A Complete Guide To The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Sneakers

Has anyone on television had heat like Will Smith?

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Image via Complex Original
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Now this is a story all about how/this kid got flipped-turned upside down/and take a few minutes just sit right there/as we take you through the sneaker guide of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

When it comes to sneakers, most people are checking to see what’s hot in the streets right now. Sometimes it’s nice to get a little nostalgic (Yeah the Seinfeld piece was major) and no show was more on point with style in the early '90s then The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. When the project kicked off in 1990, Will Smith was already established as a music artist thanks to everyone’s favorite summer anthem, and proved his personality and wit as well. Naturally acting was the next move, and with backing from Quincy Jones he was ready to cross over to iconic status which he had cemented by the time the show last aired on May 20, 1996 and he moved on to blockbuster films. After sifting through 56 hours of footage, we have a complete guide of what our man Will rocked throughout the series — definitely worth peeping or you can hit us with this. Click on the gallery to see A Complete Guide To The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Sneakers.

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Nike Air Trainer Max

Episode: #26 'Did the Earth Move for You?', #27 'The Mother of All Battles', #29 'PSAT Pstrory', & #33 'She Ain't Heavy'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

The Fresh Prince worked it out in the Nike Air Trainer Maxes, surviving his first earthquake and outscoring Carlton in the PSATs. You'd think these kicks were his lucky charm. The shoes also proved to be versatile as Will used the black/white colorway to throw some street cred into his formal wear when he took out Gina... we mean Kathleen (played by Tisha Cambell-Martin) and hoops up in the silhouette as well. 

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Nike Air Flight Lite

Episode: #29 'PSAT Pstory'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

You just crushed a pizza and a few sodas and you have to get busy with the stick for Nintendo, what better way to stay on your game than the Nike Air Flight Lite? The sneaker again represented Will's style so well — the hits of orange meshed with a high top. That'll keep you fresh son.

 

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Nike Air Force 180 Pump High

Episode: #30 'Granny Gets Busy' & #40 'My Brother's Keeper'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

David Robinson was beasting on the court and the Fresh Prince was killing ratings in its own lane. When your Uncle Phil is getting that government money, a $175 tag is nothing. 

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Nike Air Max 180

Episode: #33 'She Ain't Heavy'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

The Air Max 180s were monumental for two reasons: it was the first time was saw Will rock a true runner and it also was the first time the show used the same actor/actress in more than one role and acted like it was nothing — something they show was notoriously famous for, including pointing out the obviousness on the show with blatant jokes. 

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Nike Air Force V

Episode: #41 'Geoffrey Cleans Up'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

Whether he is hoopin' in the driveway or kicking some advice to Geoffrey about his new lady friend worth $25 mil, Will keeps it stylish in yet another high top. $25 mil though... Yo 'G' can we get a few pairs of these high-top classics too?

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Nike Huarache Runner

Episode: #42 'Community Action'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

When you have that Bel-Air financial backing it's easy to diversify your kick game. Most people might be more familiar with the Huarache Trainers but after Will let Philip Bank's arch-nemesis, Jazz, crash at the crib we are pretty sure he scooped a pair of runners to get away from Uncle Phil the easiest way possible — actually moving at a moderate pace. Always scheming Will, we see you.

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Nike Air Huarache Trainer

Episode: #45 'Those Were the Days' & #102 'Reality Bites'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

Huarache Runner, check. Huarache Trainers, check. Thirteen sneakers deep into the show Will busts out a classic that we were blessed to see re-released this year. No doubt these are one of the more subtle colorways he rocked in the first couple of seasons. 

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Nike Air Force 180 Low

Episode: #46 'Vying for Attention'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

West Philadelphia born and raised — of course Will was going to pay homage to his city. In case you are too young to remember Charles Barkley rocked these in his final games donning a 76ers jersey. The Prince used 'em for a different competition — his mother's attention when she comes into town and acknowledges another man's simpin'.

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Air Jordan VI "Infrared"

Episode: #47 'The Aunt Who Came to Dinner'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

His Airness dropped another classic and Will made sure they were a part of culture. What Will wore, the streets were messing with too and the Jordan VI "Infrareds" were a must from day one. The kicks worked — the ladies' man linked up with a couple French girls for him and his cousin Carlton. Didn't we already prove the ladies are all about a dude rocking fly kicks?

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Air Jordan VII "Hares"

Episode: #54 'Mam's Baby, Carlton's Maybe', #59 'Asses to Ashes', & #62 'Mommy Nearest'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

The "Hare" Jordan VIIs were a must when they dropped. They saw some good times on the show, especially when Will had Carlton's back after a girl tried pulling some baby-mama drama. Three seasons in, and The Prince is three for three with with the Js. Salute. 

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Nike Air Sonic Flight

Episode: #56 'Here Comes The Judge' & #60 'A Funny Thing Happened On The Way Home From The Forum'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

In '92 Nike switched up the Flight logo and started dropping the top on its kicks and going with mid releases more and more. A man of times, Will started donning the mids more versus the chunky high-tops which were a staple in his footwear collection throughout the first two season. 

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Nike Delta Force ST

Episode: #65 'Bundle of Joy'

Year (of Sneaker): 1989

No we didn't Instagram this shot. The Banks were expecting a baby and during a dream sequence Will envisions what life will be when the family is busy posting up with another kid around the house. When he walks through the kitchen we catch a glimpse of the most "retro" shoe on the show - slanging a pair of Delta Force STs over his shoulder. 

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Air Jordan VII "Cardinals"

Episode: #66 'The Best Laid Plans'

Year (of Sneaker): 1992

Will stays bodying the Jordans. In season one he repped three different styles of Vs and this season he goes in with his second Jordan VIIs (spoiler alert: he never rocks the VIIIs - at least visibly) with the Cardinals. Ok, so he's likely getting six-figures each episode at this point and all the latest Js as part of his "wardrobe" budget? Not a bad gig at all. 

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Nike Air Force Max

Episode: #68 'Just Say Yo'

Year (of Sneaker): 1993

When you have Will Smith and the Fab Five reppin' the same sneaker we have to think Nike was killing with free publicity on these. The show aired in February of '93 and they released around the same time. Evidence that Nike was lacing The Fresh Prince early with releases? Maybe so - we know someone at Yahoo Sports could crack this one for us. 

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Air Jordan VI "White/Infrared"

Episode: #73 'Six Degrees of Graduation'

Year (of Sneaker): 1991

Jordan won his first title in this, Will graduated Bel-Air Academy in them. Ok - one might be a little more iconic than the other, but who ever thought The Fresh Prince could take it this far? 

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Nike Air Force High

Episode: #74 'Where There's A Will There's A Way: Part 1', #75 'Where There's A Will There's A Way: Part 2', #78 'It's Better To Loved & Lost It...', #90 'When You Hit Upon A Star', #92 'You'd Better Shop Around', #95 'M Is for the Many Things She Gave Me', #97 'Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse', &  #99 'The Philadelphia Story'

Year (of Sneaker): 1993

No shoe made as many appearances throughout The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air than the classic Nike Air Force High — it wasn't even close. They saw his first apartment (which he was kicked out of within 24 hours), Carlton losing his virginity, and Will meeting his biological father. 

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Nike Air Sheer Force Mid

Episode: #79 'Will Goes A Courtin'

Year (of Sneaker): 1993

Likely the least recognizable shoe on the show, Will only busted these out for one episode when Uncle Phil sues him and Carlton for throwing a barbecue that was too loud. Yeah - we can see why he didn't mess with these joints too often. 

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Air Jordan IX "White/Black-True Red"

Episode: #84 'Take My Cousin - Please', #87 'Sleepless in Bel-Air', & #93 'The Ol' Ball & Chain'

Year (of Sneaker): 1993

The fourth Jordans to make an appearance on the show. With Jordan out of the league, someone had to hold the IXs down. Will kept rockin' these with sweatsuits, team hoodies, and even a yellow tux when the homie Jazz married an ex-convict. 

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Nike Air Maestro

Episode: #94 'The Harder They Fall' & #99 'The Philadelphia Story'

Year (of Sneaker): 1994

The Nike Air Maestro was heat when it dropped. The transformation of basketball sneakers from high-tops to a sleeker and smooth mid-top cut was in full effect. The Maestros were rocked by a lot of your favorite pros and Mr. Fresh as well. Yo Will, we see you rocking the "Pippen All-Star Reds" in what was supposed to be the final episode of the show. You may not know the show was cancelled after season four and syndicated — when reruns were hitting numbers almost as high as the originals they decided to add on a fifth and sixth season. 

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adidas Superstar

Episode: #96 'Mother's Day' & #124 'For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll'

Year (of Sneaker): 1969

Will busted out numerous Nike classics and in the fourth and fifth seasons he breaks out the Three-Stripes timeless silhouette. The first time they're spotted is during one of his visions of what might be after Jazz asks him to donate his kids so he can have a kid. Will passes on the act and we can't blame him — not spilling a drop on the adidas. 

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Nike Air Max 2 Trainer 

Episode: #100 'The Client: Part 1', #110 'Will Steps Out', #113 'It's a Wonderful Life', & #115 ' A Decent Proposal'

Year (of Sneaker): 1994

This was Will's go to-shoe in season five. 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. Will rocked these when he tried helping Ashley launch her music career as well as proposing to his girlfriend (played by Nia Long) after getting shot up taking a bullet for Carlton. Not sure you could file that under: Menace II Society status — but we can't blame NBC for trying to gain a little street cred.

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Nike Air Force 1 

Episode: #101 'What's Will Got To Do With It?', #102 'Reality Bites', & #115 'A Decent Proposal'

Year (of Sneaker): 1982

Damn, it took Will Smith five seasons to break out one of the most-worn shoes in sneaker history? For the record — Will in the wheelchair? Conspiracy that wheelchair Jimmy stole his whole steeze from wheelchair Willie? 

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Nike Air Max 2 CB

Episode: #112 'Three's a Crowd'

Year (of Sneaker): 1994

Waddup Chuck? Will busts our Sir Charles' latest sneaker before he heads out on a ski trip with Carlton. The Barkleys kill and even though Chuck was in Phoenix at the time there is no doubt Will was still reppin' Philly to the fullest. 

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Nike Air Up 

Episode: #116 'Will Is from Mars'

Year (of Sneaker): 1994

Will rocks another Pippen exclusive in season five, showing the Bulls swingman had a mean shoe game too. We can appreciate the white and silver colorway and we need these retro-ed, but throw in the Penny Hardaway black and blues while you're at it — c'mon Nike...seriously. 

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Nike Air Max 2 Uptempo 

Episode: #121 'To Thine Own Self Be Blue...And Gold'

Year (of Sneaker): 1995

When the show aired, these kicks had just dropped, again proving the Prince might have had a few connects in Beaverton. In '95 these were a staple in the college game worn by the likes of future NBA stars Marcus Camby and Ray Allen. In season five Will started rockin' a lot of Duke gear too and these were the unofficial shoes of the Blue Devils that season. 

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Nike Air CB34

Episode: #129 'The Script Formally Known As...'

Year (of Sneaker): 1995

Will continues to rock Barkleys, donning the unmistakable CB34. He's even got the official Sir Charles pose down. 

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Nike Air Speed Turf Max 

Episode: #132 'Viva Lost Wages', #136 'Boxing Helena', & #144 'I Stank Horse'

Year (of Sneaker): 1995

You might remember these on former Penn State and Bengals running back Ki-Jana Carter and John Wallace rocked them on the court for The 'Cuse. Will didn't tear any ligaments rocking the Nike Air Speed Turf Max, but they busted one of the best dances in 'em. Only thing we can't understand is how The Prince didn't rock the original South Beach joints? Welcome to Miami — ok that was a few years later.

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Nike Air Max Penny I 

Episode: #143 'I, Whoops, There It Is' & #148 'I, Done: Part 2'

Year (of Sneaker): 1995

Winding down the final season ,Will starts busting out a few signature series classics everyone is familiar with. The Penny Is were probably the second-hottest Nike (behind Jordans, of course). You can spot them in the final episode of the series. 

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Nike Air Max 95 

Episode: #147 'I, Done: Part 1'

Year (of Sneaker): 1995

The Air Max 95 is usually ranks atop most runners best of lists. In the second-to-last episode, Will busts them out during a family meeting. The design on these were really a step up from a lot of the Nikes at the time with extra details. 

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Air Jordan XI "Columbia" 

Episode: #143 'I, Whoops, There It Is', #145 'I, Stank Hole In One', & #148 'I, Done: Part 2'

Year (of Sneaker): 1996

The Jordan XIs were crazy when they first dropped, the patent leather was nothin' to mess with. Jordan rocked the "Columbias" in the All-Star Game and its release was on Will's radar, scooping up a pair and wearing 'em on set three out of the last six episodes. They are actually the last sneaker you catch on his feet as he says his farewells to the family when they move out of 805 St. Cloud Road.