Image via Complex Original
For decades, boy bands have been ridiculued for their over-the-top cheesy songs and maybe some less -than-flattering outfits and hairdos, but they don't call it "mad boy band ass" for no reason. So while you're sitting at home with your plethora of Jordans sitting on spank wire all night, maybe you should re-think your existence as a hater, it's really not getting you too far. We decided it was only right to pay homage to some guys with some pretty cool sneaker collections. And we forgive you for the horrible radio hits, we have sold our souls for less to get our grails. Hit the jump to check out The 20 Greatest Sneaker Moments in Boy Band History and let us know your favorites.
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20. Nick Carter- Nike Air Max 90
Year: 2012
Backstreet Boys may have fallen back for a second, but during the group's resurrection, frontman Nick Carter hit the pavement in Amsterdam rocking the classic AM 90s.
19. New Edition - Nike Air Force 1s
Year: 2003
This photo might be missing an important member but in '03 part of the group was still living it up at Diddy's party with the clean white-on-whites, a must no matter when you got your start.
18. Nick Carter - Nike Shox BB4
Year: 2001
The outfit was way too much and Shaq never wore Nikes, but when the Shox dropped anyone who was a sneakerhead had to have them, even Nick Carter.
17. Brian Littrell - Jordan XI Low "White'Red"
Year: 2001
Not exactly the dude running Backstreet Boys, but he might have broke out the best heat during their show to support the tragedy of 9/11.
16. Joey McIntyre - Nike Air Trainer SC-II
Year: 1989
Joey McIntyre extra fresh in the OG-Hornets Starters gear and the trainer that dudes well in their 40s are still lusting after today. Joe Knows.
15. Kevin Richardson - Air Jordan XIII Low "Black/Navy"
Year: 1998
Serving it up with the Williams sisters is trill enough but how about Kevin Richardson's OG XIII lows with the 3M poppin'?
14. 'N Sync - Jordan XIV "Indiglo"
Year: 2000
'N Sync took a lot of shit in the '90s for their bleach-blonde hair and falsetto hooks, but while you were slandering them remember JT was smashing the hottest chick in the game at the time and he had most of the crew laced in Js.
13. Kriss Kross - Ewing 33 Hi
Year: 1992
The ATLiens were all about supporting the NYC local teams and their biggest stars with the jerseys and Ewing's signature kicks.
12. Kriss Kross - Nike Air Pegasus, Air Jordan VII
Year: 1992
The USA colorway of the Air Pegasus? True sneakerheads have diversity in their collection, which Chris Kelly did.
11. A.J. McLean - Nike Zoom Flight '98
Year: 1998
As much as you really want to try and son their music, they were really about that sneaker life from the jump.
10. Nick Carter - Nike Foamposite Pro "Pearl"
Year: 1997
Jesus Shuttlesworth made it a hot sneaker but Nick Carter's street cred was just as on point.
9. 112 - Air Jordan XI "Concord"
Year: 2001
On their Boyz II Men shit, 112 broke out the clean patent leather classics to match with the pre-Jay Z all-black-everything (with a little white) movement that Bad Boy was known for pushing in the early 2000s. Even before all you hypebeasts got a hold of them, they had everyone going crazy and also warranted a line-up or a connect during retro drops.
8. Shawn Stockman - Air Jordan XIII "Flint"
Year: 1998
Tim Thomas fan? Who knows, but we're pretty sure it was Shawn's love for Jordans that had Boyz II Men laced in the "Concord" XIs with suits back in '96 and kept them fresh even during their current tour. Respect to the OGs.
7. Justin Timberlake - Nike Penny II "Atlantic Blue"
Year: 1997
We're pretty sure it's photoshoots like this that had JT ready to fly solo, but the clean "Atlantic Blue" Penny IIs give him a little bit of redemption.
6. LFO - Jordan IV "Cement"
Year: 1999
At the time you loved bad b*tches in Abercrombie & Fitch and 14 years later you would still drop damn near half a G to have that Michigan retro jersey and those clean "Cement" IVs.
5. Kriss Kross - Air Jordan VII "Bordeaux"
Year: 1992
Somehow these dudes got away with the backwards look and we hope someone pays homage to the Raiders jersey x "Bordeaux" VIIs around Halloween.
4. Another Bad Creation - Air Jordan VI "Infrared"
Year: 1992
These little dudes had Iesha hype over them Js. Miss that 3M pop on the retros — bring it back!
3. Brian Littrell - Nike Foamposite One "Royal"
Year: 1997
It's tough to see from the "As Long As You Love Me" video, but for a few seconds Brian Littrell does a little skateboarding in the OG Penny Foams. King.
2. Jordan Knight - Air Jordan III "True Blue"
Year: 1988
Not sure about the high-waisted, acid-wash jeans, but at least Jordan picked the right shoes.
1. Jordan Knight - Jordan III "Black/Cement"
Year: 1988
You guys bite the retro flow like crazy now, but the leather jackets and "Black/Cement" IIIs were made cool by these dudes, not A Kid Named Cudi. The "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" video may represent the high-water mark in boy band fashion history (peep the True Blues, too). Too bad it all peaked in '88.
