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Images by Erin Kelly
When it comes to sneaker design, there are many important elements involved, but perhaps none are more important than color. Not only can a proper colorway make (or break) a shoe, but when one is done exactly right, it can complete the story that the design itself starts. Further to that point, a specific sneaker in a specific colorway can come to represent more than just what's printed on the the box. Whether it's through what an athlete accomplished in the sneaker or just the time period of its release, a sneaker like the "Pearlized Red" Reebok Question or burgundy Half Cab can bring back very specific memories and feelings. So it only follows that, if one were to do another brand's shoe in those same colors, those memories and feelings might be transferred. Have no idea what we're talking about? Check out 25 Iconic Sneakers Done in Rival Brand Colorways and see.
Air Jordan I
Colorway: "Black/Burgundy"
Original Sneaker: Vans Half Cab
Before Vans gave Steve Caballero the first real signature skate shoe, pro skaters were likely to be seen wearing whatever was cheap and durable - which, around '87, happened to be the Nike Air Jordan 1. Paying tribute to its proper skate successor by releasing a model in burgundy suede would be a great way to launch the long-rumored Air Jordan 1 SB.
Nike Air Max 1
Colorway: "Steel Blue"
Original Sneaker: New Balance 1300
The Air Max 1 is most known for being the start of the Visible Air era. Its bright red colorway was meant to turn heads but New Balance's "Steel Blue" was just the opposite. This subdued colorway on an iconic sneaker like Nike's Air Max 1 would be an easy cop for us.
Reebok Answer I
Colorway: "Space Jam"
Original Sneaker: Air Jordan XI
Allen Iverson's matchups against Michael Jordan may be remembered for AI wearing the Question and leaving MJ looking stunned but what if history was a bit different? This version of the Reebok Answer 1, inspired by Michael Jordan's "Space Jam" Air Jordan XI would have us camping out for its release.
FILA T1
Colorway: "White/Chlorophyll"
Original Sneaker: Nike Air Trainer 1
YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! The FILA T1 in cream was the ultimate (non-Gucci division) in sports luxury tennis, while the "Chlorophyll" Air Trainer 1 wasn't even a proper tennis shoe. But John McEnroe did work in it, and as such it's given much respect in the tennis community. Flip the FILA in the Nike's workmanlike style, and you get something totally new.
Vans Half Cab
Colorway: "Black/Teal"
Original Sneaker: Airwalk Prototype
The Vans Half Cab is still considered the best skate shoe of all time, but the Airwalk Prototype ushered in a whole new era - the overbuilt hightop is considered (by Airwalk, anyway) to be the first true modern skate shoe. And seeing that the Half Cab still used a vulcanized sole, they may be right. Mostly though, we just want to see a black and teal Half Cab.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Colorway: "Iguana"
Original Sneaker: Nike Roshe Run
From one cult classic to another. The Roshe Run is actually quite similar to the Chuck Taylor, with a basic textile upper atop the most simple of midsoles - at least before Nike got all Flywire-happy. And what sneaker wouldn't look good in iguana?
Reebok Shaqnosis
Colorway: "Purple/Gold"
Original Sneaker: adidas EQT Elevation "Kobe"
With an "Orlando" and "Miami" version of the Shaqnosis already on shelves, one would imagine that a Los Angeles version can't be far behind. Taking inspiration from Kobe's EQT Elevatioon would be a good place to start.
Air Jordan XI
Colorway: "White/Pearlized Red"
Original Sneaker: Reebok Question
Before he started lighting up the league as a wisp of a rookie, Allen Iverson shredded the Big East in Air Jordans. Air Jordan XIs, to be exact. We know he signed with that other brand, but it would be cool if Jordan recognized an innovator with a tribute shoe.
Nike Air Trainer SC II
Colorway: "Cowboys"
Original Sneaker: Reebok ES22
Bo knew lots of things, but he never knew what it was like to play for America's Team. We can't go back in time and change that, but Nike could do up his Air Trainer SC II in Cowboys colors anyway.
Nike Air Max 90
Colorway: "Green/Grey"
Original Sneaker: adidas EQT Running
The adidas EQT line may be the most overlooked in sneaker history; the Air Max 1 the most celebrated. Perhaps putting the colors of the former on the latter would help even things out. And even if it didn't, it would look cool.
adidas Conductor
Colorway: "Hoyas"
Original Sneaker: Nike Terminator
When adidas signed Patrick Ewing in 1986, they didn't hesitate to give him a logo, a signature shoe, and a full line of apparel. One thing they never did - best we can recall - is produce the Conductor in the grey and navy of his Georgetown University. It's not too late, adi.
New Balance 574
Colorway: "Neon"
Original Sneaker: Nike Air Max 95
The Air Max 95's design was brilliant, but just as brilliant was that gradated grey and neon green colorway. It still works best on the Air Max 95, but can be applied to more traditional silhouettes as well - and no silhouette is more traditional than the New Balance 574.
Nike Air Max 97
Colorway: "Blue/Yellow"
Original Sneaker: adidas ZX 8000
Nike's Air Max 97 is best known in its initial silver and red colorway, but there's no reason the sleek running sneaker can't take more vibrant colors. The blue/yellow from the equally classic adidas ZX 8000 would be as good a place to start as any.
Reebok Shroud
Colorway: "Electric Green"
Original Sneaker: Air Jordan XX8
All but forgotten even amongst Reebok aficionados, the Shroud was worn by Shawn Kemp while he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers (which both Cavs and Kemp fans wish THEY could forget). A little reminder is in order, and what better reminder than giving it the black and neon colorway of the Air Jordan XX8?
Nike Terminator
Colorway: "Knicks"
Original Sneaker: adidas Attitude
Patrick Ewing again? Again and again! Georgetown's Terminator takes on the colors of Patrick's New York Knicks, and perhaps offers a glimpse of what could have been had Ewing signed with the Swoosh.
adidas Forum
Colorway: "Escape Pack"
Original Sneaker: Nike Air Force II
Nike's "Escape" concept predated ACG, but was similar in nature - proper sneakers done up in boot style, with earthtones and rich suedes. It would later pop up on the Air Force II, but originally it was on sneakers like the Air Force III and the Windrunner. adidas' Forum would take on the style quite well.
ASICS GEL Lyte III
Colorway: "White/Medium Grey/Varsity Red"
Original Sneaker: Nike Air Max 1
The ASICS GEL Lyte III has been done up in all sorts of wild colorways, so why not pay homage to another running classic in subdued fashion for a change? The Air Max 1's white, grey and red transfers perfectly.
Nike Air Revolution
Colorway: "White/Purple/Gold"
Original Sneaker: Converse Weapon
A.C. Green actually did wear the Air Revolution as a member of the Showtime Lakers, but his version was just white and purple. The first Visible Air basketball shoe deserved a bt more flair, a bit more, shall we say, Magic.
Ewing 33 Hi
Colorway: Black/Infrared
Original Sneaker: Air Jordan VI
Among the many, many players who Michael Jordan denied during the course of his career, none seemed to take it harder than Patrick Ewing. Doing a black/Infrared version of his most famous shoe seems kind of cruel, but hey, they're friends.
Nike Air Max 95
Colorway: "Neon Cherry"
Original Sneaker: Reebok DMX Run
When it comes to full-length cushioning in a running shoe, the Nike Air Max 95 and the Reebok DMX Run are two all-time classics. It only seemed fitting to dress one like the other - this time using the newer model as inspiration.
Air Jordan VI
Colorway: "Electricity"
Original Sneaker: adidas Crazy Light
The Air Jordan VI was always one of the most toned-down Jordans, even with the splashes of Infrared. The tonal stitching, the minimal use of 3M, the relatively tiny Jumpman - nothing about the Tinker-designed VI really screamed. Well, thanks to a Crazy Light signature colorup, it sure does now.
PUMA Suede
Colorway: "South Beach"
Original Sneaker: Nike LeBron 8
The South Beach colorway has taken on a life of its own since the Nike LeBron 8 made "The Decision" as important in sneakers as is it was for the NBA. This iconic colorway might be perfect for LeBron's days in Miami but we could see Walt "Clyde" Frazer lacing up a pair of these South Beach Suedes to go along with one of those amazing suits of his.
Nike LeBron 7
Colorway: "Miami Beach"
Original Sneaker: ASICS GEL Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg
Ronnie Fieg took the Miami colorway to a new level with the ECP collection but the ASICS GEL Lyte III in Dolphins colors of teal and orange just popped. Imagine if Ronnie would have had the LeBron 7 as his creative palette. We think the release would have been even crazier than it was.
Converse Weapon
Colorway: "Tan Snake"
Original Sneaker: adidas Concord
The snakeskin adidas Concord was a grail for the most discerning sneaker connoisseurs in the '80s, as it mixed high-end luxury with the latest in basketball technology. Converse wasn't really thinking that way back then, but oh, if only they were.
Reebok Question
Colorway: "Black/Cement"
Original Sneaker: Air Jordan III
There is no question the elephant print from the Air Jordan III is the most easily recognizable colorway ever placed on a sneaker. Brands have tried to duplicate the colorway on countless occasions but imagine if AI's famous crossover came in the colors that kept MJ with Nike. Would the Reebok Question "Black Cement" make it into your collection?