's successor some love.
Air Jordan 16
Originally Released: 2001
Excluding the Countdown Packs, there hasn't been an Air Jordan model to reach retro status since the late-2007 releases of the 15. While the Air Jordan 20 may be on its way back, don't forget about another model — the Air Jordan 16. Including the two "Plus" versions, only four colorways of the 16 have ever released. In comparison, 10 colorways of the AJ6 released in 2014 alone. While there aren't a lot of people looking for that many editions of the 16 to drop in a single year, it would be great to see a new model make a comeback for a change.
adidas AW8
Originally Released: 1998
In the history of adidas signature athletes, Antoine Walker may be one of the most unique players to ever be on the roster. He may be best known as the guy who blew career earnings of $110 million, but his Employee #8 adidas ad campaign, and signature adidas AW8, are important parts of adidas basketball's history. WIth adidas retroing many of its "Feet You Wear" models the past few years, there's no reason to exclude one of the best designs to feature the technology.
