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22 April 2024 , by SneakerCollector Top 10 Most Controversial Sneakers Ever Released (Or not?)

10. Nike Air Force 1 “Puerto Rico” (2019/2020)

In 2019 and 2020, Nike faced both cultural and quality control controversies surrounding their Air Force 1 designs paying homage to Puerto Rico. While the brand sparked discussion with its use of American flag imagery in 2019, the AF1 dedicated to Puerto Rico faced issues of misrepresentation. In 2019, the planned release of the Nike Air Force 1 Puerto Rico was scrapped due to cultural inaccuracies. The shoe featured a Mola pattern across its upper, a design form originating from Panama, not Puerto Rico. This discrepancy was highlighted by AF1 expert DJ Clark Kent, leading Nike to cancel the shoe's launch. In 2020, Nike attempted a more straightforward approach by focusing on Puerto Rico's national colors and flag branding. However, a mistake in the design, specifically the inverted flags on the shoe tongues led to another cancellation, further complicating Nike's homage to Puerto Rico.

9. Air Jordan 1 “Trophy Room” (2021)

Coming to something more recent. in February of 2021, Marcus Jordan allegedly offered his Trophy Room x Air Jordan 1 sneakers for sale at inflated prices weeks before their official release, essentially flipping his own shoes. With only about 12,000 pairs available, Jordan priced them between $850 and $1200. When news of the collaboration leaked on social media ahead of schedule, he initially pointed fingers at thieves at the Nike distribution centre, a quick cover response to the allegations. This only intensified the frustration for eager sneaker enthusiasts hoping to score a pair of the coveted Air Jordans.

8. Nike SB Dunk Low "Pigeon" (2005)

The Nike SB Dunk Low "Pigeon" caused chaos during its release in New York City. The limited-edition sneaker led to riots, arrests, and even injuries among sneakerheads that were trying to get their hands on a pair. The day after its release. The New York Post captured the frenzy with a front-page headline reading "Sneaker frenzy," acknowledging the unprecedented impact of the Pigeon Dunks. Inside the tabloid, on its seventh page highlighted that the sneaker's value had already soared to over $1000 on eBay, which was still in its early stages at that time.

7. Nike Air Max 1 "Betsy Ross Flag" (2019)

Nike's Air Max 1 "Betsy Ross Flag" was intended to celebrate Independence Day with a flag featuring 13 stars representing the original U.S. colonies. However, the design faced backlash as some viewed the flag as a symbol of slavery and white supremacy. Nike eventually pulled the shoe from release. According to an insider,

6. Nike Air Bakin (1997)

In 1997, Nike debuted the Air Bakin, which quickly found its way onto the basketball court with Tim Hardaway sporting a pair. However, the sneaker faced backlash due to its heel logo bearing a resemblance to the Arabic script for 'Allah', causing offense within the Muslim community. Nike tried to address the issue by introducing a fabric patch to cover the logo design. Despite this effort, Nike chose to recall all 38,000 pairs of the shoe. Subsequent versions of the Air Bakin featured Nike's iconic Nike Air branding instead of the controversial logo.

5. Nike x Lil Nas X Satan Shoes (2021)

In early 2021, Nike took legal action against MSCHF, a Brooklyn-based art collective, and rapper Lil Nas X over the creation of the controversial 'Satan Shoes.' Collaborating on a modified Nike Air Max 97, they incorporated a sinister red and black colour scheme. The shoe's air bubble was filled with a red fluid, mixed with real human blood according to MSCHF. Given that Nike was not involved or authorization in the design, production, or promotion of these shoes, they forced MSCHF to repurchase all 666 pairs that were sold. Prior to the 'Satan Shoes,' MSCHF had released a "Jesus" shoe in 2019, which they claimed contained water from the Jordan River.

4. Adidas JS Roundhouse Mid "Shackle" (2012)

The Adidas JS Roundhouse Mid, designed by Jeremy Scott, featured a plastic ankle shackle. While Scott claimed that the sneakers drew inspiration from 1980s toy monsters, the collaboration faced widespread backlash. Reverend Jesse Jackson, in 2012, compared the sneakers to 'slave shoes,' emphasizing the troubling resemblance. He further commented, "The effort to commodify and popularize over two centuries of human degradation, during which blacks were deemed three-fifths human by our Constitution, is offensive, shocking, and insensitive." Arguing that the design was reminiscent of slavery and prison labour, leading Adidas to cancel the release due to public outcry.

3. Air Jordan 1 “Banned” (1985)

Sneakers are no longer regarded as mere footwear but have evolved into symbols of culture, status and even controversy. Over the many years in the world of sneakers, some have sparked debates, faced bans, legal actions and stirred up communities due to their designs, collaborations or underlying messages. With notorious brands such as MSCHF blurring the lines between inspiration and straight-up plagiarism as of late, controversy surrounding sneakers show no sign of slowing down. Here is our list of the top 10 most controversial sneakers to have made waves in the sneaker world.

Dubbed the ‘Banned’ or ‘Bred’ colourway, this is arguably the sneaker that started it all. The story goes that when Michael Jordan first laced up the Air Jordan 1, the NBA banned it due to tits unconventional colour scheme which did not adhere to their strict uniform regulations at the time. For each game that Michael Jordan wore these sneakers, he was incurred a $5000 fine, though Nike gladly covered the costs and continued to push the ‘bad-boy’ persona in their marketing. However, the story isn't without its skeptics. Goodwin Sports Management claims that the sneaker in question wasn't the Air Jordan 1 but a Player Exclusive version of the 1984 Air Ship.

2. Nike SB Dunk “Heineken” (2003)

The Heineken Dunk, a throwback to the actual glory days of Nike SB and not just the mere hype of Panda Dunks that the sneaker scene went through not too long ago, the ‘Pandamic’ as some would call it. The Nike SB Dunk Heineken a standout in the lineup caught quite the attention when Nike first unveiled it. Sneakerheads and collectors were thrilled by its design, but there was just one problem: Heineken was not on board with it. A legal notice from Heineken forced Nike to halt production, making the Heineken Dunks one of the most sought-after Nike SBs.

1. Ari Menthol 10 (2006)

The Ari Menthol 10, released back in 2006 is often regarded as the most controversial sneaker to ever be released. This iconic bootleg sneaker made waves by challenging two giants in their respective industry: Nike and Newport Tobacco. The sneaker’s notoriety caught their attention of after the shoe’s design incorporated Newport’s colour scheme and logo, resembling an inverted Nike Swoosh. Moreover, the entire silhouette bears an uncanny resemblance to the Nike Air Force 1. Ari was promptly issued a cease-and-desist order by Nike and Newport also joined the fray, leading to a legal dispute. Ultimately, the Ari Menthol 10 faced an inevitable ban from production and sale.

Regardless of the specifics, this whole facade sure did stir up some controversy in those very early days of sneakers. The abrupt cancellation came after Colin Kaepernick, the former National Football League quarterback and social justice activist, privately criticized the design to Nike.

Conclusion

Controversy in the sneaker world often arises due to a combination of design choices, collaborations and cultural contexts. While some controversies lead to recalls or redesigns, other become highly sought-after collector’s items due to their notoriety.