Sample Sunday: Snakes in the Grass

Suede, leather, patent leather and mesh are all typical materials for basketball shoes. In recent years we’ve seen the implementation of woven materials and durable new plastics that have redefined how shoes are constructed. With all of that said, sneakerheads love weird Jordans, give us a rainbow fade pattern and we’re cool with it. We’re cool with furs and reflective materials but snakeskin print holds a special place in our hearts. It’s such a gaudy, unique look that doesn’t really belong on basketball shoes but when it’s used we eat it up. On this fine Sample Sunday lets take a look back at some unreleased snakeskin print retros we’d give our left arms for, enjoy!

Air Jordan 9 Grey Snakeskin (2002?)

Lookin’ a lot like the traditional Cool Grey 9s, huh? Wrong. These unicorns pack a subdued (yet not so subtle) snakeskin pattern across the ankle and mudguard add a premium look that never saw the light of day. In today’s climate of luxury and customization these snaked out Jordan 9 samples would fit right in.

Air Jordan 11 Low White Snakeskin (2000?)

We have a bold prediction today: these will release before any other 11 sample on this list. With that classic 2001 low feel these white snake 11s are perfect for summer time and would be a great canvas for customizers. The Whitesnakes fit the motif we’re accustomed to with the retro 11 Lows we’ve had release over the last 3-5 years. Would you cop these?

Air Jordan 11 Green Snakeskin (2015)

We all know the ‘nightshade’ 11 Low snakeskins and these are identical except in traditional Jordan 11 hight. These would destroy the sneaker game if released.

Air Jordan 11 Pink Snakeskin (2018)

Drake gets all the nice things, this table is full of insane PEs. The Undefeated 4’s win by default but a close second in terms of ‘heat’ are the hightop Pink Snakeskin 11’s. The shoes look like the women’s drop from 2013 but in mens sizing and hightop… man these are ridiculously good looking.