Top ten Air Jordan Sneakers of all time

From the classics to the overlooked, the Air Jordan line is the most iconic basketball sneakers. Here is a ranking of the greatest basketball sneakers in history.

By Gary Guillory

The year is 1984, and a struggling running shoe company was looking to expand itself to the world of basketball. The Nike company was looking for the right athlete to represent its brand. Then an NBA rookie by the name of Michael Jordan enters the picture, signs the deal with Nike and the rest is history.

If it weren’t for Michael Jordan, Nike would not be as big as it is today. The Air Jordan line took the world by storm and became a cultural phenomenon both off and on the court. Currently, there are 37 Jordan models, each being unique in design and the technology being used in each sneaker. We take a look at the 10 best Air Jordan sneakers and see what made the models so unique and impactful.

1. Jordan 1

The one that started it all!

The Air Jordan 1 was the shoe that put Nike on the market with its simplistic design and silhouettes. The Air Jordan 1 is arguably one of the most popular sneakers of all time and is considered to be the grail of many sneaker collectors.

2. Jordan 3

The Air Jordan 3 is the first sneaker in the line that the legendary Tinker Hatfiled designed. The sneaker also introduced the iconic Jumpman logo. This was the shoe that kept also the Jordan Brand alive had Hatfield never come. This model has been made in many colorways and will continue to be loved by all sneaker lovers.

3. Jordan 11

The Air Jordan 11 is one of the most distinctive and innovative sneaker designs of all time. The Air Jordan 11 made its first appearance in the movie Space Jam and it took the world by storm. Designer Tinker Hatfield used the 11 as a high-fashion and luxury model. The Air Jordan 11 is still considered by many as the greatest basketball sneaker ever

4. Jordan 4

The Air Jordan 4 was the first shoe in the series to go global. The appeal of the Air Jordan 4 outside of basketball was boosted by a famous scene using the sneaker in Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing. Even now, the Air Jordan 4 still sees vintage releases and is regarded as a series classic by the majority of collectors.

5. Jordan 5

The Air Jordan 5 had a cut that was significantly higher than the Jordans' two prior iterations. The design was allegedly inspired by a World War II aircraft. Despite not being as highly regarded as the Air Jordan 3 and 4, the Air Jordan 5 is nonetheless a very successful addition to the series

6. Jordan 12

The Air Jordan 12 is one of the most coveted pairs of Air Jordan shoes ever. They have endured for decades because of the practicality and stylish Tinker Hatfield design of the shoe. Michael Jordan wore the Jordan 12 at the famous "Flu Game." The Chicago Bulls won their fifth title in 1997, thanks to Michael Jordan.

7. Jordan 6

The Air Jordan 6 was unveiled in 1991. Michael Jordan won his first title while sporting the Air Jordan 6 which made this pair of Air Jordan sneakers unique. Retro releases are still being made for it, and collectors still find it appealing.

8. Jordan 14

The final shoe that Michael Jordan wore while playing for the Chicago Bulls was the Air Jordan 14. Being on Michael Jordan's feet as he made that famous bucket has contributed to the Air Jordan 14 being a historical figure.

9. Jordan 13

In Tinker Hatfiled’s imagination, Michael Jordan played basketball like a panther. The Air Jordan 13's design draws heavily on cat and panther influence. The final pair of shoes that MJ wore for a full season with the Chicago Bulls was the Air Jordan 13. The 13 symbolizes the end of an era in many ways.

10. Jordan 7

When creating his designs for Nike and Jordan Brand, Tinker Hatfield drew inspiration from everywhere and anything. African tribal art served as inspiration for the Air Jordan 7. The shoe's top, the multicolored tongue pattern, and the outsole design were all inspired by African art. The ad campaign included Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny which would inspire the iconic Space Jam movie.

Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Editors' Picks, NewsGary GuilloryAugust 19, 2021Shoes, fashion, Jordans, Air Jordans, Michael Jordan, Tinker Hatfield, Nike, Jordan brand, basketball