The 30 Coolest Sneaker Inspirations of All-Time

Sneaker Inspirations Lead

Inspiration is the driving force behind any endeavor — in any field — that allows an individual to go from an idea to a finished product. For footwear designers, there is always a desire to push the envelope in terms of technology and styling. Often times, what sets one shoe apart from the next is the inspiration from which the design was derived. Some of the greats, such as Tinker Hatfield, Bruce Kilgore and Sergio Lozano, have utilized exceedingly odd inspirations in creating some of the most iconic kicks that have ever been made. Because of these guys, brands such as Nike, Jordan and Adidas have for a longtime been at the forefront of sneaker design. Inspiration can come in any form, from almost anywhere — so let's get inspired and check out The 30 Coolest Sneaker Inspirations of All-Time...

Puma Clyde

Puma Clyde

Released: 1973
Complex Says: "As one of the first signature shoes in the NBA, the Puma Clyde — which was a variation of the Puma Suede — was meant to encapsulate the luxurious lifestyle of Walt 'Clyde' Frazier. By arriving to games in Rolls Royces, dressed in flamboyant suits, adorned by Borsalino hats and full-length mink coats, Walt was the epitome of 'cool' in the '70s and the Clydes represent just that."

Nike Waffle Racer

Nike Waffle Racer

Released: 1974
Complex Says: "In order to take what was then Blue Ribbon Sports to the next level, University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman began experimenting with his wife's home-style waffle maker to create a lightweight track shoe with exceptional traction. The Waffle Racer is now considered to be the impetus behind the growth for Nike's early success. Now that's good home cookin'!"

Nike Air Force 1

Nike Air Force 1

Released: 1982
Complex Says: "Inspired by the elite and regal nature of the President's Air Force One, legendary Nike designer Bruce Kilgore utilized the stylings of a hiking boot along with the first use of Nike Air technology. With mesh side panels and the famous ankle strap, Kilgore was just trying to 'make the shoe work.' Little did he know that – despite the shoe being initially discontinued in 1983 — the AF1 would go on to generate approximately $800 million per year in revenue and get an audio treatment by the likes of Nelly and the St. Lunatics."

Nike Air Max 1

Nike Air Max 1

Released: 1987
Complex Says: "Fresh off a trip back from Paris, France, the one and only Tinker Hatfield used his background as an architect to appreciate and translate the Centre Georges Pompidou into a form both sneakerheads and runners will always be grateful for. Realizing that air-cushioning technology was exceedingly difficult to explain, and that the air bag on what is now the Air Max 1 was getting so big that it was almost reaching the edge of the midsole, Tinker decided to leave the air bag totally exposed — reminiscent of the way the 'guts' of the Centre Pompidou are expressed. In this manner, the Nike Air Max 1 was revolutionary in letting your kicks 'do all the talking.'"

Air Jordan III

Air Jordan III

Released: 1988
Complex Says: "Due to the fact that Michael Jordan had been requesting animal print on his sneakers for some time, Tinker stepped up to the plate in his debut design for Jordan and utilized elephant print for the first time ever on a sneaker. The Jordan III illustrates Tinker Hatfield's uncanny ability to blend fashion and functionality together perfectly."

Nike Air Flow

Nike Air Flow

Released: 1989
Complex Says: "Subsequent to his successful release of the Nike Air Force 1, Bruce Kilgore created the Air Flow as a solution for runners who needed a breathable shoe with superior comfort. The sneaker's cushioning was inspired by a plush teddy bear and, initially, the actual stuffing from the Teddy Bear was used in the sole of an early prototype. Take that, Ruxpin!"

Air Jordan V

Air Jordan V

Released: 1990
Complex Says: "In describing his inspiration for the Air Jordan V, Tinker Hatfield stated that 'He [Michael Jordan] would be floating around the edges of the game and come out of nowhere and attack... As I worked through the design of the shoe, I thought I'd make it look a little bit like a fighter plane.' While Tinker may have just been using the World War II P-40 Warhawk fighter plane to add a 'narrative approach' to the Jordan design legacy, Jordan himself took the design literally and dropped a career-high 69-point bomb on the Cleveland Cavaliers while wearing the Vs."

Nike Air Huarache

Nike Air Huarache

Released: 1991
Complex Says: "The big brother of the modern day Nike Zoom Huarache Trainer and the Air Jordan VII, the Nike Air Huarache revolutionized the fit and performance of classic runners, helping the shoe to 'stick' to one's foot. Inspired by the stability of neoprene waterskiing gear and Huarache Sandals, Tinker Hatfield got the ball rolling on many great things to come."

Air Jordan VII

Air Jordan VII

Released: 1991
Complex Says: "Using cultural influence such as West African tribal art and Afropop, Tinker Hatfield continued to affect culture stateside with the Air Jordan VII and its vibrant colorways, Huarache technology and neoprene sockliner. In the VII, Jordan won a gold medal in the '92 Olympic Games in Barcelona, his second NBA Championship and his third MVP. Now that's master class."

adidas Mutombo

adidas Mutombo

Released: 1992
Complex Says: "Reflecting on Dikembe Mutombo's African descent and Congolese roots, adidas utilized patterns and insignias to model his signature shoe after his heritage. Despite Mutombo being one of the greatest shotblockers ever, it's the adidas Mutombos that fans would LOVE to see return."

Reebok Shaqnosis

Reebok Shaqnosis

Released: 1993
Complex Says: "The Shaqnosis is easily one of the most recognizable basketball sneakers ever, due in large part to its hypnotic, spellbinding inspiration. Utilizing a thick leather upper and Hexalite cushioning, the Shaqnosis definitely made Shaq stand out even more than his physical attributes already allowed for."

Air Jordan VIII

Air Jordan VIII

Released: 1993
Complex Says: "When it comes to taking inspiration from odd places, Tinker Hatfield is one of the greatest of all-time. What's a not so strange place? How 'bout the life of the guy you're making a shoe for? With its innovative cross-strap, chenille logo on the tongue and frantic color scheme on its side panel, the Jordan VIII was both extremely heavy and made to represent Jordan's wild life at the time."

Nike Air Max 2 CB 94

Nike Air Max 2 CB 94

Released: 1994
Complex Says: "How do you capture one of the most aggressive basketball players of all-time in shoe form? By way of a restricting straitjacket inspiration, of course. With Air Max 2 cushioning and an inner bootie, the CB 94 is definitely one of the most well-known kicks from the '90s, as well as the shoes that Sir Charles scored a career-high 56 points in."

Nike Air Max 95

Nike Air Max 95

Released: 1995
Complex Says: "Legendary designer Sergio Lozano made the Nike Air Max 95 to illustrate the human anatomy — the innovative black midsole symbolized the human spine, the graduated side panels represented the striations of muscle fibers and tendons, the lace loops were inspired by ribs and the mesh upper was meant to embody human skin. Though the Air Max 95's signature style has been copied many times, nothing competes with its classic gradient/neon scheme."

Converse Voltage

Converse Voltage

Released: 1995
Complex Says: "With respect to early 90s Converse sneakers, most usually think of LJ, Magic or Bird. But, with the Converse Voltage — obviously inspired by the voltage of a lightning strike — Latrell Sprewell had a great shoe on his hands... Or, better yet, his feet!"

Nike Zoom Flight 95

Nike Zoom Flight 95

Released: 1995
Complex Says: "It's no wonder that kids everywhere referred to the Zoom Flight 95 as 'Alien Eyes', 'Bug Eyes' and 'Grasshoppers' — as the design concept was that of the bulbous compound eye of an insect. With Jason Kidd at the helm of the new school in '95, the Zoom Flight, with its rich black nubuck and modernized aesthetic, was an instant hit."

Air Jordan XI

Air Jordan XI

Released: 1995
Complex Says: "If not for anything else, Tinker has shown us that inspiration can literally be found anywhere — and its results can be a masterpiece! Drawing from the lawnmower's necessity to be rugged around the edges, while being able to maintain a sheen or luster on top, Tinker utilized a high-quality patent leather which was suitable for athletic purposes. Michael's response? 'Yeah, now we're talking.'"

Air Jordan XII

Air Jordan XII

Released: 1996
Complex Says: The "Jyūrokujō-Kyokujitsu-ki" was adopted as Japan's War flag in 1870 and depicts a sun with sixteen rays emanating therefrom. With this design in mind, Tinker Hatfield went to work and constructed arguably the most sturdy, durable and battle-ready shoe ever made in the Air Jordan lineage. Michael showed just how indestructible he was when he rocked the XIIs in his legendary 'Flu Game.'"

Nike Zoom Flight 5

Nike Zoom Flight 5

Released: 1997
Complex Says: "Designed for speed and Jason Kidd's ability to 'turn games into track meets,' the designers of the Zoom Flight 5 borrowed inspiration from the grip of track spikes. The polyurethane bubble and traction on this shoe set it apart from many others out at the time."

Air Jordan XIII

Air Jordan XIII

Released: 1997
Complex Says: "Unaware that 'Black Cat' was Michael's secret nickname amongst friends, Tinker Hatfield sought inspiration for the Jordan XIII from a black panther — needless to say, MJ was both psyched and surprised by the coincidental design inspiration. Jordan has stated, 'It was one of those things Tinker picked up from my world. I loved it."

Nike Air Pippen 2

Nike Air Pippen 2

Released: 1998
Complex Says: "Along with the technological advancements such as a Zoom Air forefoot and an inner sleeve, Nike designer Aaron Cooper utilized tumbled leather and the sleek and clean lines of the 1951 Mercury for the Nike Air Pippen 2. In furthering the 'It's gotta be the shoes' mantra, Scottie Pippen also went on to win his sixth NBA Championship against the Utah Jazz in 1998."

Air Jordan XIV

Air Jordan XIV

Released: 1998
Complex Says: "Everybody knows Michael Jordan is somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to cars and cigars – this is exactly why Tinker Hatfield looked to MJ's very own Ferrari 550 Maranello to design the Jordan XIV. Built for performance and with a sleek design, the Jordan XIV emulates the 550M down to a T."

And 1 Tai Chi

And 1 Tai Chi

Released: 1999
Complex Says: "One glimpse of the Tai Chi and we instantly conjure up Vince Carter's monstrous 2000 NBA Dunk Contest performance. However, before they stood for 'Vinsanity', they were defined by the complementary opposite/martial arts diagram of the Yin Yang (no twins were involved). These sneakers were one of the most popular ever produced by And 1, as well as kicks that will be in highlight reels forever. "

Air Jordan XV

Air Jordan XV

Released: 1999
Complex Says: "What's the best way to make a sneaker look like it's ready for war? Well, one can start by hooking it up with a woven Kevlar upper and a design inspiration from NASA's futuristic experimental X-15 rocket plane. But, despite its military foundations, the post-Jordan era XV was also luxuriously equipped with Italian styling reminiscent of the Prada 'America's Cup'. These contrasting factors – along with a tongue that many believe emulated Jordan's facial expression when attacking the rim — made the XV a 'hate it or love it' kind of shoe."

Adidas Kobe I

Adidas Kobe I

Released: 2001
Complex Says: "When it came to the Adidas Kobe I, Adidas desired a design that was both avant-garde and 'hip.' They ended up not only taking inspiration from the Audi TT — which was very popular at the time in Southern California — but also having Audi themselves design the sneaker! The design was based on 'German simplicity' and utilized the Audi TT's thick-to-thin aerodynamic lines, clean body and 'bullet-nosed' front. After Audi finished styling the shoe through its nontraditional clay models, and Adidas added the sneaker's functional aspects, Kobe stated, 'The sneaker is absolutely on fire... it's hot! It's real light and provides support for me. It's smooth, it's slick and it's different and I love it. I'm crazy for it.'"

Air Jordan XVII

Air Jordan XVII

Released: 2002
Complex Says: "Just like jazz, the story behind the Air Jordan XVII was all about improvisation — which is also why there are music notes molded onto the shoe and its contour is intended to resemble the smooth lines of a jazz solo. Though the body of the shoe is also modeled after the fine details of an Aston Martin, more interestingly, the sole of the shoe is based on the design of the Quail Hollow golf course in Charlotte, North Carolina — indicia of Michael's retirement and businessman-like attitude. So much for that second retirement, though, as Michael took to the court as a Washington Wizard rocking the XVIIs in College Blue."

Nike Shox VC II

Nike Shox VC II

Released: 2002
Complex Says: "Like the ultra-exquisite, super-luxurious Bentley Azure, the Nike Shox VC II was meant to take on the appearance of a more deluxe shoe, but with a more 'sports car-like engine.' Just as a Bentley can unsuspectingly hit 0-60 faster than a Porsche Boxster, blending performance with elegance, the VC II could certainly outperform several of the more well-known shoes on the market at the time of its release."

adidas Originals by Originals Jeremy Scott JS Wings

adidas Originals by Originals Jeremy Scott JS Wings 2.0

Released: 2009
Complex Says: "Jeremy Scott is one of the most innovative and artistic designers in recent years. His 'angel wing' inspiration and spin on the adidas Attitude and Conductor [shown here] — though wild — has risen to acclaim and been one of the most standout sneakers by adidas in contemporary times."

Nike Zoom Kobe VI

Nike Zoom Kobe VI

Released: 2010
Complex Says: "For Kobe's sixth signature shoe with Nike, designer Eric Avar went in the direction of a lightweight low-top with Zoom Air cushioning and a dual-layer memory foam insole. However, what really set the Kobe VI apart from the rest was the unique polyurethane 'Black Mamba'-inspired scales. Where are we at now, about 3,642 colorways deep on the Kobe VI?"

Air Jordan 2011

Air Jordan 2011

Released: 2011
Complex Says: "When MJ was brought in to discuss the design features of the Air Jordan 2011, he associated the QUICK and EXPLOSIVE customizability of the shoe with a warrior suiting up for battle. With this in mind, Tinker Hatfield and Tom Luedecke gave the shoe's upper a warrior-like feel — through the lens of the recently released Avatar — with perforations to suggest a constellation and/or Jordan's universality."