Year: 2012
Listing Price: $245
Size: 11.5

For the 2012 NBA All Star Game in Orlando, LeBron James broke out this bright orange number, the “Galaxy” edition of his signature LeBron IX. The “Galaxy” motif would be added to a number of Nike hoops models during this time frame, including the Kobe VII and Nike Foamposite models, but it shined brightest through the orange tones on this LeBron IX. The upper was composed of mesh and was accentuated by a 3M Swoosh and translucent outsole, which glowed in the dark. James would go on to score 36 points in a 152-149 loss, in a game where Kevin Durant won All-Star Game MVP. It wasn’t the first or last time LeBron brought out heat for the All-Star Game. In fact, his blue “All-Star” LeBron VII, one of his best, is being retroed for the first time ever in 2020.

Year: 2004
Listing Price: $300
Size: 8.5

By 2004, Reese Forbes was already a legend to anyone who was a fan of Nike SB. He was already responsible for two of the most important SB releases at the time–his iconic “Wheat” and “Denim” colorways from 2002–and was back at it again in 2004 with this “Hunter” Dunk. A definite departure from his previous offerings, this Dunk was far more than your typical camo-clad colorway. The camo overlays intertwined with a burlap upper, while a bright orange Swoosh, midsole and sockliner added some necessary pop. You can also find zigzag stitching throughout the burlap upper.

Year: 2006
Listing Price: $1,100
Size: 9.5

The exploits of Jeff Staple’s original “Pigeon” Dunk are well documented. It is, unequivocally, one of the most important Nike SB releases ever and is a big reason why reselling and hyped drops have evolved over the last decade and a half. In 2006, one year removed from the infamous “Pigeon” release, Nike SB went back to the well and released this “Purple Pigeon.” While the color blocking remains similar—the orange from the original replaced with a smooth purple—the one glaring omission is the removal of the “Pigeon” logo from the side heel. While these never reached the heights of its predecessor, the “Purple Pigeon” is still highly sought after all these years later.

Year: 2012
Listing Price: $400
Size: 10

When Kevin Durant was 11 years old, his beloved Aunt Pearl died from cancer. Over the years, he has honored her through his sneaker line with a signature “Aunt Pearl” edition each and every year. The “Aunt Pearl” Zoom KD4 from 2012, the first “Aunt Pearl” release in the KD line, might be the best one yet. Decked in pink all throughout–each release is always associated with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund–there’s a really cool design choice found on the heel. Behind the trademark KD logo is a pearl graphic on the heel, which wraps around to the medial side of the sneaker as well as the tongue. It’s an awesome tribute to a huge influence in KD’s life.

Year: 2007
Listing Price: $325
Size: 13

The name Gibson is synonymous with rock and roll, as Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar Corporation) has crafted some of the best guitars on the market for over 100 years. Nike SB paid homage to the guitar giant with its “Gibson” Premium Dunk back in 2007. Instead of repurposing one of Gibson’s glossy guitars, Nike SB designers instead focused on its signature guitar case. The “Gibson” Dunk features Light British Tan leather, a metallic gold Swoosh, and pink stitching. A translucent gum midsole rounds out the profile, but inside the sockliner is where it gets interesting. Completely different from the rest of the shoe, the sockliner is clad in a fuzzy pink lining, just like the specific Les Paul guitar case it was inspired by.

Year: 2018
Listing Price: $185
Size: 11.5

It’s only right that two legends from a bygone era in rap and hoops linked up for this Reebok Question mash-up back in 2018. Cam’ron, the former hooper turned rapper from Harlem, got his shot at a Reebok Question silhouette and immediately draped it in a hairy, fur-like upper. No stranger to fur, it feels appropriate to have a Cam’ron sneaker covered in something similar. The off-white upper is accented by pops of purple camo throughout, from the toe box to the heel and the outsole. The standard Reebok branding is missing along the side, while the Dipset logo is front and center on the shoe’s oversized tongue. Cam’ron and Allen Iverson both rose to stardom at the same time, so it’s only right that he got a shot at designing his own Question.

Year: 2012
Listing Price: $199
Size: 9.5

Back in 2012, New Balance linked up with some of the sneaker world’s most influential stores for a collection of ML 581 trail shoe collaborations. Bodega, the Boston-based retailer, was the only store from the United States tapped for this task. The color palette is dynamic, with teal, bold navy and grey dominating the upper. Bright purple on the New Balance “N” along the side and within the eyestays provides necessary flavor, while the gum trail outsole adds that necessary rugged-touch for when you take them out of the box and onto some rough terrain. These were only released at select locations around the country.

Year: 2017
Listing Price: $125
Size: 11.5

Another Boston-based retailer got its chance to design a New Balance model when Concepts designed this 997 back in 2017. Inspired by the Charles River Esplanade, the scenic activity area along the river, this shoe brings together all types of materials and colors. From a grey synthetic upper to a teal mesh along the toe box, as well as a pig suede tongue and white reflective accents throughout, this “Esplanade” checks a lot of boxes.This was a very limited release and came with three sets of laces and a special Concepts box.

Year: 2014
Listing Price: $280
Size: 10

In the 1990s, Polo Ralph Lauren’s bold sportswear lines, featuring vivacious colors and in-your-face graphics, were instantly adopted into the world of hip-hop. One of the decade’s most iconic collections was Polo’s “Snow Beach” which became ubiquitous with hip-hop culture once Raekwon donned the “Snow Beach” pullover in the “Can It All Be So Simple” video. To commemorate the era and the legendary Polo collection, Saucony—along with noted Polo connoisseur Just Blaze and New Jersey-based sneaker boutique Packer Shoes—crafted this “Snow Beach” Grid 9000. The original red, yellow and blue colorway remains the same throughout the shoe’s suede upper, as well as the branding on the box.

Year: 2014
Listing Price: $350
Size: 9.5

Diadora brought out the N9000 model—once famous for being worn by track and field athletes in the 1980s—for its 2014 collaboration with Amsterdam-based Patta. A really decadent shoe, it was constructed in Italy and is primarily composed of Japanese suede, as well as premium leather and a very breathable nylon mesh. The collaboration came together in honor of Patta’s 10th Anniversary–the tin anniversary–hence the “Sn” graphic on the footbed (Sn is the symbol for the element Tin, if you haven’t attended a science class in a while). Various shades of blue run throughout the shoe’s upper and it is accented by pops of white and red, making for a super clean look.

Editor's Note: Since the time of publication, this listing has been deleted.