Nearly 30 years after his tragic death on September 13, 1996, rapper Tupac “2Pac” Shakur is back in the news. On August 31st, a Las Vegas jury convicted Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis of first-degree murder in Shakur’s killing, a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conviction ends a long history of investigation that involved mysteries, unanswered questions, and, even calls of curruption, involving gangs, police and music professionals. After all these years, 2Pac’s fans, friends and family finally have the answers.
It’s a lot to take in, especially considering the anniversary of 2Pac’s death is just a few days away. But if there’s one thing worth remembering this week, it’s not how he died or even the events of the last few days. It’s everything this rap legend gave us while he was here. And that includes some seriously drip. 2Pac brought fashion and style to his performances and fused it with his rapper image. From denim-on-denim (before it was cool) and bandanas to gold Versace suits and diamond medallions, Pac knew how to make a statement. And his sneaker game was no different.
@djaycue did a great job of revisiting Pac’s kicks in a recent Instagram post that’s racked up thousands of likes, with fans jumping to the comments to reminisce over some of their favorite pairs. “THE GOAT Shoe Game Was On Point,” one commenter wrote.
Yeah, we couldn’t agree more. So, let’s get into the 9 pairs that made Pac’s rotation one to remember.
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Nike Air Max 90 — 2Pac’s ‘Trapped’ Era Kicks
Released: 1990
The Air Max 90 was barely a year old when a fresh-faced Pac rocked a pair in the music video for “Trapped”. At the time, the kicks retailed for approximately $100.
As for the colorway? Unfortunately, that’s a detail we can’t pin down. Footage from his 2Pacalypse Now era is dark and blurry — not ideal for trying to confirm accent shades.
More than three decades later, the Air Max 90 is still a part of Nike’s lineup. Current pairs typically retail for $135 to $145, and you can pick them up directly from Nike, as well as retailers like Foot Locker and SNIPES. Certain editions also drop through the SNKRS app.
Reebok Twilight Zone Pump — Tupac’s Juice Sneakers
Released: 1990
The Reebok Twilight Zone Pump brought some serious heat to the basketball court when it dropped in 1990. Not only did Pac’s character (Roland Bishop) wear them in Juice (1992), but they were also donned by NBA-royalty — including Domique Wilkins.
While we couldn’t pinpoint the original retail price, modern retros have consistently landed at around $170.
If you want to get your hands on a pair of Reebok Twilight Zone Pumps, you’ll need to keep an eye out, as they aren’t sold year-round. Instead, they’re dropped in limited runs, most recently in ‘Wild Orange’ and ‘Neon Cherry’.
Nike Air Force 180 — Worn in Poetic Justice
Released: 1991
By the time Pac wore the Air Force 180s in Poetic Justice’s barbecue scene (1993), the shoe had already made quite the name for itself. Most notably, thanks to Charles Barkley, who debuted them during the 1992 Dream Team’s Olympic run in Barcelona.
Back then, you could cop a pair for around $150. The tech on offer included the wrap-around heel Air unit and a mid-shoe lockdown strap — marking a turning point in Nike’s manufacturing process.
The original is long gone from Nike’s lineup. So if you have your heart set on this chunky basketball silhouette, you may have to try your luck with resale marketplaces like StockX and GOAT.
Air Jordan 7 ‘Hare’ — 2Pac’s Poetic Justice Pair
2Pac wore these during his Poetic Justice era. The much-loved ‘Hare’ dropped in February 1992 for $125, part of the Bugs Bunny campaign that later led to Space Jam.
Nike retroed the OG colorway in 2015 for $190, with a stylized ‘Hare 2.0’ dropping in 2020, but nothing since. Expect to pay anywhere between $225 and $600 on resale platforms, depending on the size and condition.
Fila FX-100 — Tupac’s ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ Sneakers
Released: 1991; original price approx. $100
Often connected to his ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ era, Pac was just one of the famous faces rocking FX-100s in the early 90s.
The original FX-100s are long gone from Fila’s shelves, although the brand brought them back in 2003 and then again in 2012. If you want to find a pair today, you’ll need to hunt resale platforms and vintage marketplaces.
The good news is that the FX-100 is actually back in Fila’s active lineup as of 2026. It retails around $85–$100 direct from Fila.com.
Air Jordan 9 — 2Pac’s All Eyez On Me Portrait Shoe
Released: 1993; original price $125
Captured by legendary photographer Michael Miller, 2Pac rocked Air Jordan 9s in a portrait shoot around the ‘All Eyez On Me’ era.
If you look closely at the sole, you’ll find words like ‘freedom’, ‘force’, and ‘independence’ in different languages. The global touch feels especially fitting for Pac, whose influence stretched far beyond East Harlem, where he was born.
Nike still retros the AJ9s pretty regularly, so you can still get your hands on a pair without breaking the bank or going down a resale marketplace rabbit hole.
Retros of the sneaker run around $200–$215 via Nike SNKRS.
Nike Air Flight ’89 — Tupac’s ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ Sneakers
Released: 1989
True sneakerheads clocked these the moment ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ dropped. Compared to eras’s flashier Jordan hype, the Nike Air Flight ‘89s kept things relatively low-key
Originally released in 1989, the shoe shares its sole unit with the Air Jordan 4. It’s reportedly said to have been designed with Michael Jordan in mind before becoming its own thing entirely.
Nike still retros the ‘89 regularly, usually for around $120. Availability changes based on different colorways, so check out the official Nike site to see what’s currently in stock.
Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement’ — 2Pac’s Off-Duty Sneakers
Released: 1988
These were a rare pull for Pac, who wore them in 1994 during the early retro wave. The rapper was spotted in the Air Jordan 3s while spending time with friends out in public, officially cementing them as part of Pac’s personal off-duty wardrobe.
First dropping in February 1988 for $100, this colorway helped secure Nike’s basketball legacy after it was worn by Michael Jordan during the NBA Slam Dunk Contest of the same year.
Nike last retailed a version of the shoe in 2023 for $210, with a true OG retro expected for Spring 2027. For now, it’s resale or ‘Reimagined’ pairs only.
Fila Grant Hill II ’96 — The Sneaker Fans Call ‘The Tupacs’
Released: 1996
These have got to be the most Pac pair on this list. In fact, many people refer to the Fila Grant Hill 2s as the ‘Tupacs’. Originally retailing at around $90, the shoe’s chunky shape and bold side detail made it an instant hit.
2Pac famously wore the White, Navy, and Red colorway in the All Eyez On Me album booklet, paired with a denim-on-denim fit. The Grant Hill 2 has since returned as the FILA 96, with retro pairs still available through resale platforms.
Tying things back to @djaycue’s Instagram post, commenter @tdougs17168 says it best: “He rocked the hell out of those Grant Hill FILA’s.”
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