Lost Soles: The 25 Worst Sneaker Blowouts

In memoriam.

Worst Sneaker Blowouts
Worst Sneaker Blowouts

There’s nothing scarier for sneakerheads than un-DSing a pair of kicks, only to have the soles crumble under their feet, or rip clean off. There are a number of factors that can lead to this happening.

Some sneakers, particularly those of the vintage variety, completely crumble at the midsole. This is due to a chemical process called hydrolysis, which breaks the bonds in molded polyurethane molecules. Certain storage methods may delay the deterioration, but it's going to occur, eventually, no matter what.

And sometimes, particularly when it comes to newer sneakers, they've just been pushed too hard, like what happened to Aaron Gordon when he ripped the soles off his HyperRev 2016s.

Regardless of the reasoning, it's no less terrifying when it happens. In honor of Halloween, here are the 25 scariest photos of sneakers who's time came too soon.

25. Air Jordan 11 "Bred"

24. Nike Air Max Closer 4

23. Nike Air Trainer SC

22. Air Jordan 5

21. Nike Air Zoom Generation

20. Air Jordan 7 "Bordeaux"

19. Nike Air Max Uptempo 97

18. Reebok Kamikaze 2 "All-Star"

17. Air Jordan 17 "College Blue"

16. Air Jordan 8 "Aqua"

15. Nike Zoom LeBron 4

14. Air Jordan 5 Retro "Metallic"

13. Nike Zoom Kobe 5 "USC"

12. Air Jordan 6 "Infrared"

11. Air Jordan 8 "Bugs Bunny"

10. Nike Air Pressure

9. Air Jordan 4 Retro "Cement"

8. Nike Air Max 95 "Neon"

7. Air Jordan 9 "Olive"

6. Nike Air Force 180 High

5. Air Jordan 3 "Fire Red"

4. Nike Air Max TN

3. Air Jordan 5 "Fire Red"

2. Air Jordan 4 Retro "Bred"

1. Air Jordan 2