As far back as I can remember, retro kicks have been around since the mid 1990s (Chuck Taylors are excluded from this, as they've never been out of style, hence, they're never retro). It started when Nike began reissuing the old Air Jordans, I remember this because the day the Air Jordan 3s were reissued, me and my buddies all went out and bought a pair of these beauties. Ever since then, Nike has been constantly reissuing some of its more popular models, such as the Air Force Series, the Air Max Series and others. Pretty soon, Adidas and Reebok followed suit, with Adidas reissuing its ever popular Pro Model Series, and Reebok doing the same with its Classic (Red White and Blue Logo) Series and Pump Series.
I'm not sure if these reissues are making money for the shoe companies, but I'm pretty sure that a lot of people are psyched whenever they hear news of a certain pair of shoes being reissued. I know I was psyched when I heard that Nike was reissuing the Air Force Max last 2007. I guess its because I used to own a pair of those, and they were my all time favorite kicks. But aside from nostalgic reasons, I actually believe that the shoe styles and designs back in the late 80s and early 90s were top notch, and despite the passage of time, they actually still look pretty cool. Of course, the shoes now are more technically sound and advanced, giving the athletes of today more comfort and safety, but in terms of style, I don't think they match up with the kicks of the 80s and 90s.
Back in my college years, despite the fact that I stand five feet nothing and weigh a hundred and nothing, I played a lot of basketball, not varsity level basketball, but serious basketball nonetheless. Because of this, I also had my fair share of the latest basketball kicks during that time, my favorites were Charles Barkley's Air Force Max 1, Shawn Kemp's Kamikaze 1, and Penny Hardaway's Air Max Penny 1. And wouldn't you know it, all three models have been or will be reissued, I guess it wasn't only me who liked these shoes after all. Anyway, read on for a little background on my favorite retro kicks.
The Air Force Max 1 was released in 1992, but they didn't arrive here in the Philippines until 1993. The shoes were primarily worn by Charles Barkley in his 1st season with the Phoenix Suns. However, I think it was the Fab Five of the Michigan Wolverines who made the shoes a must buy for every baller. With their baggy shorts and black socks, the Fab Five basically ushered in a new way to look cool in the basketball court. Personally, aside from the fact that it looks cool, I liked the Air Force Max 1s because they're comfortable, it just feels right when I wear them. And of course, I was wearing them when I won my first Dorm Intramural Championship. So yes, a lot of memories there. When Nike reissued them back in 2007, I immediately got myself a pair. The only retro kicks that I own right now.
The Kamikaze 1 was released by Reebok in 1994, with Shawn Kemp being the endorser. Yes, the immortal Shawn Kemp, the Reign Man himself, the same guy who fathered 7 children by 6 women. But back before he became a human blimp and druggie, Kemp was actually good. Who can forget his high wire acts and vicious dunks, plus, the alley-oops with Gary Payton. He's actually the first player to jump into the NBA without playing college ball since Moses Malone. Anyway, the Kamikazes were quite popular during the mid 90s, popular enough for Reebok to issue a second version of it, the Kamikaze 2s, which were actually way cooler than the first one. Sadly, shortly after its release, Shawn Kemp's career steadily declined, and with it, the chances of a Kamikaze 3. However, Reebok (now owned by Adidas) is releasing an updated version of the Kamikaze in 2010 (see image above), and if I get lucky and they release it here in the Philippines, I'll definitely get myself a pair.
The Air Max Penny 1 was released in 1995 by Nike, with Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway as the endorser. And just like Hardaway's basketball career, it was brief, but memorable. People now forget, but when Penny Hardaway first entered the NBA, he was destined for greatness. As a rookie, he was a member of the All-Rookie Team (Chris Webber won the ROY Award), by his third year, he had been a 2-time member of the All-NBA First Team, a 2-time All Star, and a member of the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Team. He, along with Shaq, also led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals, losing to the Houston Rockets in 4 games. He was dubbed the second coming of Magic Johnson, only more athletic, way more athletic. Tragically, Penny would only have 1 more superstar season in him, after that, a series of devastating knee injuries took away his speed and explosiveness. He retired in 2007, when he was cut mid-season by the Miami Heat. The shoes pretty much took the same path as the player, the Air Max Penny 1s were absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous enough that I even wore them outside the courts (T-shirt, Denim Shorts and my Air Pennys. Yikes!), and they were light and comfortable too, in other words, they were perfect. The next 3 versions though, weren't as nice. Nike reissued them in 2008, but they were only released in the US, which totally sucks because I really wanted to have them. Still hoping that they reissue them again and release them here.
So there you go, my favorite retro kicks, and I'll be crossing my fingers that they release them here, so I can get myself a pair or two, you know...just for old time's sake.
P.S. Some of the other kicks that have been or will be reissued that I'm also looking forward to include: the Air Force 180, the Air Trainer SC II Low and the Air Jordan VI Olympic Edition. (See image below)
I'm not sure if these reissues are making money for the shoe companies, but I'm pretty sure that a lot of people are psyched whenever they hear news of a certain pair of shoes being reissued. I know I was psyched when I heard that Nike was reissuing the Air Force Max last 2007. I guess its because I used to own a pair of those, and they were my all time favorite kicks. But aside from nostalgic reasons, I actually believe that the shoe styles and designs back in the late 80s and early 90s were top notch, and despite the passage of time, they actually still look pretty cool. Of course, the shoes now are more technically sound and advanced, giving the athletes of today more comfort and safety, but in terms of style, I don't think they match up with the kicks of the 80s and 90s.
Back in my college years, despite the fact that I stand five feet nothing and weigh a hundred and nothing, I played a lot of basketball, not varsity level basketball, but serious basketball nonetheless. Because of this, I also had my fair share of the latest basketball kicks during that time, my favorites were Charles Barkley's Air Force Max 1, Shawn Kemp's Kamikaze 1, and Penny Hardaway's Air Max Penny 1. And wouldn't you know it, all three models have been or will be reissued, I guess it wasn't only me who liked these shoes after all. Anyway, read on for a little background on my favorite retro kicks.
The Air Force Max 1 was released in 1992, but they didn't arrive here in the Philippines until 1993. The shoes were primarily worn by Charles Barkley in his 1st season with the Phoenix Suns. However, I think it was the Fab Five of the Michigan Wolverines who made the shoes a must buy for every baller. With their baggy shorts and black socks, the Fab Five basically ushered in a new way to look cool in the basketball court. Personally, aside from the fact that it looks cool, I liked the Air Force Max 1s because they're comfortable, it just feels right when I wear them. And of course, I was wearing them when I won my first Dorm Intramural Championship. So yes, a lot of memories there. When Nike reissued them back in 2007, I immediately got myself a pair. The only retro kicks that I own right now.
The Kamikaze 1 was released by Reebok in 1994, with Shawn Kemp being the endorser. Yes, the immortal Shawn Kemp, the Reign Man himself, the same guy who fathered 7 children by 6 women. But back before he became a human blimp and druggie, Kemp was actually good. Who can forget his high wire acts and vicious dunks, plus, the alley-oops with Gary Payton. He's actually the first player to jump into the NBA without playing college ball since Moses Malone. Anyway, the Kamikazes were quite popular during the mid 90s, popular enough for Reebok to issue a second version of it, the Kamikaze 2s, which were actually way cooler than the first one. Sadly, shortly after its release, Shawn Kemp's career steadily declined, and with it, the chances of a Kamikaze 3. However, Reebok (now owned by Adidas) is releasing an updated version of the Kamikaze in 2010 (see image above), and if I get lucky and they release it here in the Philippines, I'll definitely get myself a pair.
The Air Max Penny 1 was released in 1995 by Nike, with Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway as the endorser. And just like Hardaway's basketball career, it was brief, but memorable. People now forget, but when Penny Hardaway first entered the NBA, he was destined for greatness. As a rookie, he was a member of the All-Rookie Team (Chris Webber won the ROY Award), by his third year, he had been a 2-time member of the All-NBA First Team, a 2-time All Star, and a member of the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Team. He, along with Shaq, also led the Orlando Magic to the 1995 NBA Finals, losing to the Houston Rockets in 4 games. He was dubbed the second coming of Magic Johnson, only more athletic, way more athletic. Tragically, Penny would only have 1 more superstar season in him, after that, a series of devastating knee injuries took away his speed and explosiveness. He retired in 2007, when he was cut mid-season by the Miami Heat. The shoes pretty much took the same path as the player, the Air Max Penny 1s were absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous enough that I even wore them outside the courts (T-shirt, Denim Shorts and my Air Pennys. Yikes!), and they were light and comfortable too, in other words, they were perfect. The next 3 versions though, weren't as nice. Nike reissued them in 2008, but they were only released in the US, which totally sucks because I really wanted to have them. Still hoping that they reissue them again and release them here.
So there you go, my favorite retro kicks, and I'll be crossing my fingers that they release them here, so I can get myself a pair or two, you know...just for old time's sake.
P.S. Some of the other kicks that have been or will be reissued that I'm also looking forward to include: the Air Force 180, the Air Trainer SC II Low and the Air Jordan VI Olympic Edition. (See image below)
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