The Best Back to School Shoes of All-Time

In about a week or two, youngstas from across the nation will be forced to kiss their summers goodbye as the 2008-09 school year begins. As the big yellow buses prepare to clog up morning traffic and the youngins get their new outfits together, I can’t help but to remember how it felt to get ready for the first day of school. Let’s be honest, we all treated the first day of school as if it was a fashion show. Everybody would be checking each other out and doing their best to make an impression of their own. And the best way to make an impression was to have some fly shoes and clothes. Because in middle and high school, being fresh to def was everything-and to some, it was the only thing.
Now there were two ways that you could approach the first day of school.
1) You could wear your “new” clothes on the first day and week to establish a fresh new look.
2) Or, you could reserve all of your new gear for the first three weeks and come fresh during the second month when everyone else's new clothes had become "old."

Either way, the first day of school is the Oscars or Grammy Awards for teenagers. To pay homage to the good old days, I decided to give my list of the top back to school shoes of all-time (really just my era).

Cortez Nikes A.K.A Dope Man Nikes or Eazy E Nikes

Created in the 1970’s, these shoes made a comeback in 1991. They were pretty cheap (about $39 in 1990) and could be worn with almost anything. But Cortez Nikes were made for leisure. If you did alot of running or jumping, they would fall apart in about three weeks.

Huarache Nikes

Around 1992, the Huarche Nikes were all about flash. Because of the elaborate colors, you really had to think about what you were going to wear with them. But most of the times, the color schemes didn’t deter those who owned them. I mean they were $90 shoes, so who really cared if you rocked teal and yellow shoes with a red and gold t-shirt?

Nike Air Max and AF1’s

When I was a teenager, it seemed as if everyone who I knew owned a pair of Air Max or Air Force One’s. I have to admit, Nike had a Monopoly on street wear during the
‘80s and ‘90s.

Stan Smith Adidas

Adidas made a little noise with their Kobe shoe in 1996 and their Street Ball shoe line, but the Stan Smith and Shell Toes have stood the test of time. The Stan Smith was a cool back to school shoe that was subtle and respectable.

New Balance

In the late-1990’s, New Balance became an alternative to those who wanted to go opposite of the Nike takeover. They came in various colors and (like Cortez Nikes) they could be rocked with almost any outfit.

Honorable Mention: Timberlands, Reebok Classics, Hi Tek Boots, Nike Air Flights, Chuck Taylors. If I missed any shoes, please feel free to put me up on game.

P.S. Of course, Air Jordans ruled every year.