If you were a kid in the late 90s, you didn't just want to play like Allen Iverson. You wanted to be him. You wanted the braids, the headband, the oversized jersey, and most importantly, you wanted the shoes. While the Reebok Question started the fire, it was the Allen Iverson Answer sneakers that turned a rookie's hype into a decade-long cultural monopoly.
Honestly, Reebok taking a chance on a 6-foot guard from Georgetown was the smartest gamble in sneaker history. Nike had Jordan. Reebok had "The Answer." It wasn't just about basketball; it was about a vibe that the NBA front office was actually terrified of at the time.
The Shoe That Changed the Tech Game
When the first Reebok Answer dropped in 1997, it was a massive pivot from the Question. People forget that the Question used Hexalite—those little honeycomb windows in the sole. The Answer 1 introduced DMX 10 moving air technology.
Basically, air pods in the heel and forefoot were connected by a series of channels. When you stepped down on your heel, the air pushed forward to the ball of your foot. It felt weirdly bouncy. Like walking on a very controlled waterbed.
It was also the birth of the I3 logo. That simple graphic became a "Jumpman" for the hip-hop generation.
Why the Answer IV is the GOAT of the Line
If you ask any real sneakerhead about the peak of the line, they’re going to point to the Answer IV from the 2000-2001 season. This was the year AI won MVP and dragged a gritty Sixers team to the Finals.
The design was aggressive. It had a zip-up shroud over the laces and Iverson’s face on the outsole. It’s the shoe he was wearing when he hit that legendary corner jumper over Tyronn Lue and then—well, you know the rest. The Step Over.
That single moment probably sold more Answer IVs than any marketing campaign ever could.
A Quick Reality Check on the Numbers
People talk about Jordan's sales, but Iverson's impact was more localized and intense.
- The Answer IV is widely cited as the best-selling model in the entire Iverson catalog.
- Reebok re-releases (Retros) of the White/Red and Black/Grey colorways still sell out within minutes in 2026.
- Iverson signed a lifetime contract with Reebok in 2001, which includes an $800,000 annual payout and a $32 million trust fund he can't touch until he turns 55 in 2030.
The Weird Era: Zippers and Formal Wear
By the time we got to the Answer VI and VII, things got a bit... experimental. Reebok started leaning into a "dress shoe" aesthetic. The Answer VI had a zipper and a very sleek, almost leather-boot look.
I'll be real with you: not everyone loved it.
The DMX tech started to disappear in later models like the Answer VI, replaced by simpler foam to keep the shoe lower to the ground. Some fans felt the line lost its "soul" during this middle period, but then the Answer IX brought back the Pump 2.0 system. It was bulky. It was heavy. It looked like something Yao Ming would wear rather than a lightning-fast guard. But it showed that Reebok was willing to get weird to stay relevant.
The Cultural Weight of the "I3"
You have to understand the context. The NBA instituted a dress code specifically because of Allen Iverson. They didn't want the baggy clothes or the "street" image on the sidelines.
But every time AI stepped out in a new pair of Allen Iverson Answer sneakers, he was basically telling the league that he wasn't changing for anyone. Wearing these shoes became a form of protest for kids who felt like they didn't fit the "corporate" mold.
The Evolution of the Answer Line
- Answer 1 (1997): Hidden laces, DMX 10 debut.
- Answer 2 (1998): 3D Ultralite. Much lighter than the first.
- Answer 3 (1999): Tumbled leather. The "All-Star" shoe.
- Answer 4 (2000): The Shroud. The Step Over. The Peak.
- Answer 5 (2001): The Silver/White "hook and loop" heel strap.
- Answer 12/13 (2008-2009): The end of the on-court era as AI moved to Denver and Detroit.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Retros
Modern "Retro" versions of these shoes aren't always carbon copies of the originals. If you’re hunting for a pair today, you’ll notice the cushioning feels different.
The original DMX air-transfer system is expensive and difficult to manufacture for mass-market re-releases. Many of the 2020s-era Retros use DMX Foam or a modified version of the pods that don't actually move as much air. They look 10/10, but they don't always play 10/10 on a court.
If you're buying them for the gym, maybe go for a modern performance shoe. If you're buying them to look like the coolest person in the grocery store? The Answer IV is still your best bet.
Finding Your Pair in 2026
Thanks to AI (the player, not the software) being named Vice President of Reebok Basketball recently, the brand has been digging deep into the archives. We're seeing "PE" (Player Exclusive) colorways that never actually hit stores in the 2000s finally getting a retail release.
If you’re looking to pick up a pair, keep an eye on these specifics:
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- Check the Shroud: On the Answer IV Retros, make sure the zipper has the "hook and loop" tab at the top. If it doesn't, the zipper will slide down while you walk. Super annoying.
- Leather Quality: The Answer III and V Retros usually use a softer, tumbled leather that breaks in way better than the stiff synthetic stuff on the cheaper models.
- Sizing: Iverson shoes generally run true to size, but the shrouded models (IV and V) can feel tight if you have a high midfoot. Consider going up half a size.
The legacy of these sneakers isn't just about rubber and leather. It's about a guy who was too small, too loud, and too authentic for the era he played in. When you lace up a pair of Answers, you're carrying a piece of that "me against the world" energy.
To get started on your collection, check reputable resale platforms like GOAT or StockX for "OG" colorways, or keep tabs on the Reebok website for the quarterly "I3" drops that usually feature updated materials on the Answer IV and V silhouettes.