Image via Complex Original
Today is United Nations Day and since 1945, the UN has brought countries together as equals with the common goal to make the world a better place. Of course, in our world, the world of sneakerheads, it's the sneakers that bring us all together. No matter what corner of the world you live in, sneakers serve as a common bond between enthusiasts. From Converse Chuck Taylors to Air Jordans, sneakers can be a common ground between the spoiled rich kid collector, the struggling baby daddy still living in his parents' basement and even the hated Twitter troll who refuses to show his face in public. Sneakers are love. So hug someone today and tell them they have some nice sneakers on. Do what's right for humanity. And of course, check out 20 Sneakers That Brought the Sneaker World Closer Together.
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Nike Shox BB4
Year: 2000
"He jumped OVER his head!" Maybe it wasn't the best way to create international accord, but when Vince Carter jumped straight over 7'2 French center Frederic Weis and dunked, the world took notice. Boing.
Nike Air Pegasus 89 "Berlin Wall"
Year: 2009
Sometimes we have to be serious. And the Pegasus 89 that used the Berlin Wall for inspiration on the Anniversary of the wall coming down, is about as perfect as it gets. If you're old enough to know about the Berlin Wall and remember the experience of this moment in history, these are probably in your closet or on your bucketlist.
Nike Stefan Janoski SE
Year: 2013
Want to be able to relate to people your grandfather's age? Put yourself in his shoes. Or at least in a pair of all-white ones with Velcro closures. Your Janoskis might not be exactly like his New Balance, but at least you'll have something to talk about while playing shuffleboard.
Nike Air Jordan IX
Year: 1993
Released during the year MJ walked away from the game of basketball, the Air Jordan IX is one of few silhouettes to have not been worn on-court by Jordan. The shoe released amidst a difficult time in MJ's life after the tragic death of his father the same year. No one can deny that this shoe was indeed a special creation. Aside from having a large 23 stitched about the back, both soles came fully equipped with multilingual detailings. Words in languages from the likes of French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Swahili and Japanese are intricately inscribed on the bottom. What better way to pay homage to sneakerheads across the globe.
And1 Tai Chi
Year: 1998
And1 never really popped off like that in the sneaker market, but the Tai Chi was as close as they ever got to universal acceptance. The basic two-color design was simple and perfect, Latrell Sprewell was a primary endorser, and Vince Carter famously wore them in the 2000 NBA dunk contest to end all dunk contests. And1 never wound up signing VC, but this was the best exposure they ever got.
Vans Slip-On
Year: 1979
A sneaker more or less everyone can afford, that more or less goes with anything, that was worn by the most infamous surfer stoner in movie history. Jeff Spicoli knows.
Nike Air Jordan 1
Year: 1985
The Nike Air Jordan 1 took the sneakerhead subculture and made it mainstream. Pretty much everything we take for granted today, from carefully honed anticipation to release day sellouts, started here. The Air Jordan 1 helped turn the basketball sneaker from a city badge of honor to a global cultural touchstone.
Dada Spinners
Year: 2001
OK, fine, so Latrell Sprewell's infamous Dada signature shoes only united the world in distaste and disbelief. Gotta start somewhere.
adidas Superstar
Year: 1969
The adidas Superstar wasn't the first leather basketball shoe - that was its taller, older sibling, the Pro Model - but the low-cut shelltoes spread the adidas gospel far and wide, from the courts to the streets. If you were a cool kid in the '70s or '80s, you owned a pair of Superstars at some point. Period.
Nike Dunk SBs
Year: 2002
From hoops classic to cult classic, the Nike Dunk transcended all genres when Nike SB opened for business in the early 2000s. Originally designed as a college hoops shoe, the Dunk was reinvented (via Zoom Air and an overstuffed tongue) as a skate shoe, but found its true home in the hands of sneaker collectors and aficionados worldwide.
adidas Originals JS Wings
Year: 2008
Jeremy Scott's outlandish designs are often too much for people, but his JS Wings - specifically the 2.0 with the wings towards the back - have more or less gained universal acceptance. The A$AP Mob sign-off didn't hurt.
New Balance 574
Year: 1988
The New Balance 574 is the people's New Balance, more affordable than the US- or UK-made 576s and 577s, but still an instantly recognizable silhouette. Back when they were two for $90 at Foot Locker, they were an instant cop in the grey and blue. Now the US-made customs are the ultimately affordable bespoke.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star
Year: 1917
We don't even really need to explain Converse Chucks. These are the universal shoe for peace, love and happiness. Also for gangbanging, rock 'n roll and goth but that's neither here nor there.
Supra Skytops
Year: 2008
Slash wore the Supra Skytop to the Super Bowl. And we all know how many people around the world watch the Super Bowl. EVERYONE.
Nike Air Jordan IV
Year: 1989
When Buggin' Out's Jordans got stepped on in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, sneakerheads around the world cringed. Because in the world before Jason Markk (and before retros), that was a major violation. Still is, for that matter.
Nike Roshe Run
Year: 2012
It was the people's shoe. The Nike Roshe Run was introduced with no fanfare, and became the sleeper hit of the year. A $70 shoe with no amazing technology, no celebrity endorsement, becoming wildly popular on the simple basis of comfort? This is something we could all get behind - and something the sneaker world could use more of.
Nike Air Rift
Year: 1995
Not only did the Air Rift provide running shoes for a country of runners that never needed them before, but it showed the world how to make money off of them as well. Capitalism should be at the center of the United Nations because America says so.
Nike Air Force 1
Year: 1982
The Air Force 1 has been in constant production for nearly 30 years now (it took a short break in the '80s) and seamlessly made the transition from a high-performance basketball shoe to the ultimate streetwear finishing touch. Go anywhere in the world in some Air Force 1s, and you'll be understood.
Nike Air Yeezy II
Year: 2013
Look at Kim and Kanye. No seriously. LOOK AT THEM. They're so happy together that the entire world should be at peace when they wear their matching "Red Octobers," that the United Nations should celebrate them today instead.