Basketball was different in 2001. Honestly, the whole world felt a bit more jagged, more authentic, and definitely more loud. If you weren't there, it’s hard to describe the sheer grip the AND1 Mixtape Tour had on the culture. It wasn't just about the "Skip 2 My Lou" highlights or the trash-talk tees that got you sent to the principal's office. It was about the gear. Specifically, everyone remembers the AND1 slip on shoes 2001 brought into the mainstream—the "Tochigi" and the "Chosen One" slides that basically redefined what you wore after the final buzzer sounded.
These weren't just flip-flops. They were a badge of honor.
You’d see kids at the local park finishing a grueling run in their Tai Chis, then immediately swapping them out for those chunky, aggressive-looking slip-ons. They had this specific aesthetic: heavy branding, thick foam, and a silhouette that looked like it belonged on a spaceship rather than a locker room floor. It was the era of the "post-game" shoe, a concept AND1 practically perfected while Nike and Adidas were still figuring out how to make their slides look like something other than shower shoes.
Why the year 2001 changed the slip-on game forever
The early 2000s marked the peak of the streetball era. AND1 was out-selling almost every brand in the basketball category except for Jordan Brand. Because of that momentum, the AND1 slip on shoes 2001 lineup benefited from a "cool factor" that we haven't really seen since.
Think about the context. The "Mixtape Vol. 4" had just dropped. Rafer Alston was a household name. When you looked at the feet of the players on those grainy VHS tapes, they weren't wearing dress shoes or standard sneakers off the court. They were wearing these bulky, comfortable slides that screamed "I just dropped 30 on you." The design language of 2001 was all about excess. We're talking about heavy synthetic leathers, contrast stitching, and that iconic "The Player" logo plastered everywhere.
It’s interesting to look back at the tech—if you can even call it that. While modern Yeezy slides or foam runners use advanced injected EVA, the 2001 versions were much more "constructed." They used a combination of Phylon midsoles and Velcro straps that actually stayed put. They felt substantial. You could actually walk miles in them without feeling like you were stepping on a thin piece of cardboard, which was the standard for slides back then.
The "Tochigi" and the rise of the basketball slide
The standout model from that era was undoubtedly the Tochigi. If you owned a pair, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It had that distinct textured footbed that felt like a foot massage—at least for the first twenty minutes before the plastic started to wear down.
What made these AND1 slip on shoes 2001 era so special was the versatility. They weren't just for the court. People wore them with baggy velour tracksuits, oversized denim, and even to school with socks. Yes, the "socks and slides" trend that people debate today? AND1 was a primary driver of that in the suburbs and the cities alike back in '01.
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
The colorways were also peak 2000s. You had the classic black and silver, the "Knicks" blue and orange, and that weirdly popular white and varsity red. They matched the jerseys. They matched the culture. They were cheap, too. You could walk into a Foot Action or a Hibbett Sports and grab a pair for thirty bucks. In today's money, that's still a steal for a piece of cultural history.
Construction and the "Beefy" aesthetic
We need to talk about why these shoes actually lasted. Unlike the flimsy slides of today that crack after a summer at the pool, the slip-ons from the early 2000s were built like tanks.
The outsoles featured aggressive herringbone patterns. It was overkill. You don't need traction on a slide, but AND1 gave it to you anyway. This created a shoe that felt grounded. When you stepped, you felt the weight. It gave off an aura of toughness that fit the brand's "Skip to My Lou" and "Hot Sauce" persona.
The materials were mostly synthetic. We didn't care about "premium tumbled leather" back then. We wanted stuff that looked shiny and could survive a rainy walk home from the gym. The Velcro was industrial-grade. Seriously, the sound of unstrapping a pair of AND1 slip on shoes 2001 was loud enough to wake up the whole house. But that strap meant you could customize the fit, which was crucial for players who had their feet taped up or were wearing double socks.
The psychology of the post-game ritual
There's a psychological component to why these shoes are remembered so fondly. Taking off a pair of tight, sweaty basketball shoes after two hours of full-court runs is one of the best feelings in the world.
AND1 tapped into that relief.
By making the slip-on an extension of the basketball uniform, they turned a utility item into a lifestyle statement. It told everyone in the mall or the grocery store that you were an athlete. It was subtle signaling. You weren't just a guy in sandals; you were a hooper who was currently "off-duty."
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
Collectors and the current vintage "Streetball" boom
If you try to find a deadstock pair of these today, good luck. Because they were viewed as "beat around" shoes, almost everyone wore theirs until the soles smoothed out or the straps ripped off. They weren't "kept in the box" like Jordans.
However, the vintage market for AND1 slip on shoes 2001 is starting to heat up. On platforms like eBay or Depop, you’ll see Y2K enthusiasts hunting for the original slides. They want that specific chunky silhouette that modern brands are trying (and often failing) to replicate. There is a certain "clunky" charm that you just can't manufacture in a modern design lab.
It’s funny, honestly.
We spent years moving toward "minimalist" footwear, and now we’re right back to the bulky, aggressive shapes of 2001. Brands like Crocs and Balenciaga are essentially selling high-fashion versions of what AND1 was doing at Walmart and Big 5 Sporting Goods twenty-five years ago.
What really happened to the AND1 dominance?
People often ask why you don't see these everywhere anymore. It’s a mix of corporate shuffling and the shifting landscape of basketball. When AND1 was sold and shifted toward mass-market retailers, the "edge" started to dull. The designs became safer. The materials got cheaper.
But the 2001 era was the sweet spot. It was after they had become a global powerhouse but before the brand identity started to dilute. The slip-ons from that specific year represent the peak of the streetball aesthetic. They were unapologetic.
Acknowledge the flaws: They weren't perfect
Look, I’m being nostalgic, but let's be real for a second. These things could get gross.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
The foam footbeds were notorious for soaking up sweat. If you didn't air them out, they’d start to smell like a gym locker within a week. And that "massaging" texture I mentioned? If you wore them without socks, they’d eventually start to irritate the bottom of your feet. They were "comfortable" in a very specific, 2001 kind of way. Meaning, they were comfortable compared to a stiff leather mid-top, but they aren't winning any orthopedic awards by today’s standards.
How to find that 2001 feel today
If you’re looking to recapture that specific vibe, you have a few options, though none are perfect. AND1 still produces slides, but they often lack the heavy-duty construction of the originals.
- Check the "Big Box" stores: Surprisingly, the AND1 models sold at discount retailers sometimes retain more of that old-school "bulky" DNA than the high-end boutique releases.
- Search for "Tochigi" or "Chosen One" on resale sites: Use specific model names rather than just "AND1 slides."
- Look for the "The Player" logo size: On the 2001 versions, the logo was usually larger and more centered on the strap.
The AND1 slip on shoes 2001 weren't just footwear; they were a cultural timestamp. They represent a time when basketball was transitioning from the dominance of the NBA's "Jordan Era" into the raw, unfiltered energy of the streets.
To actually replicate this look or feel in a modern wardrobe, you have to embrace the "too much-ness" of it. Don't try to make them look sleek. Lean into the bulk. Wear them with wide-leg sweats. Forget about being streamlined.
Next Steps for the Nostalgic Hooper:
If you’re serious about finding a pair or a modern equivalent, start by measuring your foot properly—older AND1s tended to run a bit small and narrow despite their bulky exterior. Check out vintage sneaker forums like Niketalk (the archives go deep) to see the original catalog scans from 2001. This will help you identify the "real" vintage pairs versus the later, cheaper re-releases. Finally, if you do score a vintage pair, be careful with the foam. After 20+ years, "hydrolysis" can cause the midsoles to crumble if they weren't stored in a cool, dry place. Test the foam with a light thumb press before you commit to a long walk.