Avar described it as an "alternative product," so it was only right that Rodman, the league's most eccentric and colorful player, became the face of the funky side-lacing sneaker. They’ve an all-in-one weaved upper which is both breathable and water-resistant. The soles use an adaptive polymer compound to provide a proper cushion which rebounds around the foot no matter what sport you’re undertaking. The P-hold heel grip is said to be able to reduce injuries too. These are thoroughly recommended. Not to forget that AND1 competed against Nike in the 90s. Tom Austin, former Co-Founder and Design-Lead of AND1 had high hopes for selling his design. With reward. Being up there with Nike and selling shoes like crazy was completely revolutionary – especially for a streetball brand. This sports design is very much high sneaker fashion and they can be worn for a variety of other sports as well as Tai Chi. One thing is that this shoe was on sale for a very low price but can be very expensive.

Marty McFly's "power lacing" Nike MAG sneakers first floated the idea of a smart shoe in 1989, and exactly three decades later, the Adapt BB blended art and science to bring self-lacing tech to the NBA hardwood. Worn during the final season of his first stint in Cleveland, James' seventh model marked a new era for his line. Newly appointed designer Jason Petrie poured nearly every Nike technology into it. Boasting a new full-length Air Max unit and Flywire support, the patent leather panel rounded out what is considered James' best-looking shoe. And1’s roots lie in street culture, and the brand’s DNA lies in the street ball, music and graffiti movements of the ’90s. The classic tennis shoe meets the large billboard sized advert on the side, what’s peculiar about this is that the name on the shoe is “Double” rather than the manufacturing brand. However, this minor quirk aside there’s a lot to like about the OSdream Canvas Kung Fu Shoes. Irving's debut model set the foundation for what is currently the industry's fastest-selling series. With jagged grip lines inspired by the Sydney Opera House and details layered throughout, the Kyrie 1 set the stage for the storytelling and themes that would come to define Irving's line.

They’re very comfortable and very hard wearing for a soft canvas shoe. The padding on the mid-sole makes them feel a bit more substantial given how light they are. But once again like many of these Chinese shoes, they’re very narrow. What made the AND1 Tai Chi special was the striking color difference of the shoes’ surface and the light weight, making it particularly attractive for guards. They’re not the hardest wearing shoe on our list but the canvas padded uppers mean they keep your feet nice and warm in the winter and that might be a big benefit if you live in colder climes.

Had it not been for the Jordan 3, Michael Jordan very well might have fled to Adidas in 1989, once his Nike contract was set to expire. Knowing Jordan wanted a more broken-in shoe after missing most of the prior season with a foot injury, Hatfield selected soft leathers and designed a mid-cut height.With one of the most unique on-court looks of his series, Iverson's zippered fourth sneaker became more than just a great design, with his iconic tattoo graphics added in throughout. These shoes claim a 3,000 year heritage for the Old Beijing Cloth Style shoes and while this can’t be verified, they do look like the epitome of Chinese martial art cool. The most expensive recommendation on our list, however, are the PEAK TAICHI King Women’s Adaptive Smart Cushioning Running Shoes and it’s fair to say that they’re the kind of shoes that you would probably buy if you were doing a lot of Tai Chi or a lot of other sport alongside Tai Chi rather than for a few minutes in the park each week. Frazier was a foundational figure who helped to define the league's on- and off-court style. Puma not only made him the face of the brand, the company also awarded him the NBA's first signature sneaker. Ever since, the Clyde has been an ongoing staple model for the company, and it now sets the foundation and inspiration for its current basketball relaunch.

For the future, we plan to have a womenswear line coming out very soon,” he revealed. “ Women have a whole other perspective on this thing we call street ball … That story needs to be told.” Erving's scoop layup forever linked the Pro Leather to on-court greatness, while the simple design has stood the test of time to become an off-court favorite decades later.

BlackBeltShop Rubber Sole Men’s Tai Chi Shoes

What is great about these DOUBLESTAR shoes (excuse the all CAPS many of the Chinese Tai Chi show training brands really like branding that shouts) is that they’ve got a classic trainer look whilst still being thin soled enough to do some serious Tai Chi in. You’d happily wear these as a casual shoe all day long. Few shoes have personified the player better than Payton's Glove. The timeless zippered upper gave it a sleek look that has resulted in a cult following ever since. The AND1 performs very well. They are comfortable and well-made with an EVA mid-sole which cushions the feet from any impact damage. The Yin-Yang design is particularly appropriate for Tai Chi.

Certainly, the pair is solidly made, and the rubber soles grip firmly onto the surface. The material is also very breathable. But you’ll have to judge if that’s enough to justify the price. So gear up, tighten those laces, and get ready to make an unforgettable impact every time you step onto the court. It's time to leave your mark with AND1 mens basketball shoes that deliver the perfect blend of fit, style, and dominance. To this day, the Tai Chi remains the only AND 1 silhouette alongside the Too Chillin to sell over a million units. In fact, for a brief period, many regarded AND 1 as the second biggest footwear brand in the NBA, with the likes to Kevin Garnett and Latrell Sprewell even lacing them up. When the cameras panned to the bench, and it wasn’t uncommon to see three or four players with them on feet, such was the brand’s influence among the league’s lesser-knowns. People were so crazy about it, AND 1 did over 100 colourations.After Jordan's third signature model became known for his iconic free throw line dunk and a series of Spike Lee commercials, it was the starring role the Air Jordan 4 received in Lee's "Do The Right Thing" that took the Air Jordan series beyond hoops and into pop culture yet again. The unique rubberized wings, elongated heel tab and "cement" splatter-painted midsole all made the Jordan 4 an off-court favorite and one of the brand's most frequent retro releases. And the Tai Chi wasn’t just a short lived fad. Here is a list of other prominent NBA players who wore the Tai Chi in-game: Leggings will be part of the updated apparel Garnett is working on, and he has an eye on adding utility-focused styles to catch up with what other brands sell.