Image via Complex Original
In Barack Obama, the re-elected 44th President of the United States, we thought we'd finally found one of our own. And by we, we mean sneakerheads. Here at last was a young President — one who was born in the '60s, lived in Jordan-era Chicago and by all accounts was as much of a gym rat baller as Jordan himself. Here at last was a President who would prop up his crisp Jordans on the big desk in the Oval Office and stack PEs in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Not so fast.
For whilst President Obama has indeed shown off the best Presidential hoop game since William Howard Taft's devastating drop step, his sneaker game (and the rest of his wardrobe, for that matter) hasn't quite lived up to our expectations. From odd ASICS runners to department store Nikes, Obama has taken to the court in a bizarre array of thrashed kicks that in some cases must date back to his days as a community organizer. In his second term, we hope for change. Or at least a trip to Major.
Nike Blazer
The Prez has been hooping since most of us were still needing Moms to change our diapers — and he got off to a good start with the kicks, too. Back before he moved onto slightly bigger initiatives, like running the freaking country, Obama hooped for state championship teams in one of the most beautiful states in the Union, Hawaii. Word has it he was as All-Star as it gets wearing those OG Nike Blazers.
ASICS GEL 1110
Runners are known for their near-religious devotion when it comes to their sneakers, but President Obama takes it even further. His affection for ASICS runners is not just for those easy morning jogs. From throwing out the first pitch at a Yanks game to hooping with colleagues, Obama rolls hard with the ASICS GEL 1110.
Reebok Flash DMX
A blast from the past in the President's seemingly never-ending repertoire of hard-to-find sneakers is the Reebok Flash DMX. While most sneakerheads were opting for the Reebok Questions and Answers that dropped alongside these in 2001, Barack went the more affordable route with the I-pak technology equipped DMX. No rough riding here.
ASICS GEL Nimbus 6
Don't think that President Obama's opting for ASICS is a new thing. The ASICS GEL Nimbus 6 dropped years ago and Barack kept them in the rotation for a long time. Let's just hope he's upgraded by now. And like his other ASICS, he didn't limit them to the road. Nice rebounding form, though.
Nike Air Max Elite II TB
When it's time to get serious on the court (outdoor or indoor), President Obama steps his sneaker game up to the full-length Air Max cushioning of the Nike Air Max Elite II. All the performance benefits of a signature shoe in a nondescript team package. Though he also had his lip busted up and needed 12 stitches to get right wearing these things.
Jordan Jeter Vital
When we said we thought President Obama would bring Jordans to the Oval Office, we certainly didn't mean these. But hey, a Jumpman is a Jumpman, and the Jordan Jeter Vital certainly looks like it could serve as a hoops shoe. With Obama being a long-time White Sox fan, this seems like a particularly odd choice, but who are we to say anything?
ASICS GEL Nimbus 8
We told you President Obama had some insider knowledge on those ASICS. He must have the Secret Service doing reconnaissance work on them or something. Ad he must have a specific liking for the Nimbus line, as he jumped from the 6 to the 8. Looks like somebody caught on and got the Prez on some unknown paparazzi ad campaign, though.
Air Jordan Spiz'ike
Now that's more like it. These may have not been seen on the feet of the Prez yet, but no doubt they're one of the highlights of his sneaker game. Probably a highlight for Spike Lee, too.
Under Armour "POTUS"
Face it — if you were president, you'd be hitting up sneaker companies left and right to get yourself some PEs. For Mr. Obama, Under Armour stepped up and had a pair of hoop shoes made complete with the Presidential seal on the tongue. Word is, Brandon Jennings was behind them. Literally.
Nike Cross Trainers
If you've been following what we do here at Complex Sneakers for a while, you know we don't like to leave a pair of sneakers un-ID'ed. Even if something's super-obscure, we find out what it is one way or another. Well, Mr. President, you got us with this one. We looked through Google Images. We combed through eBay. We even sent enlarged shots to friends at Nike, who in turn showed them to designers. No dice. We know they're cross-trainers, and we suspect they're from the mid-'00s (and possibly JC Penneys), but that's as far as we got.
We know the demands for your second term are great, Mr. President, but please, for us, invest in some new sneakers. And if you need suggestions, we're always here to help.
