Why Those Old Jordans You Loved Wouldn't Sell Today | The Complex Sneakers Show

The sneakers that you loved decades ago may not be all that exciting today-no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. Here, Complex Sneakers Podcast co-hosts Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty talk about wanting old Air Jordans to come back only to realize that a lot of them really don’t hold up. The retro market is different, and more saturated now, which affects how we consume retro staples like Jordans and Air Maxes. The co-hosts also discuss the black and royal Air Jordan 1 “Reimagined,” which arrived to not that much fanfare last weekend and may be an indicator of how people feel about too many tweaks on original Jordan styles. Also: the TMNT x Adidas Superstar, Nigo x Nike Air Force 3s, and a look ahead at ComplexCon.
Chapters:
0:00 - 2:13: Intros
2:14 - 6:45: Complexcon 2024
8:20 - 12:51: Performance Sneakers
12:52 - 14:55: Nike Air Max 90 Gore-Tex “Infrared”
14:56 - 18:30: Nike SF Air Force 1
18:31 - 22:27: Top Air Max 90s
22:28 - 23:38: TMNT x Adidas Superstar
23:39 - 24:21: Nigo x Nike Air Force 3s
24:22 - 28:56: Adidas x Prada by Jerry Lorenzo
28:57 - 35:37: Sneaker Cam
35:28 - 57:56: Retro Sneakers
57:57 - 1:09:02: JLP’s 2002 Sneaker Rotation
1:09:03 - 1:09:30: Outro
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop.

[@Complex]

If you could bring back one old Air Jordan release, what would it be?

[@diggitydongjoon]

Thank goodness the military’s are finally coming out… PEAPOD 8S

[@solesoldier2577]

Laser 4

[@HeftyLefty1873]

I've always loved the look of cherry wood 16s

[@Ghost_xx_10]

The Jordan 5 Laser from 07🙌🏾

[@Bigmute501]

The Jordan’s 17th with the suitcase

[@inalaboyy]

Anyone hating on Welty isn’t an OG listener of the podcast, EVERY single member of the team brings their on opinions/strengths to the table to make it a diversified & interesting show to watch.

[@dr.richblackman]

1000% percent

[@cmn225]

talk that talk

[@mjo23dan]

A lot of the early retros you guys rattled off definitely pull at the heartstrings of those that used to collect in the early to mid 2000s. I can remember days and even late nights on the Sole Collector forums discussing and moderating every single thread of these beloved colorways. The game was so pure then and people actually wanting to discuss these shoes from top to bottom. It really brings back some good memories which is why I have also kept a lot of those shoes from back then today.

[@d.felixphoto2260]

Man it was a time to be alive! No kids, no wife, no responsibilities but classes and a job. Lol. All those 2000's releases bring back memories. Especially those Infrared 6's, white cement 4's, Olive 9's man the list goes on and on

[@gg_2315]

Definitely brought back a lot Of memories of those younger days. Spending hours looking at Eastbay, the back pages of Slam magazine & the forums.

[@vincenttyler4667]

You are a legend. Can't wait for your gratitude 11 video and hopefully comparison to the DMP 11

[@richardmbradley4816]

The first reimagined sneaker is the patent leather bred Jordan 1

[@allstylehype879]

So glad this comment was here.

[@michaelwatterson7339]

Thanks JLP for sharing your 2002 story. That is what collecting is all about.

[@dr.richblackman]

The end of FSR makes me love and appreciate this show so much more.

[@s.marques3534]

I love this show !!!! This is my relax time and I always love the points all three of you bring up!!!!!!keep up the great works guys ! You are greatly appreciated 😊

[@vincenttyler4667]

This is the beauty of sneakers you can look at them and they can be a time machine or you can wear them and just enjoy them. I love the fact that I have relationships and conversations based off sneakers and there's just nothing like it.

[@tomizzo5314]

Every time Welty speaks Dunn interrupts its actually unreal

[@harri8162]

01-02 are stand out years because Jordan was back in the league. So unlike 99-00 where retros seemed like the end of a era(15’s on sale for like 20 bucks) you got the 16 which got love and then all these retro’s on top of that. It went from retros being pretty cool, to becoming must haves.

[@Sneakahead555]

Kick game properrrrr ! Straight into it ! Really enjoy when it’s just the three of y’all ! Some how ended up with two pairs of the SF AF1. Enjoyed it for the time being. Would love a Suitcase 17 again! 2000 Black infrared greatest sneaker of all time ! Really loved the nostalgia of this one ! Great conversations, amazing job, guys !

[@marcusaranda8251]

Thank you Dunne! We need the og grape and the real fire red (black tongue) 5’s.

[@Paperboy392]

I would love to see the Mist 4s or Do the Right Thing 3s re release. Jordan Brand just has a hard time getting the color and materials right a lot of times.

[@superben790]

I love both ROYAL AIR JORDAN 1 and the FLYKNIT ROYAL AIR JORDAN 1, my 2 favorite versions!!!!

[@matthewjchung]

44:50 JLP and Dunne back to back with the two most reasonable takes on the Royal Reimagined I’ve seen so far.

[@stonecoldsteez]

This could have been an 8 hour episode and it would have been glorious

[@anth2290]

Jlp: I’m on demon time Welty: what does that even mean Jlp: it’s provocative it gets the people going 😂

[@fernriosphoto]

Great episode! Love the nostalgia, like Dunne said simpler times.

[@bern717]

The best times

[@jimmyschlenk9502]

2000 hands down the best year for Jordan retros! The 5s 6s and of course the 11s ! The price and quality those were the days!

[@TurtlEfrmdaManor]

My freshman year! I definitely had infrared 6’s, space jam & cool grey 11’s that school year

[@Thumbs87]

I been wanting them flint 9s from the thumbnail for 20+ years, they need to re retro those

[@TechVdot8]

I agree, they were my first real sneaker and if the retro them then I’m copping instantly ✅

[@itsELL24]

I had a pair but sadly the sole crumbled on me. Easy cop if they re release

[@slash8862]

Great episode for the old heads!! Loved it.

[@MauricioSandoval-xc9ih]

I think the first look pictures hurt the Reimagined Royals.. the shade of blue was so light, but in hand the shade of Royal Blue is true to the OG. I copped a pair and I’m happy I did.

[@readytodie116]

100% agree. I didn't like them until I saw them in person.

[@Tenchi-fi5gb]

Shaq is not from Jersey City lol, he’s from Newark

[@ShubiDoobyDoo1]

Love your content fam! Keep it up! Can't wait to see what else you make in 2023! 👟🔥🎥

[@CreasedHeat]

Loving the respect you guys are putting on the TN lately.

[@krob41]

I was with you on that nas lyric big dog.. classic!

[@Dolojit223]

Black lazer 4s ,mars 4s ,harber blue 3s , pea pod 8s , tour 4s and maize 7s are some shoes I want but feel like wouldnt drop anytime soon

[@jonmagiq2462]

That Royal Jordan 1 should have been an SB collab, with the tech featured on the LA to Chicago

[@Gilblunto]

Dunne in the MQ sweater. One of the best writers

[@andrewanderson564]

For real! WHAT YOU WRITE DUNNE?!

[@Postc0ital_mal0ne]

Swear I like when they just together talking. Just them. 🔥

[@KingPowas]

Great banter gentleman, nice analogies

[@shady2493]

Air max 90 needs better colorways, The Bacon is the Best Colorway of that shoe ever made. And it’s way more comfortable than the Air max 1

[@vincenttyler4667]

The patent bred Aj1 is the first reimagined and yes lost and found are reimagined.

[@sc239]

Probably an unpopular opinion, but i would love to see more Low retros.. not just 1s, 2s and 11s.. I loved my 5, 9 12 lows back in the day...

[@solesoldier2577]

Biggest Welty JLP Dunne shoe ep would be 🔥 & Thanks for giving us Full Size Run

[@notitleproductions]

“I’m like the Shyne to your Diddy” is one of Welty’s greatest lines 😂 👏

[@jeffdye7176]

The Patton leather AJ1 breads black and red where part of the reimagined series so it was relevant before the lost and found AJ1 Chicago's at least that's what I've heard from alot of sneaker youtubers

[@micahthurman9523]

I need Nike to re-retro Jordan’s 15 through 23 again add that to their reimagined line.

[@ZombieStrantz]

I love Welty, but his take on the TMNT shelltoes is so narrow sighted. These "pop culture" shoes are way more tastefully done compared to any simpsons collab. They reference the original comic books and even come in packaging resembling the original toys. For people who grew up on that franchise and toys, it is super nostalgic and looks well executed. It's akin to the Ronnie Fieg X-Men asics.

[@faceseverywearfew.2506]

The reimagined Jordan 1 royal - just reminds me of the “Jpack” Nike sb dunk high

[@aikeaaguinea]

Dunne with the MQ hoodie !!

[@moeboom43]

Loved hearing JLP recount 2002!

[@vincenttyler4667]

White infared 6's with nike air on the back and sport blue 6's. Air jordan 5's black tongue 23 on the side.

[@HereAndTher3]

The thumbnail excited. (s and 16s are some of my favorite models

[@Zo-Killa]

I need them Air Max 120s to drop again. They were a sleeper... wit the 3m spiderweb caging on the side

[@teeznuhtz]

Is it worth going both days to complex con or should I just go for one

[@borisalessandriperez5227]

That’s so odd!! Flint 9s & Bred 16s are two of the top 3 shoes I want retroed. Black Tongue 5s with Nike Air branding tops my list at the No. 1 spot

[@dre_withwithout]

“Reimagined” and “Retro” are basically synonyms in regard to sneakers. When you think about all the changes and such that have happened to 3s prior to the “reimagined” ones. Or when you look at like for instance Jordan Playoff 8s.. not this newest release but prior or the Aquas.. It’s just lingo to market to whoever is willing to buy it.

[@YoungAmzn]

bring action bronson! and welty great that you mention...those new balance baklava 1906 chito had on i been chasing those down since I first seen them months ago 🔥

[@mart3876]

You think Action is gonna go back on after JLP left him off the Jimmy Fallon list. He begged it with Drake instead, disappointed New Yorker.

[@992porter]

This why I love sneakers. It’s about the person. I love the retro I grew up on but I understand the masses might now. It’s subjective

[@romeyKICKS]

Patent Bred, Satin Breds & Lost & Found Chicagos Are All Reimagined Jordans To Me As Well Just Like The Alternate Breds Coming Out

[@codyddd3634]

that sneaker nostalgia got me buying shoes ive always wanted then never wearing them

[@rockN]

love the am90 talk. the Sertigs!

[@inrockyvision]

Welty thus far is the only person I have heard say they weren't into the new TMNT flick - how very Welty of him.

[@ryancolangelo9585]

“We’ll put this photo in” thanks Joe 😃

[@ThingzNStuffJAH]

to answer your question about the name Reimagined, the Reimagined patent Bred release earlier in 2022 before the lost and found

[@sherronthejedi]

First Re-Imagined shoe was the patent bred 1

[@LowheatFancyPants]

Need those Military Blue AJ4's and the Black Toe AJ1's to retro again

[@Vegaworldpeace]

How did you guys forget the air max 90 hyperfuse 2013 QS -all red, all blue n all white joints

[@iuhoosiers14]

Forrest green 14s..bring them back

[@user-os3fz1yt6f]

I don’t think people ever mention the whole “remastered” like years back and whatever happened with it… I feel like it was just a grab at hiking up the price for a little bit better materials and then it went away but the price just kept going up

[@darnell3225]

This was a great episode

[@otterdonnelly9959]

Patent Bred 1s and Lost & Founds were always said to be a part of the reimagined line by everyone except NIKE. But notice how they gave EA to people who missed on Patents and Reimagined 3s, for the Reimagined Royals. They all are obviously related n

[@shady3legend]

Someone should make a video of the single best year for Jordan retro releases

[@noahmccarter4154]

Jordan 1 L&F were the first of the reimagined. It's a Chicago remake which was literally in the description on SNKRS...

[@piratemonkey182]

First was Patent Bred (2021), then it was L&F (2022)

[@lovdlyon]

What Welty said at the end... Me: searching ebay for eS Koston K2 from 1999 when I was in high school

[@fabioacosta8067]

I'm pretty sure that early marketing for the L&F called it a Chicago Reimagined, then closer to the release all the marketing switched to lost and found

[@Mister46five]

MQ hoodie is FIRE!!

[@FunkieFelix]

Welty was speaking for all the old heads lol 💎🤞

[@SCHUHBACCA]

JLP should consider the Max 90 Black Citron Rave Pink. Wouldn't look too bad on him.

[@Dolojit223]

Sport blue 6s need a retro wit nike air and white infared 6s and the black tounge fire red 5s

[@scorchedearth7491]

10000% yes on the Grape 5 OG with Nike Air. Please baby Jesus.

[@leocantu13]

We need more stories and shoes from significant years from the boys

[@pfvision]

The reimagined line are the bred patents, the lost & founds, the white cements and the suede royals

[@pfvision]

and the bred 1 patents are from 2021.

[@pfvision]

For it to be a "reimagined" its not just to be pre - yellowed. But its a reinterpretation of and OG colorway, like the leather black cement 4s that are coming next year.

[@iJohnnyJB]

My first pair of Jordan’s (OG black toe 14s) were purchased using layaway 😂

[@BookerT69]

I did the same thing at a Hibbets for the chrome 8 in 2003

[@jfarvideo]

The black nubuck on the royal reimagined feels like OG materials for jordan… the blue suede is what throws it off for me. They should have made the royal blue hits the OG leather on the black nubuck. That would have been a smoother transition.

[@unboxedTNT]

candle to the flame Matt

[@jonnymids]

COMPLEXCON 2023 lesss guuuuu

[@dagaud221]

JLP that 2002 era you just rattled was great time for those of us that have collected since then

[@chasemcginnis8236]

Hufquake 90’s were 🔥🔥🔥

[@unboxedTNT]

no love for the Retro 2 black chrome ? dang JLP

[@thebros8157]

Everyone wants retros, but I think what happens is they see the quality of them and they weren't on par with the original 00's pair for example.

[@tstorm4489]

I can’t explain it but changing the materials on the Royal 1s does feel more offensive than the Bred 4s. No ones gonna keep that same energy.

[@glorious1.070]

Would love to see the Bling 4s re dropped.

[@Benjis.Day.0ut]

That Jordan 1 Royal would be really good for skating. The materials are perfect. Just throw the SB logo on them and they will be hyped

[@doctormodern2279]

Them French blue Jordan 9s 😩😩

[@wp-theillest1987]

This is one of May fav shows…but, TBT-it’s like La’Puma is hanging out with friends he knew for a long time, and have to tell ppl…”..no guys, they are alright…knew them for years…”

[@shauncarlin4333]

Probably biased but the white Kith 990v6 is my shoe of the year personally, Ronnie never misses

[@griand21]

I would buy those olive SF AF1s if they rereleased em tbh

[@floydkaretai4980]

How did they miss the AM90 Dave’s quality meats that also retro’d

[@gh0stm0nst3r6]

2006 Low Jordan Pack Dunks were my ish. I went Dunk crazy that year. I remember people trying to clown thinking they were fake J1 Lows because people weren't yet aware. Had some Skulls of Saigon customs too that were done up like a pirate flag. good time nostalgia

[@arthurstatus]

why is the show ending ?

[@itsthed5951]

I STILL DONT GET WHY FSR IS ON ITS LAST SEASON!!!

[@csn2213]

Airmax 90’s don’t get enough love these days.

[@Chief1887]

How all 3 of y’all not remember the first reimagined AJ was the patent leather bred 1 just under 2 years ago?!?

[@dr.richblackman]

Brendan wearing an MQ hoodie is so elite

[@JostenDooley]

Jordan brand needs to retro the mars blackmon 4's

[@Twilson4156]

Hey Joe I'm with you on the 16s why did they give us white and navy 16s acouple yrs ago and not any other color??? WHY jordan brand

[@CHutchyDavis]

Same with the 15s…they didn’t give us Carolina’s or Flints

[@Twilson4156]

@@CHutchyDavis you right! that black 2017 pair yea no other colorways released IDK why??

[@WingZero1]

I hope the Sneaker of the Year panel is actually good this year because last year it was a travesty and a waste of time

[@alexstokes7283]

Us UK lot will love the goretex airmax they wont be available at JD 😅