15 Sneakers That Became Pop Culture Legends

After signing a deal with Michael Jordan in October 1984, Nike released the Air Jordan 1 a month later. This release kicked off a massive franchise with new Air Jordans entering the market 40 years later. Originally, the NBA banned the red-and-black colorways because they didn’t have enough visible white, but this didn’t slow the design’s popularity.

Originally launched in the 1920s as a basketball shoe, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star found new life in the 1990s as punk, grunge and skater subcultures adopted this retro sneaker. The black-and-white design embodied punk aesthetics, while the sturdy construction allowed owners to skate, explore their cities and rock out for hours.

In 1989, the film “Back to the Future Part II” wowed audiences with the Nike Mag: a fictional self-tying shoe. While Nike hasn’t mastered the self-tying technology in real life just yet, they cashed in on the Nike Mag’s popularity with two limited releases. The first drop raised millions of dollars for The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

While Adidas Superstar started as a basketball shoe, the hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. wore the sneakers on tour and later released a song called “My Adidas,” which introduced the Superstar to street fashion and casual wear. The promotion was so lucrative that Adidas eventually hired Run-D.M.C. as brand sponsors and collaborated on a clothing line.

Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 took the world by storm when it dropped in 2015. As the second design in the Yeezy collection, this sneaker plays an important role in the brand’s history. The knitted material, award-winning designs and distinct silhouette made Yeezys one of the most defining shoes of the 2010s.

In 1989, Reebok Pump took the industry by surprise with inflatable chambers that wearers can adjust for a tighter fit. While this feature was already impressive, Dee Brown gave Reebok an incredible boost of organic marketing by pumping up the sneakers before winning the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. This led to movie appearances and celebrity endorsements.

Clean and white, the Nike Air Force 1 launched a multi-million-dollar series with thousands of different colorways. Nelly’s 2002 song, “Air Force Ones,” cemented the shoes’ legendary status. Over the years, Nike Air Force 1 has become a pop culture staple with movie and TV appearances, slang terms and celebrity shout-outs.

Vans Old Skool arrived in the 1970s, offering a low-top silhouette with simple colors and a unique white stripe on the side. The sneaker made its mark on skater culture in the 80s before entering the punk scene in the 90s, with various punk rockers and hip-hop artists wearing the shoes.

When athletes wore Nike Cortez at the 1972 Summer Olympics, these shoes were so popular with the general public that they turned Nike into a major franchise. In 1994, the shoes experienced a revival when they appeared in the film “Forrest Gump.” Their comfortable design makes them ideal for runners.

Despite their massive sales, Fila Disruptor II has courted controversy since the design launched in 1996. Some buyers love the ridged textures and thick, chunky soles, while others dismiss the Fila Disruptor II as bulky and unattractive. Whether you love or hate these shoes, you’ve probably had friends who wore them in the 90s or even owned your own pair.

Puma Suede challenged the industry by utilizing suede instead of canvas or leather, creating a distinctly soft shoe with a buttery texture. During the 1968 Summer Olympics, athlete Tommie Smith removed his Puma Suedes and raised his fist to protest racism, which placed the shoes in national headlines and increased their popularity.

When Nike SB Dunk Low “Pigeon” arrived in 2005, fans were so hyped that they camped outside for days and caused riots at sneaker stores in hopes of snatching a pair. Today, the Nike SB Dunk Low is still popular enough to sell for thousands of dollars on resale sites.

In 1988, New Balance decided to add a cheaper model to their 500s series to reach more customers. The result was the New Balance 574, which became one of the brand’s most famous sneakers and managed to stay relevant for the next few decades. Today, you can still find influencers sporting their New Balance 574.

Reebok originally designed the Reebok Club C 85 for tennis players. However, the crisp design and charming logos made this sneaker popular among celebrities and streetwear lovers, turning the Reebok Club C 85 into a minor pop culture icon. In 2025, Reebok celebrated the shoe’s 40th anniversary with a special new version.

ASICS Gel-Lyte III hit the market in 1990. While this shoe didn’t blow up right away, a 2006 re-release helped propel this sneaker into the mainstream. The brand also collaborated with legendary designers, including KITH and Ronnie Fieg, to draw more attention to the shoe and capture the essence of streetwear.