Image via Complex Original
We hear the people talking — after dropping The Fresh Prince, Martin, and A Different World we knew you guys were patiently waiting on us to break down The Wayans Brothers. The successful mid-'90s sitcom was The WB's illest show (sorry Dawson's Creek) and known for taking street style to a level even Big Willie and Martin couldn't get to. We've got it all documented here: five seasons, 101 episodes, countless times Marlon screamed like a girl, Shawn getting dumped, and classic moments from Pops. In between all that, The Wayans Brothers were rotating some serious heat and a few shoes you may have forgotten about — either way, we have a full breakdown of the brothers kicks. Click the gallery to check out A Complete Sneaker Guide To The Wayans Brothers.
Air Jordan X "Steel"
Air Jordan X "Steel"
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 1, 2
Episode(s): 1, 2, 23
The first spotted of the show actually goes to Gary Coleman (click over a few pictures on this page) making a cameo for the pilot episode. How do you top that? Marlon rocked the Xs throughout a few seasons as well, while he was slummin' on the couch and fighting over chicks at the newstand — gotta be the shoes.
Nike Air Max2 Trainer '94
Nike Air Max2 Trainer '94
Year (of Sneaker): 1994
Season(s): 1
Episode(s): 4
Around this time the lines on a shoe were all the rage for aesthetic pleasure. The Max 2 Trainers are a classic that saw a lot of re-release love in 2011. Marlon rocked these while playing with a pogo stick in the crib (pause). As you can see it wasn't the brightest idea and homie isn't likely to get that security deposit back.
adidas Superstar II
adidas Superstar II
Year (of Sneaker): 1969
Season(s): 1, 3
Episode(s): 6,7, 51
You can't go wrong with the classics — unless you are in the fetal position in the middle of the street. The Wayans messed with one of the OG shoes that everyone has rocked at some point in their life, even pops rocked a pair during a house party (no Kid 'N Play) and Marlon did during a flashback of his crew getting all Run-DMC back in the '80s.
Nike Air Max '95
Nike Air Max '95
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2, 5
Episode(s): 14, 18, 83, 90, 100
The attention to detail on these were crazy and the Wayans knew. The upper from midsole to center was inspired by human skin and spine, the colors building atop one another from the outsole to tongue, and the quality of materials were on point. The initial "Neon" gradient still looks fresh today as it did when they broke out on the show back in '95.
Nike Air Flight One
Nike Air Flight One
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 15
One of the most comfortable basketball sneakers was well received when they made their way back in 2012. In Marlon's case he took his game to a whole new lane, throwing on an additional sole so he could get his Van Gogh on after being discovered for some paintings at the shop.
Nike Air Max CW
Nike Air Max CW
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 21
You didn't have to be a fan of the Fab Five to appreicate Chris Webber's big moment with Nike in the league before he got chromed-out with the Kings. Marlon chose the kicks for chillin at Pop's Diner during the second season – doing what he does best, nothing. Nike, this sneaker is still in need of a proper retro – soon, please?
Nike Air Max Uptempo 2
Nike Air Max Uptempo 2
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 22
Duke made it a hot shoe, as did a few other NBA players back in '95. Marlon on the other hand didn't quite ball so hard, his day usually consisted of fly kicks and reading magazines while making $3 an hour.
Nike Air Tenacity Plus
Nike Air Tencacity Plus
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 23
Admit it, you either forgot these even existed or never heard of them in the first place. The shoe was part of Nike's Force family and featured the mid-foot strap that was a must on all street kicks. Big man on the left hooped in them during a two-on-two showdown with the Wayans but even though the kicks were a win they still caught an L.
Nike Air 2 Strong High
Nike Air 2 Strong High
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 23
The other big man went with a forward's weapon of choice, the Air 2 Strong. Rocked by countless All-Americans and All-Stars, the Nike Force shoe featured maximum ankle support and Air Max cushioning so you could take a pounding in the paint.
Nike Air CB 34
Nike Air CB 34
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 23
People can talk about Jordans and Pennys all day, but Barkley's name was right up there in terms of signature kicks. During the two-on-two battle Shawn went with Sir Charles' full-length Air Max kicks and helped win the game by dominating under the hoop, just like Chuck.
Nike Air Darwin
Nike Air Darwin
Year (of Sneaker): 1994
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 23
Maybe a little product placement? Marlon's Swoosh on the Air Darwins was on steroids, bigger than the average trademark check. It took homie a minute to get in the game but when his brother finally talked some sense into him, he came through in the clutch.
Nike Air Mada Plus
Nike Air Mada Plus
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 23
Doing what he gotta do, fly in his Nike boots. So the Mada isn't technically a sneaker, but in the '90s a fresh pair of boots was just as vital to your sneaker rotation as any Js.
Air Jordan XI "Concord"
Air Jordan XI "Concord"
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 27, 34, 36
Pop luxury before the likes of Pharrell and Kanye, and this shoe almost never happened. With Michael Jordan flailing at fastballs in Birmingham, Nike was ready to close the book on the whole Jordan series – you can thank Tinker Hatfield for keeping it going. Inspired by a lawnmower and rocked by Marlon who never had a lawn - isn't it ironic, don't you think?
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
Year (of Sneaker): 1917
Season(s): 2, 5
Episode(s): 32, 82, 99, 101
Chucks are close to their centennial celebration, and after seeing the whole world change a few times over, they still hold up as one of the best pair of kicks you can bless your feet with. Marlon wore them for leisure and for play – even though boxing Roy Jones Jr. was probably his dumbest move, and he had plenty.
Pro Keds Royal
Pro Keds Royal
Year (of Sneaker): 1969
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 33
They pop up in the intro and made their way in the show for season two – the hood version of Chuck Taylors. And yeah, Marlon is doing exactly what you think here – looking up shorty's skirt.
Nike Zoom Flight '95
Nike Zoom Flight '95
Year (of Sneaker): 1995
Season(s): 2
Episode(s): 34
In '95 we saw Nike incorporate the Zoom Air unit into its basketball shoes for a low and responsive feel for many of the guard-targeted kicks. The unofficial shoe of Jason Kidd often received the same reaction to the design - "what's up with the bug-eyed sneakers?" The space-age Jetsons feel appealed to the youth like our main man, Marlon.
Air Jordan XI "Columbia"
Air Jordan XI "Columbia"
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 37, 38, 41, 43, 47, 50, 58
Mike stunted in them during the '96 All-Star Game and the Wayans did the same damn thing on network television. Anyone that was anyone rocked the icey XIs at some point during 1996 – it's just different.
Nike Air Worm Ndestrukt
Nike Air Worm Ndestrukt
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 37, 38, 40, 51
If you don't know about these, you need to get familiar. When Dennis Rodman was running with the Bulls, Nike hooked up the multi-colored hair rebounder with some of the best original signature sneakers to date, including the Worm Ndestrukts that featured a zipper up the side of the sneaks – before your beloved Gloves and Jordan XX8s.
Nike Air More Uptempo
Nike Air More Uptempo
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 37, 38, 41
Sneaker designers talk a lot about how well you can identify a shoe from a distance, whether you can tell what a particular model is from either in front of the TV (480-definition) or up in the cheap seats. Mission accomplished with the Scottie Pippen endorsed Air More Uptempos that our man Marlon rocked in season three.
Nike Zoom Flight '96
Nike Zoom Flight '96
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 39
The Flight '96s were unlike anything players had been playing in – more lightweight and closer to the ground for maximize performance on the court. In Marlon's case they helped him get through some beef at the bar over a game of billiards, protect ya neck and keep those Flights clean, B.
Airwalk Jim
Airwalk Jim
Year (of Sneaker): 1993
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 54
When you think about some of the brands that ring out in the streets, Airwalk isn't typically going to surface like Nike, adidas, and Reebok but Airwalk did put out a shoe in 1993 that got a lot of love from skaters and people looking for something casual to jerk-off in. No really – dude is wearing them in the sperm bank.
Nike Air Max Uptempo '97
Nike Air Max Uptempo '97
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 56
When you talk about Uptempos these might get lost in the mix but it was kind of a beta-version of the first Pippens and the shoes that Miles Simon rocked en route to 'Zona's '97 NCAA title. Marlon wasn't exactly cutting down nets but he was checking in on his grandma while she knitted – such a good kid.
Nike Cortez
Nike Cortez
Year (of Sneaker): 1972
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 57
Another shoe that popped up in the intro on Shawn's feet – we catch Marlon wearing a pair in right field during a flashback when he lost the Little League World Series with some less-than-stellar defense. Seriously, he couldn't at least get a pair of cleats? Wearing one of the first running shoes from Blue Ribbon probably wasn't the best idea.
Air Jordan XII
Air Jordan XII "White/Red"
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 3
Episode(s): 57
Nothing like an OG Bulls colorway. Like Will Smith, Marlon Wayans always went fresh out the box as soon as a new pair of Jordans hit the stores. Nothing like stunting in front of a million viewers every week, well played.
Nike Air Foamposite One
Nike Air Foamposite One "Royal"
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 4
Episode(s): 58
Excuse the quality on this one, but when someone is doing a karate kick on 480-quality television it's hard to get a clean shot. Either way, we still spotted Marlon in the OG Foamposites to kick off Season Four. Did you know it was the only time they made their way onto the show? We got 20 other things you might not know about the Foams.
Nike Air Max '97
Nike Air Max '97
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 4
Episode(s): 59
After Marlon's acting career started taking off he got a little extra coin and upgraded the runners from '95s to '97s for season four. The full-length Air Max supported the slim and fresh silver and 3M upper. Nike can bring these back every other year anyway they want, it's greatly appreciated.
Nike Air Force 1 Jewel
Nike Air Force 1 Jewel
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 4, 5
Episode(s): 61, 92
The Air Force 1 Jewel just made a solid comeback but in '96 it was a staple in any respectable NYC collection. The Uptown part deux was a little more grown than the originals rocked by every dealer on the corner.
Jordan Jumpman Pro
Jordan Jumpman Pro
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 4
Episode(s): 63, 72
The Jordan Jumpman Pro had a very similar feel to the XIIs at a more affordable price. (To be perfectly honest — and to risk blasphemy — these may have been a better shoe than the XII, with their lower cut and lighter weight.) A young Kevin Garnett put in work in these and Marlon helped his brother work up the courage to land his dream gig – Team Jordan with another W.
Air Jordan XIII
Air Jordan XIII "White/Black-True Red"
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 4, 5
Episode(s): 70, 75, 98
Who needs a gym when you can just do a few sets with your couch – ghetto total fitness gym. Even if the equipment was a bit suspect, the kicks were right with the black cat-inspired Jordan XIIIs. Judging from our Instagram feeds you already have a pair or two of these.
Nike Air Zoom Jet '97
Nike Air Zoom Jet '97
Year (of Sneaker): 1997
Season(s): 4
Episode(s): 77
Brett Favre ran the league in these - and get a look at some unknown cat with a pair on a mock Springer episode. Shawn and Marlon traded blows, but the star of the show was the iconic turf trainers.
Jumpman Pro Quick
Jumpman Pro Quick
Year (of Sneaker): 1998
Season(s): 5
Episode(s): 81
Then-Lakers guard Eddie Jones balled hard in the Jumpman Pro Quick. A dope late '90s release from the Jordan Brand with guards — other than MJ — in mind.
Reebok Question
Reebok Question
Year (of Sneaker): 1996
Season(s): 5
Episode(s): 83, 84
Nike got most of the shine on air but the kid had to show a true classic some love too. The Question brought the Hexalite windows to a wide audience, and the contrasting toecap (in either suede or pearlescent leather) meant you wouldn't mistake them for anything else. More than any other shoe in their history, the Question gave Reebok its own piece of sneaker history. And yeah, again, Marlon taking pictures of a girl's booty.
Air Jordan XIV
Air Jordan XIV "White/Black"
Year (of Sneaker): 1998
Season(s): 5
Episode(s): 87, 93
The final Js in the saga of the Wayans Brothers – the same shoe Michael called it quits in (for the Bulls). Coincidence? Yeah, definitely.
Nike Zoom Flight Glove
Nike Zoom Flight Glove
Year (of Sneaker): 1998
Season(s): 5
Episode(s): 89
Poised to make a comeback for the holiday rush this year, few shoes beat the support and comfort of the original Gloves. They make a brief cameo in episode 89 when Marlon walks into the newsstand to report to big brother for his gig.
Nike Air Pippen II
Nike Air Pippen II
Year (of Sneaker): 1998
Season(s): 5
Episode(s): 98
Mike wasn't the only one in the Windy City getting hit with greatness from Beaverton. Scottie was known for having his own heat throughout Chicago's title runs but it was his second signature kick that stood out the most. The Pippen IIs featured a well-constructed, tumbled-leather upper, a custom Mercury inspired side stripe (which also provided support), Zoom Air cushioning, and a sleek cut perfect for the courts or the club.