KICKS Extra: Just For You

by Come Chantrel with Ben Osborne

All the KICKS readers had to have their interests piqued when we promised in our recently released annual issue that Come Chantrel, profiled in First Step for his role as the creative genius behind the sneaker documentary, Just for Kicks, would take you inside his shoeboxes on our website. Take out your notebooks, sneakerheads.

Wu Tang Dunk (1997)
When Nike decided to re-release the Dunks in 1997, the program was launched with this very exclusive “Killa Bee” model, which was given to the members of Wu Tang Clan to celebrate the group’s second album release. It was the first Nike shoe co-branded with a rap act — though certainly not the last — and was never made for sale.

Patrick Ewing Adidas Conductor (Knicks colors) (1986)
Following in the footsteps of the Adidas Forums, the Conductor was a massive sneaker that looked like a Mack Truck. In 1986, nothing came close to it; it made the first Air Jordans look like a women’s shoe at the time.

Adidas Rivalry (one pair white/red and one pair white/light blue) (1986)
A simplified, cheaper version of the Conductor worn by Ewing, the Rivalry was the next best choice to rock with a leather goose down and some tight Levis.

Nike Solo Flight (one pair white/red and one pair Knicks colors) (1988-1990)
Alongside their cousins from the Air Jordan line, the Solo Flights were the best of the high-tech basketball shoes that came out in
the late 80’s.
Nike Force (white/black/marble/green) (1991)
If the Solo Flights were built like fighter jets, the Forces were M1 tanks, with this particular model using Pump technology borrowed from Reebok. Don’t waste your time trying to find deadstocks of Flights or Forces. These shoes were never meant to last for 20 years. Even new, the synthetic leather will fall apart and the bubble will explode if you wear them.

Adidas Run DMC (white/grey) (1987)
Adidas was the first brand to understand the marketing potential of Hip-Hop artists. In 1986, Run DMC became the first non-athletic entity to sign with a sports brand. Leather sweat suits and snake-skin high tops brought a revolutionary twist to athletic gear. Sneakers were now designed to shine at the club instead of on the court.

Nike Glacier (white/white) (1982)
It’s hard to imagine how high tech those running shoes looked in the early 80s. At the time, Nike was still just a baby brand…

Nike Foamposite Penny Hardaways (1997)
The Foamposite was the heir to the Air Jordan throne. Made of a one-piece foam shell, at $200 these shoes were the most expensive athletic shoes made. This particular pair is an original without the Nike Swoosh.

The Nike Foamposite Kevin Garnett (black/green) (1998)
Between the reflection of the color and the Alien design, this was the hottest shoe in New York when it came out and one of the hottest basketball-shoe designs of all time.

Reebok Alien Stomper / Just for Kicks Limited Edition (grey/red) (2006)
Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) wore this shoe in Aliens, in 1986. The ad campaign stated that Reebok was soon releasing a shoe, which wouldn’t be out for the next 150 years. The Just for Kicks Edition is a small promotional run to celebrate the ultimate sneaker documentary. The design and look of the shoe was inspired by the industrial look of the space Marines fighting alongside Ripley in the movie.

Adidas Just for Kicks Shell Toes (white/white) (2006)
Since our documentary explores the amazing relationship between Adidas and Run DMC, Adidas thought that a Shell Toe promotional run was appropriate to celebrate the film. Only a few pairs were made available to entertainers and personalities in the film. The shoe was never made for sale.