History and Legacy of the Iconic 90s House of Pain Sneaker Collabs

Introduction to House of Pain Sneakers

House of Pain is an American hip hop group that was popular in the 1990s. They are best known for their hit single "Jump Around" which reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1992. The group consists of Everlast, DJ Lethal, and Danny Boy. House of Pain is known for their Irish-American hip hop style and often incorporate influences from their Irish heritage into their look and music.

In addition to their music, House of Pain also had their own shoe line called House of Pain sneakers. The shoes were put out by LA Gear in collaboration with the group. The sneakers were very popular in the 90s among hip hop heads and sneaker enthusiasts.

History of House of Pain Sneakers

The House of Pain sneaker line launched in 1993 after the group signed an endorsement deal with LA Gear. The deal was reportedly worth $1.5 million which was big money for a sneaker deal at that time.

The first sneaker released in the line was called the LA Lights House of Pain. It was a high top basketball shoe that featured a leather upper with suede overlays. The shoes had a large embroidered House of Pain logo on the side and came in bright neon colors that were stylish at the time. Some colorways included black/lime, white/orange, and white/pink.

The next model to release in 1994 was the LA Gear x House of Pain Street Ball. This was a mid cut basketball shoe that took inspiration from street ball culture. An ad for the shoe featured member Everlast playing street ball in the sneaker.

Over the next couple years LA Gear x House of Pain sneakers continued to release new colorways and models. Some of the highlights included the House of Pain Runner, House of Pain Slam Man, and House of Pain Blast Off.

The sneakers featured large House of Pain logos, bright 90s inspired colors, and basketball/streetball influenced styles. The shoes were popular among hip hop heads, basketball players, and sneaker collectors in the 90s.

Notable House of Pain Collaborations

In addition to their sneakers with LA Gear, House of Pain also collaborated with some other major brands in the 90s.

In 1994 they worked with Reebok to release the Shaq Attaq - House of Pain shoe endorsed by NBA star Shaquille ONeal. The basketball shoe featured Shaqs logos along with House of Pain logos on the tongue and heel.

House of Pain also teamed up with Adidas in 1995 to put out the Top Ten 2000 House of Pain. This model had a leather upper in white and green along with House of Pain logos. On the heel was an Irish clover to reference the groups Irish roots.

Some other brands House of Pain collaborated with include Avia, British Knights and Cycling. Each of these collabs featured bright 90s style colorways and custom House of Pain branding.

Original House of Pain Sneaker Features

There were some distinct features that could be found across many of the House of Pain sneaker collabs in the 90s:

• Leather and/or suede uppers in bright neon colorways
• Large embroidered or printed House of Pain logos on side panel or tongue
• Basketball and streetball inspired styles
• Puffy padded tongues and collars
• EVA midsoles for cushioning
• Solid rubber outsoles for durability
• Irish clover or shamrock detailing as nod to heritage

The shoes were very reflective of 90s sneaker culture. They featured classic basketball and streetball silhouettes combined with bold neon colors and details related to House of Pain's Irish background.

House of Pain Sneakers Today

Although House of Pain's sneakers were very popular throughout the 90s, the shoes are hard to come by today. Since the group hasn't been active or touring in recent years, their sneakers aren't being reproduced.

However, their shoes, especially collaborations and limited editions, are considered highly collectible today among sneaker enthusiasts and hip hop fans.

Finding Original House of Pain Sneakers

If you want to hunt down original House of Pain sneakers, here are some tips:

• Check eBay - This is your best bet for finding used pairs in decent condition.
• Search sneaker groups - Join Facebook groups or forums and put up 'want to buy' posts for rare House of Pain kicks.
• Check vintage stores - Some consignment shops and vintage stores will carry old basketball/streetball shoes.
• Attend sneaker events - Check out sneaker conventions and events where collectors buy/sell shoes.

Pairs like the LA Gear x House of Pain LA Lights or Reebok Shaq Attaq collabs are most covetable and trade for high prices between collectors if condition is good.

Modern House of Pain Collaborations

Although new modern collaborations are scarce, House of Pain did partner with Reebok again in 2017 to release some limited edition kicks. These included:

• Reebok Classic Leather House of Pain
• Reebok Classic Nylon House of Pain
• Reebok Workout Plus House of Pain

These models featured suede, nylon, and leather materials combined with House of Pains iconic logos and Irish clover details. The shoes were a nostalgic throwback to the 90s originals but with updated contemporary styles.

House of Pain also worked with Reebok to bring back a retro version of their popular Shaq Attaq shoe in 2020. The re-release featured OG styles and details along with special House of Pain and Shaq branding.

Why House of Pain Sneakers Were Significant

House of Pain sneakers represented the convergence of hip hop culture and the sneaker/sportswear industry in the 90s. Here are some reasons why the shoes had such an impact:

Represented New Era in Hip Hop Endorsements

The House of Pain LA Gear deal showed how marketable hip hop had become. Groups could now get major shoe contracts like athletes. This opened the door for rapper sneaker collabs that are commonplace today.

Influenced 90s Sneaker Design

House of Pain shoes featured lots of trends that became popular in the 90s like basketball styles, pumps, cross-training and bright neon colors. The shoes exemplified sneaker style of the era.

Bridged Music and Sports Industries

The group worked with big brands like Reebok, Adidas and LA Gear. Collabs with athletes like Shaq also brought the music and sports worlds together through sneakers.

Introduced Hip Hop Fashion to Mainstream

The House of Pain shoes helped bring their Irish-American hip hop style into the mainstream. It allowed them to share elements of hip hop fashion with suburban youth.

Became Collectible Classics

Because of their historical significance and limited production, many House of Pain sneaker models have become sought after classics.

Overall, the House of Pain sneakers represent an important period when hip hop and sneaker culture collided. The shoes paved the way for all the musician and brand collaborations we see today.

The Legacy of House of Pain Sneakers

Although House of Pain itself hasn't produced new sneakers in years, the group's shoes still have a lasting legacy for a few key reasons:

Influenced Future Hip Hop Sneakers

They helped set the stage for the popular rapper/sneaker collabs we now see from artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott and Run DMC. The success of House of Pain's shoes opened the door for hip hop artists to tap into the lucrative sneaker market.

Inspired Nostalgia and Collectability

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.