Air Jordan Shoes
Air Jordans were an instant hit thanks to a high flying rookie as well as one of the best marketing campaigns put together by Weiden and Kennedy. Air Jordan shoes have been the top selling signature basketball shoe that Nike has ever produced. In addition to the signature Air Jordans, Jordan Brand has a major presence in the basketball and lifestyle market. Despite the fact that Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 2003 (for the 3rd time) Air Jordans are still the top selling models for many sneaker retailers. The legacy of Michael Jordan lives on with the release of new Jordans each year and re-releasing retro Air Jordans. Retro Air Jordan shoes are remakes of the classic Air Jordans either in the colors Mike wore back in the day, or slightly modified to match with current trends. Beginning in 2005, Jordan Brand has brought back several “hybrid” Jordan shoes that take individual components from different Air Jordans and form one individual shoe. As part of the 23 year celebration, Jordan Brand started a multi-year campaign “fusing” the Air Force Ones with Air Jordans creating the Air Jordan Fusions.
Air Jordan I
The Air Jordan I was released in 1985 kicking off not only the greatest legacy in sneakers, but also the greatest legacy in basketball history. Wearing the Air Jordan I, Michael Jordan soared in his rookie year. In 2001, Nike tried a second round with a re-retro and the Air Jordan I was much more successful. The Air Jordan I was retroed in 14 total colorways from 2001-2003. The Air Jordan I is a legendary shoe and is the holy grail of most sneaker collectors because of its history and since it was the first Jordan shoe launched.
Air Jordan II
The Air Jordan II debuted in the 1986 and 1987 season featuring a full length air sole and very supportive mid sole. The Air Jordan II again stood out from all of the other basketball shoes with a faux lizard skin on the side of the shoe. The Air Jordan II also separated itself from all other sneakers since it was made in Italy. The Air Jordan II was also the only Jordan shoe to not originally be made.
Air Jordan III
The Air Jordan III hit the streets in 1988. The Air Jordan III was the first of 14 Air Jordan's designed by Tinker Hatfield. The Air Jordan III also carried more of Jordan’s name on the shoe since the man himself was an active part of the design of the shoe. The shoe was the perfect example of Tinker’s skill to blend fashion with function. Air Jordan III is definitely one of the most appreciated Nike commercial series through all time. Air Jordan III was a major reason to the Air Jordan shoe line’s overall success.
Jordan Spizike
Initially nicknamed the “retro Frankenstein”, the Air Jordan Spizikes (Spiz’ikes) had as many haters as lovers initially and probably a few more. Many anticipated that this was going to be a bust, but when word got out that the first colorway of the Air Jordan Spizikes would only be available along I-95 (as per Spike Lee's request), the hype for these shoes boomed!
Air Jordan III - sole, mid-sole, and “Spike”/elephant print, Air Jordan IV - “wings” on the sides of the shoes that hold lace loops, Air Jordan V - main silhouette of the shoes as well as netting on the side, Air Jordan VI - tongue of shoes and lace locks, Air Jordan IX - back tab, Air Jordan XX - Laser graphics on sock liner
Jordan IV
The Air Jordan IV took the world by storm in 1989. Along with a career season came a career sneaker. Tinker Hatfield once again designed this shoe. The Air Jordan IV featured many new design concepts. First, the straps on the side for increased ankle support. It was nearly impossible for M.J. to roll his ankle in these shoes. The Air Jordan IV again featured the air sole heel for added cushioning and a full length mid sole. In the White/Black-Cement, the shoe featured a unique textural nickname “Cookies & Cream” for its striking resemblance. The Air Jordan IV was another masterpiece to the Jordan lineup.
Jordan V
The Air Jordan V was released in 1990 and once again featured innovative and creative designs and features. The Air Jordan V featured a unique style cooked up by Tinker Hatfield. The Air Jordan V was inspired by the WW2 Mustang fighter plane. The most obvious element of the inspiration is the shark teeth shapes on the mid sole of the shoe. The Air Jordan V also was the first Jordan shoe to have a clear sole. This not only added a nice look to the Air Jordan V, but provided far better traction. The Air Jordan V also featured an iridescent reflective tongue and lace locks.
Jordan VI
The Air Jordan VI was released for the 1990-91 season. This season and this shoe was part of a defining moment for Michael Jordan and all of the Air Jordans. What is there to say else than Hatfield created another classic. This time with a rubber tounge featuring two holes which the bearer could use to easily get the kicks on. He kept the idea with clear rubber soles and lace locks from the Air Jordan V but apart from that this felt like a brand new AJ design for the Air Jordan VI.
Jordan VII
The Air Jordan VII was worn by Mike in the 1991-92 season as well as the gold-medal winning Barcelona Olympic Games. The Air Jordan VII is a very unique shoe in the Jordan line as well as a basketball shoe. The Air Jordan VII featured Huarache technology which made the shoe really stick to your foot. The shoe was much lighter weight than some of the previous Air Jordans as well. The Air Jordan VII was also unique in that it did not feature the “Nike Air” logo, a visible air unit, or clear soles.
Jordan VIII
The Air Jordan VIII was released during the 1992-93 “Three-Peat” Championship season. The Air Jordan VIII was the last Air Jordan shoe that Jordan wore before retiring the first time. The Air Jordan VIII was one heavy beast. Its base was clearly close to its predecessor but it had a lot more details, color and accents. It had cross-over velcro/leather straps and was so padded your foot got surprised.The Air Jordan VIII was first re-retroed in 2003. Nike kept it short and sweet with the Air Jordan VIII retro release. There were only 4 colorways released in total with two mids and two lows. The Air Jordan VIII retros were one of the most anticipated retros ever released.
Jordan IX
The Air Jordan IX was released in 1993 shortly following the announcement of Jordan’s retirement. The shoe being released was plain and sturdy and was the first model that Michael did not wear in an NBA seasonal game (due to the retirement). The sole had lots of details and a large 23 was stitched at the back of the shoe.
Jordan X
The Air Jordan X was released in 1994-95 despite Jordan’s absense from the NBA. The Air Jordan X featured a different shape than the previous Jordan shoes did.Apart from these soles the design was no real surprise and was overall very plain. Hatfield picked up a few design elements from previous models and you could see some obvious signs of influence from the Air Jordan III, the Air Jordan V and the Air Jordan VI.
Jordan XI
The legendary Air Jordan XI was first released for for 1995-96 season. The Air Jordan XI are the most famous and most popular model of the Air Jordan line. If Jordan was back, so was Tinker Hatfield. A terrific design with a new patent leather and the return of the clear rubber sole made the Air Jordan XI the most appreciated Air Jordan model ever released. The same shoes that could also be seen in the movie Space Jam.When the Jordan XI were retroed in 2000-2001 they would prove to become the retro that sold in the highest quantity ever and also the fastest selling Air Jordan’s of all time. The Jordan XI were retroed in 15 colorways and sold out in every colorway!
Jordan XIII
The Air Jordan XIII was released in 1997-98 which was the last season that Jordan played for the Bulls. Tinker Hatfield was the mastermind behind the genius design of the Air Jordan XIII. The Air Jordan XIII is regarded as the best designed Jordan shoe by a large percentage of Jordan sneaker fans. The Air Jordan XIII was the first and only Jordan shoe to feature a hologram. The outsole received inspiration from the paws of a Panther. Jordan’s nickname on the court from fellow NBA players was “Black Cat” for his fast reflexes and speed down the court.
Jordan XIV
The Air Jordan XIV was released in 1998-99, but one famous pair got on Jordan’s feet just in time before his retirement (Part 2). The Air Jordan XIV were designed by Tinker Hatfield and took inspiration from Jordan’s Ferrari 550M. The Air Jordan XIV was the first Jordan shoe to come standard with metal tips as well as built in trivia. Each shoe (left and right) had 7 jumpmen making a total of 14. The back of the Air Jordan XIV also displayed for all to see in Roman numerals that this was indeed the XIV shoe in the Jordan lineup.The Black/Red Jordan XIV earned the nickname “Last Shots” because of the epic and legendary event that took place while on Jordan’s feet.
Jordan XVII
The Air Jordan XVII was released February 9, 2002. This was the first shoe released since Jordan’s 2nd return to the NBA playing for the Washington Wizards. The first color to release matched their jersey. The Air Jordan XVII design was said to be inspired by three things; “the fine details from an Aston Martin, the smooth lines and flow of a jazz solo and the long Air Jordan history of innovations in style"
Jordan XVIII
The Air Jordan XVIII was released in 2003 and was the shoe for Jordan’s last season (part 3). Creator of the design of the Air Jordan XVIII was Tate Kuerbis (Jordan Senior Footwear Designer). A person that had been part of the Jordan footwear design team since 1999 and with Nike since 1995. The inspiration of the design is a combination for a number of things; Sleek racing lines of the auto world, Carbon fiber-based of F1 race cars, Race car driving shoes (rubber heel wrap) and Fine Italian dress shoes (bold stitching on the soles).
Jordan XX3
The Air Jordan XX3 is said to be the last model of the Air Jordan series by many individuals high in Jordan Brand including the head of footwear marketing, Gentry Humphrey. While there was a lot of celebration for the 20th year anniversary of Air Jordan, there is much anticipation for the XXIII. Performance wise, the Jordan XX3 is said to be above and beyond that of any other Air Jordan. For the third straight year, the Jordan XX3 uses IPS (Independent Podular Suspension) cushioning. For support, a carbon fiber plate extends along the bottom the of sole that modeled of Michael Jordan’s thumb print. Cosmetically, the shoe is as unique as any other Jordan model relative to the rest of the field. Starting at the toe, the toe cap has Michael Jordan’s signature embossed. The side of the shoe features a stitched pattern that gives the shoes strength in addition to cosmetic effect. The tongue of the left and right are different for a first time with a Jumpman on the right shoe and “XX3″ on the left. Lastly what starts at the front of the shoe and extends the full length is a glittery glossy panel that covers the mid-sole body of the sneaker.
Jordan 6 Rings
The Jordan 6 Rings is a "hybrid" of the VII Air Jordans that Mike wore in his efforts to achieving his 6 NBA Championship rings. Listed below are the elements from the shoes represented on the Air Jordan 6 Rings: Air Jordan VI - Lace lock on laces & heel loop, Air Jordan VII - Huarache style inner sock, Air Jordan VIII - Fuzzy tongue logo & Velcro strap, Air Jordan XI - Silhouette of upper, Air Jordan XII - “T W O 3″ on tongue & metal lace loops at top, Air Jordan XIII - Out sole, Air Jordan XIV - Jumpman at bottom of tongue near the toe.
Air Jordan Packages
Jordan PHLY
The Air Jordan PHLY is a new lifestyle around sneaker that takes on the simplicity of Chuck Taylor's and other silhouettes reminiscence of basketball shoes from the 50s. The name PHLY comes from Clifton “Pop” Herring - PH, Michael Jordan’s High School Basketball coach.
Jordan True Flight
Air Jordan True Flight clearly looks much like the Retro Air Jordan VII but is updated with a flatter sole with herringbone traction for a better grip and Zoom Air for higher performance cushioning.