20 Interesting Sneaker Facts You Don't Remember

Image via Complex Original

At the height of the designer jeans era, Jordache came out with a basketball sneaker that was endorsed by Earl 'The Pearl" Monroe. No, they weren't acid wash.

It's true. The famed UCLA basketball coach had his own line of basketball shoes, which were designed and manufactured by the Bata Shoe Company.

NBA Hall-of-Famer Clyde Frazier may be known for his eponymous Puma sneaker, but during the winter of his career, he signed a sneaker deal with Spalding in 1979.

Designed with input from NBA All-Star Rick Barry in the late '70s, the shoes were originally made for players Doug Collins, Marques Johnson, Kermit Washington, Adrian Dantley, Bob Lanier, Bobby Jones, Billy Knight, Sidney Wicks, Mitch Kupchack and Kevin Grevey, who were the countrys top 10 players at the time. The sneakers would later go on to become a cult classic, and become Boston's signature sneaker.

People don't even blink when a pair of sneakers costs $100 in today's market, but at the time, New Balance was seen as revolutionary (and a bit crazy) for making a sneaker at that price point. But the point was that sneakers were worth a $100. The going price for a men's pair of 996s now is $150.

Other endorsers for Pro-Keds at the time included Bob Love, Nate Archibald, and Jo Jo White.

This iconic sneaker also went on to become the first with a carbon fiber shank, taken from football and soccer cleat designs. Thanks, Tinker.

Before his Dada deal, Chris Webber was rocking the court in a bouncy pair of full-length Air Max Nikes. Nike re-released these kicks as the Air Max Sensation, but it's just not the same without C-Dub in the title.

The foam used to make the pods in Nike Shox was the same used in car bushings of Formula One racecars. No wonder the sneaker became a favorite of bros everywhere.

Anderson had a solid NBA career, and even picked up a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. His Jordan PEs read, "Loyal 1," and he'll go down in history as a first—after MJ, of course. The second player signed to the brand was Ray Allen, and he's still rocking Js.

The Air Pippen II was the first in the modern shoe era inspired by a classic '50s automobile. The sneaker was sleak and streamlined, which was a departure from the bulkiness of the Air Pippen I.

Michael Jordan was a man of few words in his first TV spots for Nike because silent film buff Spike Lee thought it would make MJ seem more endearing to the audience. Spike, on the other hand, couldn't shut his trap, and fans loved the nerdiness portrayed by his character, Mars Blackmon.

The iconic six-foot poster that includes words from poet William Blake and Jordan's impressive wingspan is still sought after today by sports memoribilia enthusiasts.

Many designers within Nike debated the idea of a visible air unit in 1987, because they thought it made the shoes seem too gimmicky.

The iconic photo of Michael Jordan, which is now one of the most recognizeable logos on the planet, is actually MJ mimicking a ballerina.

The first Nike Air technology was introduced in the Tailwind in 1979. The midsole was less than half-an-inch thick and it weighed less than half a pound. Nike's cushioning systems have changed considerably since and become more absorbent, and feet love it.

Petrie and Wicks, who played for the Portland Trailblazers in 1974, were Nike's first endorsers for basketball in the NBA. Nike would move on and grab stars such as Moses Malone as Mychal Thompson, but it's impressive to see who started the brand's legacy within the NBA.

Surprisingly, the price this October was $65.08 per pair. It seems like every pair of sneakers is over $100, but, in reality, kicks can be had for much cheaper.

Prior to creating the Spectre line, Supra created some special one of ones for Wayne. Some people don't think that Wayne has respect within the skateboard community, but a co-sign from Stevie Williams—who is an East Coast O.G.—is what legitimized his line with Supra.