The 15 Craziest Sneaker Releases of All-Time

Year released: 2011

Complex says: Are you not entertained? The fact that Nike kept this under wraps and then spun its PR magic on it for a release just days later is one of the most incredible moves of the year. Flying out some majors in the sneaker world for an introduction and then having Mr. Marty McFly himself talk about the shoe on the Letterman Show was the epitome of class. Lets not forget that all proceeds were going to Michael J. Fox's charity for research and awareness of Parkinson's Disease. Even with all that being said to build the hype, throw in the fact that the limited release was on eBay just hours after Fox's annoucement. People may not have had to line up for days to score a pair, but five-figure purchase prices on the reg, that shit cray.

Year released: 2005

Complex says: Back when bright colors were all the craze, the cowboy at Nike ID created this special dunk to be released at the Sole Collector convention in NYC. Using a variety of colors and materials this dunk is arguably one of the first of its kind. Hundreds camped out outside of Niketown NYC in the blistering cold for a chance to cop this limited shoe. A release so crazy it even got media coverage.

Year released: 2010

Complex says: Arguably the best release of 2010, this Tier Zero Air Max wasn't easy to get ahold of. Amsterdam sneaker shop Patta looked like a mob scene the morning these were released, and 21 Mercer in NYC looked the same if not worse. Fights broke out and a raffle ensued, with many bitter sneakerheads walking away angry for not being able to cop a pair.

Year released: 2010

Complex says: House of Hoops on 125th street in Harlem looked like a circus the day these released, after several different unexpected release date changes they suddenly dropped on May 19th, 2009. Many sneakerheads were caught off guard and missed out on this release, but you couldn't tell from the crowd of 600-plus that showed up that afternoon to cop this Foamposite.

Year released: 2011

Complex says: One of the most confusing releases to date — the Ray Allen XIII was first released at Solefly in Miami. Coinciding with the stores one-year anniversary they decided to raffle these off, with over 900 raffle tickets given out over a three-day period, only about a handful of individuals were able to walk away with pairs (one of the winners traveled all the way from NYC). The Boston release was just as hectic with many braving the heat to camp out a whole entire week for a chance to cop this rare Jordan. Jesus reigns.

Year released: 2011

Complex says: Finally a non-Nike or Jordan brand sneaker makes our list, and for good reason. When Concepts unveiled their sneaker collaboration with New Balance, they were received with nothing but high praise from sneakerheads worldwide because of how well executed they were. Inspired by Massachusetts's rich sailing history and the Kennedy family, this was one of the most-anticipated sneakers of the year. Hundreds lined up outside of Concepts and the few spots that received them didn't have nearly enough of them to cover the line of sneakerheads they had waiting outside.

Year released: 2008

Complex says: Exactly three years ago today saw the release of the Air Jordan 23 (XX3) Premier (Black/Varsity Red), releasing only at 23 locations in the US with each store only receiving 23 pairs each. These had sneakerheads nationwide scrambing to get a pair. Many camped out for a whole week braving the elements just for a chance of getting their hands on these. After the snow cleared, many ended up on eBay and sold for upwards of $1,000.

Year released: 2008

Complex says: The Nike Air MAG is arguably one of the most iconic Nike shoes in history. After years of sneakerheads petitioning for Nike to release the MAG, Nike granted their wish (sort of) in the form of a Hyperdunk. With big releases in LA and NYC, hundreds lined up for a piece of history with only a handful walking away with this limited shoe. A few years later the people got what they wanted — in a more orderly, if more expensive fashion.

Year released: 2003

Complex says: Part deux of the Supreme x Nike collab turned into an impromptu Occupy Lafayette Street as many slept in the streets for days just for a chance to cop all three colorways of this limited Dunk. Flashier than its lowtop counterpart, the Supreme Dunk High is still atop many best-of lists.

Year released: 2007

Complex says: Released for Nike SB's "Nothing but the Truth" campaign, this Dunk chronicled the history of the Nike SB brand. A collage of sorts, these were released to the tune of 300 pairs with many camping out for days in the cold to only walk away empty handed.

Year released: 2010

Complex says: Jordan IIIs may be king on most people's best-of lists but Jordan XIs bring the ruckus when it comes to releases. Last winter when the "Cool Grey" XIs dropped just days before Jesus' birthday, people got in the holiday spirit camp outs for midnight releases, paying double a few days prior just to guarantee locking them down, and in a few bigger cities there were even reports of gunplay.

Year released: 2005

Complex says: It was absolute chaos at Reed Space when these dropped, only 20 pairs were available but that didn't stop a crowd of almost 80 people from lining up for a chance to cop. With only 150 pairs released worldwide, these are still one of the most sought-after dunks in the SB line and arguably the Dunk that helped ignite the SB craze of the past decade.

Year released: 2009

Complex says: One of the most iconic shoes in Jordan Brand history, the "Space Jam" XI brought out the animal in people. Hundreds lined up for the midnight release of this all-time favorite and It got so crazy in several different cities that law enforcement was called in to control the crowd. After it was all said and done several stores were broken into, many were arrested and quite a few people had to go the re-seller route.

Year released: 2011

Complex says: This is the second time a pair of Foamposites shows up on our list but with good reason — the "Electric Blue" Foamposite caused mass hysteria nationwide this past summer (maybe because of its striking resemblance to the South Beach Lebron 8?) when hundreds lined up nationwide to cop these. Many ended up walking away with nada not only because shops sold out but also because many were robbed. The final tally reads like this: 12 robbed, 3 were stabbed, and 2 were killed and that was only in Maryland! We can only imagine that similar incidents happened nationwide and were hoping something like this never happens again, definitely one of the craziest sneaker releases EVER. Sneaker heads be safe out there.

Year released: 2009

Complex says: The first Nike shoe ever created for a non-athlete and one of the only sneakers ever released to demand a camp-out for all 3 colorways of the same shoe. Yes, on three separate occasions hundreds braved the elements for a chance at owning a pair of Yeezys with many unsuccessfully doing so all three times. The Yeezy 2s are set to release in the near future and if the first release is any indication expect to see the same turn out of sneakerheads at each release. Good luck.