Object Guides

The 2010s sneakers in KiiiKiii's Pop Off Pop Off

Mira Lin / Room 3000

KiiiKiii's Pop Off Pop Off brings 2010s sneakers into focus, from DC Court Graffik and Reebok Instapump Fury to Jeremy Scott's playful adidas designs.

Kiiikiii Retro Sneakers 001

The music video for KiiiKiii’s new song, “Pop Off Pop Off,” has arrived. Beyond its unmistakable turn-of-the-millennium visuals, the shoes stand out: Reebok Instapump Fury and DC Court Graffik, two sneakers that were hugely popular in the 2010s. The video keeps the KiiiKiii color combinations loud, and the shoes do a similar job to silver retro sneakers that pull a simple outfit into focus.

Collage of KiiiKiii music-video scenes, red-and-blue winged high-tops and pearlescent sneakers.
Collage of KiiiKiii music-video scenes, red-and-blue winged high-tops and pearlescent sneakers.

Unlike the minimalist “clean fit” favored today, street style in that era was ruled by maximalism. Sneakers were much more than accessories. They were the focal point of an outfit, a statement of individuality and even a pop-cultural symbol.

Two-panel image of a red-haired performer walking in a pale-blue shirt and dark skirt, with a close-up of black DC sneakers with bright pink logos.
Two-panel image of a red-haired performer walking in a pale-blue shirt and dark skirt, with a close-up of black DC sneakers with bright pink logos.
Two scenes of a performer seated in a folding chair, first beside a marina and then near an equestrian statue, wearing black sneakers with pink details.
Two scenes of a performer seated in a folding chair, first beside a marina and then near an equestrian statue, wearing black sneakers with pink details.

DC Court Graffik and the puffy skate-shoe craze

The DC Court Graffik and the craze for puffy skate shoes capture skate culture’s deep influence on 2010s streetwear. Their oversized proportions, heavily padded tongues and broad side logos defined that familiar silhouette. Pairing extremely skinny jeans with these exceptionally bulky skate shoes was a street-style staple at the time.

Off-white low-top DC sneaker in side view, with a large stud-outlined logo and a white sole.
Off-white low-top DC sneaker in side view, with a large stud-outlined logo and a white sole.
Overhead view of three pairs of padded DC sneakers in black, tan and white, worn with white socks or blue jeans.
Overhead view of three pairs of padded DC sneakers in black, tan and white, worn with white socks or blue jeans.
Two-panel collage of a red-haired performer in a pale shirt and dark skirt, seated in a folding chair in a town square and beside a train.
Two-panel collage of a red-haired performer in a pale shirt and dark skirt, seated in a folding chair in a town square and beside a train.

Reebok Instapump Fury and its exposed structure

The Reebok Instapump Fury also appears in the video. Designer Steven Smith drew inspiration from the mountain bikes that rose to prominence in the 1990s. Seeing both function and beauty in exposed mechanical parts, he deliberately left the shoe’s supporting “skeleton” on show.

Five performers dancing in brightly colored lace-up mini dresses and chunky sneakers against a blue-and-white backdrop.
Five performers dancing in brightly colored lace-up mini dresses and chunky sneakers against a blue-and-white backdrop.
Two pairs of Reebok Instapump Fury sneakers, one pale pink and the other silver with iridescent panels, shown in stacked product photos.
Two pairs of Reebok Instapump Fury sneakers, one pale pink and the other silver with iridescent panels, shown in stacked product photos.
Airborne model wearing a blue T-shirt, pale-pink cropped trousers and yellow-and-red cutout sneakers against a gray backdrop.
Airborne model wearing a blue T-shirt, pale-pink cropped trousers and yellow-and-red cutout sneakers against a gray backdrop.

Using “The Pump” inflation technology developed by Reebok designer Paul Litchfield, the Instapump Fury dispensed with conventional laces. Its tongue-mounted Pump mechanism became its most recognizable visual feature.

Reebok Instapump Fury poster featuring an illustrated character in a yellow jacket and matching sneakers against a purple-and-blue digital backdrop.
Reebok Instapump Fury poster featuring an illustrated character in a yellow jacket and matching sneakers against a purple-and-blue digital backdrop.

Maison Margiela’s collaboration with Reebok took the house’s signature split-toe Tabi design and deconstructed and recombined it with the technical, inflatable Pump upper.

Stacked close-ups of split-toe platform footwear with Pump uppers, shown in white and in blue, black, white and red.
Stacked close-ups of split-toe platform footwear with Pump uppers, shown in white and in blue, black, white and red.

Jeremy Scott’s adidas wings and plush animals

Winged shoes from adidas Originals x Jeremy Scott also appear in the song’s dance version. The designs mix irreverent humor with street style. Whether adding wings or placing teddy bears and poodles directly on the tongues, they push beyond the boundaries of practicality.

Red-and-white and blue-and-white winged high-tops worn with cream leg warmers, surrounded by star graphics and a striped board.
Red-and-white and blue-and-white winged high-tops worn with cream leg warmers, surrounded by star graphics and a striped board.
Black-and-white high-top sneakers with plush panda heads and arms attached around the tongues.
Black-and-white high-top sneakers with plush panda heads and arms attached around the tongues.
Three-column grid of colorful adidas sneakers with wings, plush animal heads, flames and graphic prints on a white background.
Three-column grid of colorful adidas sneakers with wings, plush animal heads, flames and graphic prints on a white background.
Bright pink poodle-head high-tops beneath loose black trousers, beside a colorful plush bag with a dangling doll.
Bright pink poodle-head high-tops beneath loose black trousers, beside a colorful plush bag with a dangling doll.
Pair of glossy pink adidas high-tops with large stitched wing panels, matching laces and pink soles.
Pair of glossy pink adidas high-tops with large stitched wing panels, matching laces and pink soles.
Close-up of banknote-print winged sneakers worn with dark jeans on a wooden floor.
Close-up of banknote-print winged sneakers worn with dark jeans on a wooden floor.
White and black adidas winged high-tops worn with dark skinny jeans on a wooden floor.
White and black adidas winged high-tops worn with dark skinny jeans on a wooden floor.

The styling and design of KiiiKiii’s video capture fashion’s recurring cycles with precision. A maximalist aesthetic once dismissed as a relic of its time is returning, in a new guise, to the forefront of mainstream taste.