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.

Air Jordan

Jordan Retro Summer 2019 Preview

With a change of seasons comes a full slate of new releases, and Jordan Brand’s Summer 2019 collection has been officially revealed. Blending excursions into...

By Ross Dwyer March 31, 2019
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The Air Jordan 6 “Infrared” Returns With A Full Reflective Upper

With the reintroduction of the Air Jordan 6 “Infrared” earlier this year, Jordan Brand is refocusing on the earlier Championship years of Michael’s inimitable success....

By Sneaker News March 31, 2019
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Where To Buy The Aleali May x Air Jordan 6

After a duo of extremely successful Air Jordan 1 collaborations over the past two years, multihyphenate creative and leading lady of Jordan Brand Aleali May...

By Ross Dwyer March 12, 2019
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The Oregon Ducks Reveal A Frosty Women’s Jordan 6 PE

With the many men’s teams of Jordan-sponsored schools showering us with images of their forthcoming PEs, it’s no wonder the Oregon Ducks are revealing quite...

By Michael Le March 5, 2019
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Where To Buy The Air Jordan 6 GG “Green Abyss”

Next up for the pint-sized Jumpman fanatics is a Green Abyss colorway of the beloved Air Jordan 6 silhouette set to become available in GG...

By Ben Felderstein March 1, 2019
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Aleali May’s Air Jordan 6 Collaboration Releases March 15th

After a duo of Air Jordan 1 collaborations, multihyphenate creative force Aleali May is back again for her third special Air Jordan: a “Rust Pink”...

By Ross Dwyer March 1, 2019
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