Air Jordan – Wikipedia
Air JordanThe silhouette of Michael Jordan served as inspiration to create the “Jumpman” oduct typeFootwear, clothingOwnerNike, untryUnited StatesIntroducedNovember 17, 1984; 36 years ago[a]MarketsWorldwideWebsiteAir Jordan
Air Jordan is an American brand of basketball shoes, athletic, casual, and style clothing produced by Nike. Founded in Chicago, Air Jordan was created for Hall of Fame former basketball player Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls. [2][3] The original Air Jordan sneakers were produced exclusively for Michael Jordan in late 1984, and released to the public on April 1, 1985. [4][5] The shoes were designed for Nike by Peter Moore, Tinker Hatfield, and Bruce Kilgore.
Product history[edit]
A listing of all Air Jordan releases since 1985. [6]
Model
Year
Notes
Air Jordan I
1985
The first Air Jordan was produced for Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and designed by Peter C. Moore. [7] The red and black colorway of the Nike Air Ship, the prototype for the Jordan I, was later outlawed by then-NBA Commissioner David Stern for having very little white on them. (This rule, known as the “51 percent” rule, was repealed in the late 2000s. )[8][9]
Air Jordan II
1986
The success of the Air Jordan I encouraged Nike to release a new Air Jordan in 1986 for the new basketball season. Designed by Peter Moore and Bruce Kilgore, the Air Jordan II was unique in that it was made in Italy. In early tests, MJ actually wore a prototype that fused the upper of the original Air Jordan with the cushioning being designed for the new model. The Air Jordan II featured a full-length Air-Sole unit intended to cushion’s MJ’s sore feet. The shoe bore a similar silhouette to the Nike Air Python that would release the following year. The AJ II featured a faux lizard skin and swooping lines that resembled the detailing of a sports car. This design aesthetic would factor into the Air Jordan line later in the series. The AJ II introduced better cushioning with a polyurethane midsole and a full-length encapsulated Nike Air capsule for maximum comfort. The Air Jordan II was the first Jordan not to have the Nike swoosh featured on the upper, though “Nike” was stitched across the heel counter. MJ only got to wear the Air Jordan II for 18 games in the 1986-87 season due to a broken foot. The shoe originally retailed at $100 when it was released from 1986 to 1987. The shoe later re-released, as the Jordan Retro 2, in 1994, 2004–05, 2008, 2010, 2014–18.
Air Jordan III
1988
Originally released in 1988, in 2009 the Jordan Brand reintroduced the highly sought after Air Jordan III in the True Blue colorway. It was an international-only release, meaning they were not sold in the US. In 2011, the brand released a Black History Month (BHM) Air Jordan III colorway in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Black History Month. Also, the same year saw the release of the “True Blue” III on June 4. The Stealth colorway of the III was released in September and the Black Cements were released in November. [10]
On February 15, 2020, the most recent version of the shoe Air Jordan 3 SE “Red Cement” was released in celebration of Chicago, Illinois hosting the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. The brand also debuted a Chicago-exclusive version of the colorway. This pair features “Nike Chi” branding on the heel, replacing the traditional “Nike Air” branding. [11]
Air Jordan IV
1989
In 1989, Nike released the Air Jordan IV to the public. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, it was the first Air Jordan released on the global market. It had four colorways: White/Black, Black/Cement Grey, White/Fire Red-Black, and Off White/Military Blue. Nike featured director and actor Spike Lee in ads for the AJ IV. Lee had featured the shoe in his movie Do The Right Thing. The Air Jordan IV re-released in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010–2013 and 2015–2020 with numerous colorways being released nearly every year.
Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan IV when he made “The Shot, ” a series winner in Game 5 of the 1989 NBA First Round between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2012 a Cavalier colorway dubbed the “Cavs” was released to honor “The Shot. ”
Air Jordan 4 collaboration shoes are some of the rarest and include, the Air Jordan 4 UNDFTD, Eminem x Air Jordan 4 Carhartt, the Wahlberger 4, and the Travis Scott friends and family Purple.
Air Jordan V
1990
The Air Jordan V was released in February 1990, designed by Tinker Hatfield again. Some elements were carried over from the Air Jordan IV, but overall they were a completely new look. Some of its new features include a reflective tongue (with a unique protruding design and look), translucent rubber soles and lace locks. [12]
The Air Jordan V saw a lot of use in popular sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. During many episodes Will Smith wore the Metallic Silver, Grape, and Fire Red colorways. To pay tribute to his character, Jordan released the Air Jordan 5 Bel Air in 2013 and 2020. [13]
Air Jordan VI
1991
The VI was the first shoe used by the protagonist of Slam Dunk, Hanamichi Sakuragi. [14] Nike released special versions of both the VI and the Jordan 3 featuring artwork from the series in 2014. The VI also had Sakuragi’s number 10 embroidered on the side of the heels. [15] Various other models in the Air Jordan line are featured in the series, including the original (to which Sakuragi eventually switched), the V, and the XII (both worn by Sakuragi’s rival, Kaede Rukawa). [16]
Air Jordan VII
1992
The Air Jordan VII was released in 1992 with a new design by Tinker Hatfield. This shoe introduced the huarache technology which allowed the shoes to better conform to the user’s foot. A few things were no longer featured on the new model, such as the visible air sole, the Nike Air logo, and the translucent soles. This was the first Air Jordan in the line that did not have any distinctive “Nike Air” on the outer portions of the shoe. The “Nike Air” branding was still on the in-soles, which Air Jordans VIII–XI also had. The VIIs were also known for a successful ad campaign in which Bugs Bunny appeared alongside Michael Jordan to market the shoes.
When Jordan went to compete at the 1992 Summer Olympics to play for the US Men’s Basketball Team (also known as the “Dream Team”), Nike released a special Olympic color combo of the Air Jordan VII model which had Jordan’s Olympic jersey number 9, instead of the usual “23” found on other colorways.
Various models of the Air Jordan VII were re-released in 2002, again in 2004, and again with different colors in 2006. In 2011 the Air Jordan VII saw releases in the “Orion” and “Bordeaux” colorways. The “Olympic” and “Charcoal” (commonly referred to as Raptors) were re-released in 2012. The shoe was retro-ed in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008–2012, and 2015–2017.
Air Jordan VIII
The Air Jordan VIII was released to coincide with the 1992–1993 NBA season. The eighth model of the Air Jordan was noticeably heavier than its predecessors. The Air Jordan VIII model became known as the “Punisher” because of the advanced basketball ankle support and enhanced traction. This shoe contains a full length air sole, polyurethane midsole, polycarbonate shank plate, and two crossover straps (for added support and more custom fit). The shoe was retro-ed in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2013, and 2015–2017.
Air Jordan IX
1993
Originally released in November 1993, the Air Jordan IX model was the first model released after Michael Jordan’s retirement. Jordan never played an NBA season wearing these shoes. This model was inspired by baseball cleats that Jordan wore when playing minor-league baseball. The shoe was retro-ed in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014–2018.
Like the VII and VIII models, the Air Jordan IX featured an inner sock sleeve and nubuck accents. The sole featured different symbols and languages of different countries. The Air Jordan IX has been the shoe chosen to adorn Jordan’s feet for his statue outside of the United Center in Chicago.
In popular culture, the children’s movie The Little Rascals depicted one of the bullies, Butch, wearing a pair of these shoes. American rap icon Tupac Shakur also wore Air Jordans in a popular “Thug Life” photo in 1993.
Air Jordan X
1994
This was released in 1994 in three colorways – White/Black/Light Steel Grey ‘Steel Grey, ‘ White/Black/Dark Powder Blue ‘Powder Blue, ‘ Black/Dark Shadow/True Red ‘Shadow. ‘ More followed: Powder Blue (worn by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams), Orlando Magic*, New York Knicks*, Seattle SuperSonics*, and Sacramento Kings*. It was the first Air Jordan to feature a lightweight Phylon midsole. The shoe also featured all of Michael Jordan’s accomplishments up to his first retirement on the outsole.
In 2012, the Air Jordan X was re-released. They are dubbed the “Chicago Bulls”, as they are part of a regional pack (City Pack), representing five teams. The lacing and tongue are completely black, and the red inner lining contrasts with the red inserts on the outsole. The outsole’s design features a striped (wavy) design, which list many of Jordan’s accomplishments. They retailed at $160. The Air Jordan X was released again in an OVO collaboration in 2015 and 2016, releasing in white and black colorways respectively with stingray detailing.
The shoe was retro-ed in 2005, 2008, 2012–2016, and 2018.
Air Jordan XI
1995
This model was designed by Tinker Hatfield. When the shoe launched, Michael Jordan (retired from basketball by then) was with the Birmingham Barons in baseball’s minor baseball leagues. Hatfield designed the sneaker waiting for Jordan to come back and hoping he would play in them.
The ballistic mesh upper of the sneaker was meant to make the Air Jordan XI lighter and more durable than past sneakers. Further changes came with the use of a carbon fiber spring plate in the translucent “frosty” outsole, giving the shoe better torque when twisting on the court. The highlight and arguably best-known aspect of the shoe is its patent leather mudguard. Patent leather was lightweight compared to genuine leather and also tended not to stretch as much – a property to help keep the foot within the bounds of the foot bed during directional changes on the court. The patent leather gave the XI a “formal” look. When this shoe released, some wore this model with business suits instead of dress shoes.
The sneakers were only samples in 1995 when Jordan decided to come back to the NBA. Hatfield and Nike discouraged Jordan from playing in them, but once they were produced, he couldn’t resist. Also noteworthy, Jordan violated league dress code by wearing the shoes, as his teammates wore all-black shoes. It wasn’t the first time Jordan had run afoul of NBA footwear rules, having broken them with his very first signature shoe in 1985. He was fined $5, 000 for not following the Bulls’ colorway policy with the AJ XI. After the fine, Nike made him a pair of the shoes in a black/white/concord colorway for the series against Orlando; Jordan wore Penny Hardaway’s signature black Nike Air Flight shoes for Game 3 while said colorway was under production. A similar black/white/royal blue colorway was released to the public at the end of 2000. The colorway was changed for the public release because the concord purple had looked like royal blue on television.
Jordan wore the Air Jordan XI on the way to helping the Chicago Bulls claim the 1995–96 NBA Championship. He also wore the XI white Columbia colorway in the 1996 NBA All-Star Game and was selected MVP of the game. The shoes received more media exposure when Jordan wore the Air Jordan XI model in the 1996 animated movie Space Jam. These shoes were eventually released in 2000 and re-released in 2009 with the nickname “Space Jams. ” The concord purple was changed to royal blue for the released versions of the shoe.
The Air Jordan XI was originally released from 1995 to 1996. It was retro’d in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006–2018 and 2019. The Air Jordan XI is one of the most popular Air Jordan in the series and has released almost ritualistically every December since 2008, selling out in minutes. It also is Hatfield’s favorite. With the Air Jordan XI being one of the most popular Jordan, supply is very limited and would cause fans to line up outside of stores before releases.
Air Jordan XII
1996
The Air Jordan XII was originally released from 1996 to 1997. It was retro-ed in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011–2013, 2015–2018, and its most recent[when? ] retro in 2019. [17]
Air Jordan XIII
1997
In 1997, Air Jordan XIIIs were released to the public. This model was known for its cushioning along the feet, designed by Hatfield. The Black Panther was the inspiration for the Air Jordan XIII, the sole resembles the pads on a panther’s paw. But also the panther is the hologram on the back of the shoe which imitates a panther’s eyes in the dark when light is shined at them. They were re-released in 2005, which coincided with the release of the Air Jordan 8s shoe.
In the movie He Got Game, the Air Jordan XIII was worn by Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington). Ray Allen, who played Jake’s son Jesus in the film, wore them when he broke Reggie Miller’s all-time record for made three-point shots during a game against the Lakers in Boston during the 2011 season. The Jordan Brand re-released the Air Jordan XIII at the end of 2010, which included the French Blue/Flint Grey, White/Red-Black, “Playoff” color way and the Black/Altitude Green color way. In 2017, Jordan Brand released the “History of Flight” colorway. This colorway is from the 2009 World Basketball Festival, where the “History of Flight” collection was revealed to celebrate Jordan’s 25th anniversary.
The shoe was retro-ed in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2010–2018.
Air Jordan XIV
Inspired by the Ferrari 550 M which Michael Jordan owned, the Air Jordan XIV was originally released from 1997 to 1999. It was re-released in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2014–2018.
The Air Jordan XIV co-styled by Hatfield and Mark Smith was made race ready and equipped with the Jordan Jumpman insignia on a Ferrari shaped badge. In addition, these shoes include breathable air ducts on the outer sole. The color scheme of predominant black accentuated with red was nicknamed “The Last Shot” because Michael Jordan wore them as he hit the game winning shot over Bryon Russell, of the Utah Jazz, in his final game with the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 NBA Finals.
There are 14 Jumpman logos on Air Jordan XIV’s—7 on each shoe—corresponding the shoes’ number in the series. They can be found in the following places:
Near the toe box × 1
Shield Logo near the achilles heel × 1
Above the number “23” at the heel × 1
At the bottom sole (middle part) × 1
Steel Lacetips × 2
Insoles × 1
Air Jordan XV
1999
This was the first shoe after Jordan’s retirement. The design of the XV’s originated from the aircraft prototype X-15, which was developed by NASA during the 1950s. The sides of the XV were made from woven kevlar fiber. The Jordan XVs were the first Air Jordans to be negatively received in a while (the last being the Air Jordan 2s), because the quality on the Jordan shoes was bad. [18]
Air Jordan XVI
2001
The shoe was said to be stiff and that the shroud/gaiter could easily fall off when playing basketball. The black/red and white/midnight navy versions of the shoe both featured patent leather which very easily creased and cracked. [19]
Air Jordan XVII
2002
This pair of Jordans come equipped with Keefer, which held the shoes and a compact disc containing the Air Jordan XVII song. The retail price of the shoe was US$200. The defining functional design element of the Air Jordan XVII model, which was later replicated on the Air Jordan XXIII model, was the reinforced mid-sole which provided a sturdy and stable chassis for the shoe. They were made in four mid top colors and three low-top colors.
Some of the original colorways are:
Original Black / Metallic Silver
Original White / College Blue – Black
Original White / Varsity Red – Charcoal
Original white / Black Metallic Copper – Sport Royal
The shoe was retro-ed in 2008 and 2016.
One of the retro-ed colorways is:
Retro Black / Metallic Siver Countdown pack.
Air Jordan XVIII
2003
The Air Jordan XVIII shoe was released in 2003, and was the shoe for Jordan’s last season, in which he played for the Washington Wizards.
The shoe was designed by Air Jordan Senior Footwear Designer, Tate Kuerbis, a person that had been part of the Jordan footwear design team since 1999 and with Nike since 1995. The inspiration for the design came from a number of things; sleek racing lines of the auto world, carbon fiber-based monocoque of F1 race cars, race car driving shoes (rubber heel wrap) and Fine Italian dress shoes (bold stitching on the soles).
The shoe was retro-ed in 2008.
Air Jordan XIX
2004
Released in 2004, this is the first Jordan release after his third, and final, retirement which came after the 2002–03 NBA season. The design was inspired by the black mamba snake, and two original colorways where released: white/flint gray and black/red. Three regional colorways and three special edition colorways were released. They consisted of the East, West, and Midwest edition for regular and West, East, and Olympic for the SE (special edition).
The Air Jordan XIX used innovative materials. The upper section of shoe was developed in collaboration with the global materials consultancy Material ConneXion, who sourced Nike a sleeving normally used in architectural applications for protecting PVC pipes from bursting. In theory, this allowed for a shoe without laces, because the sleeving does not stretch. Nonetheless, the Air Jordan XIX model did include a set of laces behind the sleeve to better secure the shoe. They are the lightest Air Jordans ever made.
The shoes appeared on the sitcom My Wife and Kids, in the episode “Fantasy Camp: Part 2”, when the protagonist Michael Kyle (Damon Wayans) steals it from Jordan’s hotel room and uses it to play against Jordan himself later in the episode. Michael Jordan wears “AJ IV Cool Grey” in the episode.
Air Jordan XX
2005
The Air Jordan XX was also inspired by bicycling shoes. The strap was placed in the center of the shoe over the laces. It also helped to create a tighter fit and increased support. The shoe was retro-ed in 2008 and 2015.
Air Jordan XXI
2006
The Air Jordan XXI model of shoes was designed by D’Wayne Edwards and inspired by sport touring vehicles. The shoe features lower-foot air grilles, double-overlasted Phylon midsole, a carbon fiber shank plate and a seamless diamond-quilted booty. It also has a tenable I. P. S. suspension system that lets the wearer choose between Zoom and Encapsulated air. The Air Jordan XXI was originally released in 2006. It was retro-ed in 2008.
The Air Jordan XXI was introduced on television by the “Second Generation” advertisement.
Air Jordan XX2
2007
The promo commercial for the XX2 was directed by Mark Romanek. [20]
Air Jordan XX3
2008
The Air Jordan XX3 was designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was a unique model, being the first basketball shoe to be included in the “Nike Considered” category, for using materials from not more than 200 miles (320 km) from a Nike Factory. It features a hand-stitched exterior, full-length bootie, carbon fiber shank plate, the last to feature interchangeable IPS pillars, and an articulated chassis. The shoe was released on January 25, 2008, and was the last Air Jordan until the XX8 to have Roman numeral identification.
The shoe was retro-ed in 2015–2016.
Air Jordan 2009
2009
The Air Jordan 2009 (Mk 24) was designed by Jason Mayden and was the first Air Jordan model named after the year of its release rather than its numbered system. Inspired by Jordan’s defensive focus, the shoe incorporates Articulated Propulsion Technology used by Paralympian runners. It also features a durable pleated silk upper, protective TPU chassis, carbon fiber arch plate and Zoom Air structure. The shoe was released on January 31, 2009. The shoe has not been retro-ed.
Air Jordan 2010
2010
This is the 25th anniversary of the Air Jordan brand, and although commonly called the Jordan 2010s, is also referred to as Air Jordan XX5/XXV. This model of shoe was announced on November 12, 2009, for a release date of February 13, 2010, retailing for US$170 (equivalent to $201. 75 in 2020). Dwyane Wade is endorsing the AJ 2010. The shoe has not been retro-ed.
The base of the each mid-sole has stylized text that when combined reads: “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. ” This quote was originally attributed to Michael Jordan, and is a reference to an advertising campaign that aired in 1997 with Jordan detailing his failures that led to his success in his career.
Air Jordan 2011
2011
The Air Jordan 2011 (Mk 26) was endorsed by Dwyane Wade in 2011, Jordan Brand decided to keep the fans happy with the release of the Air Jordan 2011. The shoe has inter-changeable insoles – The Red, “Explosive” one is claimed to symbolize power, and a Blue, “Quick” one, supposedly for quickness. Four colorways of the shoe were released on February 19, 2011 in correspondence with the 2011 All Star Game. The first colorway was White/Black. There were also White/Red and White/Blue colorways that coincided with the East/West Jersey Colors. The “Year of the Rabbit” colorway was a limited release that celebrated of Michael Jordan’s Chinese zodiac sign, coinciding with the current zodiac sign, the Year of the Rabbit.
The 2011 has a unique design along both sides of the shoe. It is a star-constellation pattern that also serves as breathing holes for the shoe to keep it well ventilated. It uses patent leather wrapped around the shoe. The shoes are hand burnished and crafted. A dress shoe that feels similar to the XI was reported to be the goal.
The shoe has not been retro-ed.
Air Jordan 2012
2012
Air Jordan 2012 (Mk 27) offers six customization configurations. Two interchangeable sleeves and three insoles adapt to different playing styles. The Deluxe model was launched on February 8, while the customization Flight models were released on February 25, 2012. It was the final Air Jordan model to be named after the year it was released as the numbered system returned in 2013 with the Air Jordan XX8.
The Air Jordan 2012 was originally released in 2012. It has not been retro-ed.
Air Jordan XX8
2013
The Air Jordan XX8, designed by Tinker Hatfield, was released on February 16, 2013. This premiere model featuring a mostly black upper and volt Dynamic Fit bootie. A heel and forefoot Nike Zoom unit in combination with the new Jordan Flight Plate, Dynamic Fit straps for increased support, a carbon fiber heel counter for additional support, and its most notable feature, the mesh upper for flexibility and ventilation. Jordan Brand has decided for 2013 to returning to the Air Jordan numbered order after having stopped at XX3. The Air Jordan 2012 featured different technology which including interchangeable insoles for various styles of play, a concept introduced with the Kobe System. The exterior shroud gives the shoe a sleeker look than any other and is 8 inches high on the ankle but unzips and folds down revealing the bright volt green interior.
Air Jordan XX9
2014
The Air Jordan XX9, also designed by Hatfield, released in September 2014 in both an elephant print and a knit edition. The shoe has already been debuted in the NBA by Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard. The shoe has Flight Web for superior lockdown, a performance woven upper for comfort, support, strength, and protection, and a re-engineered Flight Plate. The XX9 also released in a pack alongside the iconic Air Jordan XI on December 23, 2014 called the “Ultimate Gift of Flight” pack. [21]
Jordan released two versions of this shoes. The regular cut and the low version. Some of the colorways released in low version are buckets, Chicago bulls, UNC, and infrared.
Air Jordan XXX
2016
The Air Jordan XXX (30) debuted on January 14, 2016 at an exclusive media event in Chicago. It was again designed by Tinker Hatfield. The first colorway of the shoe released on February 16. [22] The shoe consists of an upper and outsole very similar to that of the XX9 of the previous year. The upper is a combination of performance woven and flyknit that is new for the brand in 2016, and also has a flyknit-constructed ankle collar that extends slightly past where the collar of the shoe would normally be. Jordan brand has also brought back functional Dynamic Fit in the lacing system. The outsole/midsole is almost identical to the XX9, with very minor technical tweaks. The outsole boasts a more noticeable change, with a different traction pattern unique to this shoe, while the midsole remains almost entirely the same. The only difference in the midlsole cushioning setup from the Jordan XX9 is a material change in the FlightPlate setup, which is now named FlightSpeed and is constructed of a plastic rather than carbon fiber for more flexibility while remaining structural integrity.
Air Jordan XXXI
The Air Jordan XXXI (31) was unveiled on July 20, 2016. The sneaker is heavily influenced by the Air Jordan 1’s having a leather upper and both a Nike swoosh and a Jumpman plus a Jordan “Wings” logo. [23] Its first retail debut was on September 3, 2016 in the “banned” colorway for $185 alongside its air Jordan 1 counterpart. [23] Notable appearances of the AJ 31 include the “USA” colorway worn during the 2016 Olympic basketball tournament by members of team USA. [24]Basketball at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men’s team rosters.
Some of the colorways released are Camo, QUAI 54, Black/Gold, Chicago Away, Chicago Home, Black/White, Midnight Navy, Jordan Brand Classic, and WHY NOT that celebrates Russell Westbrook’s fashion sense.
Air Jordan XXXII
2017
The Air Jordan XXXII (32) was first released on September 23, 2017. This model is heavily influenced by the Air Jordan 2. It also included a Jordan “Wings” logo. It first came out in the “Rossa Corsa” colorway. A special “Banned” colorway was released on October 18, 2017 to coincide with the 31st anniversary for when the NBA banned the original AJ I black and red colorway. Another special edition called the “Russ” colorway was released to celebrate Russell Westbrook’s sponsorship with the Jordan brand. Jordan brand released 2 types of this shoe, the original mid length cut and low cut. Some of the colorways they released for low version are freethrow line, camo, like mike, wheat, wing it, and last shot.
Air Jordan XXXIII
2018
The Air Jordan XXXIII (33) was released on October 18, 2018. This is the first Air Jordan model to go laceless. [25]
Air Jordan XXXIV
2019
Air Jordan XXXV
2020
Other shoes from the Air Jordan line[edit]
The Jordan Packages[edit]
“Spizike”
Michael Jordan and Spike Lee released the Jordan Spiz’ike shoes on October 21, 2006, as a tribute to their historic relationship. [26] The relationship began when Mars Blackmon (a character from Spike Lee’s film, She’s Gotta Have It) became the primary pitchman in Nike commercials for Air Jordans.
The Spiz’ike is a mash-up of the Jordan III, IV, V, VI, Air Jordan IX and XX shoes. Only 4, 567 pairs were made of the original release, [26] with all of the proceeds going to Morehouse College. [27] Each future release of the shoes varied the colors used.
“Defining Moments”
Released in 2006 retailing at $295 containing the sneakers Michael Jordan wore during his first championship of his two three-peats. The retro 11 concord contains a gold Jumpman on the side, but originally was meant to also have gold eyelets spelling out Jordan was changed because of color bleeding. The retro 6 black infrared replaces its infrared for gold as well. Both shoes contained dog tags to reference the title won and a booklet showcasing a slam dunk highlight of the game and concept art of the shoe. Some of the original DMP retro 11 concords have surfaced and are considered some of the rarest air Jordans. [28]
“Defining Moments II”
The “raging bull pack” retailed for $310 and drew inspiration from the running of the bull that takes place every year in Spain. The pack contains two Air Jordan 5s; the Toro Bravo and the 3m. The Toro Bravo is a red suede sneaker, one of the first of its kind, and it takes inspiration from the red bandanas worn by the runners. The second pair, the 3m, is named after its reflective coating. Both shoes come in a wood gate exterior graphic box with double sided slide out, originally released in 2009. [29]
“Defining Moments III”
The Jordan Brand released a third “Defining Moments” package on July 11, 2009. The 60+ Air Jordan Retro 1 Package is inspired by Jordan scoring 63 points on the Celtics in a double overtime playoff game during his second year. The Air Jordan Retro 1 60+ Package features a re-release of the sneakers that Jordan wore during that game, and a Retro Air Jordan 1 inspired by the Celtics colors and the parquet floors from the old Boston Garden.
“Defining Moments IV”
Retro 6 Infrared Pack
The Jordan 6 white/infrared and black/infrared was released February 14, 2013, at a retail price of US$170. This is the second of the same colorway retro in Jordan Brand history. The first time retro on both colorways were in 2000, they were retro separately. This time, the retro distinguished with the previous release. The heel logo are using Jumpman logo instead of Nike Air logo, this is the most significant difference between these two re-releases. Jordan Brand started using Jumpman logo
“Old Love New Love”
The Jordan Brand released their second two-pair package named the “Old Love New Love” (OLNL), which consisted of the Air Jordan I Retro model in Mid White/Black-Varsity Red (Black Toes) and Black/Varsity-Maize/White. It was released on April 21, 2007. The Old Love New Love package was sold for $200. 00. The pack represented Jordan’s passions, the old love being basketball the new love being motorcycle racing. [30]
Air Jordan Brand released 5 new colorways including one that is themed after another Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing. ”
There will be more colors of the Air Jordan Spizikes released than of the recent Air Jordan 3 retro re-release. The Air Jordan “Spiz’ikes” take pieces from the following Air Jordans:
Air Jordan 3 – sole, midsole, and “Spike”/elephant print
Air Jordan 4 – “wings” on the sides of the shoes that hold lace loops to place.
“Air Jordan Sixty Plus”[edit]
The first Jordan Sixty Plus was released in August 2009. The Jordan 6ixty Plus (60+) is a hybrid sneaker from Jordan Brand that combines the various sneakers Michael Jordan wore when he scored 60 or more points in an NBA Game. In these games, MJ was wearing the Jordan I, II, V and VII. Inspiration came from the Air Jordan 5 because he was wearing those when he scored his career high of 69 points.
Air Jordan 1 – Toe box shape and perforations
Air Jordan 2 – Snakeskin accents, rear TPU, lower Eyelets, Jordan “Wings” logo on tongue
Air Jordan 5 – Midsole/Outsole, shape of tongue, Lacelock, mold of upper near ankle, higher eyelets, “Air Jordan” tag inside of tongue
Air Jordan 7 – Perforations on side panel, “gap” between ankle area and body of shoe, graphics on tongue, heel tab, 23 on rear TPU
“Air Jordan Collezione/Countdown packages”[edit]
This package consisted of two variations of Retro Air Jordan, in which each model number equaled 23. So the Retro I was released in a package with the Retro XXII, the Retro II with the Retro XXI, etc.
“Air Jordan X/XIII ”
The first Countdown package consisted of the reintroduced Air Jordan XIII model in white/black-true red. The package also included a pair of the shadow gray Air Jordan X model with the number 23 stitched on the side of the shoes. The package cost
“Air Jordan IX/XIV”
The second Countdown package consisted of the Air Jordan Retro XIV model in Black/Varsity Red which was similar to the Air Jordan “Last Shot” XIV model though it consisted of a white stitching on the sides, a different color outer arch, and a different colored Jumpman logo on the side. The other Air Jordan was the Air Jordan Retro IX model in a White/Black/True Red colorway. The package retailed for US$310. 00 and was released March 15, 2008.
“Air Jordan XXI/II”
The third Countdown package consisted of the Air Jordan Retro II model in White/Varsity Red. The other Air Jordan in this package was the Air Jordan Retro XXI model in Black/Varsity Red. The package retailed US$310. 00 and was released April 26,
Resellers (or not), how do you get shoes before the release …
And also, how do you determine the set price for shoes prior to release (guessing this is a combination of anticipated demand + insight into supply of stock)? How is the supply of the stock determined? This thread is archivedNew comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast
level 1these days with stockx its pretty easy to foresee demand. tons of shoes sell out in seconds but can’t sell for more than retail+feesa hyped shoe with people willing to pay extra will have high bids even before the official releasefor exampleno traction on tomorrows KMTRhigh bids on the limited EQTlevel 2The demand part I get. How do people get shoes prior to official release? And how is supply determined?
This Is How to Get High-End Designer Sneakers Before They …
FIRST THINGS FIRST: As a true “#menswear” enthusiast, I’m all-in for today’s luxurious designer sneakers. Seriously, just look around: It’s as if we all collectively blinked, and guys everywhere traded in their ratty, decades-old running shoes for sleek pairs with suede swooshes, “tonal laces, ” and eye-popping color schemes. Frankly, the only problem with all of this fabulous new footwear is actually purchasing a pair: No one ever knows when certain models are going to drop, how many pairs the manufacturer will be selling, or even where you can get them. (Yes, this is all by design. )
This summer, Adidas Originals may or may not release a collaboration with the musician Pharrell. Nike’s unlimited stream of limited-edition Jordans is rumored to include a Wu-Tang Clan–designed pair, as well as ultra-exclusive one-off models produced alongside New York–based designer-shoe meccas KITH and Extra Butter. (And good luck ever buying a pair from Yeezy, the Adidas line that Kanye West has single-handedly publicized to prominence. )
But don’t worry if you’re dying for a pair that is guaranteed to sell out. Just follow these three steps.
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Spot your new kicks
Traditionally, the biggest drop days
for new sneakers were NBA All-Star Weekend (in February); Black Friday,
in November; and the weekend before Christmas. But as sneaker culture has gone mainstream, there are now new sneaker drops on almost every day of the year. The only consistency is the time: Whether in a specialty store or online, set your alarms: 10 a. m. EST. You never know what specific models are dropping—brands cancel or announce releases with the unpredictability of your craziest of ex-girlfriends. (Nike is known to pull releases less than 24 hours before they’re due to go on sale). But there are apps out there that aim to predict, with admittedly limited reliability, the schedule of upcoming release dates. The best on both iOS and Android are Unlaced (free), or the Nike-centric J23 ($1. 99).
So if there’s a shoe you want—like, say the New Balance Deconstructed 580 (shown above)—your best bet is to follow those apps and then, like a hunter in a deer stand, set up watch on Instagram and Twitter for your shoes to flash by. Search terms like #KOTD (Kicks of the Day), #KicksonFire and #Heat. Also be sure
to follow a man who calls himself “Gucci Paul, ” an elusive thirtysomething Brit who has proven consistently trustworthy in the info that he posts. Regardless, the minute any noteworthy kicks drop, you’re bound to know about it on any of these shoe-dedicated accounts: @Sneakernews, @CollectiveKicks, @KicksonFire, @Hypebeast, and select retailers like @KithSet, @Cncpts, and @ExtraButterNY.
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Close the deal on your new kicks
Once you see a pair of shoes drop that you can’t live without, now it’s time to buy them. Or at least try. Most retailers, whether brick-and-mortar or online, now sell the limited-edition kicks through a raffle system.
It works like this: You apply for a particular style and size in advance, and then a lucky few are selected and offered the chance to buy. In person, you simply arrive and collect a ticket, but online sales are usually tied to social media. For example, Extra Butter’s process involves posting a photograph of the shoes on Instagram and directing followers to its website. If, like many frustrated sneakerheads, you don’t like the roll of the dice, you can try to stack the odds in your favor by turning to bots such as (from $95) or (from $325). These bots bombard stores with multiple applications for a single customer, significantly upping his chances.
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Try (again) to buy those new kicks
What if you don’t manage to score the sneakers you’ve been stalking, your first option is a reputable reseller. Sure, you could scour Twitter or eBay, but you’re at risk of shelling out for fakes. Instead, sneaker collector Thomas Sun suggests trying one of the top resellers including RIF (), Flight Club (), or Stadium Goods (). “Most of the people who take in sneakers at these stores for resale have worked there a long time,
so they don’t really get caught off guard [by fakes], ” Sun says. “And with legit product, always ask for the original receipt so you know it’s 100% Nike or Yeezy. ”
Really, really hard-to-find sneakers will cost you a high premium from a reseller—don’t even get me started on the recent black Yeezy 750 Boosts, originally $350, on sale now for $2, 000 or higher—but it’s a sweat-proof way of shopping.
But here’s the thing: In the case of most brands, buying them from a reseller won’t always cost you extra. In fact, a little patience could score you a bargain pair of kicks. According to Tyler Blake, the blogger and reseller known as @TheRealTBlake, the industry’s made it deliberately difficult to gauge how many pairs of any given shoe will be offered. A lot of pairs are likely to be reissued within days to help slake the thirst of that frenzied market. Blake himself regularly opts to wait out the initial hysteria and scour the websites for Foot Locker or KITH a few days later. “If a style is still sitting there, chances are it’s offered [on resale] for less than retail price. ” If a major store over-orders a particular style, it’ll discount them and sell through alternative channels, driving down prices for customers shopping the secondary market. Blake says it’s not unusual to find new sneakers 20-40% off within weeks or even days of their release at retailers like eBay or If you miss out? Don’t worry. There’s always another pair dropping tomorrow.
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Frequently Asked Questions about get jordans before release date
Can you wait in line for Jordans?
They can wait in line for hours, or even days, to get to the cash register. Friends hold each others’ place in line for bathroom breaks, and sometimes even so they can go home and sleep. Re-selling shoes is legal, as long as the reseller collects and remits taxes to the government.Jun 29, 2012
What was the original release day for Jordans?
The original Air Jordan sneakers were produced exclusively for Michael Jordan in late 1984, and released to the public on April 1, 1985. The shoes were designed for Nike by Peter Moore, Tinker Hatfield, and Bruce Kilgore.
