Image via Complex Original
Since the WNBA started in 1997, the women's specific basketball shoe has seen major highs and lows. Depending on what year you're looking at, the market completely is either flux or devoid of women's specific shoes.
Today, women's specific versions are rare and the signature shoe dedicated to female athletes has been completely forgotten. Almost every current WNBA player wears a shoe that was
RELATED: The Complete History of Women's Signature Basketball Shoes
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No. 20 - Lady Bruin
Year released: 1976
On the outside, this shoe was all leather and laces, the inside (tongue tab specifically) read: "Nike sport shoes are manufacture to the exact specifications of champion athletes throughout the world. The Nike name and Swoosh stripe are your guarantee of quality." Whether the tag boasted Taiwan or Japan, all early Nike basketball shoes carried the logo.
No. 19 - Lady Blazer Hi Top
Year released: 1976
A classic Nike silhouette, the Hi was later converted to a Mid and is now considered more of a skate shoe. Worn in leather or suede back in the day, the tongue was heavily padded for comfortable ankle support. White leather on a canvas sole, this was an OG ladies sneaker.
No. 18 - Nike Air Flight Deny
Year released: 1998
Worn by: Dawn Staley
This sturdy shoe was a direct product of the late '90s, featuring a heavily layered synthetic leather upper and a herringbone outsole, perfect for the all-around player.
No. 17 - Nike Air Max Highup
Year released: 1998
Worn by: Lisa Leslie
Utilizing a visible Air sole ans an all-leather upper, this all around court shoe featured a herringbone outsole for dynamic traction on the court.
No. 16 - Nike Air C14
Year released: 1999
Worn by: Cynthia Cooper
Named after Cynthia herself with the "C" for Cooper and "14" for her jersey number in the WNBA, the Air Max equipped released for $85 back in the day.
No. 15 - Nike Air Total 9
Year released: 1998
Worn by: Lisa Leslie
A synthetic leather upper, full-length Total Air unit, and rubber outsole made the Total Air 9 one heavy court shoe, weighing in at 18 oz.
No. 14 - Nike Zoom Hyperchaos
Year released: 2013
Worn by:
This all court shoe features a Hyperfuse upper for lightweight protection and a full length Zoom unit.
No. 13 - Nike Air Flight Superb II
Year released: 2001
Worn by:
Released a year after the OG Superb, this leather Michelin-man style sneaker features perforations on the medial side of the toebox, leather pull tabs, and unconventionally ridged outsole.0
No. 12 - Nike Air Tuned Swoopes
Year released: 1999
Worn by: Sheryl Swoopes
Featuring an Air Zoom heel crashpad and a diverse outsole for maximum traction thanks to a mixture of forefoot herringbone and a plug-like system in the heel.
No. 11 - Nike Air Post 'Em Up
Year released: 1998
Worn by:
This power team shoe featured a full-grain leather upper, visible heel air unit, forefoot Air and a flexible herringbone outsole for traction. Originally sold for $85 weighing in at 16.5 ounces.
No. 10 - Nike Air Zoom S5
Year released: 1999
Worn by:
Released in the haze of Sheryl Swoopes signatures, Dawn Staley's Zoom S5 featured a herringbone outsole and forefoot strap for extra ankle lock-down.
No. 9 - Nike Air Run 'Em Up
Year released: 1998
Worn by:
A full-grain leather upper, heel and forefoot encapsulated Air-sole units with an optimal motion outsole with herringbone pattern originally sold for $75 in four basic color ways.
No. 8 - Nike Women's Air Max Shake 'Em Up
Year released: 1998
Worn by:
This shoe was for the total players like Cynthia Cooper with a full-grain and synthetic leather upper, forefoot Zoom Air, and a contoured 3/4 Max Air bag midsole
No. 7 - Nike Air Run 'Em Up 1998
Year released: 1998
Worn by:
A full-grain leather upper, heel and forefoot encapsulated Air-sole units with an optimal motion outsole with herringbone pattern originally sold for $75 in four basic color ways.
No. 6 - Nike Air Visi Pro III
Year released: 2013
Worn by:
This deal of a shoe ($40!) features a synthetic upper for superior comfort and lockdown with a visible Air-Sole unit and a full length Phylon midsole weighing in a 12.4 oz. Great for any forwards, point guards, and shooting guards.
No. 5 - Nike Air Swoopes IV
Year released: 1998
Worn by:
For the athletic, aggressive player with a pylon midsole and a forefoot Air unit underfoot and an optimal motion herringbone outsole.
No. 4 - Nike Air Max Hyped
Year released: 2010
Worn by: Candice Wiggins
From the Nike Hyperize family came the cost effective women's Air Max Hyped, built with a synthetic upper on a full length Phylon midsole with herringbone traction.
No. 3 - Nike Air Swoopes
Year released: 1996
Worn by: Sheryl Swoopes
The first women's basketball signature shoe deserves its lofty placement on this list as it is truly a trailblazer. Developed by Marni Gerber, this design merged traction with agility on a Duraback outsole and stability strap across the midfoot.
No. 2 - Nike Shox Mique
Year released: 2001
Worn by: Chamique Holdsclaw
Combining the leather uppers of the day with a quilted remix the Chamique signature featured the technology of the day, Nike Shox, for a responsive midsole.
No. 1 - Nike Air Swoopes Zoom
Year released: 1997
Worn by: Sheryl Swoopes
Released the same year as Jason Kidd's first signature shoe, the Nike Zoom Flight V, Swoopes' first signature introduced Nike Zoom technology, the Air Swoopes was highly regarded for incorporating an aerodynamic build.
RELATED: The Complete History of Women's Signature Basketball Shoes
RELATED: Top 3 Women in 2013 WNBA Draft Sign with Nike
