Top 10 1990s Basketball Shoes You Can Buy Today
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Introduction
The 1990s was an incredible era and that’s why we’ve put together a list of the best retro 90s basketball shoes you can buy today. We’ve included famous signature shoe lines from Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, and many more.
The 90s showcased some of the greatest basketball players in history. All of the shoes we’ve listed are available for sale from recent re-releases from the major brands.
The Top 10 90s Basketball Shoes
1. Michael Jordan Nike Air Jordan 1 (TOP PICK)
The legendary Air Jordan 1 from Nike is the best retro basketball shoe available. They are durable due to their synthetic and leather construction. These shoes are currently available in a variety of colorways.
And the best part? You can buy a pair today and instantly own one of the most famous shoes ever created.
Looking for more MJ products? Be sure to check out our Michael Jordan Product Guide.
Why We Love It:
- Classic retro style with a new color scheme.
- An iconic Nike shoe and possibly the famous basketball shoe ever.
- A great colorway - white with red.
2. Michael Jordan Nike Air Jordan 11
This is another very famous Air Jordan shoe that is only released in limited quantities each year. Its midsole is foamed and has a rubber outsole for exceptional ground-gripping. The black patent leather combined with the red sole and white upper looks awesome.
The Air Jordan 11 is considered one of the most stylish basketball shoes ever made.
Why We Love It:
- Many consider the AJ 11 to be the best basketball shoe ever made
- First released in 1996 during the Bulls dynasty
3. Charles Barkley Nike Air Force CB Max
If you are looking for low top fully cushioned basketball shoes, then you don't need to look any further. These shoes were the preferred choice of Charles Barkley. They are available in 2 different colors and have a synthetic sole. This means that they are lightweight and will feel good on your feet.
>>> Love Barkley Shoes? Check our detailed Buying Guide for Charles Barkley Nike Shoes.
>>> Don't miss our massive product guide that reviews the best Charles Barkley shoes, jerseys, memorabilia, and more.
>>> Use our custom link to view the best deals and full inventory of Barkley shoes at Amazon.com.
Why We Love It:
- Barkley was an awesome player and remains popular today
- One of the great all-time basketball shoe lines from Nike
- Great design - still an awesome looking shoe
4. Shawn Kemp Reebok Kamikaze
The Reebok Kamikaze was the choice of all-time 90s basketball great Shawn Kemp from the Seattle SuperSonics. This shoe has a memorable look and we're glad to see Reebok brought it back. The white stripes on them look very stylish and bring back memories of Kemp and Gary Payton dominating the Western Conference.
>>> See the full inventory of Shawn Kemp shoes at Amazon or take a look at the awesome Shawn Kemp products at Fanatics.
Why We Love It:
- Kemp was an electrifying player during the '90s
- The Sonics were one of the best teams
- You can see Kemp wearing these shoes in some of his most famous dunks
5. Scottie Pippen Nike Air More Uptempo
The More Uptempo from Nike Air was the signature shoe of Scottie Pippen. These shoes are made for speed and agility. Incredibly stylish, these shoes are very breathable and highly supportive. Nike has used Nubuck material in the construction of these shoes. It means that these shoes look great but are also lightweight and feel great on your feet. One of the coolest pairs of 90s basketball shoes in our list. Grab a Scottie Pippen jersey, shirt or other apparel and you'll have the full look!
>>> Looking for more? See our detailed buying guide for Nike Scottie Pippen Shoes.
>>> See the latest Scottie Pippen products available at the official NBA Store and Amazon.
Why We Love It
- The best colorway ever released for the Air More Uptempo.
- The famous signature shoe for NBA great Scottie Pippen.
- Seen throughout the Bulls documentary The Last Dance.
6. Penny Hardaway Nike Air Penny Max
The Air Penny Max from Nike is an excellent shoe that honors the incredible Penny Hardaway. These shoes are built for speed and are ideal for slashers. It still looks stylish today and will remind you of the great Hardaway Nike commercials. His seasons in Orlando with Shaw will never be forgotten.
Why We Love It:
- Penny was a star player in the 90s
- Included some of the most famous Nike basketball ads
7. Shaquille O'Neal Reebok Shaqnosis
If you're looking for a big man pair of basketball shoes that come with a high top design and offer tremendous support, then this Reebok Shaq shoe is the way to go. These shoes are excellent for defenders and big men that need to play strong in the paint. This pair of 90s basketball shoes is considered a classic.
>>> Check out the full selection of Shaquille O'Neal products at Amazon and the NBA Store.
Why We Love It:
- We love Shaq!
- A popular shoe from Reebok in the 1990s
- A solid high top shoe you can still play basketball in
8. Dennis Rodman Nike Air Shake NDestrukt
These shoes were made famous by Dennis Rodman. His aggressive and relentless style of playing the game is reflected in the name. These shoes are designed to provide your feet with excellent traction on the court. This pair is highly suitable to every style of play.
Why We Love It:
- Dennis Rodman is one of the most unique NBA players ever
- A rare shoe that's hard to find - don't wait
9. Allen Iverson Reebok Answer IV
From the famous Reebok shoe line made for Allen Iverson, these shoes offer tremendous support on the court and were built for attacking the hoop. If you’re an Iverson fan this is a great way of honouring his game and getting a sweet pair of shoes. You can shop for more Iverson shoes, jerseys, gear, and memorabilia in our massive Allen Iverson Product Guide.
>>> Want more Iverson shoe reviews? Visit our detailed buying guide for Allen Iverson Reebok Shoes.
Why We Love It:
- Iverson is an NBA legend and one of the most popular players of the '90s
- Reebok has finally brought back the complete Iverson shoe line
10. Grant Hill Fila 96
During Grant Hill’s prime he wore the Fila 96. If you’re a fan of his, then you need to grab a pair of these. They offer tremendous support for your feet overall and have a various stylish look. There were not many Fila basketball shoes in the 90s which makes this a unique and very cool pair of basketball shoes.
Why We Love It:
- Very cool shoe from a retro brand everyone remembers
- Grant Hill was a superstar in the '90s
Summary - BuySideSports Top 3 Picks!
1990s Retro Basketball Shoe Buying Decision Guide
Here are some key points that you need to keep in mind if you are looking for the best 90s basketball shoes.
First Decision – Ankle support
First up you need to choose between a high profile and low profile. A pair of basketball shoes with a high profile provides additional ankle support, while those with a low profile have less support but provide better freedom of movement.
Second Decision – Breathability
This one is rather important, but not many people seem to focus on this. Breathability needs to be right at the top if you want to be comfortable when you have your shoes on. This way, you can have them on your feet for long hours. It is better to have leather or synthetic materials. If you are on a budget, then synthetic will do the job.
Third Decision – Traction
For speed and agility, you need to go for exceptional traction. Therefore, the sole needs to be made of rubber. A rubber sole will make your movement on the court fast and agile and prevent injuries.
Personal Preferences to Consider
Brands
Some people are brand-loyal, and they only prefer to buy from a certain brand. But it is not always guaranteed that one brand meets all your needs and requirements. Therefore, you need to give other brands a chance.
Color and design
Of course, you need to pick your favorite color and like the outer design, and it is totally up to you because there are hundreds of options available on the market. Just make sure that you don’t compromise essential features that we have discussed above.
Generic or player-endorsed
Some people only like to go for the pairs that are endorsed by their favorite players. But their endorsement doesn’t guarantee that the shoes will match your tastes and preferences.
Materials
Materials are always valuable because they will not only contribute to the overall durability of a pair, but it’s breathability as well. You can go for synthetics and mesh if you are on a budget. And if the price is not a concern for you, then you can choose from basic to premium leather.
Profile height
As we have mentioned above, there are two types of basketball shoes: one with a high profile and the others with a low profile. High profile shoes are great for ankle support, but they restrict movement. You can go for a low top and wear ankle support separately if you prefer, just like Steph Curry.
Conclusion
That’s it for our guide to the best 1990s basketball shoes. We hope you enjoyed it! We will be updating it frequently so bookmark this page and check back often.
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