{"id":248942,"date":"2012-11-16T14:35:42","date_gmt":"2012-11-16T20:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nicekicks.com\/?p=248942"},"modified":"2022-09-13T23:35:25","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T04:35:25","slug":"royal-highness-the-top-20-high-top-basketball-sneakers-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/royal-highness-the-top-20-high-top-basketball-sneakers-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Highness: The Top 20 High Top Basketball Sneakers of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Low top basketball sneakers are prevalent on courts today, but not too long ago it was thought that you needed high tops to properly play ball. The 80s and 90s were dominated by high top sneakers, some of which we have seen return in retro form. With the release of three Nike Air Force 180 <\/strong>Mid<\/strong>?colorways yesterday, we decided to take a look at The Top 20 High Top Basketball Sneakers of All Time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

20. New Balance 590<\/h2>\n

Prior to signing Hall of Famer James Worthy<\/strong>, New Balance made a successful crossover into the basketball arena with the 590 model. The customary New Balance quality was welcomed by players around the league.
\n<\/p>\n

19. Nike Air Flight Lite<\/h2>\n

Simple color schemes and chunky builds were the norm for late 80s\/early 90s basketball sneakers. The Nike Air Flight Lite<\/strong> embodied just that.
\n<\/p>\n

18. Nike Air Force V<\/h2>\n

When it comes to high tops, it doesn’t get much higher than the Nike Air Force V. Dropping in 1990, this shoe was?the fifth?of the Air Force line, worn by the likes of Hall of Famer David Robinson<\/strong>.
\n<\/p>\n

17. Nike Air Force STS<\/h2>\n

Elephant print is all the rage now, but back in the day the beloved motif was seen on the Nike Air Force STS. This sneaker epitomized its name with a super high build and bold tongue branding. It definitely screamed “FORCE”.
\n<\/p>\n

16. Nike Air Flight Lite II<\/h2>\n

One year after creating one of the lightest basketball shoes ever, the Nike Air Flight Lite Hi II kept the high build and light weight of the original. This model, however, added an inner sock liner to enhance the fit, which in the early 90s?was considered cutting edge.
\n<\/p>\n

15. Reebok Pump Bringback<\/h2>\n

In 1989, Reebok unveiled its Pump technology with the Bringback. Did it actually work? No one can really say, but it did lead to?the creation of?many Pump models to follow and one of?the best moments in slam dunk contest history.?Because of this, these shoes hold a special place in our hearts.
\n<\/p>\n

14. adidas Attitude<\/h2>\n

The adidas Attitude was named?after the personality of a young Patrick Ewing<\/strong>. The intimidating young star rocked these in 1986, one year after his Rookie of the Year campaign. The shoe also represented the NY mindset that went along with the Knicks color scheme. The Attitude’s popularity is shown by it being released in retro form?a few times sans Ewing tongue branding.
\n<\/p>\n

13. Nike Air Force High<\/h2>\n

Releasing the same year as the Air Jordan 8, the Nike Air Force High implemented the same strap system and bulky build with a higher cut. The shoe still stands as tall and built tough.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

12. Ewing 33 Hi<\/h2>\n

The Ewing 33 Hi<\/strong> was another shoe that was received with hot and cold emotions. The bulky build and large “33” on a seemingly misplaced strap was hard for some to swallow, but the popularity despite the lack of big brand backing makes this shoe great.
\n<\/p>\n

11. Nike Air Force II Hi<\/h2>\n

We all have love for the Nike Air Force 1, but the Nike Air Force II Hi was prevalent on NBA courts for quite a while. The generally?leather upper and super high build fell in line with the basketball shoes of the early 90s and was a favorite off the court. The Air Force 2 released in a retro version in the early 2000s to less fan fare, not as popular as its predecessor.
\n<\/p>\n

10. Nike Air Command Force<\/h2>\n

True, David Robinson<\/strong> also rocked these high tops during his time with the San Antonio Spurs, but the Nike Air Command Force reached folklore status when they were the shoes of choice for Billy Hoyle in White Men Can’t Jump<\/em>. The Command Force was the second Nike Basketball shoe in a set of three to feature the “Air Pump” support.
\n<\/p>\n

9. adidas Conductor<\/h2>\n

The adidas Conductor was yet another high top worn by Patrick Ewing<\/strong>. The flat sole and no frills presentation matched the workman-like mindset of Ewing and the ’90s New York Knicks. A retro edition released earlier this year, and the nostalgia was apparent.
\n<\/p>\n

8. Nike Air Force 180 Pump<\/h2>\n

The Nike Air Force 180 High<\/strong> has been released in numerous colorways recently, but one key element is missing. The original shoe featured “Air Pump” support and was the third and final shoe to do so. Worn once again by David Robinson, this shoe will probably never be re-released in its original from.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7. Nike Air Unlimited<\/h2>\n

Four straps on a basketball shoe? Yes. The Nike Air Unlimited was unlike any basketball shoe before it. Straps on the midfoot and ankle locked the foot in, despite leather only appearing on the bottom half. Grant Hill<\/strong> made the Unlimited iconic in his senior season at Duke, and The Admiral David Robinson brought the unique kicks to professional courts in 1994.
\n<\/p>\n

6. Reebok Pump Shaq Attaq<\/h2>\n

We got news yesterday that Reebok Pump Shaq Attaq<\/strong> is on its way back. The Big Aristotle’s first signature is arguably his best, and featured the popular Pump technology. Shaq’s massive popularity matched his enormous size and personality.
\n<\/p>\n

5. Converse Weapon<\/h2>\n

It may come as a surprise to some to see these ranked so high, but basketball historians understand the significance. Before Nike, Reebok, and adidas ruled the hardwood, the Converse Weapon was endorsed by the greats. No one shoe has ever carried a roster remotely close to the Weapon’s endorsers. Need more proof? Hall of Famers Magic Johnson<\/strong>, Larry Bird<\/strong>, Kevin McHale<\/strong>, and Isaiah Thomas <\/strong>all rocked the Weapon at the same time.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

4. adidas Mutombo<\/h2>\n

“No Man Flies in the Eyes of Mutombo” rang true for many years. During the 1992-1993 season, Dikembe Mutombo<\/strong> not only defended the paint like none other, but also had an adidas shoe unlike those seen before. The bold pattern spoke to the design choices of the time. We can only hope that adidas decides to release the Mutombo again.
\n<\/p>\n

3. adidas Forum High<\/h2>\n

This year, Nike and LeBron James made headlines with whopping price tags. The brand with three stripes did the same back in the 80s with the release of the Forum High<\/strong>, the first $100 basketball shoe.
\n<\/p>\n

2. Air Jordan 1<\/h2>\n

Many young sneakerheads were not around to see the Air Jordan 1<\/strong> in its original form. Unlike the retro Jordan 1, the first version featured a higher build for extra ankle support, which was thought to be necessary at the time.
\n<\/p>\n

1. Nike Air Force 1 Hi<\/h2>\n

The Nike Air Force 1 Hi has been a staple on and off the court since they first dropped in 1982. The classic model was worn by legends, such as Moses Malone<\/strong>, and the legacy continues to be carried on by, most notably, Rasheed Wallace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Low top basketball sneakers are prevalent on courts today, but not too long ago it was thought that you needed…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4653,"featured_media":248943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1232700,3,1225574],"tags":[1076108,1225519,1359,608716,1206323,704,1208488,1225494,1212340],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nRoyal Highness: The Top 20 High Top Basketball Sneakers of All Time | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Where to buy Royal Highness: The Top 20 High Top Basketball Sneakers of All Time shoes. 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