The Greatest Sneaker Moments of the '80s

When sneakers and pop culture collided.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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The decade of the '80s was one of the most significant in sneakers. Up until then, changes had been relatively incremental, aside from technological leaps like adidas's introduction of the leather Pro Model and Stan Smith in 1965, and Nike's Waffle sole in the early '70s, then Air in the late '70s. But the '80s came in like a whirlwind and swept much of that away. Michael Jordan and his Air Jordan line exploded onto the scene in 1985 and changed everything from the look of sneakers to the way they were marketed to the very way they were perceived. And when adidas signed up Run-DMC the following year, it marked a further transition away from the traditional "athletic shoe" model. By the end of the decade, sneaker companies weren't only looking to the future, they were actually designing for it. And Michael Jordan, well, he was bigger than ever. Check out The Greatest Sneaker Moments of the '80s and list your own favorites below.

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25. Do you know, do you know, do you know?

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24. Airwalk produces the Prototype.

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23. For the first time, you could GEL like ASICS.

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22. A sneaker breaks the $100 barrier.

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21. Spud Webb flies over Dallas.

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20. Air goes Max.

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19. "God disguised as Michael Jordan."

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18. John McEnroe wins his first Wimbledon.

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17. The Bones Brigade searches for Animal Chin.

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16. Pump up or Air out.

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15. Buggin' Out has a dispute.

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14. An architect finds his true calling.

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13. Basketball sneakers get Presidential.

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12. Michael Jordan's homecoming All-Star Weekend.

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11. adidas gets technical.

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10. Steve Caballero gets a signature shoe.

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9. Biz Markie goes on Safari.

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8. Converse gets Larry Bird to rap (kind of).

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7. Spicoli gives himself a rap on the head.

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6. Georgetown gets a sneaker to call their own.

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5. The NBA bans the original Air Jordan.

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4. Mike Jordan hits his first last shot.

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3. Run DMC rhymes adidas' praises.

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2. MJ and the Bulls win a series. Craig Ehlo becomes a punchline.

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1. Marty McFly gets some new kicks.

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