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Maybe you've noticed, but there have been an awful lot of sneakers retroed over the past decade or so. If your favorite sneaker came out 20, even 30 years ago, chances are it's still available (or it's at least been available recently). However, inexplicably, some models never seem to retro at all, and others come back, but in not-so-original form. Which can be impossibly frustrating. So we looked around and came up with 20 Classic Sneakers That Deserve A Proper Retro. Some have never returned, others have — but never exactly right. Let us know what other models you'd like to see return.
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Reebok Big Hurt
Year: 1996
There's no getting around it - the Big Hurts were a polaraizing shoe (much more than their mild-mannered namesake). The diagonally striped upper wasn't for everyone. But a toned-down retro wouldn't make any sense. Bring it back strong.
Fila T-1
Year: 1984
Back before Grant Hill and Jerry Stackhouse, FILA was an exotic brand that had that Ferrari-like Italian mystique. The T-1 tennis shoe became a b-boy staple, with that buttery beige leather. They weren't Guccis, but they were the next-best thing. Any retro of the T-1 should be held in the same high regard - and make the wearer feel like Big Daddy Kane in '88. These should be like leather jackets for your feet.
Nike Air Force II
Year: 1987
Nike made a pretty big push with the Air Force II back in the early 2000s, but it was never exactly right. For starters, it wasn't held in any higher regard than the Delta Force, which was a decided takedown in 1987. And the shape was off compared to the originals. Go back, get it right, and make it a premium drop. We'll be waiting.
Nike Air Zoom Ablaze
Year: 1997
Late-period Agassi that served as a direct counterpoint to the bland (but intriguing) Zoom Oscillate worn by Pete Sampras. The Zoom Ablaze never made an impact on the street like earlier Agassi models, but given a proper retro, there's no reason it couldn't.
Nike Air Ship
Year: 1984
There's so much that could be done with an Air Ship retro that it boggles the mind. The basic white/grey and white/red for starters. Then there were the variations (customs? one-offs?) worn by Michael Jordan in his rookie season. Bruce Kilgore's Air Force 1 successor deserves to be more than a sneaker footnote.
Converse Jimmy Connors All Star
Year: 1984
An All-Star One Star tennis shoe? With the star on the heel? Kurt Cobain would come back from the dead to rock these.
Nike Omega Flame
Year: 1983
Nope, the color fade upper was NOT invented for the Tuned Air generation. The Omega Flame is an oft-forgotten runner that would no doubt be re-released in countless colors (and probably in "Lunar VNTG" form). We'd settle for the originals, thanks.
Air Jordan II
Year: 1987
The whole point of the Air Jordan II - well, maybe not the whole point, but a huge selling point - was that it was made in Italy. That's what pushed the "luxury athletic" category and what justified the (for 1987) outrageous price point. Maybe manufacturing a retro in Italy would push the retail price north of $300, but - so what?
adidas Fire
Year: 1986
The wackiest of adidas' wacky cushioning concepts of the '80s. If Originals can keep returning to the peg era - the L.A. Trainer and the Kegler Super - surely the division could reproduce the cartridge-style midsole of the Fire.
Reebok Commitment
Year: 1988
The Danny Mannings came back once, in original colors even, but the Hollywood-sign sized branding on the sides was visibly reduced. Why? Free advertising is free advertising - bring 'em back again and, if anything, make the lettering even bigger.
Nike Air Tech Challenge
Year: 1988
The original Nike Tech Challenge may have shaken up the staid tennis world a bit, but it was nothing compared to what was to come. The Tech Challenge II, with its Visible Air, Hot Lava fade and Trainer 1 cut, got all the accolades, but it was the comparably dowdy originals that kicked off the Agassi era.
New Balance Worthy 800
Year: 1988
The 800 wasn't THE classic New Balance Worthy, but it was one of the first ones New Balance brought back out - although the retro version lacked Worthy's name and was somehow squashed down from a genuine hightop into a mid. Let's give it another go.
7. Reebok S. Carter
Year: 2003
Has it really been 10 years? Doesn't feel like it. But there are high schoolers out there who probably don't even remember the S. Carter. Inspired by (to put it mildly) the Gucci Tennis 84, Jigga's signature Reeboks led to the whole G-Unit line, and eventually Rick Ross and Tyga. Respect the originator.
Nike Air Ace
Year: 1988
The tennis Air Revolution, the Air Ace was the coolest shoe no one even knew about in 1988. Maybe it's because the tongue was impossible to pop over jeans. Whatever the case, these were far more deserving of shine than the "Air Revolution Lows" that got cobbled together.
Reebok Shaq Attaq Insta Pump IV
Year: 1995
Gigantic sneakers for a gigantic man. The Shaq Attaq IV was high, it was bulky, and it was Insta Pump. Why limit the zoomy Pump tech to the Fury? Follow up the Shaq Attaq and the Shaqnosis with something a little more substantial. The Big Fella deserves it.
Nike Air Force 180 High
Year: 1991
Maybe we're just greedy, but doing up a reto version of the Air Force 180 High without the original boot-high cut and pump mechanism seemed to defeat the purpose. People wore their Air MAG retros - we don't think they'd hesitate to rock OG style 180s highs.
Nike Mac Attack
Year: 1984
Nike brought back the Mac Attack tooling as an NSW offering called the Manor, but forgot to bring back the original tennis shoe that inspired it. In the words of the man who wore it, "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"
adidas Conductor "Ewing"
Year: 1987
We have to give adidas props on their retros of the Conductor so far - they've been phenomenally accurate in both build and colorways. But in what may be an impossible dream, we'd love to see a Knick colorway complete with Patrick Ewing's old logo.
adidas Robert Haillet
Year: 1965
OK, Stan Smith has gotten enough props. The iconic Stan Smith wasn't always his sneaker, even though it's his name (and sometimes face) on it. Robert Haillet was the first name on adidas' first leather tennis sneaker, and while his career didn't ever reach the heights Smith's did, his name will always have a place in tennis history. Put it back on the damn shoes.
Air Jordan III Black/Cement
Year: 1988
A no-brainer. The Air Jordan Retro III '88. In black. On the 30th anniversary of the '88 ASG. You can wait a little longer, right?