1980s' Basketball Shoes (A Retrospective)

In the 1980s NBA, basketball footwear technology was seeing a rapid growth. Brands like Converse, Nike and Adidas, were innovating on models such as the Converse Weapon and the beloved Air Force 1. NBA stars like Magic Jonson and Larry Bird changed the game with their up tempo style of play and their iconic basketball shoes. In this video we breakdown the most important basketball shoes that defined 1980s basketball. Enjoy!
➤Patreon: / nachoaveragefinds
➤ FOLLOW BRYAN ON IG: urlgeni.us/instagram/bryan_me...
➤ FOLLOW NACHO ON IG: urlgeni.us/instagram/NachoAve...
➤ Podcast: urlgeni.us/youtube/SEPodcast
Music by: share.epidemicsound.com/wp7gn
Business Enquiries: [e-mail]
SEND US STUFF! 👇
NachoAverageFinds LLC
1920 Hillhurst Avenue
Unit V980
Los Angeles, CA 90027

[@jeyweb4236]

Wish they brought the Converse Weapons back!

[@flannel_punk]

They're back now! They're endorsed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a lifestyle/casual sneaker.

[@jeyweb4236]

@@flannel_punk got a pair of the con x undefeated collabs shortly after that post...🍻

[@d.felixphoto2260]

I remember my brother and I wanted the Magic and Bird Converse weapons and they were sold out. We left with Jordan 1's and honestly at the time we didn't really know him like that. Lol. By the time we wore them to school everyone was infatuated with our sneakers. That started my sneaker journey and was the day I became obsessed with what I wore on my feet.

[@patrickzeinali]

This is the greatest channel of all time, so much great information and culture around shoes

[@NachoAverageFinds]

PZ KNOWS!

[@airlegerme]

Agreed 💯

[@Lakersfan2028]

It only takes 1 ingredient

[@lutherfox5744]

Little known fact: Larry never wore the market version of the Weapon during games. His had the Weapon uppers with the Pro Leather soles. My personal favourite during this era was the Converse Startech.

[@ricflare7405]

This channel has reached GOAT status in my book. Great info great videos!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate it Ric Flare

[@MF-Venom]

80s Nba was more physical trying to kill someone no foul

[@NachoAverageFinds]

The pistons were wild

[@MF-Venom]

@@NachoAverageFinds the bad boy pistons

[@Madman6505]

I had a pair of Bird Converse Weapons in 7th grade and loved them. You had to have either Nikes or Converse shoes at my school, or you were a complete loser, haha. In 89 or 90, I had a pair of Nikes that came with a little air pump to inflate the shoes around the ankles. My parents bought them for me to support an ankle injury from playing basketball. They cost $120 bucks, which was one reason I was the only kid in my small high school who had a pair. Everyone wanted them, and I became the center of attention for a while, lol

[@PaulNat360]

Somehow Converse Was The Top Brand In The 1980S. Even Though They Were Not At The Top In The 1990S, There Is Still One Shoe From Them I Wish To See Again - The Converse Destroyer… The Larry Johnson Shoe.

[@rice_goat80]

You had classic brands like Etonics,Avia,Spot Blit by Saucony,L.A. Gear,BK British Knights,Brooks

[@bryantwilliams647]

Loved the Reebok BB when i was a kid in the 80s

[@snubsnab8022]

I play basketball every day with Chuck Taylor’s on. They’re so underrated.

[@soultothedirt]

those Syracuse dunks will always be fire. 🔥

[@RevaNyte]

Finally a breakdown of each basketball shoes, I also agreed on someone who commented on one of your videos (I think it was the Chuck Taylor Video or the Nike vs Adidas vs Rebook vid) on a breakdown of each basketball shoes that were worn through the years. The timeline here maybe scattered but I’ll take it for now, I still wanna see you nake a video of a timeline of every basketball shoe starting from the transition of Chuck Taylors to the Adidas Superstar to Modern Day.

[@PrisonMike-]

You got it right with the Reebok 4600's. I was a teen in the 80's and I had a pair of black ones. I freaking loved them. I only stopped wearing them when I got my first pair of Black Cements in the 10th grade. After that it was all Jordans.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

They’ve been rereleasing some of the BB stuff. I might cop! Thanks for sharing that story

[@dirrrrrrr]

I would love to see you guys cover Converse shoes such as the Pro Leather, Fastbreak, and Weapon, they’re such influential shoes and laid the foundation of early sneaker culture, However information about these shoes are so sparse 😭😭😭 anyways, love the new uploads recently, been a fan since 2019, good too see you guys evolve you’re content and go more in depth about sneaker culture for people who barely know anything about it.

[@DukeRico]

Converse never gets any love from sneaker fans….

[@robertmitchell9529]

I bought a pair of those when they came out. Can't believe my guy Magic played as well as he did in those shoes. They were super hard and barely any give when you walked in them. I played a few pick up games in them and it just never felt like I was ever going to break them in. I ended up giving them away to one of my mother's friend's son at her church. He enjoyed them more than I did. Never bought another pair of Converse again.

[@Swooshman_3]

SN: Villanova was also part of the “Be True To Your School” line. They’re were 8 schools initially. I’m a lil bias being a Nova fan & especially since we won the Natty in 85’. Amazing video as usual Nacho!

[@MrJones208]

Thank you for the knowledge and history lesson Sir 😎

[@Jeenyuhslover]

I have been watching you since 2018/2019, and i have to say that you guys are one of the few consistent channels on youtube.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thank you

[@elduderino4579]

Amazing video as always Nacho. I picked up those Converse Weapon Fragments that came out a couple of months back and they are fire! As a basketball fan it was a no brainer. All those bball kicks from like the mid 80s to mid 90s have so much character!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Aw man those Fragments are sleepers right! Thanks for the love

[@xstang55]

They only made a tiny run of those, something like 1,200 pairs total. I hope they make more colorways....

[@elduderino4579]

@@xstang55 wow I didn’t know they made such a small run of them. Now I’m even more stoked for getting a pair! Cheers for the info

[@Mikele-ez2jw]

Nice video! Missed some of my favourites there like the Spud Webb Pony's , P. Ewing Adidas Forum/ rivalry and the Dominique Wilkins Reebook

[@Bigreid92]

Great Documentary. My favorite 80’s sneaker was Patrick Ewing Adidas Conductor and Rivalry.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Definitely need to cover Ewings soon. Appreciate it Reid!

[@philliplyn2692]

Man wishing could go back in time to collect all my favorite sneakers from all my favorite players 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@0815raoul]

I always love the sneaker history videos.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate you

[@kiryu96]

THE RETURN!!! Good to see you boys back at it!✌

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thank you man! hope you emjouy this one

[@giogiogiogi0]

This is a great content! Now it made me appreciate the recent Converse Weapon x Fragment collab.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Yeah I saw those Frag Weapons and my jaw dropped

[@mihirjoshimusic]

Brilliant video gentlemen! Absolutely loved it! ❤️🤘🏼

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

Sneaker quality really did peak in the 80s

[@glennallaire]

This video is a thing of beauty Thank you for your work

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Means the world Glenn!

[@ignacioarienza]

Man these videos are crazy. Thank you for making them!!

[@HightopRob]

Well done well done you can add Avia as a special honorable mention they've made very well crafted high tech basketball sneakers for the NBA during the 1980s going into the 90s😊

[@jeremyshelton1079]

The very first pair of "signature" shoes I ever had was the Converse Weapon in the purple and gold.

[@FyrFytr998]

After the Celtics won the title in 86 and Penn State beat the Miami Hurricanes. I immediately went and got the black Reebok BB5600’s. During that year, black sneakers were still not worn in my high school. Even Bred 1’s weren’t that popular. And the Black Cement 3’s were still a year away. In my old age, I may and try and cop them 5600’s again.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

I’m super jealous you got to live through those moments!

[@FyrFytr998]

@@NachoAverageFinds all good. Soon you’ll be telling young heads about way back in the Kobe and LeBron years. Every generation has their era they like to remember about.

[@Lrj530]

I remember when my mom came home with a pair of the magic Johnson shoes as I called them. I was all excited and wore the crap out of them.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Bro I can’t imagine the excitement

[@mindingmybizness2567]

Awh man!!! I wish converse would re-release the Magic converse weapons. I would buy them so quickly. They would still sell today.

[@kevinyoung7934]

This was such a great video ...... Appreciate your content.

[@DylanLey]

What an era! So many great kicks! Great video as always!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

The golden era

[@scoobjones6007]

One of my fav channels to binge watch or turn the clock back BIG NOSTALGIA 💯🔥

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate you Scoob!

[@kicksnfigs8658]

Very nice and informative especially for me who’s been recently into 80’s basketball and with Nike and Adidas retroing some. Hope they do more. Recently got the Rivalry 86 and Fragment Weapon.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

The fragment weapons are sleepers for sure!

[@GoodfellaNell]

Nacho dropping the history keeping sneaker KZbin alive! Fire vid!🔥

[@kincamell]

Heavy @ The 2.05 mark Bill Russell is in a pair of custom sneakers designed by Bristol Manufacturing Corp. Bill Russell 's input contributed to the finished product.

[@lenni2542]

Yoo nacho is back! Very good video, take me back to the 1980s!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thanks Lenni! I hope you enjoyed the nostalgia

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

yo those og unlv dunks are pure fire

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Absoultely love that colorway

[@streetteams]

Thank you. Top nach-o!

[@luisantonioalvarezabarza4377]

Awesome content as always 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thanks Luis!!

[@jblurey2581]

Hey Nacho, I really love your content so far! I’m sure someone may have brought this up but I’d love to see a video explanation of John McEnroe’s Nike Mac Attack soon. Anyways, keep up the content =] Peace! ✌🏼

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Aw man j love those! Can’t wait for more colorways to come out

[@thestarseeker8196]

Yes. A dive into tennis kicks worn by legends of different eras would be incredibly interesting too. 🔥

[@sneakerprofiler]

Nike Air was never really revolutionary. Karhu did it first in the ‘70s. You missed the opportunity to name Jacques Chassaing with design-engineering the early adidas Bball shoes. He’s a legend, and he was central in the defining of modern Bball and running shoes aesthetics and technology. It was his idea to work with the athletes like his hero, Adi Dassler, did. I had a pair of the Converse Weapon. I didn’t hoop in them as much as I rode BMX in them. Great upload, as usual, bro. ✌🏽💙👟

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Ah yeah i love JC! We have a video about the Adidas Forum. We talk about him in that video.

[@sneakerprofiler]

@@NachoAverageFinds have you read his book “From Soul To Sole”? He picks his most memorable moments in the game. The amount of innovation that came from him and his team is incredible. ✌🏽💙👟

[@taco2753]

YA BOI I BEEN WAITING FOR A NEW VIDEO!💯

[@stevenroche9874]

Very well researched and presented by a likeable host, as usual ! Best regards.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Means a lot Steven. Humbled!

[@alexthelizardking]

What a return. This is gonna be sweet😋

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Always appreciate you Alex

[@aaronwonder990]

Great video

[@Doctor.dorito]

love this channel!😁

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thank you for the love

[@legimlugero]

Converse Cons, ERX series, LA Gear, British Knights

[@javinschmidt1246]

🔥video. We need a 90s version of this 💯

[@74205gb]

Great videos guys. Love the History. Thank you. #MambaMentality

[@richardkrivik7032]

AMAZING bro’s…🎉WELL WELL DONE 👊🤝👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@troyf.9050]

Still don't understand how the best 2 players coming out of college goes to 2 of the top teams in the NBA(Magic & Bird)

[@isaacsilva8033]

nacho never disappoint, firme as usual 😮

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Trucha homie 👊

[@sportjames23]

Bruh, this took me BACK. 🤟

[@santannathegreat5167]

I really enjoy your/ yall videos homie!! I really appreciate all the research and knowledge involved to present us with a ACCURATE history of some of our grails and shoes I wore growing up in Chicago in the 90’s.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thank you bro!! Love be able to give people an escape with nostalgia

[@chadchesney3858]

Just discovered your channel. Enjoying your videos. Ya know I’ve always wondered why NB never signed another BBall star. They just kind of surrendered any future ground on the basketball court. But ya know they went another way. And strengthened their niche in the running world. And supreme comfort and support engineering. I’ll check out more videos. Maybe you’ve already covered this buuut what happened to Converse? Only shoes I ever still see in stores is ya know the Chuck Taylors.

[@benjaminblakemore9704]

NICE ONE NACHOS 😊❤

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate you Ben!

[@renatorodrigues5016]

My favourite KZbin sneaker channel. 🔥 video.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Humbled

[@alwaysphresh6493]

Man I’m a big fan of the channel and since you’re talking about 80’s BB shoes. I feel like you left one out which is Avia brand. I was definitely balling in a pair of those in Jr High…..lol.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

I want to do a full video of Avia

[@alwaysphresh6493]

@@NachoAverageFinds you have to please. That and lotto’s…..🙏🏾

[@kincamell2]

Stellar

[@EPYCpeacemakers]

Subscribed. ❤

[@user-ur4bd1qr8y]

The Best Era Of 🏀 Sneakers But My Fave Where The Air Force 1s High

[@adnaanu]

My fav sneakers channel

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thank you 🙏 you

[@chris215est]

Top notch channel a1 since day 1 !

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate that

[@Flyfam11]

Nacho!!!!!!!!! Let’s goooo!!🤙🏼👍🔥

[@rikmarvel]

Great Episode, really enjoyed it! But..... No AVIA's? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@NachoAverageFinds]

I'll dedicate a whole video to AVIA in the future

[@rikmarvel]

@@NachoAverageFinds that would be 🔥🔥🔥!!

[@MrLouis-of3yl]

@@NachoAverageFinds Videos for both Pony and Avia would be absolutely sweet!

[@edh7492]

How has it taken me 3 days to see this, I’m sure I didn’t get the notification 🤷‍♂️ This is totally my kind of thing, great video Bry. 🤜🤛

[@NachoAverageFinds]

What's up Ed! I'm glad the video got around to you. Good to hear from you man!

[@edh7492]

@@NachoAverageFinds​⁠​⁠yeah you too brother, don’t want to blow my trumpet but I have a pair of the following shoes from this video, Air Jordan 1’s, Air force 1’s, Reebok BB4600 and Adidas Top 10’s. Used to own some air force 2 highs but wore them out as they were lovely on foot. Obviously I’ve owned a couple pairs of Chuck Taylors but as you say they’re horrendous to wear and ruin your feet, god knows how dudes used to play ball in them! I’d like to add a pair of converse weapons and a set of Reebok Pumps to my collection in the future, the latter of which I’m surprised you didn’t include..?

[@kp9593]

Love the weapons

[@aintnohalfsteffen]

the BB5600's were supposed to be Len Bias's signature shoe

[@The40Glock1]

Weapons 🔥

[@Brand-ju4jm]

the way our dawg pronounces some of these names

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Sorry haha

[@flymartian33]

Damn no Adidas forum which was crucial in Mj's college years

[@osullivanjeremyp]

Mark A-GWIRE (rhymes with fire)

[@NachoAverageFinds]

My bad

[@luisenriquereyes8932]

Amigo un saludo de cabo san Lucas Baja California Sur con todo respeto eres el mejor lo mejor de lo mejor los 80 fue la mejor época los tenis que nunca logré conseguir fueron los converse weapon de magic espero conseguirlos

[@scottrichardson6864]

Another great video as usual! Keep it up!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Appreciate you Scott! Thanks for watching man

[@albertsebastian4489]

Bird uses the custom made Weapon with All Stars soles..my all time 80s sneakers would be the Adidas Forum which up to now I’m still wearing the retro releases..

[@FyrFytr998]

Brotherman………… It’s pronounced Mark. Ah-gwire. Take the g sound in good and add wire to it. Glad you caught yourself on Bob Lanier (La-Near). You’re still one of my favorite channels. Keep it up.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Yo appreciate you calling me out on those. Thanks for being a fan on the channel!

[@pedrohernandez-ff8gb]

Yes sir

[@DannyBoy-wq9ze]

Hi you need to upload this video, because you forgot to mention KangaROOS wore by Clyde Drexler and Ebonics wore by Dominique Wilkins and Hakeem Olajuwon back in the 1980's !, later peace.

[@NachoAverageFinds]

You’re absolutely right! Maybe we can do a part two

[@DannyBoy-wq9ze]

@@NachoAverageFinds Yeah you forgot about other 1980's basketball sneakers like KangaROOS, Ebonics, Ellesse and Avia wore by again Clyde Drexler and Scottie Pippen early years playing in the NBA late 1980's !. Also can you please do a upload on the retro air jordans 13. There were a rare jet black air jordan 13 low all black with red air jordan logo on the top of the tongue, sliver air jordan logo on the outside top corner of sneakers and bottom underneath was red, white and black that Jordan wore in the NBA 1998 ECF against the Pacers and NBA 1998 Finals against the Jazz !, before he wore the air jordans 14, later peace one.🌇👋📱💻📸📹🏀👟💵👍🌃

[@calebfong896]

i really wish puma continued making ralph sampsons, I love mine alot but they're starting to break down beyond repair. i gotta find a way to get a fresh pair somehow

[@DelpriestStokes]

Another fact Michael Cooper rocked asiscs and another fact you forgot pony and brooks worn by Dominique Wilkins and another fact exvaire McDaniel wore Saucony before Clyde drexler sigh with avia and reebok he was rocking kangaroo

[@PeteBolo-gi6qe]

James worthy and NB,the explosive fist step and a ring ,yeah finals MVP

[@NachoAverageFinds]

I was stunned watching those highlights 😂😂

[@treystyles3760]

Bob (la -neer) put some respect on that man's name

[@geraldfarr8279]

He badly mispronounced Mark Aguirre's name as well

[@x2a473]

we back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

😎😎😎

[@redriot3008]

You guys are the best not to brag I just got Jason Tatum new shoes fire 🍋 when will you guys do lebrons sneaker history anyways have a good day and keep doing what your doing god bless

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Thanks for the kind words man! We have lebron coming up soon

[@marcusbrothers5221]

Every decade is pivotal in case you haven't noticed

[@dutchesssatine1316]

From Chuck Taylor directly to 82 Nike Air force? You forgot to mention 76 Converse Pro leather.

[@tareksherif7319]

speaking of converse why dont you make a video about converse and how it struggled to be in the NBA and how it starting to make a small comeback by signing some athletics.

[@chadchesney3858]

And ok Sampson was a “major force” as I think you put it in the NBA for about a year and a half. Unfortunately for Puma Sampson was a major NBA bust. Largely due to injury. And yeah the Jordan 3’s were a great comeback following the disappointing, although I love’em, Jordan 2’s. But I don’t know if the line was ever in trouble. I mean Jordan’s game was just so awesome any shoe he wore would have been coveted. But the 3’s did take it to a new level.

[@chadchesney3858]

Sorry “formidable force”.

[@juwanhowardhll8019]

The sneakers that made me want to have was the air force one high and the air jordan 4s that my brother had in 2004 cool grey back then he paid 140 for them

[@DibeezyTheGifted]

I remember my grandfather buying me some Converse weapons in like 1989 1990 and I was pissed lol. My pops got me some 4's.

[@cindyknudson2715]

I hope your grandfather didn't find out.

[@DibeezyTheGifted]

@@cindyknudson2715 he didn't appreciate me not appreciating some new shoes for certain. He understood a few years later though. Times had changed.

[@redhooddragoncore3276]

Need that history of lebrons sneakers vid!

[@NachoAverageFinds]

Of course!

[@GoingOffTopical]

Had to take the insoles out my Adidas top tens, love the look of the shoe but it was like wearing bricks, put some Nike zoom insoles in them now and can rock them without my feet getting sore

[@rickiebradshaw3695]

You should have had the Air Jordan 4. That shoe was straight fire when it came out in 1989. I would rank the top three shoes of a decade in 1980s 1.Air Jordan 4, 2.Air Jordan 3, and 3. Converse Weapon. What about top three shoes of '80s for pure style and technology for the game.

[@Dr.marijuana]

You forgot about the Nike blazer worn by ice man deal before jordan in the 80’s