The First Sneaker Boom -The 90s-
An unforgettable pair from right after I started college - Memories of the 90s sneaker boom
In 1995, I entered university. On my way home from campus, I wandered into a slightly trendy sports sneaker shop near the station, and that was where I had my encounter.
At the time, the 1995 new Air Max was sitting quietly in a corner of the shop, yet it radiated a definite presence. They had my size, a US 8.5. I felt it was fate, so I picked up a pair without hesitation.
Cold stares from those around me, and a sudden change in attitude
I wore the Air Max 95 I bought to college. It's the new model, I thought, feeling triumphant.
However, when I first started wearing them, people around me would say things like, 'They look like caterpillars, it's gross.' Given the fashion sense of the time, I might have stood out a bit. But I absolutely loved the unique caterpillar form of the Air Max, the gray gradation, and the somewhat futuristic design. So, I didn't care what others said and kept wearing my favorite pair.
Then one day, fashion magazines featured the Air Max, and a massive boom erupted. The streets were flooded with people wearing Air Max, and it reached the point where there were battles to get them at shops.
Suddenly, the attitudes of those who had previously hurled heartless words at me changed completely. They all started asking me, 'How much will you sell those shoes for?' I was simply astonished by their flip-flopping behavior.
An era of abnormal frenzy and skyrocketing sneaker prices
Back then, not just the Air Max, but the prices of popular sneakers like the Nike Air Jordan and Reebok Pump Fury kept soaring. It wasn't rare for them to be traded at several times their list price. It was an era where everyone was desperately searching for sneakers so as not to miss out on the boom. I think many people viewed them as objects of speculation rather than just shoes to wear.
I felt somewhat objective, and even amused, by the frenzy around me. For me, I was just wearing a pair I liked, and I never imagined it would turn into such a huge commotion. Through this experience, I learned the importance of sticking to what you like without being swayed by trends.
Memories of the 90s sneaker boom
The commotion surrounding the Air Max was, for me, an event that symbolized the 90s sneaker boom. The shift in values, the reactions of those around me, and the overheating sneaker market. The heat and excitement of those days remain vivid in my heart even now.
I ended up giving these Air Max to my older brother when I bought my Redwing 8875s, as he offered to pay for half of them.
Editor's Note
The 90s sneaker boom was not just a trend, but a social phenomenon. For those who experienced that era, it must be an unforgettable memory. Is there a pair that is unforgettable for you?