{"id":252789,"date":"2013-10-07T13:36:11","date_gmt":"2013-10-07T18:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nicekicks.com\/?p=252789"},"modified":"2022-09-16T12:14:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T17:14:09","slug":"a-history-of-zip-up-basketball-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/a-history-of-zip-up-basketball-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"A History of Zip-Up Basketball Shoes"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the recent re-release of “The Glove” and the popularity of the Air Jordan XX8, Snkrs Day takes a look back at the history of basketball kicks that relied on zip-up closure. From Dennis Rodman to Kevin Garnett, get an overview of the shoes that sported zippers on the hardwood.<\/p>\n

Nike Air Worm Ndestrukt<\/h2>\n image via One Sweet Pair\n

Released:<\/strong> 1996
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Dennis Rodman<\/p>\n

Dennis the Menace had a string of pseudo signatures in his early days, but finally received a shoe of his own namesake in ’96. The Worm<\/strong> was just as radical as its endorser, sporting an uncanny low-top build and zip-up closure. While the shoe was certainly his own, Rodman never really zipped these up on court, rather wearing the Shake Ndestrukt.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Reebok The Shroud<\/h2>\n image via Mis Zapas<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 1997
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Shawn Kemp<\/p>\n

Trade winds sent the Reign Man from Seattle to Cleveland in the summer of 1997. A shift in style and shades propelled the Reebok Shroud<\/strong>, an oddity in design that was far different from the already brash Kamikaze line. Reebok would later use Shroud construction on football cleats and turf shoes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 “The Glove”<\/h2>\n image via\u00a0Mis Zapas<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 1998
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Gary Payton<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most memorable and best use of a zipper on a sneaker was the Zoom Flight 98. Affectionately known as “The Glove”<\/strong>, the snug fit was in line with its endorser and smoother than most. The shoe spawned a beloved takedown, the Son of Glove, with the latter still begging for a retro.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Air Zoom T-Bug Flight<\/h2>\n Image via\u00a0Mis Zapas<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 1998
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Tim Hardaway<\/p>\n

Though the T-Bug Flight<\/strong> flew in the shadows of The Glove, the lone Tim Hardaway signature is progressive in its own right. Contrary to most zip-reliant hoop shoes, these sported heavy styling on the exterior as opposed to neoprene cover up. Such pieces of flair included the visible Monkey Paw and wavy mudguard.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Air Flightposite<\/h2>\n

Released:<\/strong> 1999
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Kevin Garnett, Allan Houston & Penny Hardaway<\/p>\n

Wavier than most, the Flightposite 1<\/strong> pointed towards a progressive direction for performance basketball as well as staying power for the zipper. While neither trends quite caught, the OG Flightposite was in many ways a success with similar styling adapted on the KG endorsed sequel.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Reebok Answer IV<\/h2>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2000
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Allen Iverson<\/p>\n

Even though zip-up closure was still very present in 2000, it felt new and different on the Reebok Answer IV<\/strong>. Perhaps it was because of the buzz around AI or maybe it was because this pair relied on leather. Either way, this shoe was as much a commercial hit as any other silo in the bunch, with the zipper reappearing on the sixth and tenth installments of the Answer line.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jumpman Swift 6<\/h2>\n image via Corgi Shoes<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2000
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Eddie Jones<\/p>\n

While a zipper had never graced the Air Jordan signature series, it did pop up on an early team take. The Jumpman Swift 6<\/strong>, designed for Eddie Jones, adapted the AJ XV aesthetic with diagonal closure. The shoes still seem progressive today, but proved to be the end of the EJ era from a signature standpoint.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Morph Series<\/h2>\n image via Mis Zapas<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2001
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Jason Kidd, Scottie Pippen & Gary Payton<\/p>\n

Pip, J-Kidd, and the Glove all shared signatures in 2001 when Nike launched the Morph Skin<\/strong> series. Unlike previous zipper laden models, these pairs features two-piece construction with removable booties that would fit in any corresponding skin. Such a concept took well to NikeiD, offering early customization on signature shoes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Shox VC<\/h2>\n image via Mis Zapas<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2002
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Vince Carter<\/p>\n

After cementing his Shox status in the Summer Olympics with the BB4, Vince Carter received his first Shox signature in 2002. The VC Shox<\/strong> sported boing tech in the heel and forefoot, while the upper remained aggressive with a full-length zipper. Zip closure also appeared on the J-Will worn Shox Stunner and guard oriented Air Max Future Flight that year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

AND1 Spree Mid<\/h2>\n image via aushark of eBay<\/a>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2002
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Latrell Sprewell<\/p>\n

After blacktop beginnings and a Starbury signing, AND1<\/strong> returned to the NBA main stage in 2002 by inking Latrell Sprewell and Kevin Garnett. Both stars wore signatures that sported zippers and sleek styling.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Ultraposite<\/h2>\n image via Kicks Guide\n

Released:<\/strong> 2003
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Jason Kidd<\/p>\n

The one-off Ultraposite<\/strong> was one of the last Nike hoop shoes to use zipper closure. Jason Kidd wore the progressive kicks on court, but the shoe’s easy scratch upper led to a limited run.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Adidas TS Supernatural Creator<\/h2>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2010
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Derrick Rose<\/p>\n

Before sporting sneakers of his own namesake, D Rose donned this zip-up model from the Team Signature<\/strong> series. Unlike other models in this list, this shoe sported an extended ankle strap and off-center zipper.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nike Hyperdunk for Matthew Walzer<\/h2>\n

(Un)Released:<\/strong> 2012
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Matthew Walzer<\/p>\n

Zip-up sneakers can be novelty or necessity. The brand in Beaverton answered the call on the latter this year with the Hyperdunk<\/strong> and LeBron X for Matthew Walzer. Inspired by #NIKELETTER, these full-zip exclusive cater to the conditions of cerebral palsy while inspiring all.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Air Jordan XX8<\/h2>\n

Released:<\/strong> 2013
\nWorn By:<\/strong> Russell Westbrook<\/p>\n

The Air Jordan XX8<\/strong> saw the most daring design on a JB signature since Michael played. Ultra progressive, the AJXX8 featured the highest cut of any signature Air Jordan, marked by a sleek shroud and zip-up closure. Russell Westbrook rocked this model on the NBA hardwood as the model’s official ambassador.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the recent re-release of “The Glove” and the popularity of the Air Jordan XX8, Snkrs Day takes a look…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2415,"featured_media":338043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[618],"tags":[1225537],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA History of Zip-Up Basketball Shoes | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Where to buy A History of Zip-Up Basketball Shoes shoes. 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