The Top 25 Sneakers That Should be Retroed Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Let's get this out of the way right away — there is no shortage of retro sneakers available. Walk into any sneaker store, from the most exclusive boutique to the most suburban Foot Locker, and the shelves will be filled with models from years past. But look closer. A lot of times it's just the same models delivered in different ways, while equally valuable gems sit unremembered in archives and sample closets. To kick off 2012 proper, here's The Top 25 Sneakers That Should be Retroed Right Now.

25. Nike Air Zoom Generation

Year: 2003

Sure, it's early (and we'd imagine the AZG will re-appear around the time of the LeBron 10). But It's been almost a decade, and the fact that the Generation was not only LeBron's first shoe, but was worked on by the Nike designer Holy Trinity of Tinker Hatfield, Eric Avar and Aaron Cooper means the sooner the better.

24. Spot-Bilt X-Press

Year: 1987

Then-Sonic Xavier McDaniel's signature shoe, the Spot-Bilt X-Press was high, it was tech, it was perfectly suited to a guy who used to shave his eyebrows in order to look more intimidating. Saucony has retroed some Spot-Bilt hightops in the past, but the X-Press is still waiting. Patiently.

23. Reebok Double Pump

Year: 1993

The pinnacle of Pump technology, the $200 Double Pump allowed you to pump either the collar or the underfoot cushioning with a flip of a switch. And the commercials were great.

22. Converse ERX-350

Year: 1990s

Converse got weird in the late '80s. The Weapon had passed into history, Larry Johnson was still at UNLV, and they produced this entire "ERX" line utilizing "Energy Wave" foam, which predated React Juice. Many of them were amazing in their own right, but these Lakers-themed ERX-350 moon boots would hit so hard.

21. ASICS GEL SY55 AP GT-Lyte

Year: 1991

Yup, ASICS made basketball shoes — Kurt Rambis wore them on the Showtime Lakers, Isiah Thomas wore them with the Bad Boys. We have absolutely no clue who would have worn these particular buckled-up, neon-highlighted ski boot wonders, but we do know that they'd be welcomed back with open arms.

20. Nike Zoom Citizen

Year: 1999

While not as well-known as its predecessor, the Zoom Spiridon, the Zoom Citizen introduced Visible Zoom Air to the world of Nike running, and its multi-paneled upper construction looks like it could have been an influence on the upcoming Air Jordan 2012.

19. Converse GSV "Jimmy Connors"

Year: 1988

The GSV stood for "Grand Slam Victory," and Converse produced models for both Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors. Tennis shoes often get overlooked when it comes to retro product (with notable exceptions including the Court Victory Pump and the Tech Challenge line) — that needs to stop.

18. Nike Air Resistance

Year: 1994

Another semi-obscure tennis shoe, worshipped fervently by those who know. The Kevlar-reinforced Air Resistance was worn by Jim Courier, could handle any surface, and had a more rugged look than most of the neon-splashed pairs that preceded it.

17. Etonic "The Dream"

Year: 1986

Just watch this.

16. Nike Terra TC

Year: 1981

The first Nike runner to utilize Phylon, it was also the base of the Truffle Shuffle. What other reasons do you need?

15. New Balance 593

Year: 1984

Yeah, the Worthys are all dope, but New Balance made some amazing basketball shoes that weren't just for Big Game James. Peep the 593, a full-leather hightop with great colorblocking that would work in pretty much any scheme you threw at it (including purple — Worthy wore these, too).

14. Nike Air Ship

Year: 1984

What was the first shoe Michael Jordan wore in the NBA? If you said the Air Jordan 1, you're wrong — it was the Air Ship, a Bruce Kilgore designed hightop that was essentially a successor to the Air Force 1. The Ship did away with the strap, and added a cantilever-type cushion in the heel, later brought to more prominence by Avia. Call them the Air Jordan 0.

13. Reebok Shaq Attaq

Year: 1992

The loudest rookie needed a loud shoe — and Reebok came through for young Shaquille O'Neal. The clean toe mimicked the Air Jordan aesthetic of the day, while the mix of smooth leather, textured nubuck and shiny synthetics combined with the unmistakable Pump made for an unforgettable upper.

12. Nike Mac Attack

Year: 1986

Before he adopted the Air Trainer 1, John McEnroe took to the courts in the Nike Mac Attack, a mid-cut tennis shoe that displayed his checkerboard motif on the tongue tag and the outsole. Now that the silhouette has returned in stripped-down form as the Manor, hopefully a true retro isn't far behind.

11. Nike Air Alpha Force

Year: 1988

We've seen the Alpha Force II, but not the original Alpha Force — which is especially strange since it shares DNA with the oft-retroed Air Revolution. And not only did Charles Barkley make these his own, Mike even wore them once. Reason enough?

10. New Balance 740 "Worthy Express"

Year: 1986

James Worthy's first signature shoe with New Balance, the "Worthy Express" was essentially a mid-cut compared to other shoes of its day. Other shoes from the line have been re-issued in various forms, but inexplicably the first has yet to return. This is a no-brainer.

9. Nike Air Flight

Year: 1989

Its low-cut compatriot returns again and again, but somehow the 1989's Air Flight high remains a memory. From the "Flight" script on the tongue to the plastic vents on the side to the multiple lacing options on the collar, these were the perfect shoe to usher in the '90s.

8. adidas Stefan Edberg

Year: 1988

Bjorn Borg wasn't the only Swede with a signature shoe to do damage on the pro tennis circuit. There was also Stefan Edberg, a six-time Grand Slam singles winner and five-time winner of the ATP Sportsmanship award (which was later re-named in his honor). He had several signature models over the course of his career, but these 1988 joints with the single green eyelet are the definitive pair.

7. Nike Wimbledon All England

Year: 1987

A simple shoe in elegant colors, and — if we remember correctly — made in Italy. Refined tennis wear from the company that would later bring you acid-washed denim shorts. So sorry about that.

6. ASICS GEL Kayano Trainer

Year: 1993

Hard to believe though it may be, ASICS's heralded Kayano line has made it through 18 models without a single one being re-issued. The logical place to start would be the original GEL Kayano Trainer, which had a decidedly early '90s vibe with a high-tech twist. Domo arigato, Mr. Kayano.

5. Reebok Shaqnosis

Year: 1995

You are feeeeeeling very sleeeeeeeepy. The Shaqnosis would have been recognizable from 100 rows up even if Shaq didn't wear size 22s. He's no longer affiliated with Reebok, but a retro would still be in high demand even without the Dunkman logo. Er, right?

4. Nike Air Flight Lite II Mid

Year: 1992

Utterly inexplicable. The Air Flight Lite II was not only worn by Scottie Pippen, it was worn by Scottie Pippen on the Dream Team. And long before Lunar and Kobe and whatnot, it led the way for lightweight, low-ish cut basketball footwear. An all-timer.

3. adidas EQT Elevation

Year: 1997

Heralded though he may have been, Kobe Bryant didn't start off right away in a signature shoe. He wore the EQT Elevation for parts of his rookie season, including the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, which he won. A Feet You Wear shoe, the EQT Elevation featured prominent, swept-back stripes on the forefoot, a lenticular ankle patch, and criss-crossing elastic bands on the heel.

2. Reebok Kamikaze 2

Year: 1996

Props to Swizz Beatz for bringing the Kamikaze back at all, but all the world really needs is a straightforward retro of Shawn Kemp's Kamikaze 2. Please, Reebok. We're begging you.

1. Nike Air Command Force

Year: 1991

As sneaker prices (and sneakers themselves) get higher and higher, there's all the more reason to retro Nike's second (and more successful) inflatable sneaker. David Robinson wore them in the NBA, but they were better known as the weapon of choice for Venice Beach hustler Billy Hoyle. Even at $200 or more, these would move.