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Ask most sneakerheads and they'll tell you that the "golden era" of sneakers was the '90s. It was a time period that put sneakers in front of everyone — whether you were a basketball fan, a metal fan, hip-hop junkie, a sports fan or just a regular dude enjoying life, you couldn't help but notice sneakers in the 1990s. Athletes like Andre Agassi and Michael Jordan and bands like the Beastie Boys and Megadeth put sneakers on the world map and it was for good reason. Nike, adidas, Reebok and Converse all made some of their greatest sneakers in the 10 year period that ran from 1990 to the year 2000. With that in mind, take a look at the Greatest Sneaker Moments of the 90s and let us know what you favorite moment was from the best era of sneakers.
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Jordan Does the Switch-Hands Thing on the Lakers in the NBA Finals
Year: 1991
Sneaker: Air Jordan VI
Jordan doesn't have any shortage of highlight tape plays but the biggest stars always manage to top their best on the big stage. During his first NBA Finals appearance it was a lay-up by His Airness that actually stole the show from the "Showtime" Lakers. MJ was driving to the hole when he saw long-arms, Sam Perkins, closing in for a block. Mike's instinct for the game guided him to switch hands in mid-air for a spectacular move that stunned the crowd and gave Magic and company official notice that their reign was over.
Kurt Cobain Gives Chuck Taylors New Life
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Grunge did more than just kill glam metal as a staff, as a label, and as a motherfucking crew. It also blasted away the artfully distressed fishnets and hairspray for a more genuine look, one driven by flannel, worn-in denim and Converse All Stars and One Stars. No one represented this better than Aberdeen's Kurt Cobain, who unfortunately would not survive the decade he so vividly defined.
Dave Mustaine, Sneakerhead?
Year: 1990
Sneaker: Nike Air Tech Challenge II
Outside of the music, the whole point of speed metal and thrash seemed to be not caring what you looked like. Denim and leather, old tour shirts (oftentimes from your own band) and either boots or beat-up sneakers. But Dave Mustaine was different. The Megadeth frontman managed to stay laced in the latest and greatest Nikes, from the Tech Challenge II to the rarely seen Air Pressure. It WAS just different.
The Dream Team Takes Barcelona
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Various
From Barkley's 180s to Magic's USA Converse, and from Laettner's Huaraches to MJ's Olympic Air Jordan VII, the Dream Team will be remembered for their classic sneakers as much as they will be for demolishing their opponents on the way to gold. Or maybe it's the gold medal run that made the sneakers unforgettable?
Beastie Boys Bring Digging to the "Check Your Head" Album Cover
Year: 1992
Sneaker: adidas Campus, Puma Clyde
In between 1986's License to Ill and 1989's Paul's Boutique, the Beastie Boys took the art of digging to new heights. They did it for beats and samples - or at least their producers, the Dust Brothers, did - and they did it for clothes. After License they moved to L.A. to record the follow-up, and they came upon a whole stash of outlandish '70s gear in the Hollywood mansion they'd rented. The sneakers, old adidas and Pumas, just completed the look. And ushered in the retro golden era you're living in now. You're welcome.
Barkley vs. Godzilla
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Nike Air Ballistic Force
Kind of weird that the commercial wasn't for Charles Barkley's quasi-signature Air Max 180s, but maybe those were too expensive to justify a full-on TV commercial (or maybe the Ballistic Forces were available first). Either way, Sir Charles' building-destroying matchup with the begoggled behemoth was one for the ages. Rematch?
Jerry Seinfeld Covers Playboy
Year: 1993
Sneaker: Air Jordan VII "Cardinals"
Seinfeld has more heat than most of us can ever imagine but landing on the cover of Playboy and rocin' Js? Legendary status.
The Fab Five Go to Michigan
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Various
The Fab Five may not have ever got that title, but as far as sneakers go, they're still the kings of college ball. Whether it as Maestros, Flights, Unlimiteds, or the black Air Force Max with the matching socks, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson changed the way sneakerheads laced up their kicks forever.
Griffey For President
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Nike Air Griffey Max
Since when did a baseball player sell sneakers? Griffey wasn't your average athlete on the diamond – between his flawless left-handed swing, gold glove, and boyish charm there was no denying the kid was perfect for Nike, maybe even the presidency. There's always 2016.
Hello, Grandmama
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Converse Aero Jam
Larry Johnson's gold front tooth made him unforgettable but the UNLV star turned Charlotte Hornets front man made his sneakers timeless by dreesing up as Grandmama. What we wouldn't give for another go at the Converse Aero Jam, LJ you still got that wig?
Andre Agassi Introduces Rock and Roll Tennis
Year: 1990
Sneaker: Nike Air Tech Challenge
To be fair, this wasn't a single moment — it was a whole movement. And make no mistake, Andre Agassi's upsetting of tennis establishment was a long time coming. He built his career on those who came before him just like everyone else, only he distilled the McEnroes, the Borgs, the Nastases to the bad-boy essence. And God, was he good. The acid wash and mullet look only flew because he had game. And when he faced off against fellow Nike endorsee Pete Sampras in the 1990 U.S. Open Final, it was almost good vs. evil. (Sampras won the match, his first Grand Slam title, but Agassi won the culture war.)
Q Changes Sneakers in Juice Three Times
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Various
If you haven't already peeped Juice, that's next on the Netflix queue. We feel Q with the morning conflict of what fly sneakers we're going to rock and throw on Instagram everyday.
Dee Brown Pumps Up During the '91 Dunk Contest
Year: 1991
Sneaker: Reebok Pump Omni Lite
Pump-pump-pump it up. Believe it or not, Nike wasn't the giant that it is today back in the day. In the early '90s various brands were battling for the crown of the top sneaker brand and with Reebok's Pump technology they were making The Swoosh try and catch them. You can have the greatest designs and marketing schemes in the world but nothing can replace an organic moment like Dee Brown's pumped up kicks during his no-look jam in the '91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Sidney Deane and Billy Hoyle Get Their Hustle On
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Nike Air Command Force, Nike Air Flight Lite
Streetball was a big thing for more that 20 years before Ron Shelton decided to make a movie about it - think Dr. J at the Rucker - but White Men Can't Jump took the action from Venice Beach and put it on the big screen. Everything was represented, from the trash talk to the sneakers. Had Shelton waited another summer, Wesley and Woody could have been in Air Raids and Blacktops, but the beat-up hightops just added to the authenticity.
Shaq Brings Down The House
Year: 1992
Sneaker: Reebok Shaq Attaq
Shaquille O'Neal was unlock any other big man in the league, he could run the floor like guys half his size but there's no denying why we all watched. His ferocious dunks were immortalized into a logo that became synonymous with broken backboards and posterized defenders.
Scottie Pippen Has His Shining Moment
Year: 1994
Sneaker: Nike Air Maestro
Many people mourned Michael Jordan's retirement following the 1992 NBA Finals, but Scottie Pippen saw an opportunity. Instead of being the man standing next to the man, this was finally his chance to shine — to make the Chicago Bulls his team. His coming-out party, as it were, was the 1994 All-Star Game in Minneapolis, where he sported some all-red Nike Air Maestros and a freshly shorn head. He won the MVP and finally took center stage.
Duke vs. Michigan
Year: 1993
Sneaker: Nike Air Force Max
In the '90s, Duke vs. Michigan was always a movie. The good guys vs. the bad guys, the well-coached machine against the free-flowing freshmen (and later sophomores, and later the Fab Five Minus One). And if the outcome was always in doubt until the end, at least it always got resolved. The sneaker matchup never did. Duke had been an adidas school for decades, but switched over to Nike in the early '90s. And if Mike Krzyzewski kept them from living their Wolverine dreams on the court, at least they could match them sneaker-for-sneaker. Sometimes the Dookies even won.
Mike Bibby Debuts the Nike Air Foamposite One
Year: 1997
Sneaker: Nike Air Foamposite One
Story has it that Nike laced the Arizona Wildcats starting crew with the Nike Air Foamposite One but only Bibby was brave enough to actually rock them in a game. The shoe was built for Pippen, he passed, and they became Penny's version of the "banned" Jordan I after the colorway didn't comply with NBA rules. Forget all of that, the shoe's true iconic moment goes back to Bibby tormenting Kentucky in the boot-like basketball shoe.
Michael Defeats the Monstars
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI
The 1995 NBA Playoffs marked a decidedly un-Michael like postseason failure as his Bulls fell to the upstart Orlando Magic in the Eastern semis. So Jordan - who'd played in just 17 regular-season games - redoubled his efforts and, well, filmed a movie. But part of the deal was that Warner Brothers built him a court, and he played games daily with hand-selected opponents. He also gave his 1995 playoff shoes more shine in the film, and they became forever known as the "Space Jams" instead of the "Nick Andersons."
Jordan Completes His Comeback in Style
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Air Jordan XI
Mike had the Bulls back on their grind, winning a league-record 72 games in his first full season back from baseball. The season also featured one of Mike's most popular sneakers, the Jordan XI, which is still one of the craziest sneaker releases today. Even though there were 100 memorable moments from that historic season, none more bittersweet than Mike basking in the glory that was his fourth title – proving he wasn't even close to being done.
Tiger Woods Signs With Nike, Wins the Masters By 12 Strokes
Year: 1997
Sneaker: Nike Air Zoom TW
Tiger Woods made his mark in emphatic fashion when he burst onto the golf scene in 1996. Signing with Nike opened up The Swoosh to a new market in major ways after Tiger won The Masters by 12 strokes just a few months later. Golf shoes would never be the same.
The SLAM Class of 1996 Rookie Cover
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Various
OK fine, so Allen Iverson left the night before, Kobe Bryant had a broken wrist (cast artfully hidden) and no one told Samaki Walker to go away. It was still quite the mid-'90s crew, featuring (among others) Marcus Camby, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker and Jermaine O'Neal. Extra props to Kerry Kittles for his Air Max 96s.
Kobe Bryant Wins the Dunk Contest
Year: 1997
Sneaker: adidas Equipment Elevation
From the start, you knew this kid was going to be something. Sure, he had his struggles - any 17-year-old guard coming straight out of high school would - but at All-Star weekend in Cleveland, it all came together. Kobe kept his Champion shooting shirt on en route to a Dunk Contest win featuring the then-still-sort-of new East Bay Funk through-the-legs dunk he cribbed from J.R. Rider. This was only the beginning.
Allen Iverson Crosses Over MJ - Twice!
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Reebok Question
Who's afraid of Allen Iverson? With Jordan's competitive nature you knew he was up to the challenge of guarding the kid with a killer crossover, fresh out of G-Town. Mike might have been feeling his age that night because AI hit him up not once, but twice with his ankle-breaking signature move and hit the mid-range jumper to solidify the moment in basketball history. Everyone was kind of afraid of Allen Iverson and those white and navy Reebok Questions are just as iconic as the play.
Michael Johnson Wears Gold to Win Gold
Year: 1996
Sneaker: Nike Gold Shoes
The other other other MJ (it's hard to dethrone Mike, Michael and Magic), Michael Johnson was the ultimate athlete at the ultimate time, peaking just in time for the '96 Atlanta Olympics. Johnson was 28 years old, and coming off a 200m and 400m double at the 1995 World Championships. Nike made him some custom golden spikes for the Olympics, right and left form-fitted to the respective foot. Second place in gold would have been an unthinkable fail - he set an Olympic record in the 400 and followed it with a world record in the 200.
Tupac Wears FILA in the All Eyez On Me Booklet
Year: 1996
Sneaker: FILA Grant Hill 2
Nobody repped harder for the West Coast than Tupac and as a young sneakerhead back in the day, you knew this dude had heat. Pac had been known for rockin' Air Max 90s and Jordans by the mid-'90s but when you flipped open that All Eyez On Me CD insert and saw the Fila Grant Hills, it changed how you felt about the famous tennis brand's basketball kicks.
Michael Jordan's Last Shot
Year: 1998
Sneaker: Air Jordan XIV
In the '98 NBA Finals MJ hit us with "The Last Shot." In Game Six at Utah, Jordan crossed Byron Russell to his knees, pulled back and nailed a game-winning 20-foot jumper with 5.2 seconds left, giving the Bulls their second three-peat and Mike's sixth ring in what ended up being his last shot in a Bulls uniform and the Jordan XIV.