Various reasons the Foams became popular in 1997?

Discussion in 'Nike Retro' started by danextgrate, Sep 13, 2007.

  1. danextgrate

    danextgrate Banned

    737
    10
    Joined
    Mar 31, 2006
    I was just wondering why the foams became so popular, ultimately becoming a cultural mainstay.
    ...He's a super-freak, super-freak, he's super freaky, yaoooooo...
     
  2. mel0nhead

    mel0nhead

    302
    11
    Joined
    Jun 3, 2006
    colors stood out. design stood out. quality was topnotch. the price was high compared to the kicks back then which means demand will catch on.
    ...wait!!! i take that back.
     
  3. imtime

    imtime

    214
    10
    Joined
    Sep 25, 2006
  4. j j j jt t t t

    j j j jt t t t

    238
    10
    Joined
    Jun 20, 2007
    foams are the reason i was a sneakerhead. my fav shoe of all time. copped the retro 1's this year for 275. and now im done. i remember in 97 wyclef had them on with a orlandos jearsy on some mtv interview.
     
  5. frankie calentino

    frankie calentino

    842
    10
    Joined
    Apr 4, 2007
    Foams were my 'shoe' awakening. Before that i didn't really care what i wore, but these were almost like the lamborghini of shoes. Despite what you thought of shoes, they truly caught your attention.
    But the thing is, nothing really matters.
    TEAMYANKEES
     
  6. s0lefunk

    s0lefunk

    2,852
    349
    Joined
    Jun 1, 2007
    I was still young when they first dropped but I remember when the Blk Foam Pros came out. My sis took me shoe shopping and showed those to me. I turned away in disgust and picked up some RBK Pumps.. :smh: [​IMG]
    Team PokerStars
    "Duece, Seven... I'm ALL-IN"
    "I'VE NEVER WORKED A DAY IN MY LIFE"​
    John Madden​
     
  7. mikebdagr8

    mikebdagr8

    260
    10
    Joined
    Nov 18, 2004
    the shoe was so different, plus the price was higher then any shoe in the market at the time...
    TEAM
    PLATANO
     
  8. jbv1

    jbv1

    1,129
    31
    Joined
    Sep 14, 2001
    Everything that was posted above plus Nike's ridiculous marketing campaign - they were and still are "different" (in a good way)
     
  9. danextgrate

    danextgrate Banned

    737
    10
    Joined
    Mar 31, 2006
    "Ridiculous marketing campaign"?

    Elaborate please.
    ...He's a super-freak, super-freak, he's super freaky, yaoooooo...
     
  10. jbv1

    jbv1

    1,129
    31
    Joined
    Sep 14, 2001
    DaNextGrate:

    "Ridiculous" as in good, fantastic, eye-catching, innovative, fresh, cool, hype, catchy, memorable, comedic (Lil' Penny) Not as good IMO as the Bo Jackson or Agassi campaign but good nonetheless.

    Nike's print ads are/were very clever, especially when they first came out in the late 80s & early 1990s... Now I just don't feel their ad campaigns as much.
     
  11. superuntouchable

    superuntouchable

    349
    74
    Joined
    Nov 18, 2004
    I remember there was a paper add with a number you could call and Penny would be talking about the shoe. I konw that had one for the XIs too.
    Team Vintage Heat​
    Never too old..​
     
  12. krider31

    krider31

    947
    117
    Joined
    Jan 2, 2006
    the price, the new technology that was on the shoe, and penny hardaway
    TEAMYANKEES
    PhreshGravity.com​
     
  13. size twelve

    size twelve

    1,825
    11
    Joined
    Oct 16, 2006
    i didn't like them when they first came out.


    and i still don't like them now.

    ..with so much personality,
    what do you want from me?
    i could be by myself and enjoy the company..
    but i'd ratherher
     
  14. danextgrate

    danextgrate Banned

    737
    10
    Joined
    Mar 31, 2006
    Word up, I was mad unaware back then, how big was Penny Hardaway?

    Was he Jordan (almost) big? Kobe big? Lebron big?
    ...He's a super-freak, super-freak, he's super freaky, yaoooooo...
     
  15. blackboy90805

    blackboy90805

    32
    10
    Joined
    May 4, 2006
    For me it was the design and the fact that they barely got scuffed, I would ball in mine day and night and all I had to do was wipe them with at wet towel and they'd look like new. Man, I love those shoes
     
  16. mayhemgatz

    mayhemgatz

    7,900
    17
    Joined
    Jan 13, 2007
    i think the foams was such a big hit because of the sturdiness in the design. i have two pairs of black foam pros and one of them was a winter shoe for me.....been through snow and all that with them. after all that they have been through, they are still comfortable without ugly creases or scuffs or anything else. basically....foams can be abused!
    "The Retro Died in 2001..."
     
  17. willis03

    willis03

    615
    10
    Joined
    Jun 5, 2007
    3 words: dc metro area
    Another one bites the dust!
     
  18. vintagekid1986

    vintagekid1986

    85
    10
    Joined
    Jun 24, 2007
    being from the east coast in nyc ( brooklyn). these shoes weren't big sellers. they sat around on shelves especially with the 180 - 200 asking price ( depending on the store and if they new you) these shoes used to be termed the ' drug dealers" due to the fact that those were the only people with enough money to get there hands on these with out starving. no way mom dukes was dropping 200 on a shoe for my lil self. at first i didn't like the design but what 10 year old cares for design. i can remember seeing them on shelves on pitkin ave out in brooklyn like it was last year. good memories
     
  19. blade br0wn

    blade br0wn

    2,758
    153
    Joined
    Jan 30, 2007
     
  20. flintgrey

    flintgrey

    4,829
    329
    Joined
    Mar 21, 2005
    Its a status symbol thing for many. A lot of people couldn't believe Nike would drop a $180 retail shoe. Some could not afford it then, but can afford it now.

    Also take into account the popularity of the Penny line.
    team am fam / team vintage [email protected]
    myspace.com/flintgreynt
     
  21. thagreatj

    thagreatj

    2,997
    10
    Joined
    May 29, 2005
    I just remember my brother working and working (chores) to get these from my Mom on his birthday :lol: [​IMG]
    TEAMCOWBOYS
    VI..XII..XXVII..XXVIII..XXX......
    "WE like some wild COWBOYS comin to get YOU at high noon"

    FS: Retro Jordan 5(black and silver)sz. 10.5 $150: Black Foams 11.5,$220​
     
  22. teamwhit eboy

    teamwhit eboy Banned

    384
    10
    Joined
    Nov 2, 2004
    Remember when a GR shoe could be hot just because?

    It didn't need to be limited to be just a nice shoe.
    .:: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE - AND MY IMAGINATION IS AMAZING ::.
    JUSTIN TAYLOR IS THE TRUTH​
     
  23. ninjahood

    ninjahood

    57,694
    12,871
    Joined
    Aug 2, 2004
    These were da posterchild to what nikes hot back then : "new, fresh, expensive, exclusive, penny hardaway"
    team platano/BLACKMARKET
    check out da myspace
    teamdecepticon​
    T R A N S F O R M E R S​
     
  24. notorious d o m

    notorious d o m Banned

    190
    10
    Joined
    Jun 26, 2007
    Penny was very very popular back then.

    Price was out of every kids range which made em more desirable, and the design was great.

    Nike
    exit on Crenshaw, then make a right.
    Dom Kennedy
    Soon​
     
  25. na penny 89

    na penny 89

    692
    10
    Joined
    Feb 26, 2007
    penny,marketing,price,the shoes where in movies,tv adds they were everywhere. a timeless classic along with some jordans,and air max's.
    THE JOKER GANG
    "I have given a name to my pain, and it is Batman"​