Table of 20 Most Popular Air Jordans of All Time
| Rank | Air Jordan Model | Year Released | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Air Jordan 1 | 1985 | The original, iconic “Banned” story that started it all. |
| 2 | Air Jordan 2 | 1986 | Luxury Italian-inspired design, setting a premium standard. |
| 3 | Air Jordan 3 | 1988 | Famous for its elephant print and the first visible Air unit. |
| 4 | Air Jordan 4 | 1989 | Mesh panels and wings, popularized by Do the Right Thing. |
| 5 | Air Jordan 5 | 1990 | Bold shark-tooth pattern, inspired by WWII fighter planes. |
| 6 | Air Jordan 6 | 1991 | Worn during Michael Jordan’s first NBA championship win. |
| 7 | Air Jordan 7 | 1992 | Olympic colors, worn by Jordan during the 1992 Dream Team Olympics. |
| 8 | Air Jordan 8 | 1993 | Crisscross straps, worn during Jordan’s 3rd championship run. |
| 9 | Air Jordan 9 | 1993 | Released during Jordan’s retirement, symbolizing his global influence. |
| 10 | Air Jordan 10 | 1994 | Striped outsole listing Jordan’s career achievements. |
| 11 | Air Jordan 11 “Concord” | 1995 | Patent leather design, worn in the 1995-96 season. |
| 12 | Air Jordan 12 | 1996 | Worn during the “Flu Game,” sleek and luxurious design. |
| 13 | Air Jordan 13 | 1997 | Cat-eye holograms, worn during Jordan’s last season with the Bulls. |
| 14 | Air Jordan 14 | 1998 | Ferrari-inspired, worn during Jordan’s last game with the Bulls. |
| 15 | Air Jordan 15 | 1999 | Futuristic design inspired by NASA’s X-15 fighter jet. |
| 16 | Air Jordan 16 | 2001 | Removable shroud, blending streetwear with performance. |
| 17 | Air Jordan 17 | 2002 | Jazz music and luxury car-inspired design, worn during his Wizards era. |
| 18 | Air Jordan 18 | 2003 | Italian dress shoe and race car-inspired design. |
| 19 | Air Jordan 19 | 2004 | Lightweight, flexible, featuring Tech Flex material. |
| 20 | Air Jordan 20 | 2005 | Laser-etched designs celebrating Jordan’s career milestones. |
Air Jordans are more than just sneakers; they are a cultural phenomenon. Introduced by Nike in 1984 in collaboration with basketball legend Michael Jordan, these shoes have become a global symbol of style, sports, and streetwear. Over the years, many Air Jordans have become legendary, each representing a unique piece of sneaker history. In this article, we’ll explore the top 20 most popular Air Jordans of all time that continue to shape fashion trends.
1. Air Jordan 1 (1985)
The original that started it all. With its bold design and “Banned” story, the AJ1 is a true icon, forever linked with Michael Jordan’s legacy.
2. Air Jordan 3 (1988)
The AJ3 is famous for its elephant print and visible Air unit, a design by Tinker Hatfield. It’s the sneaker that kept Jordan with Nike.
3. Air Jordan 11 “Concord” (1995)
With its shiny patent leather, the AJ11 Concords redefined sneaker luxury. Michael Jordan wore these during the 1995-96 NBA season.
4. Air Jordan 4 (1989)
Known for its mesh and wings, the AJ4 gained popularity with Spike Lee’s movie Do the Right Thing, cementing its place in sneaker culture.
5. Air Jordan 6 (1991)
Jordan’s first championship shoe, the AJ6, is beloved for its sleek design and perforations, making it a fan favorite.
6. Air Jordan 5 (1990)
Inspired by World War II fighter planes, the AJ5 features a shark-tooth design and was one of the boldest sneakers of its time.
7. Air Jordan 12 (1996)
The AJ12 stood out for its clean, luxurious design. Michael Jordan wore them during his “Flu Game,” making them legendary.
8. Air Jordan 13 (1997)
Inspired by a panther, the AJ13 had cat-eye holograms. This sneaker was worn by Jordan during his final season with the Chicago Bulls.
9. Air Jordan 7 (1992)
Jordan wore the AJ7 during the 1992 Olympics, where the USA’s Dream Team dominated. This shoe is known for its colorful and bold look.
10. Air Jordan 9 (1993)
Although Jordan retired from basketball for the first time, the AJ9 represents his global influence with inscriptions of different languages.
11. Air Jordan 8 (1993)
The AJ8, with its crisscross straps and vibrant colors, was worn by Jordan during his third NBA championship run.
12. Air Jordan 14 (1998)
The last sneaker Jordan wore as a Chicago Bull, the AJ14 was inspired by his Ferrari and featured sleek, luxury details.
13. Air Jordan 10 (1994)
Released after Jordan’s first retirement, the AJ10 celebrates his career achievements with stripes on the outsole.
14. Air Jordan 23 (2008)
Known for its craftsmanship and sustainable design, the AJ23 stands out as a premium model that pays tribute to Jordan’s jersey number.
15. Air Jordan 16 (2001)
The AJ16 brought versatility with a removable shroud, combining street style and performance on the court.
16. Air Jordan 18 (2003)
With design inspired by Italian dress shoes and race cars, the AJ18 was a luxurious addition to the Air Jordan line.
17. Air Jordan 15 (1999)
A futuristic sneaker, the AJ15’s design was influenced by NASA’s X-15 fighter jet, giving it a unique, cutting-edge look.
18. Air Jordan 20 (2005)
The AJ20 features laser-etched designs that celebrate Jordan’s career, making it a piece of wearable art.
19. Air Jordan 31 (2016)
Blending modern technology with elements from the AJ1, the AJ31 was designed for today’s basketball players while paying homage to the original.
20. Air Jordan 34 (2019)
A lightweight and high-performance sneaker, the AJ34 is praised for its minimalistic design and modern technology, perfect for athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
These top 20 Air Jordans not only shaped the sneaker world but also left a lasting impression on pop culture and sports. From the original Air Jordan 1 to modern innovations like the AJ34, each model tells a unique story of Michael Jordan’s legacy, blending style, performance, and history. Whether you’re a sneakerhead or just appreciate good design, these Air Jordans will always be in style.