6 Iconic Air Jordan Models: A Deep Dive into the Legacy
Air Jordans are one of the most iconic basketball shoes in history, and have left a lasting impact on sneaker culture and fashion. Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike in 1984 led to the release of the first Air Jordan model, which has since become a staple for both basketball players and sneaker enthusiasts. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at seven of the most beloved Air Jordan models of all time.
1. Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High
Price: $315.00 — $430.00
Date First Available: December 3, 2021
A limited edition shoe known as the Union x Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” was developed in association with the Union menswear store in Los Angeles. It has a “cut and paste” design that combines two distinct original Air Jordan 1 colours into a single shoe. The “Black Toe” Jordan 1’s body is coupled with the ankle in a white and grey colorway, giving the sneaker a vintage appearance. The leather has been aged and damaged. A “UN/LA” tag on either ankle completes the highly sought-after design. Unfortunately, the November 2018 release of the Union x Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” was done in incredibly small numbers, making them difficult to locate for sneaker collectors.
2. Nike Mens Auir Jordan 1
Price: $200.00 — $245.00
Date First Available: November 4, 2021
The popular mid-top basketball shoe known as the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Tan/Gum” features a two-tone color scheme of white and tan. The perforated toe, mid-panel, and collar of the shoe feature a simple, white leather color block that makes it ideal for casual wear. Tan leather is used for the forefoot, eyelets, collar, and Swoosh, and it effectively contrasts with the white leather. The collar sports a white Wings emblem, while the tongue is made of white nylon with tan Jumpman and Air branding. The grey fake snakeskin on the forefoot of the shoe gives it a distinctive touch.
3. Air Jordan 4 Retro
Price: $372.73 — $465.00
Date First Available: November 13, 2022
In my opinion, the Jordan series’ most attractive model is at the top of the list. These sneakers would come in #1 if I had my own rating because of the enormous influence they have both on and off the court. Since 1989, Jordan had already developed a firmly entrenched culture, making this model important for the company during its period of globalization.
Imagining a colorway that wasn’t released in 1989 but could have been, the “Alternate” Air Jordan 4 creates a Bulls-friendly color scheme in white with red accents.
4. Air Jordan 3 ‘Fire Red’
Price: $189.00 — $238.00
Date First Available: April 26, 2022
I really wanted these when they retroed in 2007. I remember seeing the last pair in a Finish Line in Manchester, New Hampshire, on a drive home from college. Sadly, there was a pen mark across the shoe that wouldn’t come out, so I passed. If you know anything about sneakers in New Hampshire at that time, you’d know how hard it was to come across good retro product. So it hurt, bad. It was nice to see the shoe finally come back this year in its OG form with the Nike Air on the back, much better than the Jumpman version from ’07. I know there tends to be a bias in black colorway Jordans amongst collectors and the public, so you’ll never see the Fire Reds usurp the Black Cements in popularity, but it’s good to see one of the original models get special treatment and be well received in today’s era. — Matt Welty
5. Big Kids Jordan 5
Price: $259.95 — $309.69
Date First Available: March 27, 2021
DJ Khaled’s first Air Jordan collaboration to hit retail in 2022 brought his brash sense of style and unwavering optimism to life in the form of sneakers. Four distinct iterations of the DJ Khaled x Air Jordan 5 were produced: two for friends and family and two for general release.
The effort went above and beyond simply flipping fresh colours, reworking one of the iconic aspects of the Air Jordan 5 by eliminating the molded padding from the collar. It resulted in a more wearable, fashionable, and streamlined form.
6. Nike Women’s Air Jordan 1 Low
Price: $175.00 — $254.50
Date First Available: May 13, 2021
Since its humble beginnings as a collegiate basketball shoe, the Nike Dunk has come a long way. The Dunk has evolved from a court favorite to a representation of streetwear and skate culture, becoming an iconic shoe that has withstood the test of time. The original Dunk design was intended for synchronized colors for university programs and debuted in 1985. Since then, it has changed into a shoe praised for its modern style and adaptability. Nike has brought back a number of well-known team colors in celebration of the Dunk’s 35th birthday, assuring that its legacy will endure for years to come.
