Best Nike Air Jordan’s of All Time - The 10 Best Air Jordan Sneakers (With Pictures)
Perhaps the sneakers and the brand that put Nike on the map… The Nike Air Jordans made Michael Jordan a bonfide fashion star (he was already a basketball legend). Also known as just Jordans, Js or AJs, the Air Jordans are a brand of shoes originally worn by legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan, first released in 1985.
Air Jordans are relatively expensive compared to most other sneakers and are considered by some obsessives to be collectors items. Not sure if I qualify as a big collector - but I do own ~20 pairs of Nikes and have owned well over 10 Nike Air Jordans in my life… The Air Jordan XI was actually my first eBay purchase in 2000 (I now have 250+ feedback).
Anyhow, without further ado, here are the 10 best Air Jordans of all time… and by all means - use the comments box to critique my list, add your own, etc:
#10. Nike Air Jordan VII
The Air Jordan VII was released in late 1991 early 1992 and was so different than anything that had been released at the time. From the color combinations to the open ankle suppport and heel slip - this was a revolutionary shoe that is still being mimiced.
Tinker Hatfield created a shoe with lots of similarities with the previous model. What was unique with the VII’s was that they used some of the Nike Huarache technology to create a shoe that really stuck to your foot. The visible air sole, the Nike Air logo, and the yellowing soles all were gone.
When Jordan went to the Olympics with the Dream Team, Nike released a special Olympic color combo of the VII’s. This model also featured Jordan’s Olympic jersey number, 9 which made it very special since all of the previous models that featured his jersey number had always been either stitched or printed with the number 23.
#9. Nike Air Jordan X
I really like the way the Jordan X looks - but this was one of the most unique and controversial Air Jordans. Designed while MJ was playing baseball, the Air Jordan X was not designed by MJ-favorite Tinker Hatfield and consequently the only shoe released the Michael did not fully approve of. The Air Jordan X made its debut in 1994. Jordan wore the X in 1995 before switching to the XI in the playoffs. The X featured a full grain leather upper, a quick lacing system, and solid rubber outsoles which listed Jordan’s previous accomplishments. There were multiple colorways released for different large cities across the United States. The original colorway, white/steel grey/black featured an extra piece of leather on the toe for more durability. Jordan, however, did not like this so Nike removed it on future colorways.
#8. Nike Air Jordan VIII
The Air Jordan VIII was released in 1992-1993 and were the first to introduce a sleeve over the shoe base (later found in the XVI and XVII models).
The eighth model of the Air Jordan was noticeably heavier than its predecessors. Its base was clearly close to that of the VII, but it had a lot more details, and some die hard collectors came to call this the flower-power Air Jordan. The Jordan VIII is also commonly known as the “Bunnys” due to the fact that the commercial featured Bugs Bunny. This shoe was only made in three different color combinations.
The Air Jordan VIII is currently available in retro on Nike.com in its aqua and black/red color along with a navy and orange and a white and orange colorway.
#7. Nike Air Jordan XIV
I never found the Air Jordan XIVs to be the most comfortable of the line, but I really love the sleek, strong look…. after all, these were modeled after MJ’s Ferrari f50. There are over 9 colors of the XIV including his Bulls colorway, white, and black.
It is known for being the best Jordan in terms of performance, blowing away even the most modern of basketball sneakers.
As an added extra, there are seven Jumpman logos on each shoe, 7 + 7= 14.
The black/varsity red - black version is sometimes referred to as the last shots because Jordan was wearing them during the last game he played with the Bulls which he finished with a game-winning shot over Bryon Russell. It was the first and only time in Jordan’s professional career he wore the shoe.
#6. Nike Air Jordan III
These are just beautiful and many of the retro release Nikes are modeled after these. It was the first Air Jordan to feature a visible air unit on the heel, the new Jumpman logo, an elephant print trim, and tumble leather for a luxury look. Michael Jordan has reportedly said the III’s were and still are his favorite Air Jordans to date.
Tinker Hatfield the Air Jordan III was truly revolutionary. The III’s are also famous for the humorous ads depicting Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon.
In 2007, Jordan brand will collaborate with director Spike Lee to release a limited pair of III’s in a special colorway to resemble the Do The Right Thing movie poster. 2007 also saw the “retro’ed” versions of the Jordan III’s in 2 monotone colorways, all black and all white, nicknamed the “Black Cats” and the “Pures,” respectively.
#5. Nike Air Jordan I
The sneaker that started it all - they are beautiful in their simplicity and the colorway will always be synomous with MJ and the Bulls. Designed by Peter Moore and released in 1985, the Air Jordan I is considered a revolution in basketball shoe design, although its design was improved upon later with the Nike Dunk. The shoe gained much initial publicity and interest when the National Basketball Association banned it, saying that its vibrant black and red color violated the league’s design rules.
In 1994, the white/black-red and black/red colorways were retroed and sold very poorly. Many went on sale for as low as $20 in stores. When the I’s were retroed again in 2001, they sold out instantly.
The first sightings of the Air Jordan I occurred on November 17, 1984 in a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers.[citation needed] The first colors unveiled were the banned black/red design, due to a violation within the leagues policy regarding its lack of support. It was announced later that Nike would release them to the public the following spring
#4. Nike Air Jordan IV
AWESOME. I love these shoes and think they merge the best of the 80s and 90s styles. The Air Jordan IV is basic - but sleek and hip.
The Air Jordan IV shoe was first released in 1989, designed once again by Tinker Hatfield. It wasn’t as revolutionary as the first three models, but it still became the first released Jordan shoe on the world market, with some exceptions. Its cushioning sole and design made it an international bestseller.
Spike Lee, the director/actor who helped in the ad campaign for the Air Jordan III, created the famous Can/Can’t TV commercial. He also gave them promotion in his movie Do The Right Thing. A classic scene in the movie for Jordan fans has a person who has his new AJ IVs scuffed by a bicycle rider and goes crazy about it. He places his shoe on a fire hydrant and cleans it with a toothbrush.
#3. Nike Air Jordan V
The Air Jordan III, IV and V series progressed so well - looking at each of the shoes, it is easy to identify how they are linked and how each new release matured from the previous. The Air Jordan V features the air bubble and the rich print that the III did - and the it had the same style and shape as the IV. Just a terrific progression.
The original Air Jordan V was released in February 1990. Again designed by Hatfield, and like his other designs, this was again truly revolutionary. Some elements were the same from the Air Jordan IV, but the V’s most distinctive feature is arguably its reflective tongue. There was also another innovation: clear rubber soles. The soles gave the shoe a whole new and unique look, but it yellowed over time when exposed to moisture. Collectors’ responses to this was storing the shoes in a cool, dry place with a desiccant at the soles, most commonly silica packs. The Jordan V also came with lacelocks, making strapping on easy.
NBC’s The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air as Will Smith regularly wore on set many classic OG colourways during the 1st season of the hit sitcom making the V’s very popular to fans and teenagers in the process.
Also the Air Jordan 5’s were a top seller. More 5’s were made than any other pairs of Jordans. The Jordan V is considered the best design and structure to actually wear during games.
#2. Nike Air Jordan XII
The two best years of the Air Jordan collection - the XI and the XII are the greatest sneakers within the larger brand. The Nike Air Jordan XII has a completely different style than the XI. The XII was launched in the 1996 / 1997 season - the same year that Jordan’s bulls beat the Utah Jazz in the NBA playoffs (remember Jordan’s classic flu game?). These are also the first Air Jordans to use Zoom Air. The original colorway was Chicago Bull Black & Red - though my preference is the white and Carolina Blue version later worn by Carmelo Anthony.
#1. Nike Air Jordan XI
Released in 1995, the Nike Air Jordan XI arrived in time for Michael Jordan’s NBA comeback and simultaneously saved a declining brand - the most recent Air Jordan’s had taken a rather drastic decline in style and quality. The Jordan XI is a high-quality basketball sneaker that performs sharply on and off the court. Personally, my preference is for any of the colorways that include black. Of course, the black and red colorway was featured in Space Jam.
The Air Jordan XI is one of the most popular Air Jordans of all time and one of the most sought after sneakers of all time. These were the shoes Jordan wore during his first return to basketball during the 1995-1996 season. Air Jordan XI was first spotted on Jordan’s feet during the playoffs in which the Bulls were eliminated by Shaq and Penny Hardaway’s Orlando Magic. At the time, Jordan wore number 45, which was the number he wore playing baseball, instead of number 23, so the very first Jordan XI had number 45 at the heel. They were never released to the public and were extremely hard to find because a season later Jordan switched back to 23. They revolutionized all basketball shoes with the use of patent leather and a carbon-fiber shank; no one had ever seen so much technology in a basketball shoe prior to the XI. The originally-released Air Jordan XI only had 3 colorways, the white/black/concord (Regular season), the white/ice blue (All Star Game) and the black/red (Playoff). Another interesting point about Air Jordan XI was that, for the first time since Air Jordan II, Nike released the low-cut version of Air Jordan. Rumors had it that Air Jordan XI low was created because Jordan hurt his ankle during the regular season and was unable to wear high-cut sneakers. In fall of 2000, Nike had re-released the retro version of the Air Jordan XI (officially dubbed Air Jordan XI Retro) but had made them slightly different from the previous release.
Tags: Michael Jordan, Nike
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September 25th, 2007 at 10:08 am
terrible list man, how can you have the ten’s on this list and not have the six’s AT ALL. real list - 4,6,11,5,13,3,12,14,17,7
September 25th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Hey man, how come the low-top AJ # 2’s aren’t on the list. One of the only low-top pairs ever made?
September 25th, 2007 at 10:47 am
I think this list blows. How could the XIs be ranked higher than the IIIs?!?!? And how could the IIs not be included. They were made of italian leather for f’s sake!!!!!!!!!!
This author is clearly a douchebag.
September 25th, 2007 at 10:48 am
This list is bad. When discussing what colorway was in Space Jam they are wrong about it being the black and reds in fact it was the black/black/blue which were never released. When they started retroing these there was similar colorway released but the sole was clear instead of blue, but many called these the Space Jam XI’s
September 25th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Everyone - an open invite stands. If you think that your list of the Top 10 Air Jordan’s is better - please write it up and send it over to us. I will get it posted on SportsWrap!
September 25th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Everyones entitled to their opinion. I like this list, but I think the IVs are the best. Not only because they are the best looking, but they came out when the Air Jordans were at their absolute apex–1989, I believe. The black ones were the shit.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
where’s playoff xiii’s, jams, whtcement 3s, blk 3s, whtcement 4s at???
September 25th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Those IV’s are fake.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
its an ok list….the 11s should be number 1 but the 8s should get more credit
September 25th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Yes, those IV’s are, in fact, fake.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
not an awful list otherwise, but i can’t take a top ten jay’s list seriously if you don’t have the XIIIs on there.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
dem patent leather joints be da shit
September 25th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
i too first started on ebay purchasing the XI’s. i ended up with every color combo but the original white and black versions (grey on grey, white on red, white on snake, black on black, and black on red).
i still have the black on black and black on red’s. still so very stylish for a sneaker.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
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September 25th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I am surprised someone else likes the 12’s as much as I do. this list is the authors opinion, so instead of bashing it, give your opinion. Oh and BTW, IV’s are fake. Shame on you.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Pretty good list, but the V should be number one, no question.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
you idiots thats a pic of Fae Jordan IV’s. WOW!!
September 25th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
air jordans are by far the best i cant get enough of em thats for sure
September 25th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
ya’ll have way too much time on your hands.
they all look the same… woo.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Interesting…You will see all these shoes very soon, but how you see them will be interesting…My sources tell me that my connects are…interesting
September 25th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
1)III 2)IV 3)11 4)V 6)I 7)VI
VII 9)VIII 10) XII…That’s the real list.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
THOSE FAKE 4’s ARE HIDEOUS!!!!
September 25th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Nice read, but the Air Jordan 4 posted are indeed fake.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I have two pairs of the XI’s from kicksonfire.com, the black patent leather ones, but another pair that was royal blue patent leather. I love those shoes…great call on #1.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Sorry. The Air Jordan III’s, in black, are the best Jordans ever.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:18 am
11’s are obviously the best. Next will be a tie between the 3’s and 5’s. Then the 1’s and 6’s, 12’s,8’s
September 26th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Air Jordan X was indeed designed by Tinker Hatfield.
Yes, those IV’s in the picture are FAKES.
The V’s don’t have same shape as IV’s.
I know everyone has different opinions and taste, but no XIII’s and VI’s?
September 26th, 2007 at 10:25 am
The Air Jordan IV were the only jordan’s I ever had interest in. That’s because I was 13 years old. Jordan’s in general look like they’re halfway between a basketball shoe and a moonboot. Hilarious looking. It’s 2007, no one wears Nike anymore anyway.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Wow…I agree with most of the “this list is horrible” comments I’ve come read, so I wont go on and on. I will say that as a sneaker enthusiast, I’m horrified at the site of those (word of choice) fake IV’s, which is sac-religous considering the IV’s are easily in my top 5 list of Jordans. In fact any website that lists fake sneakers shouldnt have any credibility (see the “hype sneaker” ad in the top left…I mean damn, when did they release that ughly colorway of the VII?).
However, I will say that I resepect everyone’s opinion and its always fun to see peoples tastes…with that…here is my list:
1. Air Jordan III, any color (Are you kidding me, this shoe is by far the “revolutionary” Jordan and was the first shoe to have a visible Nike Air sole & jumpman logo…Tinker is a genius)
2. Air Jordan IV, any color (Another TH classic. These just might have been the best all around Air Jordan, and I can rock these on the court or with jeans any day)
3. Air Jordan XI, any color (Brought the Air Jordan back from the dead…and may be the most unique and beautiful Jordan…yet the most simple since the Air Jordan 2. Also, the Air Jordan XI is still the best basketball shoe to play in, any day…I love the sole…it is so choice)
4. Air Jordan V, any color (Holy shnikes…the V was just nice…I love the design…anything designed from a fighter jet cant go wrong…its also got the Nike Air logo, which makes it hot along with the 3, 4, and 6. I will always remember these hovering over Joe Dumar’s face.)
5. Air Jordan I, any (of the many) colors (How can you have a top 10 list and not put these on the top 5? Certainly one of the most iconic shoes of all time…and extremely revolutionary…”Banned” ads, anyone? These shoes closely resemble the Air Force I, only they’ve got the wings on the side…which makes them better. You can also rock these with anything…on and off the court. Timeless.)
6. Air Jordan II, Any color (These never get the credit they deserve, but I’ve always had a crush on these shoes…they remind me of a 1920’s dress shoe…just pimp…the way the XI’s are. They’re also one of only 2 of Air Jordans with the “wings” design, which looks so damn good. And those low tops were nasty…especially when sitting on Patrick Ewings forehead.)
7. Air Jordan VII, ironically (Anyone remember Hare Jordan??? Jesus, these were so sick and I’m still waiting for the “Hare Jordan” colorway to be re-retroed, although the “Raptor” and “Cardinal” colorways are mean. Remember Jordans 6 three’s in the finals against the Blazers? These were also the only AJ’s to have a colorway for the Dream Team.)
8. Air Jordan VI, black & infared (Although these arent necessarily the most beautiful, they still have the goods: Air bubble, Nike Air logo, clean toe, etc… These were also the kicks MJ wore for his first championship…enough said.)
9. Air Jordan VIII, any color…b/c they’re all so crazy. (Maybe its b/c I just picked up the purple, aqua and black retro’s that were released on 9/22, but I love these shoes. They’re so ugly they’re beautiful. Talk about a unique shoe that just works, somehow. These are also one of the better shoes for playing in, wonderful support/comfort…afterall…these were designed to help MJ’s ankle’s break Kevin Johnson’s ankles when they 3-peated in 93′ and made the Suns look like b#$%.
10. Air Jordan XIV, black & red. (These “Last Shots” deserve to be in the top 10 and the black & red colorway is just beastly. I also loved the yellow jordan logo on the side ankles…you can certainly see the Ferrari inspiration behind these. The zoom air sole is also great for playing in.)
Honorable mention:
AJ 9’s, 10’s, 12’s, 13’s (especially the “panther eye”), 20’s, 22’s and the Spizikes.
September 28th, 2007 at 4:16 am
[…] The 10 greatest Air Jordans, my ass! The VI rocked the shit! (Maybe I’ll have to pick up a pair of Gil II Zero sometime.) […]
September 28th, 2007 at 7:01 am
I wonder how all the thailand children that made the shoes would rank them
September 28th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
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October 2nd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
the xi, xiii,v,iii,vi…uhh. snakeskin xi low are clearly the best ones…end of line.
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:39 am
this r sick man yearrrrrr
October 30th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
The air jordan III’s that you say are the “PURES” are really called the “PURE $” III’s. I have those shoes. The $ looks kind of like an S, but it’s not.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
The air jordan III’s that you say are the “PURES” are really called the “PURE $” III’s. I have those shoes. The $ looks kind of like an S, but it’s not though.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:30 pm
dem V’s and III’s aint no joke i got almost all of em
November 9th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
3’s are the best. hands down.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:48 pm
XIV mofos is totally the best, no straps, plastic or anything else, just sweet, sweet love…
December 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
i love jordans in i want to see the christmas jordans
January 8th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I cannot believe there has not been one post or mention about the 19s. These are without a doubt the best basketball shoe of all the Jordan’s. The 19s are the best Jordan’s to wear on the court period. They the lightest and best basketball orientated Jordan’s ever made, and therefore get my vote as the best and most underrated Jordan’s.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Has anyone noticed that clothing now appears to be getting designed by and for circus clowns?!? How long before manufacturers think to include complimentary beeper noses to the purchasers?
Thankfully Nike has gone all out to preserve the only significant feature of these otherwise forgettable shoes, their trademark UGLINESS.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
i love jordan shoes .
son mis faboritos :] zapatos
February 29th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
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March 13th, 2008 at 10:12 am
simplemente no mames cabron I mean what kind of mindless styles person you are but that top ten is more like low ten expet por the VII the VII( my current shoes) the v’s and obusly the I’s ofcurse not in that order you relly need to get to a doctor
March 15th, 2008 at 7:30 am
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April 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Dem 4’s are Bang Bangs. (FAKE) what the hell you make me sick!
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
O yeah BTW Topsporting sells Bang Bangs (fake) shoes. Just for your information.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:29 am
how dont u put the 13 on there r u crazy and the 6 need more love than that
April 15th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Yeah the list was preety accurate ,but i think instead of the I’s or the V’s the XIII’s should have made the list .
May 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Best Jordan of all time is the retro 8’s so take off tha 11’s asap!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
8′S best pair any color it don’t matter so take them 11’s off ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!