The Most Under-Appreciated Sneakers of the Last 5 Years

There's no plausible way you'd be able to cop every sneaker release out there unless you're living in a Scrooge McDuck's money vault. For the rest, picking and choosing kicks has become a specialty habit.

Because of this, we tend to miss out on shoes. Slept-on sneakers. Stuff you should have copped but missed your chance.

The following eight kicks either flew under the radar at the time or weren't littered with hype, rendering them obsolete. Either way, these sneakers were under-appreciated.

Nike Air Tech Challenge II

Image courtesy of Nike.

Sneaker: Nike Air Tech Challenge II

Release Year: 2013-16

Nike's Air Tech Challenge series belongs to former American tennis star Andre Agassi. At a time when Nike's platform was based on bulkiness and radical '90s-inspired designs, the Air Tech Challenge II fit in perfectly—the shoe was first released in 1990.

Comparing it with today's tennis kicks—especially the adaptive NikeCourt Zoom Vapor Tour 9.5—the Air Tech Challenge II carried around weight like an old tug boat. But its retro design and ties to Agassi gave the sneaker grounds to be deemed a classic.

When Nike went on a retro binge in 2013, the Challenge II was brought back to life. For three years, colorways like "Hot Lava" turned up in the stock rooms of retailers. The shoe sat, and today, minus a few sizes, is only available on reselling platforms like Stadium Goods.

The only saving grace is the price remains low. Anyone who missed out on the first run can still pick up a retro pair without shattering the bank.

Nike Zoom KD 9 ‘Texas’

Image courtesy of Nike.

Sneaker: Nike Zoom KD 9 "Texas"

Release Year: 2016

You can't overstate how important the Nike Zoom KD 9 was for Kevin Durant. The shoe unequivocally revamped the line and set the tone for Nike's future signature shoes all in the same breath.

Of all the KD 9 drops, the most slept-on was the "Texas" rendition, paying respect to Durant's lone year in the Lone Star State. Durant averaged 25.8 points per game, nabbing the Associated Press' Player of the Year award for his efforts.

Today, KD is an MVP, NBA champion and controversial on-court figure—thanks to his Golden State Warriors decision. But the KD 9 "Texas," serves as a reminder of how long he's been great. Beautifully designed and important, these shoes were definitely snoozed on.

Adidas Harden Vol. 1

Layne Murdoch/Getty Images

Sneaker: Adidas Harden Vol. 1

Release Year: 2016

Adidas rolled the dice on Houston Rockets guard James Harden when they inked him to a $200-million deal in 2015. A year later, his first sneaker, the Harden Vol. 1, showcased Adidas' growth as a basketball company.

Thanks to a design anyone can appreciate, the Harden Vol. 1 turned into a must-own pair of kicks. It took away the stigma that Adidas can't hang with Nike in the basketball world, featuring strong colorways and a stellar traction unit.

The Harden Vol. 1 didn't create any dynamic sell-outs or long lines. Despite that, it remains a model you can still cop, even with the NBA season now in recess.

Air Jordan I 'Letterman'

Sneaker: Air Jordan I "Letterman"

Release Year: 2016

The funny thing about Air Jordan I models is most of them turn into shelf-dwellers soon after release day. When you venture outside of the "Breds," "Royals" or "Shadows," the sneaker fades away quicker than LeBron James' hairline.

It's a shame when you consider the creativity we've seen splashed across various Air Jordan I canvases. Take the Jordan I "Letterman" into account. Inspired by MJ's appearance on Letterman's show in 1986, the sneaker used a strong flavor of red to coat the base, dressing it down with a navy blue Swoosh. The colorway was unique.

This Air Jordan was all about Easter eggs, as in the in-sole was graphically pressed with a microphone to honor Letterman. For a lack of hype—the sneaker is available on reselling sites like Stadium Goods for under $100—it sure was a dynamic piece of footwear.

Under Armour Curry 3ZERO

Noah Graham/Getty Images

Sneaker: Under Armour Curry 3ZERO

Release Year: 2016

Talking shop from a volume perspective, the Under Armour Curry 3ZERO was a failure. Attempting to pick-up steam from the Curry 2—Stephen Curry's groundbreaking UA effort—the Curry 3 wavered in the marketplace.

"Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank admitted Thursday that sales for Stephen Curry's current signature basketball shoe have been disappointing," ESPN's Darren Rovell penned at the time of its release.

The shoe itself was terrific. Basketball was the name of the game. In that regard, the Curry 3ZERO excelled with herringbone traction pads, UA's Charged cushioning system and vivacious materials. Design-wise, the Curry 3ZERO remained at its peak.

Slow sales tend to burn out a sneaker's marketability. The proof was in the pudding with the Curry 3ZERO. Still, it remains a strong sneaker that deserved more attention when it dropped in 2016.

Nike Kobe X

Image courtesy of Nike.

Sneaker: Nike Kobe X

Release Year: 2015

Kobe Bryant's partnership with Nike has been reliant on independent thinking and tech-forward elements. Each sneaker designer Eric Avar has had a hand in was able to shift the paradigm.

The Kobe X somehow didn't receive the credit it deserved. Overshadowed by the Kobe 11—introduced December 2015—the X became a lost artifact in the vault.

This model was one of those rare kicks to successfully serve as not only a basketball sneaker but also double-down as a prominent gym shoe and even worked on a tennis court. Swapping Flyknit materials out for more of a woven, open-weave textile became its calling card.

Though not as glamorous as the 11 or even past models stamped with Bryant's name, the Kobe X thrived in the durability realm, rendering it a terrific do-it-all shoe.

Jordan Brand CP3.IX

Image courtesy of Nike.

Sneaker: Jordan Brand CP3.IX

Release Year: 2015

Newly anointed Houston Rockets' star Chris Paul has never been a transformative sneaker athlete. Time has shown his Jordan Brand efforts sit retailer's shelves, serving as an outlier choice for basketball-related athletes.

Paul's sneaker game stepped up a level with the release of the CP3.IX in 2015. A burst of light, these kicks soared in the performance sector with a dedication to control. They molded to your feet, held up remarkably well and featured a strong sense of traction.

If any CP3 sneaker deserves hype and loot tossed at it, the CP3.IX is the one. It even received the friends and family treatment by Kith founder Ronnie Fieg.

Air Jordan II 'Wing It'

Image courtesy of Nike.

Sneaker: Air Jordan II "Wing It"

Release Year: 2016

Of all the original Air Jordan models, the II has habitually fallen into the land of the lost. A complete diversion from any other model, these kicks were originally crafted in Italy, balancing the scale between streetwear fashion and luxurious bliss.

All these years later, the Air Jordan II remains slept-on, minus Don C's trifecta of greatness. The "Wing It" Air Jordan II somehow dipped under the radar and found itself without a home despite being pumped with premium materials.

Comfort matters and today, the Air Jordan II is mainly a casual shoe due to its clunkiness. However, greatness shouldn't be dismissed because it's devoid of hype. The "Wing It" II was an awesome shoe, designed to honor MJ's iconic line.