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

The Jordan x Kobe Collection Sold For Over $240,000

Michael Jordan had as profound and impact on Kobe Byrant‘s approach to the game of basketball as any. You can see the hallmark Jordan-esque moves...

By Patrick Johnson February 15, 2016
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A Comprehensive Guide To Every 2016 All-Star Sneaker Release

The best basketball players in the world are flocking to Toronto this upcoming weekend to showcase their skills in the upcoming 2016 NBA All-Star Game....

By Patrick Johnson February 12, 2016
17357

Nike Unveils 2016 Black History Month Collection

Since 2005, Nike has managed to bring some of their latest and greatest models together to honor Black History Month in new and exciting ways....

By Patrick Johnson January 13, 2016
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December 2015 Sneaker Releases

Holiday 2015 is upon us, which means there’s about to be an influx of awesome year-end sneaker releases to sort through and priorities on your...

By Patrick Johnson December 1, 2015
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Remember When Kobe Bryant Used To Rock Jordans? Here’s One From 2002

Look through Google Images for a bit and you’ll find plenty of photos of Kobe Bryant rocking some of the most incredible Air Jordan PEs...

By John Kim July 16, 2015
9740

Sneakers Releasing This Weekend – June 27th, 2015

Yeezy madness, Nike Basketball celebrates Independence Day early, and a new Asics collaboration from Wale and Villa. It’s almost the weekend, which can only mean...

By Patrick Johnson June 26, 2015
9947

June 2015 Sneaker Releases

June 2015 promises plenty of releases to kick off your summer on the right foot. adidas has been focusing on their adidas Ultra Boost as...

By Patrick Johnson June 1, 2015
46987

Sneakers Releasing This Weekend – May 23rd

We’re back with another run-down of all the sneakers releasing this weekend. There’s one shoe dropping tomorrow that you probably need no reminder for if...

By Zack Schlemmer May 22, 2015
16221

Sneakers Releasing This Weekend – May 16th, 2015

The Air Jordan 7 “Hare” is finally releasing at retailers in the first stand-alone retro of the infamous Bugs Bunny referencing colorway since the shoe...

By Patrick Johnson May 15, 2015
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