10 Most Unforgettable Sneakers for True Kicks Lovers

Consumers can't get enough kicks. Have you noticed that by now? Each year, brands pour more colorways and models into the market, hoping to spark the interests of people across the globe.

Ever since Michael Jordan came out stunting on dudes in the Air Jordan I, we've witnessed countless brands attempt to create unforgettable sneakers. Some have succeeded, while others have failed.

On this list, we chose 10 flawless shoes and explained what makes each one of them so unforgettable. From design to comfort to advancing the sneaker culture, here are the 10 shoes we chose to honor.

Air Jordan I

Image via Jordan Brand

The Air Jordan I is the original sneaker that set things into motion for the Jordan Brand empire.

Designed by Peter Moore, the Air Jordan I was Michael Jordan's introductory shoe. It's been nearly 30 years since this shoe dropped. And still, anytime a retro colorway surfaces, it becomes nearly impossible for consumers to secure a pair.

Few shoes have had a lasting effect on people like the Air Jordan I. There's something about that classic silhouette dripped in Chicago colorways that makes for a stellar athletic and stylistic shoe.

Adidas Ultra Boost

Image via Adidas

Adidas' bold decision to add their coveted Boost technology into their lifestyle and athletic shoes came at the perfect time. This cushion-like, supportive sole has quickly become a calling card for the brand in recent years.

When the Adidas Ultra Boost model came out in 2015, the brand finally found the ultimate way to use this technology and make it look good—sorry, Kanye.

The Ultra Boost was diagnosed as a running shoe. Its sock-knit liner with a subdued lace cage gave it that look. But what makes this sneaker so unforgettable is how all of those elements came together to work in multiple ways.

Conversing in terms of comfort and support—two crucial elements to any sneaker—the Ultra Boost is unmatched. No joke, it's a game-changer in those areas. Thankfully, bold aesthetics also came into play and the sneaker was blessed.

Spend 12 minutes rocking these kicks and you'll understand firsthand why they belong on this list. The Ultra Boost is a shoe that changed the playing field.

Air Jordan III

Image via Jordan Brand

The sheer amount of history behind the Air Jordan III makes it one of the most unforgettable shoes ever created.

After the Air Jordan II release, Nike needed a new look. That look came when Tinker Hatfield created the Air Jordan III. Dumping the traditional wings emblem that had been part of the first two models, the designer replaced it with the iconic Jumpman logo.

The sneaker was a complete 180-degree turn from anything we'd seen up to that point in time. Kicking off the revolution, the III featured a zebra pattern—commonly known as cement—across the toe and heel. As a mid-top, it also became easily accessible to wear casually or on the court.

Shoes like the Air Jordan III will always have a place in our hearts for being inspirational. Simply put, without this sneaker, the industry would look totally different.

Nike Foamposite

Image via Nike

Nike changed everything we knew about sneakers—for the billionth time—when the Nike Foamposite surfaced around 1997.

Besides coming equipped with a price tag worthy of a BMW, the Nike Foamposite was one of the most polarizing shoes ever released. Its design was a staggering blend of futuristic liquid grooves and carbon fiber.

Stars like Penny Hardaway and Mike Bibby—playing for the University of Arizona at the time—rocked the original Foams. Since those guys bucked the traditional way of doing things and opted for the Foamposites, Nike was able to push the sneaker even further.

Nowadays, the Foams are considered to be classics. The design that once scared the general public away has became a stalwart of the company's vision.

Air Jordan XI

Image via Jordan Brand

Speaking strictly about sneakers that made a meteoric dent in the world, the Air Jordan XI is at the top of that list.

You may not remember now, but the XI dropped in a crazy way. Jordan actually broke out a sample pair during the NBA playoffs after seeing Hatfield's prototype. The chaos that went down after Mike walked out in those suckers was real. People were straight up clamoring, using every dollar bill they had to land the Air Jordan XI.

It's understandable when you gaze deeply at this sneaker. The structure was flawless and almost space-like in design. And when that patent leather was mixed in, the game changed.

Every colorway released with the XI build was complete fire. There's a reason why Jordan Brand gives us a new pair of XI's every December. The shoe is that special.

Reebok Question

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

Sometimes all a brand has to do is unveil one sneaker, and the rest is history.

Full disclosure here: Reebok hasn't always made the prettiest or best performing shoes. Speaking from a basketball angle, there haven't been a ton of hits to come out of the Reebok camp. But one sneaker that broke the mold was the Reebok Question.

Strapped to the feet of Allen Iverson, the Question became a sought-after shoe. Even with a slight nod to the Air Jordan XI—the shoe Iverson wore at Georgetown—the Question veered off in its own direction.

Multiple colorways have been done since the shoe initially came out in 1997. However, the one that still matters is the original white-and-red combo. That's vintage Iverson and vintage Reebok coming together to achieve greatness.

Nike Kobe 9

Image via Nike

We've harped on this point before, but the partnership between Kobe Bryant and Nike has been great for consumers.

Being a fierce and unrelenting player, Bryant's kicks embraced the inner workings of the Black Mamba. He helped usher in low-top kicks again with the Kobe 7 and was one of the first NBA players to dive headfirst into Nike's Flyknit era.

The Kobe 9 was the culmination of all of those sneakers Nike and Bryant released. It found a way to go above and beyond in terms of performance and looks. Countless colorways, plus the Elite series—a high-top version of the Kobe 9—gave this shoe a ton of life.

Having the ability to compete in an oversaturated market is another reason why the Kobe 9 will always be sought after. Each colorway released was glorious and never felt overbearing.

There isn't much else to say. The Kobe 9 is the single best sneaker made between the Los Angeles Lakers guard and the shoe conglomerate out of Oregon.

Nike Air Flight Huarache

Image via Nike

You might not realize it, but a lot of your favorite kicks draw major inspiration from non-sneaker elements. In that sense, the Nike Air Flight Huarache was created with simplicity in mind.

Hatfield—known for his work with Michael Jordan—took the lead with the Huarache. Released in 1992, this shoe really dazzled.

The coolest part about the Nike Air Flight Huarache is the bravado it displays on the foot. There is no Nike swoosh emblem engraved across the side. Instead, Hatfield leaned strictly on the design in order to carry the sneaker.

It's been given the retro treatment over the years, which has brought fresh eyes to a timeless design. The Nike Air Flight Huarache is one that belongs in everyone's closet—no matter the colorway.

Air Jordan XII

Image via Jordan Brand

Following up on the success of the Air Jordan XI, Jordan Brand and Nike developed the XII.

It's always hard to drop another grail after you've released one already—go ask 50 Cent. But somehow, through what I imagine was hours of plotting, the Air Jordan XII became a household name.

The XII really is a beautiful sneaker. In fact, certain colorways of the kicks make it look better than its predecessor. Ditching the patent leather in favor of a more traditional approach, the toe box was drawn out in order to give this shoe an extra layer of depth.

Famous for the being part of the "Flu Game," these iconic on-court joints will always hold a special place in the heart of all sneaker fans.

Nike Air Max 90

Image via Nike

Running shoes wouldn't be anything today without the Nike Air Max 90. Churned out during a time that we can call Nike's "Golden Years," the Air Max 90 introduced the world to a runner that could be effortlessly incorporated into casual life.

The Air Max line has been crucial to the Nike brand. We've seen different versions released over time. But there's something about the 90 that gives it an advantage over the rest of the Air Max models.

The multi-tone lines and air bubble experience is top notch. Plus, all of that support stuffed into one shoe was a lovely gesture by Nike.

Worn by athletes around the globe for many years now, it's time to send a whole bouquet of kudos to the Nike design staff for blessing us all with this sneaker.

All Nike/Jordan product information via News.Nike.com, unless noted otherwise. All Adidas information via News.Adidas.com, unless noted otherwise.