Courtesy
This distinction of being called the "GOAT" has lost some of its luster in recent years. Too often it is used carelessly. Michael Jordan, however, has made "GOAT" an everlasting moniker. The former NBA player will always be remembered as one of the brightest stars in the galaxy, and not just in the realm of sports celebrity. His influence can be felt even by those who have never seen a basketball game or are unfamiliar with the sport. In every sense of the word, he is a legendary figure. The same can be said for the sneakers that bear his name.
In 1984, Nike was a small, upstart company that sold running shoes (crazy, right?). ), which aimed to reinvent itself as the sports industry's premier brand Rookie star of the Chicago Bulls and consensus best player in the NBA, Jordan seemed like the ideal person to launch a sneaker brand with. On paper, he should have accepted it without hesitation, but he rejected the Swoosh in favor of Adidas. He had previously tried purchasing sneakers from Converse, but they were unable to compete with the prices and quality offered by Nike. The contract's $2 million price tag was unprecedented even for the 1980s. Although the news was big, it wasn't without controversy: in 1985, Jordan caused a stir by playing in red and black Air Ship sneakers, which were illegal under NBA rules.
Despite this, Michael Jordan and Nike continued to work together to make the Air Jordan brand the best of the best in sneaker history. It radically altered the face of shoe design in addition to the marketing industry as a whole. Over the years, the collection expanded as Jordan and designers like Peter Moore and Tinker Hatfield refined the silhouettes, colors, and materials. There are currently 35 distinct Air Jordan models available, not counting re-releases and special-edition releases for each. As with any team, there is a wide variety of players, some of whom stand out more than others. We've compiled a list of the top 10 Jordan shoes, which include some truly iconic and groundbreaking designs.
Banner Ad - Please Scroll Down to Read More
Debuting in 1985 as an original release.
For those of you just joining us, this is the original. You could spend all day debating which sneaker is most responsible for launching the sneaker culture we know today, but you'd be doing something wrong if you didn't give the Air Jordan I a lot of attention. The AJ1, with its revolutionary air cushioning and "wings" logo honoring the soaring rookie, remains a collector's item of the highest caliber.
Go to Stockx, Go to Stadium Goods
Learn More
Initial Publication Year: 1988
Although the Jordan I is difficult to top, the Air Jordan III comes very close. Took over from Peter Moore and was Tinker Hatfield's first design. The way he opened his career was explosive. Hatfield not only maintained the Swoosh-free design introduced by the AJII (which helped to establish Air Jordans as a unique product category) but he also added striking elephant print panels to the otherwise all-black or all-white uppers. It was structural in nature. It allowed for more creative freedom in sneaker production. The iconic Jumpman logo, based on Michael Jordan's defying-gravity silhouette, is what truly elevates this shoe to the realm of legend.
Check out STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
Publication Year: 1995 (Original)
In 1995, Michael Jordan was unquestionably the most famous person on the planet. That assertion cannot be refuted. Back to his old tricks after two seasons in the MLB, Jordan won his fourth NBA title and MVP honors in his fifth season. In addition, Jordan became even more well-known after starring in the cultural phenomenon Space Jam. The Air Jordan XI sneakers he wore in the film were also appropriately cinematic. Black patent leather mudguards, webbing lace loops, and a see-through outsole were all features of this shoe. Inspiring those of us who aspired to be ballers to think that we, too, could soar
PURCHASE from STOCKX PURCHASE from STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
Initial Publication Year: 1989
Although the Air Jordan XI received a lot of attention for its role in Space Jam, the Air Jordan IV was the collection's first sneaker to appear in a major motion picture. After its worldwide release, the first Jordan to be sold everywhere, it made an appearance in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. The IV improved upon its forerunner by introducing a novel lacing support system known as "wings," as well as mesh netting on the tongue and side panels. The weight was reduced to give the user the impression of flying. To paraphrase the film, "no one should be stepping up to you with those suckers on."
FIND GREAT DEALS at STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
1986 was the year of the original release.
Being stuck between two of the greatest sneakers of all time, the groundbreaking Jordan I and the fan-favorite Jordan III, is no easy task. In recent years, however, the Air Jordan II has been gaining popularity among consumers who are rediscovering and appreciating the innovative features introduced in the shoe's sophomore iteration. It featured high-end materials and craftsmanship for the first time in a Jordan shoe, such as an Italian build and imitation lizard skin. In addition, the Swoosh was removed from the shoe, making way for Nike's innovative III model.
PURCHASE from STOCKX PURCHASE from STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
Initial Publication Year: 1990
Michael Jordan had real bite in his jump shots. He shot the basket. The Air Jordan V, which took its design cues from WWII fighter planes, embodies this spirit. Combining smooth leather and nubuck with mesh side panels and a shark-teeth design along the midsole, the V is not afraid to show its teeth. The shoe was also the first Jordan to feature the now-standard see-through outsole.
Don't forget to stop by STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS!
Learn More
Preceding the 1996 reissue, the original 1996 release.
Michael Jordan won every game he played in, rain or shine. In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, dubbed the "Flu Game," he scored 38 points despite feeling terrible (later it was speculated that he had food poisoning, not the flu). It's evidence of his tenacity, a trait shared with the XII he wore in that infamous game. Before the XII, all Air Jordan footwear was simply rebranded Nike footwear. The shoe's quilted bursts across the upper echoed the rising sun on the Japanese flag, symbolizing a new day.
PURCHASE from STOCKX PURCHASE from STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
Launch Date: '91
With the introduction of the Air Jordan VI, performance was cranked to 11. Slipping on these sneakers is a breeze thanks to the two grip holes cut into the rubber tongue. Move in with ease As a matter of fact, Michael Jordan's favorite sports car served as inspiration for the design, right down to the angular lines and neoprene-lined sleeves. Michael Jordan's first championship ring came while he was wearing the shoes, further demonstrating their efficacy.
STOP BY STOCKX and PERUSE THE STADIUM MERCHANDISE
Learn More
First published in 1994
Several aspects of the Air Jordan X were designed to honor Michael Jordan. The shoe's release marked the end of a decade of Michael Jordan's collaboration with Nike and also paid tribute to his brief retirement from basketball to focus on his baseball career. Jordan eventually came back to the NBA. Still, the marks on the sole of the shoe serve as a constant reminder of his first decade of life.
PURCHASE from STOCKX PURCHASE from STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
To begin with, the year 1998 was the year of the original release.
The NBA star Michael Jordan has a thing for fast cars (V). The X denotes his penchant for an early retirement. The Air Jordan XIV, which was released just before MJ's second tearful farewell from basketball and the Bulls (he made another comeback a year later, but with the Wizards), fuses these two ideas by borrowing design elements from his Ferrari 550M. There are a total of 14 Jumpman logos on the shoes, 7 on each shoe to represent the company's 14 years in business (one on each shoe's left and right sides).
Check out STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
1997 was the year of the original release.
Michael Jordan was a chubby cat by 1997, having amassed record-breaking endorsement deals and being one of the NBA's highest-paid players. Both his on-court success and his off-court wealth were reflected in the Air Jordan he wore most frequently that season, his second-to-last pair as a Chicago Bull. The XIII has an elaborately textured upper, a holographic eye, and a panther-paw-inspired outsole. This is one of the most high-end Jordan sneakers.
Check out STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Learn More
Released originally in 1992
Both the Air Jordan VI and the VII share a similar design, with sharp angles and grip holes. The latter has no Nike logos or branding at all, which is the main difference. Swooshes and air pockets, farewell. With this, we hoped to establish Jordan as a distinct entity apart from the Michael Jordan athletic apparel line. His Airness won the first of his two gold medals in the 1992 Olympics while wearing the VII, making it a historically significant sneaker.
Learn More about STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Initial publication: 1999
Jordan released the XV a year after his second retirement from the NBA; the design was Brutalist at best and bizarre at worst. For example, the upper may have a brick-like texture, and the tongue may be elevated and project forward toward the eyelets. The XV was actually influenced by the X-15 fighter jet because, like MJ, few other aircraft were capable of such incredible speeds in the air. This fashion set the stage for Jordan to produce even more original works in later decades. (Billie Eilish loves it so much that she collaborated with Jordan to release her own version of the XV in 2021.) )
Learn More about STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS
Initially published in 2003.
There have been several pairs of shoes released in honor of Jordan's retirements (as mentioned above), but the XVIII is the final one. The greatest player of all time has retired from the NBA for the third time, having played his final season of basketball with the Washington Wizards at age 40. Wilson Smith III, working with Hatfield, riffed on Jordan's appreciation for fast, aerodynamic cars for his third and final sneaker design. That is to say, the XVIII is the closest thing Air Jordan has come to a driving shoe.
Read More GO TO STOCKX GO TO STADIUM GOODS
Publication date of the original version: 2002
Jordan's decision to return to the NBA with the Washington Wizards made national headlines. His return was significant enough that the sneakers made in his honor should say something. The XVII not only had a distinctive look (inspired by jazz music) and packaging (a metal briefcase with a CD-ROM bearing the Jumpman logo) for its time, but it also cost $200, which was quite a lot at the time. Its debut garnered mixed reviews, but the XVII has since risen in popularity.
Visit STOCKX and STADIUM GOODS to find out more.
