Back to the Future: Air Zoom Flight 95

by dj fuzzylogic on Mar 13, 2008 7:32 AM PDT in Fashion

In 1995, I experienced puberty full swing, I experienced my first 'real' kiss, I experienced running liners after school 4 days a week for basketball practice, and I experienced some horrible Warriors basketball. I experienced quite a bit at the tender age of 15, but I never experienced these:

These beauties are called the Nike Air Zoom Flight 95s. A new generation of basketball upstarts in the post-Magic, post-Bird, post-Zeke and infinitely more hip-hop NBA spawned a new line of footwear and style hierarchies. It also marked a new generation of marketing by industry standard and giant, Spalding. Just kidding, I'm talking about Nike if you didn't know already. To market the shoes, Nike locked up endorsement deals with recent first rounders such as Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Jim Jackson, and heck, even Joe Smith to go with these new marketing schemes; these were players that could match the new futuristic look.

The bug-eyes on the side were considered bizarre by shoe fans. It's non-traditional shape along with its shiny, checkered vinyl-like siding defied all shoe convention. If Lebron James' shoes are modeled after Hummer's, then the Zoom Flight 95s, made for Jason Kidd, must have been inspired by spaceships and flying saucers. His game was just THAT out of this world. Perhaps so was this new generation of high flyers, their baggy shorts and that hip-hop swag.

It's been more than a minute since Nike re-released them and it's about time. I'm sure most sneakerheads are well aware of this cultural phenomenon; if not, you're welcome....you're all welcome! I remember being in awe of the varsity players and good JV players who managed to cop a pair. I probably went to every nearby mall in hopes of emulating Jason Kidd, but also high school basketball gods. I finally got a pair last week; my high school experience has been fulfilled.

Find your size, HERE!

Got yours yet? Did you ever own a pair? Share your story if you did!

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Don't know about that grey...

Had 'em in Mavs colors. They were beautiful. I love the old Nike designs, they don't make 'em like they used to.

by Prophit on Mar 13, 2008 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

Damn

Your first "real" kiss was when you were 15? and people tell me I'm a "late bloomer" at age 13??? (ok, it was 2 days before my 14th birthday but it got a bit beyond the kissy kissy).

... but not to get off the track here ... I never had them back then, but I will have them now. They ARE nice.

by centerre on Mar 13, 2008 1:12 PM PDT reply actions

15 is fine

i had my first real kiss at age 13, but i know a guy who is 24 and still waiting for his.. maybe it's because he's not a Dubs fan??

Baron with 5.. 4.. 3.. pull up jumper.. HE GOT IT!!!

by DMJR on Mar 13, 2008 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

haha

okay, when i mean "real" i mean passion, i think...

by dj fuzzylogic on Mar 13, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I love these kicks!

They're not that comfortable for actually playin ball but they still look fresh! They're also the kind of shoe that looks better with shorts than pants. All these kicks that Nike are starting to retro induces pure nostalgia! However, the prices of them induce pure WTF'ness!

by JonDoe on Mar 13, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

asdf

these kicks were cool we had these as team shoes for our traveling team. but imo the zoom flight 96's own these. i just picked a pair of the 96's this weekend, like being in 7th grade all over again.

by Notorious Cruz on Mar 13, 2008 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

those were aright......

I wanted his other one instead. there air flight kidd or some other name it called. Dont really really remember the name of it.

by warriorfan4life on Mar 13, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

I had a pair

I conned my mom into copping my a pair (much to the displeasure of my dad and his checkbook). 9th grade I think? I want to say they were $130. The most expensive pair of gym shoes I ever owned.

I think I liked 'em for the price tag. But the look was hideous. I remember getting clowned at school for those UFO kicks. My only comeback was how much I, errr my mom, shelled out for them. I knew they were ugly deep down though.

These were not comfortable at all for hoop'n. They were heavy and crappy for ankle support. They actually felt like they cut into the ankle area.

Didn't Brent "Bones" Barry have a red/white pair on when he won the Slam Dunk Championship as a Clipper?

Anyways, the hoop shoes that these replaced were actually my favorite sneaks ever. I had a white/blue pair of the Nike Air Much Uptempos. Those were the ones that read "AIR" real large along the sides. Man, I love the look of those. I gotta cop another pair just to rock for pick-up hoop'n.

by PistonsNation on Mar 15, 2008 9:57 AM PDT reply actions

That pair in the pic

Holy hell, those are used bro!

But its also something you have to deal with, on these. White soles that will dirty. Also a bit suspect with that toe box creased backwards like an elf shoe and the carbon shank/plastic bit in the middle not being clear, the Nike box not being bright Orange, buyer beware!

The carbon fiber is also hot but it makes it plenty stiff and restrictive when you first slip them on.

by back2back51s on Mar 18, 2008 9:13 AM PDT reply actions

good eye!

but no worries, the shoes in the pic aren't mine. mine are safely stowed in a box far away from light and extreme temperatures! i can't decide whether to rock em publicly or just stash them for my eyes only...

by dj fuzzylogic on Mar 19, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions