10 Sneakers Every Sneakerhead Should Own

Collection, is the act of gathering something together-- more over, several things grouped together or considered as a whole. Now, any and all collections require particular items for them to be considered whole (or complete) collections. A basketball card collection, for instance, must have a Michael Jordan rookie card in it to make it a 'whole' collection. A car collection, must possess a classic Chevy Corvette to consider it a genuine collection. A watch collection (his or hers), has to have a Rolex in the mix somewhere. A sneaker collection is not without this type of caveat as well.

A sneaker collection must have certain sneakers in it to be considered a serious collection by any true sneakerhead. Example: You claim to have a sneaker collection but, you don't even own one pair of Chucks...an authentic sneakerhead, would probably look at you as if you had two heads. You know why, because every sneaker collector knows that your sneaker collection isn't 'whole' without a pair of Chuck Taylor's. Simple as pie. 

This piece is going to focus on the kicks that every sneakerhead should have in their collection. We have already given one away (Converse All Star Chuck Taylor's) and, we know you are already spewing several others off-the-top of your head as we speak. Hopefully, the shoes you are spitting  we've included in this list. Take a look.

Better known for its “Banned” nickname, the very first black & red colorway has been endorsed as part of sneaker fable for the NBA’s banning of the sneaker. It is one of the most famed silhouettes of all-time, and its beginning “Chicago” colorway versions are among the most respected kicks today. Much like the Chucks we first mentioned, the Air Jordan 1 has infiltrated various subcultures over time, from ‘80s rockers to skateboarders to rappers.

With ensuing popular colorways that have followed, including the "Royal" and “Black Toe,” today everyone from Kanye West to Jay-Z to Kendrick Lamar has been seen sporting a pair of the Jordan 1's over the years. The Air Jordan 1's have, over time, become popular wear’s must-have sneaker.

The Reebok Blast was originally released back in 1996. It is one of the most popular Reebok basketball sneakers from that golden era. The shoes were worn on-court by former LA Laker, Nick Van Exel, and were a part of the Mobius Collection, which comprised of the 'Shaqnosis' and 'Kamikaze.' In 2014, the shoe was retroed for the first time. 

The Blast effectively used the black-on-white design (and its reverse) to achieve a kinetic, bursting effect at the soles. These Reebok shoes feature Hexalite cushioning and provides superior ankle protection. Must have's. 

True, the simple and economical New Balance 574 serves as the entree point to the domain of New Balance retro models. Though the 574 is the most known New Balance retro, the 576 (which is very similar to the 574) features a higher quality and more appealing shape. That's like having the 574's, but better.  

New Balances are about as classic as running shoes get, and the brand continues rocketing ahead with reissues that fuze their celebrated silhouettes with earnestly stylish fabrications. The 576's elegant navy suede hoist this brand out of sneaker territory into something far dressier, so given that, coupling these kicks with trim suit pants will not look out of sorts.

Today, the 'Slip-On' continues to reign as Vans' most iconic silhouette. Primitively known as ”Style #98,” the sneaker that was later to be christened as the internationally established Vans Classic Slip-On rapidly found its feet firmly planted in the BMX and Southern Californian budding skate scene of the late ’70s.

The slip-on style was introduced in 1977 and speedily became the answer to the culture’s insistence for something to wear without ado, yet hold up to the beating and wear down dealt by the natural state of extreme sports. It was really a no-brainer for riders and skaters to look towards Vans as the solution to their problem.

It was a whole 'nother world back in 1987 when Nike first launched the Air Max 1. Inspired by the Pompidou Centre in Paris, Tinker, initially an architect for Nike, had the notion of creating the inner workings of the Nike Air Max cushioning system visible in the Air Max 1. 

For Nike, the Air Max 1 went down in history as a crucial and progressive design that raised the brand when they needed it most. The sneaker brand’s first sneaker to reveal the Air-cushioned sole, released finally March 26, 1987 and featured in Nike’s first TV advertisement the same year. Air Max 90, Air Max 180, Air Max 95, Air Max 97, Air Max Plus, Air Max 360 and Air Max 2015, alongside others, have all humbly followed the original.

This shoe was comprised of a canvas upper and a rubber sole, configured to be a high performance athletic shoe for basketball players. In 1923, American basketball player Charles "Chuck" Taylor united with a basketball team sponsored by the Converse Company called The Converse All Stars.

Once Taylor began wearing (and selling) the shoes in the 1920s, that's when the kicks really caught on. By the late 1940s, most of the NBA sported Chucks. And by the 1980s, the sneakers had become a fashion statement and were available for sale in dozens of colors. Chucks remain the best-selling 'basketball shoes' of all time.

Worn by Knicks player Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Puma Suede was released during the early 70s. The shoe instantaneously became popular in urban environments. During the 1980s, the Puma Suede was influential among 'B-Boys' when break-dancing grew in popularity.

Since then, the sneaker has continued to hold it's place within the break-dance culture, ennobling newer generations to sport it. Today, the Puma Suede stays a classic being beloved by many and has been released in several colorways.

The low-top Superstar sneaker has been manufactured by Adidas since 1969. Nicknamed the "clamtoe," "shelltoe," "shell shoes," "shell tops," and "sea shells" (along with Adicolours) their famous design is renowned as one of the major influences in the sneaker culture.

Hip hop group Run-D.M.C., made a fashion statement by wearing their Adidas shoes with no laces, which they did because shoelaces were not permitted in jail. The trio took the street look mainstream. Their song “My Adidas” originated as a retaliation to an anti-sneaker novelty, though it put the Adidas brand on an entire new level. 

Thirty years ago, the Air Jordan 3 was debuted to the world via the feet of Michael Jordan during All-Star Weekend in Chicago, IL. The significance of this particular shoe cannot be neglected as it marked the first chapter of Tinker Hatfield’s legacy with the Jumpman, and also the one that kept Jordan from departing Nike to sign somewhere else.

Wearing the Air Jordan 3, MJ came out of the 1987-88 NBA season with numerous awards: *NBA All-Star *NBA All-Star Game MVP *NBA Slam-Dunk Contest Title *NBA Steal Champion *NBA Scoring Champion *NBA Defensive Player of the Year *NBA Most Valuable Player. Yes makes you think, "Is it the shoes?!" 

"Air Force Ones" is a song written and performed by Nelly, from his Nellyville album that was released in November 2002. The single was the third Top 5 hit from Nellyville on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #3. Reason for the song's excessive popularity? Because, Air Force 1's are the littest!

Off the strength of Nelly and the St. Lunatic's single "Air Force Ones," the shoe finally infiltrated the mainstream. In the song, Nelly and his crew brag about sneaker purchases. Among those who appeared in the music video scooping up a pair of Air Force 1's: Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Ozzie Smith, Ray Lankford and Birdman.