

Have you ever wondered about the origin stories of your favorite sneakers? We compiled a list of popular sneakers like the Air Max 90, Air Force 1, and Nike Cortez, summarizing their creation and impact on culture.
History of the Nike Air Force 1 Low Sneaker
The Air Force 1 sneaker was released by Nike in 1982. Initially, the Air Force 1 was made to resemble a combination of a basketball shoe and a hiking boot, giving us what we call today the Air Force 1 Mid. However, the popularity of the Mid sneaker inspired Nike to create what we call the Air Force 1 Low sneaker today. The sneaker soared in popularity in metro areas like Baltimore and New York City and quickly became a widespread cultural phenomenon.
History of the Nike Air Force 1 Mid Sneaker
The Air Force 1 Mid and Air Force 1 Low are similar in design and when they were released, but the Air Force 1 Mid was created first and differs in its reason for being created. The Air Force 1 Mid was designed to be a better basketball shoe. The designer Bruce Kilgore wanted to reduce the impact on basketball players' Achilles tendons. Since basketball is primarily an up-down dominant sport, like hiking, he modeled his sneaker off the existing Nike hiking boot called the Approach.
The sneaker that was created was indeed in a league of its own. All design aspects of the sneaker were explicitly designed to enhance a basketball player's movements and abilities and reduce injuries. Once they were introduced to players, they quickly fell in love with them and could be seen on the feet of many prominent players.
History of the Nike Huarache Sneaker
The Nike Huarache sneaker debuted in 1991 and caused quite a splash. It was truly different from anything on the market since it wasn’t modeled after an existing sneaker. The design for the Huarache sneaker was inspired by a Native American sandal, and fittingly, the name “Huarache” is based on the word “warachi” from the Purépecha language spoken by people in Southwest Mexico. The sandals they wear in this region are what inspired the straps on the Huarache sneakers.
History of the Nike Cortez Sneaker
Released in 1972, the Nike Cortez sneaker quickly became a piece of cultural history. You may recognize these shoes from the movie Forrest Gump as the sneakers the main character ran across the country in, or it may be familiar from more recent collaborations with celebrities like Kendrick Lamar or the show Stranger Things. There’s no doubt that owning these shoes is like owning a slice of history.
Originally named the “Aztec”, Nike quickly ran into issues with Adidas, who already had a sneaker called the “Azteca Gold”. With an impending lawsuit from Adidas, Nike founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman had a meeting to discuss new names for the “Aztec”. After some deliberation, Bill Bowerman asked, "Who was that guy who kicked the sh*t out of the Aztecs?" and Phil Knight responded with, “Cortez”. Thus, the Nike Cortez got its new name.
Upon its re-release under the Nike name in 1972, the shoe was so popular that it was hard to keep on the shelves. It was the silver bullet that helped Nike meet its end-of-year projections.
History of the Nike Air Max 90 Sneaker
Created by the well-known Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, this shoe was initially named the “Air Max III” when it was released in 1990, but the name was changed upon its re-release in 2000 to the Air Max 90. The visible air pocket gives this shoe its signature look and feel; it's designed for all-day wear with a padded tongue and collar and the Air pocket that cushions each step. This Nike Air sneaker remains one of the most beloved in the ‘Air’ line.
The Air Max 90 has seen long-term longevity, in part due to its celebrity endorsements and collaborations through the years. Some celebrities who love the Air Max 90 sneakers are Drake, Rihanna, and Serena Williams.
Add a piece of sneaker history to their wardrobe. And if they need something to pair with their new sneakers, shop our kids’ clothes collection that features popular items like Nike Club Fleece and top brands like 3Brand By Russell Wilson. Remember, all orders over $99 are eligible for free shipping!