Air Jordan 9

The Air Jordan 9 (IX), is a basketball sneaker from NIKE, Inc. It’s the ninth shoe in Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan signature sneaker line.

Designed by the legendary Tinker Hatfield, the shoe debuted in 1993 during Jordan’s first retirement from the NBA to play in a single season of minor league baseball. Although production of the shoe had begun prior to his Airness’ announcement on October 6th, 1993, questions regarding the future of the Air Jordan series arose. Instead of relying on MJ’s dominance on the hardwood, the Swoosh viewed the new sneaker as an opportunity to tap into the then-30-year-old’s global influence. Everybody wanted to be like Mike, and Hatfield knew this, which is why he incorporated different languages – from Japanese to Swahili – on the outsoles. Words inspired by Jordan (like “dedicated,” “intense” and “sport”) offered consumers all over the world a piece of the Jumpman formula; globe logos on the heels completed the Jordan 9’s worldwide theme.

Tech-wise, the shoe didn’t revolutionize the performance-basketball space like some of the Jordans before it. Enclosed Air cushioning in the heel joined a Nike Huarache-like inner bootie. The only innovation to debut on the model was “one pull” lacing system made possible by the thin laces and the plastic eyelets they passed through.

Although #23 never wore the shoes during an official NBA game, he donned them in practices and promotional material shot in the mid-’90s. Yet, the Swoosh thought it was imperative for Hatfield’s Jordan 8-successor to have some presence during the 1993-94 NBA season, which is why it offered Player-Exclusive (PE) versions to six players: Penny Hardaway, Latrell Sprewell, BJ Armstrong, Mitch Richmond, Kendall Gill and Harold Miner. Every athlete had his number stitched on the heel, and while this run wasn’t the first batch of PEs, it cemented the program’s importance. By the end of that NBA season, the AJ9 made headlines because it was the shoe Hatfield chose for the Jordan statue (officially called “The Spirit”) erected in front of the Chicago Bulls’ United Center on November 1st, 1994.

The Jordan 9’s original colorways are as follows: “White/Black/True Red,” “Powder Blue,” “Olive” and “Charcoal”. Their debut price was $125 USD, with their first style code being 130182-100. The Jordan 9 Low was introduced in 2002 with the design’s first retro run. Since then, limited and special editions of the ninth Air Jordan sneaker have included Doernbecher, Quai54, “Countdown” Pack (CDP) and other versions, as well as PEs for Mike Bibby and the late Kobe Bryant.

Pricing for the shoes in adult sizing arrives at $210 USD, with kids’ sizes landing at $160 (Grade School), $100 USD (Pre-School) and $85 USD (Toddler).

2024 is expected to be a great year for the Air Jordan 9, previously somewhat sidelined in favor of other retros. The Powder Blue Jordan 9 will kick things off on March 27th, but a true collector’s edition returns this Fall with the Jordan 9 Olive.

Shopping Links

Air Jordan 9

The Air Jordan 9 Boot NRG Returns In “Beef And Broccoli” Colorway

Back in November of 2021, Jordan Brand reintroduced the Air Jordan 9 Boot NRG in a “Black/Gum” colorway. Fast forward almost an entire year and...

By Michael Le August 24, 2022
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Air Jordan 9 “Light Olive” Releasing January 7th, 2023

Historically, the Air Jordan 9 hasn’t enjoyed the same type of attention as some of the silhouettes Michael Jordan wore during his professional basketball career....

By Jovani Hernandez June 29, 2022
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First Look At The Air Jordan 9 “Fire Red”

Sometimes the subtlest of changes can make the most drastic of differences. This upcoming Air Jordan 9 “Fire Red” is an example of these impactful...

By Sneaker News June 20, 2022
34724

Where To Buy The Air Jordan 9 “Particle Grey”

Unveiled back in December of last year, the Air Jordan 9 “Particle Grey” is one of the last few releases from Jordan Brand’s Spring 2022...

By Michael Le June 20, 2022
9173

Official Images Of The Air Jordan 9 “Particle Grey”

First rumored in early December 2021, the Air Jordan 9 “Particle Grey” is finally set to release on June 20th. Unauthorized mockups of the pair...

By Jovani Hernandez June 2, 2022
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Where To Buy The Air Jordan 9 “Chile Red”

The Air Jordan 9 isn’t among the most popular sneaker designs in Michael Jordan’s signature shoe line, but its importance in celebrating #23’s global influence...

By Jovani Hernandez May 6, 2022
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Air Jordan 9 “Fire Red” Expected To Release In November

Red tones seem to work especially well on the Air Jordan 9. Ironically, the IX is the only Air Jordan from the Tinker Hatfield era...

By Sneaker News March 28, 2022
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Detailed Look At The Air Jordan 9 “Chile Red”

Teased ad nauseam since December 2020, the Air Jordan 9 “Chile Red” is finally set to release on February 25th after a number of delays....

By Jovani Hernandez January 17, 2022
15948

The Air Jordan 9 “Particle Grey” Expected To Release Spring 2022

Historically overshadowed by other options in #23’s signature sneaker series, the Air Jordan 9 is set to fight for the spotlight in 2022, as it’s...

By Jovani Hernandez December 8, 2021
33396