25 Sneakers and Their Weird Design Inspirations

Inspired By: Audi TT

Though they are now known as the adidas Crazy 1, the adidas Kobe 1 takes very literal inspiration from German design and the Audi TT. adidas even went as far as having a team at Audi design the upper of the shoe which is clearly seen in the lines and the curves they used.

Inspired By: Ferrari 550 Maranello

Michael Jordan loves high speeds. He even has his own motorsports team. Tinker Hatfield was aware of this passion and decided for the 14th shoe in the Jordan line, he would incorporate Mike's Ferrari 550 Maranello into the design. Just take a look at the logo on the side panel and you have all the inspiration you need.

Inspired By: Boxing Boot

Kobe changed the sneaker game back with the Kobe 4 when he decided to go low. His inspiration then was a low-cut soccer boot, so it's no wonder he's changing the game again with the Kobe 9. Inspired by a boxing boot, the Kobe 9 is one of the highest-cut basketball shoes to date and even includes Flyknit in the upper.

Inspired By: Lighting Bolts

Before Latrell Sprewell had a signature shoe with And 1 or was synonymous with spinning rims, he wore the Converse Voltage. The sneaker took inspiration from the heavens, as the pattern and name are an obvious nod to one of the most electric events in nature.

Inspired By: Aston Martin

As a credit to his creative nature, Tinker Hatfield often took inspiration from personal items when he created shoes for MJ. When it came to the Air Jordan XVII, Tinker looked toward the Aston Martin and not only included the luxury aspect, but the actual lines of the car as well.

Inspired By: Congo Flag

Officially, his name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, though most people know him simply as one of the NBA's premier shot blockers. For his sneaker with adidas, the brand took inspiration from his Congo heritage and applied them to his shoe to create a very distinct look and design.

Inspired By: Centre Pompidou

Often shortened to Centre Pompidou, the Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Of all the things on this list, it may be the most inspirational when it comes to shoe design. After taking a trip to Paris, Tinker Hatfield decided that the best way to explain Nike Air was to show it. The rest, as they say, is history.

Inspired By: Bentley Azure

Before Blake Griffin, there was Vince Carter. His high-flying dunks are some of the most electrifying this, or any generation, has ever seen. For his Nike Shox VC II, Nike looked to the sleek styling of his Bentley for the design, down to having the top eyelets resemble side mirrors of the luxury car.

Inspired By: World War II Mustang Fighter Plane

Tinker Hatfield is known for looking to cars and building for his designs, but for the Air Jordan V, the iconic designer looked to the sky. Referencing the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter plane, Tinker literally sank their teeth into the Air Jordan 5's midsole.

Inspired By: Talaria

At one point or another, the dream of shoes making you fly has entered into your mind. For the adidas Originals x Jeremy Scott Wings, the popular designer took the theme quite literally and fashioned the kicks after the Greek god Hermes. Though, to be fair, Hermes kicks were nowhere near as fresh.

Inspired By: Air Force 1

The odds of you taking a ride in Air Force 1 are slim to none, but that doesn't mean your feet can't feel Presidential. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the Nike Air Force 1 was inspired by the Presidential plane. First introduced in 1982, the AF1 is still one of Nike's biggest sellers.

Inspired By: Sunglass case

With a need to find a new way to manufacture and design shoes, Eric Avar and his team looked to a simple sunglass case to create a shoe that has lived well beyond its years. Inspired by the sunglass case's seamless, molded design, the team went on a three-year endeavor to develop and refine manufacturing techniques that could reach that end goal. The result, the Nike Air Foamposite One.

Inspired By: Soccer Boots

Timing is everything. Yes, there were low-cut basketball shoes before the Kobe 4, but it was the execution and timing of the Kobe 4 that really helped the trend take off in our current generation. Inspired by soccer players and how effortlessly they move in low-cut shoes, Kobe took the idea to Eric Avar who in turn helped change the way basketball sneakers are perceived.

Inspired By: Gladiators

Named one of Nike's 20 Designs That Changed The Game, the Nike Air Raid was born out of the needs of those who battle on outdoor courts. Keeping that in mind, it is only right that designer Tinker Hatfield created the model after warriors strapping up to go to battle.

Inspired By:: Hummer H2

Last month, Russ Bengtson wrote that Nike should bring back the Air Zoom Generation. While that would be totally awesome, lets take a look at the inspiration for the shoe. While it may not be immediately obvious, the Nike Air Zoom Generation is inspired by the Hummer H2. In fact, "Nike" is spelled in the same exact font as "Hummer" is on the car. That explains a lot, right?

Inspired By: Yin and Yang

The game of basketball is mental just as much as it is physical. Building on the concept of Yin and Yang, And 1 created the And 1 Tai Chi to exemplify this concept and Vince Carter only took it further in the 2000 NBA dunk contest.

Inspired By:: Straitjacket

Made to mirror Charles Barkley's insanely aggressive style of play, the Nike Air Max2 CB 94 was inspired by a straitjacket. Taking one look at the upper, it seems perfectly obvious in hindsight. That's one way to make sure you stay locked in.

Inspired By: My Pet Monster

Despite the hype the Internet started with the adidas Jeremy Scott Shackles, the shoe's inspiration had absolutely no ties to slavery or anything of that nature. The truth of the matter is that Mr. Scott borrowed from My Pet Monster, a toy that was released back in 1986. Take that, Internet.

Inspired By: Human Anatomy

Inspiration is all around us. Well, in this instance, it is within us. The Air Max 95 stands as one of the most recognizable shoe designs ever created, and a lot of that happens to stem from its inspiration, the human anatomy. Designed by Sergio Lozano, the shoe's lines and loops represent muscle fibers with the mudguard taking a swipe at the human spine.

Inspired By: Japanese Bullet Train

The first Air Max runner to feature full-length Air Max cushioning, the Nike Air Max 97 took its inspiration from the Japanese high-speed bullet train. The shoe featured smooth lines on the side panel and full 3M for those that like to run at night.

Inspired By: Bras and Spacesuits

Inspiration can come from literally anywhere, and when it came to the Under Armour Speedform, the brand looked to brassieres and spacesuits. While this may seem a bit far-fetched when you look at the shoe, it's true. The shoe is manufactured in a bra factory and is said to have a "snug" fit.

Inspired By: F-22 Raptor Jet

Reportedly Michael Jordan was so enthralled by the high-tech inspiration behind his 22nd shoe that he started referring to himself as "Stealth." The Air Jordan XX2 borrowed heavily from the lines and shape of the F-22 stealth fighter, even taking note of the rear air vents for the design of the heel.

Inspired By: Kenyan Barefoot Runners

Inspired by Kenyan runners, the Nike Air Rift is as functional as it is revolutionary. Framed after middle distance and distance runners, the shoe features a split toe design and ankle strap to keep you locked in when you run. The sole purpose was to create a design that replicated the feel of barefoot running.

Inspired By: Neoprene Water Skiing Shoe

When sneaker brands introduce technology, it is usually through the eyes of the running category. In this instance, Tinker took inspiration from Neoprene water skiing gear and huarache sandals to create the Nike Huarache, key elements of which later ended up in the Air Jordan VII.

Inspired By: Lawn Mower

It may be hard to believe, but one of the most popular shoes in the Jordan signature line was inspired by a lawn mower. More in philosophy than shape, Tinker wanted to create something that was rough around the edges, but clean on top. To create this effect, Tinker used patent leather on the upper and created a shoe that to this day causes sneakerheads to go crazy.