Though we’ve still got a month left, 2016 is almost a wrap. And when it’s all said and done, the current year was more about new shoes than old ones. Still, we love our retros and we’re always thankful for a good bringback. As we always do around the Thanksgiving holiday, we recall re-releases that brought back good memories of shoes we once had or offered us a first shot at shoes we missed out on years ago. See the retro releases we’re most thankful for in the pages below.<\/p>\n
To say the Nike Air More Uptempo is the definitive basketball shoe of the ’90s would not be a reach. Dripping with nostalgia, branding and hardwood glory, the Scottie Pippen endorsed model was a hit on its 20th Anniversary, proving to be one of the most chase worthy retros. While trends come and go, this shoe will always be a relic of the decade where b-ball shoes most boomed.<\/p>\n
Early sample shots might have had some scratching their heads, but an official look at this year’s Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” re-release is as good as we could hope. Remastered and released for the first time with #45 tagging, this 2016 drop with Warner Brothers on board sees the model that’s dominated many a holiday season remaining relevant and still providing excitement.<\/p>\n
Easy to wear and easy on the eyes, the Air Jordan 11 Low in patent leather form has been a welcome reintroduction from JB over the past five years. This summer, a colorway from the first run of its kind returned by way of the “Cherry” launch. These were a seasonal hit and one that will always warrant wear on a sunny day.<\/p>\n
There isn’t much unarchived from the Penny Hardaway signature vault. Still, the Nike Air Penny 2 “Atlantic Blue” in Penny PE form proved quite the surprise in 2016. On top of that, we also saw the shoe return in “All Star” form as well as re-takes on the Sole Collector collab and retro+ Miami Heat makeup.<\/p>\n
Adding energy to the Air Jordan XXX1 launch, the “Banned” Air Jordan 1 came back in remastered form earlier this fall. Arguably the most popular AJ silo in this era, the original of originals was welcomed by fans old and new and bought up in bunches in each OG colorway that returned.<\/p>\n
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Back in 2012, the “Tech Grey” Air Jordan 4 left most OG fans unsatisfied. Not these. Launching on All-Star Weekend, the Air Jordan 4 White\/Cement with Nike Air on the back dropped as an awesome homage to 1989. Restocked a plenty, this colorway still has legs in the casual game even after all its years off the court.<\/p>\n
The Nike Air Presto had an incredibly strong 2016. While this year was more about modern revamps and classic color codes than graphic OGs, the t-shirt for your feet has proven to be just as popular if not more than it was when it first hit the market.<\/p>\n
Another re-release with OG implications, the Air Jordan 5 “Metallic” saw the first time Nike Air has returned to the shark toothed model since its retro run at the turn of the century. Whether un-DS’d straight out the box or lace swapped like MJ, this ’91 classic still turns heads.<\/p>\n
After years in the vault, the Air Jordan 14 returned in “Oxidized Green” and “Indiglo” colorways for the first time ever. Remastered and incredibly reminiscent of the OGs, it’s good to see retirement era retros back on shelves.<\/p>\n
A cult classic if there ever was one, the Nike Air Zoom Spiridon came back in OG form for the first time in years and even saw an array of updates. Easier to scoop than the last time around but still special, these were a treat for the most Ekin of retro running fans.<\/p>\n
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Allen Iverson and Reebok celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Question in a major way with a wide array of collabs. While new makeups delighted, it’s hard to be mad at the retro release of the famed OG “Blue Toe” that AI donned as a rookie.<\/p>\n
The retro cycle may spin faster than it used to, but it’d still been a long while since we got the “Flu Game” 12s in original form. Remastered and using choice leather, this iconic colorway from perhaps MJ’s most memorable game did not disappoint. The retro of the year from JB? It just might be.<\/p>\n
Coming out of nowhere, the Nike Air Force 1 Low “LA” relaunched at ComplexCon. A forgotten favorite except for AF1 fans on the West Coast, this shoe will see wider release this December.<\/p>\n
New nickname, same old style, the remastered Air Jordan 9 is also on tap to return in OG fashion. Never worn in an NBA game by Mike but seen on his statue and in the film Space Jam<\/em>, this Chicago colorway is a staple for any fans of the GOAT.<\/p>\n Much like the previously mentioned Barkleys, the Nike Air Tech Challenge II has retuned a handful of times. But who is complaining about another “Hot Lava” launch? Unexpected but still appreciated, we’re grateful these came back in 2016.<\/p>\n Truth be told, these probably would’ve made more noise a few years back when Foams were on fire, but nevertheless, the “Dr. Doom” Pros stand as one of the most coveted colorways in the Foamposite Franchise. Celebrating their ten year anniversary, these are a good holiday get.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Jordan Brand put the Air Jordan 3 back in the vault, many were upset but it was probably a good thing. Returning in remastered fashion, the “True Blue” bringback sees OG details that have not been privy to the public since its original launch in 1988.<\/p>\n Garnering a 20 year wait, the Nike Air Zoom Flight 96 finally returned in the PE colorway worn by Penny Hardaway in the 1996 Olympic Games. Dropping alongside a crop of shoes that also released way back when in Atlanta, these were a highlight for hoops fans.<\/p>\n Catapulting Kobe and the Redeem Team to a Gold Medal in ’08, the Nike Hyperdunk returned in OG makeups over the summer. The United We Rise and triple-black colorways served as highlights with bright tonal takes also exciting lovers of the breakthrough basketball model.<\/p>\n The biggest bringback of 2016 was also the hardest to get. Launching in raffle fashion to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease research, the Nike MAG finally dropped with power lacing just like in the movie. Will we ever see a proper retail release? Only time will tell but we sure hope so.<\/p>\n Sported on court by the likes of Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson, the Air Jordan 16 “Midnight Navy” marks the first OG colorway to comeback of said shoe outside of a Countdown Pack. Will this be the first of more? A host of collabs point to yes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Round Mound of Rebound has seen most of his shoes retro at least a time or two. Back for another round, the Nike Air Max CB 34 sees the Godzilla pair hit retail once again for an always nostaglic wear.<\/p>\n A good surprise but hard to get, the famed “Flax” Nike Air Force 1 Mid came back in quickstrike fashion via the SNKRS app. These went super fast, will we see a restock?<\/p>\n Wizards era retros are a rarity, but the Air Jordan 17+ “Copper” was a great place to start. Luxe and loaded with detail, this first time bringback was a good contrast to store walls and outfits built around ’80s and ’90s silos.<\/p>\n From OG oddity to NikeLab rarity, the Sock Dart finally went full-on GR in 2016 and it wasn’t a bad thing at all. Cozy, classic and still progressive in appearance despite being over a decade old, this shoe was welcomed at retail and worn by many.<\/p>\n The Nike Dunk High “Be True to Your School” collection serves as building blocks for the foundation of sneaker culture. From Michigan to UNLV, a host of OGs came back to the delight of old heads while providing a history lesson for younger collectors.<\/p>\n Tennis Ball Talarias are good in any era. This proved true in 2016 when they recieved the retro treatment. Much like the Spiridon, these hit a sweet spot for fans of the rarest retro runners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Though we’ve still got a month left, 2016 is almost a wrap. And when it’s all said and done, the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2415,"featured_media":517166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNike Air Tech Challenge II<\/h2>\n Nike Air Tech Challenge II Hot Lava\n
Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Dr. Doom”<\/h2>\n Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Dr. Doom”\n
Air Jordan 3<\/h2>\n Air Jordan 3 “True Blue”\n
Nike Air Zoom Flight 96<\/h2>\n Nike Zoom Flight 96 Olympic\n
Nike Hyperdunk<\/h2>\n Nike Hyperdunk ’08 United We Rise\n
Nike MAG<\/h2>\n Nike MAG\n
Air Jordan 16<\/h2>\n Air Jordan 16 “Midnight Navy”\n
Nike Air Max CB 34<\/h2>\n Nike Air Max CB 34\n
Nike Air Force 1 Mid “Wheat”<\/h2>\n Nike Air Force 1 Mid “Flax”\n
Air Jordan 17+<\/h2>\n Air Jordan 17+ Copper\n
Nike Sock Dart<\/h2>\n Nike Sock Dart Racer Blue\n
Nike Dunk High “Be True to Your School”<\/h2>\n Nike Dunk High Michigan\n
Nike Air Zoom Talaria<\/h2>\n Nike Air Zoom Talaria Volt\n