Ah, Grant Hill shoes. Yeah, that definitely brings back some memories. We’re mostly talking about the FILAs, right? From back in the mid-90s.
I remember that whole time period vividly. Basketball was huge, everyone was watching the NBA, and sneakers were really starting to become a big deal. It wasn’t quite the crazy scene it is today, but the seeds were planted. Michael Jordan was obviously the top dog, his shoes were legendary even then.
Getting My Hands on Them
But then Grant Hill came along. He was different. Smooth player, good guy image. And his FILA shoes just looked clean. I specifically remember wanting the Grant Hill 2s – the white ones with the navy patent leather stripe that went up the side and turned into a strap at the ankle. They just looked sharp.
Getting them wasn’t easy, at least not for me. My folks weren’t just gonna drop that kind of cash on sneakers. So, I started saving. Did extra chores around the house, helped neighbors with yard work, collected cans – you know, kid stuff to scrape together some money. It felt like it took forever.
I finally saved up enough. Went down to the local sporting goods store. I remember seeing them on the shelf. Picked up the box, felt pretty heavy. Tried them on right there in the store. Man, they felt good. Snug fit. Laced them up tight.
Wearing and Playing
Took them home, couldn’t wait to wear them outside. First thing next day, I put them on and headed straight to the basketball court at the park. Just felt cool walking in them. Felt a little taller, maybe?
Played ball in them pretty much every day that summer. Here’s what I remember about actually using them:
- Comfort: They were actually pretty comfortable for the time. Decent cushioning, nothing like the fancy tech now, but good enough for playing on asphalt for hours.
- Looks: Let’s be honest, that was a huge part of it. They looked awesome. Got a few comments from other kids at the park. That felt good.
- Durability: They held up okay for a while. The soles started wearing down after a couple of months of hard playing, especially doing quick stops and cuts on the rough court surface. The patent leather got scuffed up pretty quick too. Typical for shoes you actually play hard in.
Compared to Jordans? Well, Jordans always felt like the ultimate performance shoe back then. The FILAs felt more… stylish? Maybe a bit less aggressive in their design, which matched Hill’s game. They were definitely popular, though. Lots of kids had them.
It’s funny thinking about it now. Those shoes weren’t just footwear. They were tied to the feeling of that time, playing basketball with friends until it got dark, watching the pros on TV and trying to copy their moves. It was simpler. The hype was there, but it felt more innocent somehow.
So yeah, the Grant Hill FILAs. Good memories. They weren’t perfect, they wore out like any other shoe, but owning them felt like a big deal back then. Definitely a classic pair from that era.
