The Top 10 Texas Longhorns Sneakers of All-Time

There is perhaps no collegiate athletic department in the world more storied than that of the University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorn brand is one of the most iconic in the history of sports, and UT currently holds the forth most NCAA Division I National Championships among all eligible schools. Texas also routinely ranks near the top of all schools in terms of generated merchandising revenue. This metric factors in sales of a wide variety of UT branded gear, such as t-shirts, jerseys, and of course, sneakers.

The last 20 years have seen a wide variety of Texas branded footwear produced for both fans and Longhorn athletes. UT sits near the top of the college athletics sneaker world, occupying a similar position in the hierarchy as schools like North Carolina, Ohio State, and Oregon. This high rank is primarily due to the strength of the Longhorn brand, as well as the prominence that many of UT’s major programs have experienced throughout history. This has granted the school access to special kicks issued by the it’s primary athletic apparel sponsor; Nike. Additionally, the university’s special relationship with Kevin Durant has resulted in the development of UT colorways in the NBA superstar’s signature basketball shoe line. In terms of numbers, over thirty pairs of Longhorn branded KD sneakers have been created since the inception of the series in 2009.

But although UT Austin has been blessed with a vast bounty of Longhorn branded sneakers, not all of these burnt orange kicks are created equally. While it can be argued that few, if any, are outright bad, there are certainly those that are more highly valued and coveted by Texas fans. Given the current prominence of sneaker culture and the large amount UT affiliated shoes that have been created, now seems like the perfect time to evaluate which of these pairs stand at the pinnacle of this relatively niche sub-category. As is the case for most things these days, a top 10 list seems as good a method as any for establishing a conclusive ranking.

Ranking Methodology

The shoes that make up this top 10 list were selected based on a variety of factors. Aspects such as engagement volume/positive sentiment generated on social media and online forums, long-term cultural impact, and secondary resale market value were all taken into consideration when determining a shoe’s placement. We also asked the Texas Sneakers community on Twitter and Instagram to share what their favorite pair of UT kicks were, and these answers were taken into account when determining which shoes should be selected and where they should be ranked. Additionally, while we attempted to remove personal bias whenever possible when determining these rankings, it is impossible to deny that it may have played some part in creation of the list.

Additionally, due to the incredibly high volume of burnt orange kicks that have been produced over the years, only officially licensed sneakers that featured Texas Longhorns branding (such as the Longhorn logo or font “TEXAS”) were considered for this list. Custom kicks, defined as shoes/colorways that were not released or distributed by UT Austin or a partner organization (or outright defined as customs) were also excluded from these rankings. However, we won’t rule out the possibility of doing a top 10 list for custom Texas kicks sometime in the future.

Based on the above criteria, we feel confident that the following pairs are worthy of being called the top 10 Texas Longhorns sneakers of all-time.

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10. Nike Lunar TR1 NRG

Release Date: August 2014
Color Description: Desert Orange/White
Style Code: 654283-801
Retail Price: $120

Looking back at the recent string of Longhorn sneaker releases, it’s difficult to think that there was once an era when a Texas trainer being sold to the public was an uncommon occurrence. That all changed in 2014 with the Nike Lunar TR1 NRG; the shoe which kickstarted the now yearly release of a UT shoe before the start of football season. Releasing alongside seven other schools in Nike’s first “Week Zero” collection, the TR1s featured a variety of Texas specific details, such as a repeating Longhorn pattern and font “TEXAS” on the upper and insole respectively. While this shoe may have since been surpassed by it’s contemporaries, the esteem it is still held in by fans shows that you never truly forget your first.

9. Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Texas

Release Date: July 2019
Color Description: Desert Orange/Anthracite/Desert Orange
Style Code: CI2082-800
Retail Price: $130

For a long time, you’d be hard pressed to find a pair of Texas kicks that weren’t a training or basketball shoe. Nike decided that it was time to buck that trend, and in 2019 the brand opted to release a pair of Longhorn Pegasus 36s for the annual fall UT sneaker drop. While the dark grey and burnt orange color combo was initially a bit off-putting for some, Texas fans were quick to warm up to the shoe, and many appreciated the comfort that a more cushioned running shoe provided when compared to a more minimal trainer. Despite an disappointing 8-5 season for Longhorn football, the shoes sold well, and their success commercially is likely a major reason that Texas branded Air Pegasus have continued to release.

8. TR Max 360 Max PE

Issue Date: December 2013
Color Description: Black-Desert Orange
Style Code: 431861
Retail Price: N/A

The Longhorn TR Max 360 is the first sneaker on this list to be given exclusively to UT athletes and staff. Sporting a somewhat controversial black and burnt orange color scheme, these trainers were distributed to the 2013 Texas football team prior to the Alamo Bowl at the end of the season. This contest would end up being Mack Brown’s final game as head coach of the Longhorns, a fact which somewhat overshadowed a disappointing 30-7 lose to the Oregon Ducks. Despite that defeat, the backstory, color scheme, and limited nature of the TR Max 360s helped solidify them as one of the most elusive pairs of Texas kicks for longtime UT sneakerheads, and they remain a shoe that many continue to hunt for to this very day.

7. Nike Free TR 8 Texas

Release Date: August 2018
Color Description: Desert Orange/Desert Orange
Style Code: AR0424-800
Retail Price: $110

In 2018, Texas fans were anything but short on UT footwear options that they could easily obtain. But while Nike had been releasing Longhorn branded trainers each year for half a decade, these kicks were often limited in the ways that they showcased the University’s signature color. The burnt orange faithful were clamoring for a shoe that was just that: solid burnt orange. Seemingly hearing the pleas of the UT fanbase, Nike dropped the the Free TR 8 Texas; a trainer which showcased the school’s famous hue of orange more than any that came before it. This fantastic color-blocking, coupled with the football team’s first 10 win season since 2009, helped establish the TR 8s as one of the most memorable Longhorn trainers in existence.

6. Nike Zoom KD9 Texas

Release Date: March 2017
Color Description: Sail/Sail
Style Code: 899640-110
Retail Price: $150

The year is 2017. It had been four years since a true Longhorn edition of Kevin Durant’s signature basketball sneaker line had been officially sold to fans via official retail channels. Once a mainstay release in KD’s line, Nike had long since decided to move away from the traditional Texas colorway, instead opting to instead sell “Texas inspired” KDs. While loosely affiliated with the school, these kicks differed from the early Longhorn Durants, in that they did not feature UT branding and/or the correct shade of orange. While Texas KDs were still being produced, they were issued exclusively to UT basketball teams, much to the dismay of Longhorn sneakerheads everywhere.

In a somewhat surprising move, on February 22nd the school announced that both the men’s and women’s basketball squads would be wearing the Nike Zoom KD9 Texas in upcoming games, and that the shoe would also be sold to the public in the near future. Although this pair of kicks was certainly more reserved when compared to some of the earlier UT KDs, the 9s featured Longhorn branding and enough burnt orange to keep fans happy. While the KD9 Texas was unfortunately the last time that a Longhorn KD was officially made available for public purchase, the lack of future UT colorways since its release has helped the shoe become more desirable as time has passed.

5. Nike Free Trainer 5.0 V6 AMP

Release Date: August 2015
Color Description: White/Desert Orange-Light Ash Grey
Style Code: 723939-800
Retail Price: $110

The reveal of the UT Free Trainer 5.0 V6s was a welcome one to Longhorn fans, as it seemed to signal that the yearly pre-football season UT sneaker release was here to stay. Arguably one of the most mass-produced pairs of Texas sneakers, the V6s actually received two separate releases. The shoe first dropped before the start of the 2015 football season as part of the second “Week Zero” pack, and then again prior to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, where it was included in Nike’s “March Madness” collection. While sneakers that aren’t limited tend to be less desirable at first, this Free Trainer’s large initial install base has helped the shoe preserve its popularity in the years following its release. This, combined with a solid color scheme and generous amount of UT branding, has led many Texas fans claim it as their favorite pair of Longhorn kicks.

4. Nike Zoom KD11 PE

Issue Date: August 2018
Color Description: Dark Grey/White-Black
Style Code: 832706
Retail Price: N/A

Perhaps no pair of player exclusive Longhorn sneakers are more infamous than the Texas KD11s. The shoes received a fairly public reveal, when they were first showcased on Sports Dissected’s tour of the newly renovated Longhorn football facilities. Nike went all-out on UT branding for these 11s, which sport a font TEXAS wordmark on the heel and a repeating “Longhorns” and “Hook’em Horns” pattern on the outsoles of the left and right shoe respectively.

Originally issued as travel shoes for Texas Football, these KDs were eventually distributed to many of the athletic teams on the 40 Acres. But despite there being more pairs in circulation than the vast majority of player exclusive UT kicks produced, these black and burnt orange KD11s consistently command a high price on the secondary market. This serves as a tribute to the fan demand for these kicks, and helped to cement their status as one of the greatest pairs of player exclusive Longhorn shoes ever produced.

3. Air Force 1 iD

Release Date: March 2017
Color Description: N/A
Style Code: AH2413-991
Retail Price: $140-$150

As one of the most iconic sneaker models of all-time, it’s only fitting that the Texas edition of the Nike Air Force 1 would rank highly on our list. While a seemingly obvious combination in concept, Nike took this release to the next level by making the shoe available for customization via NikeiD. This move allowed the burnt orange faithful to create their very own custom pair of Texas AF1 lows, mids, or highs, giving each shoe ordered a personal touch.

Fans weren’t the only ones who had access to these Air Force 1s, and many of the athletic teams at the University also took advantage of this drop. UT Basketball, Track and Field, and Football all received variants of the sneaker, with each colorway being personally designed by players and athletic department staff members. Regardless of the color variation, the UT Air Force 1 iDs remain one of the best Texas sneaker releases of all time, and we sincerely hope that Nike makes the shoe available again in near future.

Note: While Nike did offer UT customization options for the Dunk High and Low alongside these Air Force 1s, we opted not to rank them on this list. While the Dunk is certainly one of the most notable models in Nike’s catalog, it’s important to note that when the Texas version of the shoe initially released in 2017, the silhouette was not as popular as it is in the present day. Because of its lack of desirability at the time, the shoe was not heavily ordered by fans or UT athletic teams, making it more of a footnote instead of a sneaker that was allowed to leave a real mark on history. As such, these Texas kicks have been continually overshadowed by their Air Force 1 counterparts, and the lack of organic interest around them influenced our decision to include the latter over the former on this list.

2. Free Trainer 5.0 NRG Rivalry

Release Date: October 2013
Color Description: Desert Orange/Metallic Gold-White-Ice Blue
Style Code: 639175-871
Retail Price: $100

Of the myriad of Texas trainers created over the years, perhaps none is more unique than the Free Trainer 5.0 NRG Rivalry. Released to commemorate the 2013 Red River Shootout, these trainers notably sport a gold Nike Swoosh and gold accented laces. These design elements are inspired by the Golden Hat trophy given to the winner of the annual Texas-OU game. In addition to the classic burnt orange and white color scheme, the shoes also feature a 3M upper, giving them an extra bit of pop when light hits them in the right way.

Along with these special Free Trainer 5.0s, Nike outfitted both teams in the 2013 RRS with special gold accented Pro-Combat uniforms for the game. Additionally, a wide array of special merchandise was released to the public, so that fans of both schools could support their respective squads in one of the biggest matchups of the year. Despite entering the contest as significant underdogs, the Longhorns were able to upset the then 12th ranked Sooners by a score of 36-20. This memorable victory, coupled with the unique color scheme of these Nike Frees, makes them stand out amongst the pantheon of UT sneakers.

1. Nike Zoom KD IV

Release Date: March 2012
Color Description: Desert Orange/White (Texas)
Style Code: 473679-801
Retail Price: $95

The Nike Zoom KD IV is widely considered to be the greatest pair of kicks in Kevin Durant’s signature line. Given this, it should come as no surprise that the Longhorn colorway on this celebrated model would establish itself as not only the greatest Texas KD ever created, but also the greatest UT sneaker of all-time. The Texas IV’s marry an amazing silhouette with a classic burnt orange and white color scheme, resulting in shoe that truly set the standard for what a Longhorn sneaker should be. While the school branding on these kicks is minimal, a single Longhorn logo on the tongue is all they need to showcase their affiliation with the University of Texas at Austin.

While the UT men’s basketball team would wear the “Nerf” colorway of the KD IVs early in the 2011-2012 season, it wasn’t until the start of conference play that a Texas version of the model would be added to the unit’s on-court rotation. Longhorn Nation would get a chance to purchase their own pair a few months later, when the shoe was sold to the public before the start of March Madness. Retailing for $95, these IVs boast the lowest MSRP of all the shoes on this list. Despite this, the sneaker sold out instantly and has been a coveted pair on the resell market since it’s release. This level of desirability amongst collectors, fans, and even NBA players has helped the KD IV “Texas” cement its reign at the top of Longhorn sneaker world, a position that the shoe continues to hold over 10 years after it originally released.

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Conclusion

Did your favorite pair of Texas Longhorn sneakers make the list? Drop a comment down below, or join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Images via Daniel Stokes and Texas Track and Field

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