Zack Schlemmer 
The Air Jordan XIII holds a special place in Air Jordan lineage for two main reasons. Not only is it known as one of the most comfortable and best performing of the popular “lower numbered” Air Jordans, it’s the last shoe Michael wore for a complete season with the Chicago Bulls. Little did we know then, but when Michael finished his Bulls career by lacing up the Air Jordan XIII and then briefly the XIV for the the 1998 NBA playoffs it would be the end of an era. An era that, in fact, can be considered the greatest run of signature athletic sneakers ever. So what else do you need to know about the Air Jordan XIII? Continue reading this latest edition of Jordan 101 for all the most important facts of the thirteenth Air Jordan shoe. In this case, #13 wasn’t unlucky at all.
The Basics
The Air Jordan XIII originally released in late 1997 and then throughout 1998 at a retail price of $150. In total, five colorways were released of the standard high-top, along with two low-tops. Just like the Air Jordan XII before it, four of the five highs came with a Bulls friendly variation of black with white and/or red, and only the “Flint” colorway opting for a lifestyle look. Both lows came with a lifestyle-minded colorway, including the unusual “Chutney” version and the Navy/Metallic Silver/Black/Carolina Blue edition. Surprisingly, the XIII was actually the very first Air Jordan model that MJ had exclusive colorways of on court that were never sold at retail. Both worn in the 1998 playoffs, these included an all black with red outsole high-top, and a low similar to the “Playoffs” colorway.
The Black Cat
Tinker Hatfield blessed the sneaker world with another unforgettable design for the Air Jordan XIII, which was inspired by the black panther. Playing off of Michael’s “Black Cat” nickname, the shoe took on the predatory look of the ferocious feline with dotted embroidery on the upper mimicking the the base of a panthers whiskers, and the “paw pad” outsole design. The signature feature of the Air Jordan XIII would be the circular hologram at the heel—colored yellow/green like a panther’s eye—that included a 3-D Jumpman and #23.
A Perfect Balance of Technology and Aesthetics
Like we mentioned earlier, the Air Jordan XIII has always been known for its excellent performance and comfort on or off the court. Packed with Zoom Air in both the heel and forefoot, the XIII was balanced with a carbon fiber midfoot shank and the grippy, paw-pad outsole design. Depending on the colorway, you got a construction in a variation of full-grain leather, suede, and reflective-backed mesh, a speed lacing system, and the iconic hologram. The final product is perhaps the best balance of on-court performance and appealing looks within the Air Jordan line still to this day.
He Got Game
Like the Air Jordan IV years before in Do the Right Thing, the Air Jordan XIII held a special place in another Spike Lee film, 1998’s He Got Game. In one of the film’s most iconic scenes, Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington), who’s fresh out of prison to convince his basketball prodigy son (Ray Allen) to commit to “Big State” for college ball, goes to the sneaker store to buy the latest Air Jordans. Watch above.
A Retro+ Colorway Reaches New Heights
Released in February of 2005, the ‘Black/Altitude Green colorway of the Air Jordan 13 was one of the first non-original colorways of any Air Jordan that really caused a major stir on release day. Of course, there were other popular Retro+ colorways before it like the “Oreo” Air Jordan 4 in 1999 and the “Nubuck” Air Jordan 12, but the “Altitudes” were one of the first all-new colorways that had people lining up and going crazy. Those that missed out on the limited edition Altitudes the first time around had another chance in 2010, although this time they came with mesh paneling on the upper instead of a full leather build.
PE’s
Perhaps due to the shoe’s well-known comfort, the XIII has always been a popular choice for Jordan Brand pro ballers when it comes to player exclusives. Ray Allen can claim the most famous Air Jordan XIII PE’s with his Celtics color-up, which actually got a limited retail release back in 2011, but everybody from Quentin Richardson, to Fred Jones, to the entire Kansas Jayhawks college squad have also been blessed with their own special colorways.
CEO Jordan
With Jordan Brand becoming official in 1997, the ad campaign for the Air Jordan XIII emphasized MJ’s new role as a business man as well as a ball player. Watch the full-length “CEO Jordan” spot above, and then a follow-up with MJ quality checking Air Jordan XIII’s below.
End of an Era
Depending on who you talk to, the Air Jordan XIII is often considered the last great model from the “Bulls era” or “lower numbered” Air Jordan models. In other words, many collectors hold the opinion that Air Jordans 1-13 are the only ones that really matter. Being the last model Michael Jordan wore for an entire season with the Bulls indeed only furthers its broad appeal, pushing the briefly worn Air Jordan XIV out of the hearts of many die-hard fans. Is the XIII truly the last great Air Jordan? Opinions certainly vary, but no later Air Jordan model holds quite the same amount of history and legendary mystique as those original thirteen.
