While certainly not official endorsers, Michigan's "Fab 5" helped put the Huarache on the map in 1992. An adapted hoops version of Tinker Hatfield's classic Air Huarache running shoe, the neoprene basketball model was actually Avar's first design with the company.

Some products are much more radical than others. Some are much more traditional," Avar said. "The 4 was a little in the sweet spot. It was just enough classic, just enough modern, that it has stood the test of time." To this day, the Tai Chi remains the only AND 1 silhouette alongside the Too Chillin to sell over a million units. In fact, for a brief period, many regarded AND 1 as the second biggest footwear brand in the NBA, with the likes to Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell even lacing them up. When the cameras panned to the bench, and it wasn’t uncommon to see three or four players with them on feet, such was the brand’s influence among the league’s lesser-knowns. People were so crazy about it, AND 1 did over 100 colourations.

Few shoes have personified the player better than Payton's Glove. The timeless zippered upper gave it a sleek look that has resulted in a cult following ever since. Worn during the final season of his first stint in Cleveland, James' seventh model marked a new era for his line. Newly appointed designer Jason Petrie poured nearly every Nike technology into it. Boasting a new full-length Air Max unit and Flywire support, the patent leather panel rounded out what is considered James' best-looking shoe. They’re not the hardest wearing shoe on our list but the canvas padded uppers mean they keep your feet nice and warm in the winter and that might be a big benefit if you live in colder climes. The Air Force 1 has long been celebrated for its never-ending colorways and designs. Whether a detailed artist collaboration, simple two-color edition or the perennial favorite all white, the Air Force 1 has been adopted by all genres and all eras since its 1982 introduction. These bargain priced Tai Chi shoes are among the lowest priced of in this list. That doesn’t mean that they’re a bad shoe, but they are probably among the least durable item here. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Designed in tandem with Bryant just after he signed with Nike in 2003, the 2K4 grounded the industry with a much-needed modern and simple design at a time when every brand was releasing space-age products. If you don’t want to spend time comparing Tai Chi shoes, have a look here at the best pair from our narrowed down list. These are the DOUBLESTAR MR Rubber Sole Light: Marty McFly's "power lacing" Nike MAG sneakers first floated the idea of a smart shoe in 1989, and exactly three decades later, the Adapt BB blended art and science to bring self-lacing tech to the NBA hardwood. While they may look similar to the other shoes from Ace Martial Arts these products come with a “bubble gum sole” which offers better protection for your feet and should make movement easier both indoors and outdoors. They’re pretty hardy for a canvas slip on and we’d expect them to take a reasonable beating before they need replacing. The cotton lining is reasonably comfortable, and it absorbs any sweat you might have nicely but we’d recommend putting talc inside when they’re not in use to keep them smelling fresh and clean. For the money, they’re good value.

46. Reebok Shaqnosis

A lot of guys had contracts with different shoe companies, but they didn't have their own signature shoe, so I'd kinda puff my chest out a little bit," Iverson said with a laugh. We wanted to make something really unique to match the characteristics of Shawn Kemp's game," Morris said. The Tai Chi would go on to become the brand's first and only performance sneaker to sell more than a million pairs. How do you know what to do when you step onto the court? When to box out your opponent or when to take that fast break? Call it what you want - a gut feeling, intuition, flow state. We call it Tai Chi. While most memorable sneakers get their validation on the NBA floor, the Dunk has always been a bit of an outlier, first finding its footing in two-tone team colors as part of Nike's "Be True To Your School" campaign during the 1980s. Throughout the 2000s, the Dunk experienced a massive resurgence as it was adapted into a skateboarding model, making for one of the most versatile Nike silhouettes in company history.

Featuring a laser-etched strap adorned with more than 200 graphic icons, Michael Jordan's life story was celebrated along the daringly modern sneaker. If you’re looking for Tai Chi shoes, you might be amazed to discover how many different pairs there are to choose from. This article will narrow down the choice for you. The concept car of sorts wasn't even originally planned to be Hardaway's shoe, until he happened to get a glimpse of it at the bottom of a duffle bag that Avar had brought to a design meeting.

60. Adidas Mutombo

Inspired by the "nose art" seen on fighter planes, the Air Jordan 5's graphic midsole design invoked Jordan's aerial acrobatics on the floor, while the 3M reflective tongue and clear rubber outsole made it a crossover hit off the floor. The sporting globe loves a great underdog story, and the unexpected ascension of AND 1 and the Tai Chi is a sneaker yarn for the ages. After a decade-long hiatus, New Balance's relaunch of its new well-received OMN1S model couldn't have gotten a better on-court co-sign. Leonard wore it for one of the more impressive Finals MVP runs in league history. I like to push those boundaries," Bryant said at the time. "It was pretty easy for me to jump into a shoe that fit everything that I had been talking about for years."