It started with a riot. Well, okay, maybe a "near-riot" according to the NYPD, but when you have hundreds of teenagers sprinting down a Manhattan sidewalk for a pair of cans—sorry, shoes—things get blurry.
In 2019, Arizona Iced Tea and Adidas Originals decided to sell a collaboration at a pop-up shop in New York City for exactly 99 cents. That is not a typo. The price of a Tallboy became the price of a sneaker. Chaos ensued. The police shut it down before a single person actually bought a pair at that price.
Since then, Arizona Iced Tea shoes have become a weird, permanent fixture in sneakerhead lore. It’s one of those rare moments where a "grocery store brand" managed to actually be cool without trying too hard. You see these things on StockX or GOAT now for hundreds of dollars, which is hilarious considering the side of the shoe literally screams about a price point that hasn't changed since 1992.
The Design That Broke the Internet
What makes these kicks so recognizable? It’s the "Great Buy" aesthetic.
The original collaboration used the Adidas Continental 80 and the Yung-1 silhouettes. They didn't just slap a logo on the heel. They went full maximalist. We’re talking about the iconic cherry blossom print from the Green Tea cans and the vibrant, Southwestern geometric patterns from the Lemon Tea flavor.
Honestly, the Green Tea version is the one everyone remembers. The teal leather pops against the pink blossoms. It feels like summer in a box. It’s nostalgic. For many of us, Arizona Iced Tea was the beverage of choice because it was the only thing you could afford at the bodega with the change found in your couch. Seeing that translated onto a high-quality leather sneaker felt like a high-five to the working class.
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Later on, they expanded. We got Superstars. We got slides. Some featured "Have a Nice Day" printed on the translucent outsoles. It’s that attention to detail that separates a cheap corporate gimmick from a genuine collector's item.
Why Do We Care About a Tea Brand on Our Feet?
Brand loyalty is a fickle beast. Usually, if a brand like Coca-Cola or Oreos makes a shoe, it feels like a walking billboard. It's cheesy.
Arizona is different.
The company is still family-owned by Don Vultaggio. They’ve famously refused to raise the price of their cans despite inflation, soaring aluminum costs, and supply chain nightmares. That "99 cents" isn't just a price tag; it’s a manifesto. When you wear Arizona Iced Tea shoes, you aren't just wearing a floral pattern. You’re wearing a symbol of consistency.
Also, the colors just work.
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The pink and teal palette—often called "vaporwave" by the internet—happened to peak in popularity right as these shoes dropped. It was a perfect storm of meme culture, genuine design quality, and that "drop" mentality that fuels the sneaker world. People love a story. "I almost got trampled for these 99-cent shoes" is a much better story than "I bought these at the mall."
The Resale Market Reality Check
If you’re looking to pick up a pair today, don't expect to pay a dollar.
The market has stabilized, but "stable" in sneaker terms still means a significant markup. The original 2019 Yung-1s in the "Green Tea" colorway can still fetch anywhere from $200 to $400 depending on the size and condition.
- The Adidas Superstar Variants: These are more "wearable" for most people. They feature the shell toe and subtle tea branding. You can often find these for closer to $100-$150.
- The Slides: Arizona even did adilette slides. They are loud. They are bright. They are perfect for a pool day where you want people to know you have impeccable taste in cheap refreshments.
- The 2021 Follow-up: Arizona and Adidas returned for a wider release a couple of years later. These were easier to get, which lowered the "hype" but increased the number of people actually rocking them on the street.
The irony is thick. A shoe celebrating a 99-cent drink now costs as much as a monthly car payment.
Spotting the Real Deal vs. The Fakes
Because these were so popular, the "replica" market (a nice word for fakes) went into overdrive. If you're hunting for Arizona Iced Tea shoes on eBay or Depop, you have to be careful.
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Check the embroidery. On the real Green Tea pairs, the cherry blossoms aren't just printed; they have texture. The stitching should be dense. If the teal looks "muddy" or the 99-cent tongue tag is off-center, run away.
Another tip: look at the lace tips (aglets). The authentic pairs often have specialized tips with brand logos. Scammers usually skip these tiny details because they’re expensive to mass-produce.
How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Can
This is the hard part. These shoes are loud.
If you wear them with a matching Arizona shirt and Arizona shorts, you look like a brand ambassador who isn't getting paid. Don't do that.
The trick is contrast. Let the shoes be the "pop." Wear them with simple black jeans or light-wash denim and a plain white tee. Let the pink and teal do the heavy lifting. It’s a "statement piece." If everything you’re wearing is making a statement, you’re just shouting.
What to do if you want a pair now
- Check the secondary markets: Start with GOAT or StockX to get a baseline price for your size. Sizes 9 through 11 are usually the most expensive because they are the most common.
- Set alerts: Use apps like Grailed to set alerts for "Adidas Arizona." Sometimes a collector just wants to clear out their closet and will drop a pair for a steal.
- Verify the SKU: Each colorway has a specific SKU number (like GZ2861). Google that number to see official stock photos and compare them to the listing you're looking at.
- Don't overpay for the "99 cent" hype: Remember that there were two major "waves" of these shoes. The 2019 pairs are the "grails," but the 2021 releases are virtually identical in quality and much cheaper.
The legacy of these sneakers is a weird reminder of how much we value "the hustle." Arizona stayed true to their price, Adidas stayed true to their silhouettes, and the fans stayed true to the chaos. Whether you think they're art or just an ad you can wear, they aren't going away anytime soon.
Go find a pair, but maybe skip the line this time. Your shins will thank you.