We Illustrated the Very Best Nike Sneakers from 'Seinfeld'
Jerry Seinfeld doesn’t just have a cult following in pop culture for his incredibly popular, eponymous television show. He’s also got a lot of sneakerheads showing him love for rocking what developed into a pretty extensive Nike collection over the course of the show.
During a Reddit AMA, Seinfeld chalked his love for Nike's in predominantly white colorways up to NFL star Joe Namath; "It started with wanting to be Joe Namath of the 1969 New York jets, who at that time was one of the only football players to wear white shoes. And I wanted to be like him, so I always wore white sneakers. Also, Bill Cosby on I SPY always wore white sneakers. And they were my fashion icons."
Of course, Seinfeld’s love for sneakers has been well-documented in the past, with some even calling the comedian the most important celebrity in sneaker culture. Instead of going down that path yet again, we’ve decided to round up some of our favorite Seinfeld sneakers and illustrated them for you, with the help of @monsieursaturday.
So, without further ado, re-live some of the best Jerry Seinfeld sneaker moments below.
Nike Air Mowabb ACG OG
Name: Nike Air Mowabb ACG OG Release Date: 1991 Episodes: #22 ‘The Library’ & #23 ‘The Parking Garage’
The ACG Air Mowabb is certainly one of the easily recognizable sneakers from the original ACG range, both for its unique silhouette and for the colorway that has been re-purposed by Nike on many other silhouettes outside of ACG, which was launched in 1989 and stands for All Conditions Gear. Seinfeld had his pair of the Mowabbs far before the shoe attained the cult following it has today.
Nike Air Jordan 6 "Sport Blue"
Name: Nike Air Jordan VI “Sport Blue” Release Date: 1991 (retroed August 2014) Episodes: #24 ‘The Cafe,’ #26 ‘The Nose Job,’ #51 ‘The Contest’ & #57 ‘The Outing’
The Air Jordan VI released in 1991, the same year that Seinfeld's second season made its debut. Jerry opted for the overlooked "Sport Blue" colorway rather than colorways that are arguably better known like the "Carmine" or "Infrared" versions. This particular colorway ended up re-releasing again most recently in 2014.
Nike Huarache “Purple Punch”
Name: Nike Huarache “Purple Punch” Release Date: 1992 Episodes: #30 ‘The Subway’
1992's episode 'The Subway' featured Jerry laced up in the 1991 "Purple Punch" colorway of Nike's Huarache, a new silhouette at the time, designed by Tinker Hatfield. Seinfeld stans are quick to bring up this particular sneaker and colorway as one of the on-foot highlights of the syndicated TV show.
Nike Air Jordan V "Grape"
Name: Nike Air Jordan V “Grape” Release Date: 1990 (retroed in 2013) Episodes: #27 ‘The Stranded’
One of the most legendary Air Jordans ever, the "Grape" Vs only got brief airtime during a single Jerry Seinfeld episode. Not only did this colorway of the Jordan V feature prominently on the feet of Jerry Seinfeld, but also on the feet of Will Smith in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air earlier in 1990, instilling it into the rarified echelons of primetime TV appearances made by limited edition sneakers.
Nike Air Tech Challenge 3/4 "Black/White/Hot Lime"
Name: Nike Air Tech Challenge 3/4 “Hot Lime” Release Date: 1991 Episodes: #12 ‘The Revenge’
André Agassi’s legendary signature sneaker made its way onto a solitary Seinfeld episode in the “Hot Lime” colorway. Although it was a huge success commercially, Jerry decided one episode was enough for this particular model. However, this color scheme of the Air Tech Challenge fits perfectly with Jerry's penchant for white-based colorways.
Nike Air Trainer SC High "White/Royal Blue"
Name: Nike Air Trainer SC High "White/Royal Blue" Release Date: 1991 Episodes: #10 ‘The Apartment,’ #11 ‘The Statue’ & #13 ‘The Heart Attack’
The Nike Air Trainer SC High is the first of many cross-trainers Jerry ends up wearing on the show. The comedian opted for the blue and white colorway, instead of the more popular and more eye-catching "Total Orange" version.
Nike Air Jordan 7 "White/Cardinal Red"
Name: Nike Air Jordan 7 “White/Cardinal Red” Release Date: 1992 Episodes: #53 ‘The Pick,’ #58 ‘The Old Man’ & 62 ‘The Handicap Spot’
Yet another Air Jordan to make their way onto Jerry’s feet, this particular silhouette was also the last Jordan he wore on the show. Perhaps the later models departed too far from Seinfeld's signature '90s aesthetic standpoint for the comedian’s tastes, as it’s well known that Seinfeld preferred simple sneakers with a predominantly white upper.
Nike Air Structure 2 "White/Deep Purple"
Name: Nike Air Structure 2 “Deep Purple” Release Date: 1994 Episodes: #7 ‘The Conversion’ & #94 ‘The Mom & Pop Store’
Another sneaker that was popular IRL, the Nike Air Structure 2 was on Jerry’s feet in multiple episodes. Proving just how popular the silhouette was, Newman, Seinfeld’s antagonist, wore the sneaker several times throughout the show’s runtime.
Next, check out three fashion moments that prove Björn Borg is a style god.
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