Air Jordan
Air Jordan is a yearly set of sneakers released by Brand Jordan, a NIKE, Inc. subsidiary. Created for six-time NBA Champion Michael Jordan in 1984, the Air Jordan line debuted at retail in 1985 with the Jordan 1. Currently releasing the Jordan 38 with eyes towards the successor Jordan 39, the sub-label is the most popular athlete-specific sneaker line ever created. Designers have included Peter Moore, Bruce Kilgore, Wilson Smith III, Tate Kuerbis, and Tinker Hatfield, who’s credited for 21 of 38 models.
While rooted in performance basketball, Jordans – in particular models between the Jordan 1 and Jordan 14 – have enjoyed widespread adoption in the lifestyle and casual wear spaces. Brand Jordan reissued the set’s first sneaker in 1994 during Jordan’s first retirement from the NBA. Subsequent years have seen hundreds of old and new retros, be they individual releases or as larger collections or sets (i.e. “Defining Moments Pack,” “Countdown Pack,” “Bin 23”). Retros of the Jordan 3, Jordan 4, Jordan 5, and Jordan 6 typically stir controversy depending on whether they feature “NIKE”/”NIKE AIR” branding like their “OG” counterparts or modernized “JORDAN” and Jumpman logos. Nevertheless, the retro line is alive and well all the same, having helped its parent company achieve its first $1 billion revenue quarter in the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year. (The brand’s best-selling release of all-time was 2019’s Jordan 11 “Bred”.)
Outside of general release pairs, Air Jordan collabs remain a major, major driver of hype in the footwear space year in and year out. Beginning with the UNDEFEATED Jordan 4, enlisting outside creatives has resulted in some of the most sought-after sneakers in the history of the hobby. Since that 2006 pair, Jordan Brand’s roster has swelled tremendously to include the likes of Supreme, OFF-WHITE, Travis Scott, UNION LA, and J BALVIN. Furthermore, athletes the likes of Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Carmelo Anthony, and Russell Westbrook have received special Friends & Family and Player Exclusive (PE) pairs, which have only contributed to Air Jordan’s legend.
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Air Jordan
Air Jordan 5 “Raging Bull” Expected To Return Spring/Summer 2021
Inclusive of both the upcoming “What The” and “Oregon” pairs, Jordan Brand’s plans for the Air Jordan 5 most rely on past releases in some...
The Jordan Zoom ’92 Is Releasing Soon With Blue And Burgundy Accents
After being reimagined by UNION LA’s own Chris Gibbs, the Jordan Zoom ’92 has pulled the sheets back on several forthcoming colorways, many of which...
A Multi-Colored Air Jordan 1 Low Combines Patent And Smooth Leather
The Air Jordan 1 Low, much like its high-top and mid-top counterparts, has displayed quite a bit of variety this year alone. And after a...
This Jordan Zoom 92 For Women Channels The “Ultramarine” Look From The Early 90s
Unlike the Jordan Delta, Jordan React Elevation, and other new inline releases, the Jordan Zoom 92 has acted more as a vehicle for nostalgia, often...
The Unidentified Air Jordan Basketball Shoe Appears In Classic “Bred”
For the Jumpman imprint, it’s usually tradition that around the cusp of Fall time, they usually take the opportunity to introduce new innovations under their...
Air Jordan 1 Low Arriving Soon In “Court Purple”
Earlier in the year, Court Purple was becoming something of an obsession for Jordan Brand as they used the colorway atop the Air Jordan 4...
UNION LA Models Jordan Collaboration With “Hustle and Motivate” Cosplay
This year, UNION LA and Jordan Brand have undoubtedly outdone themselves, going to great lengths to both promote their collaboration as well as give back...
First Look At The Jordan Talon SP-Z (Not The Air Jordan 35)
With the year coming to a close, it’s about time for the next mainline Jordan silhouette to be revealed. And with official images of this...
The Air Jordan 1 Mid Emerges With “Astronomy Blue” Swooshes
When scoping out the many Air Jordan 1s that have emerged this Spring/Summer season, it’s clearly evident that the Jumpman team has put many of...