Air Jordan XIX and Beyond
Jordan Brand continues to release new Air Jordan sneakers year after year beyond Michael Jordan's retirement, but none contain the history and inspiration of what made the Air Jordans worn by Michael during his playing career so great. Luckily, Jordan Brand continues to release retro versions to give fans that nostalgic feeling of lacing up an old pair of Air Jordans and be like Mike.
Air Jordan XVIII
The Air Jordan XVIII was released in 2003 and designed by Tate Kuerbis. This shoe was inspired by Italian dress shoes and race cars. The shoe came packaged with a towel and would be the last shoe Michael Jordan wore as a NBA player during his final season with the Washington Wizards. Jordan Brand released one of the best commericals ever titled "What is Love" for the XVIII. A must see.
Air Jordan XVII
The Air Jordan XVII was released in 2002 and designed by Wilson Smith. The shoes were packaged in a metallic case and included a CD. It featured a lace shroud, full-length shank plate and TPU heel stabilizer. This shoe was worn by Jordan during his first season back from retirement with the Washington Wizards.
Air Jordan XV
The Air Jordan XV was released in 1999 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. This shoe was inspired by the X-15 fighter jet.
Air Jordan XVI
The Air Jordan XVI was released in 2001 and and the first shoe since the Air Jordan III not designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was designed by Wilson Smith and featured a removable leather shroud that covered the shoe.
Air Jordan XIV
The Air Jordan XIV was released in 1998 and designed by Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith. This shoe was inspired by the Ferrari 550 M. This shoe was worn during the 1998 Finals and famously known for the last shot Jordan took as a Chicago Bull to seal his sixth and final NBA Championship.
Air Jordan XII
The Air Jordan XII was released in 1996 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. This shoe featured a faux-lizard skin with a carbon fiber shank plate, and is known to be one of the most durable Air Jordans. This shoe is most famously known for "the flu" game in which Jordan scored 38 points to win game 5. Jordan won his 5th Championship the next game. Jordan Brand released many inspirational commercials for this shoe.
Air Jordan XIII
The Air Jordan XIII was released in 1997 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. This shoe was inspired by the panther, featuring a hologram by the ankle to represent a panther's eye when light reflects off it. The sole resembles a panther's paw. This shoe was worn during Jordan's final regular season as a Chicago Bull
Air Jordan XI
The Air Jordan XI was released in 1995 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. This may be one of the coolest Air Jordan's ever designed. The shoe was wrapped in patent leather from heel to toe with a ballistic upper mesh. Jordan earned league MVP, All-Star MVP, Finals MVP, and a 4th NBA Championship to go along with a then-record 72 win regular season.
Air Jordan X
The Air Jordan X was released in the fall of 1994 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe paid tribute to Michael Jordan, listing his accomplishments on the sole. Little did anyone know that months later Jordan would announce "I'm back" and continue his build on his legacy. He would return to the court in the 2nd half of the season to play in these shoes wearing #45. In just his 5th game back, Jordan scored 55 points against the Knicks.
Air Jordan IX
The Air Jordan IX was released in the fall of 1993 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. The design of this shoe was inspired by baseball cleats that Jordan wore while playing baseball during his first retirement. He never wore these shoes in a NBA game.
Air Jordan VIII
The Air Jordan VIII was released in 1993 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. Michael won his third consecutive NBA ChampionshipIand Finals MVP. It would become the last shoe Jordan worn before his first retirement.
Air Jordan VII
The Air Jordan VII was released in 1992 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. Nike released a special Olympic colorway which featured number 9 on the back instead of 23. Jordan wore number 9 in the Olympics.
Air Jordan II
The Air Jordan II was released in 1986 and designed by Bruce Kilgore. It was made in Italy and designed with a faux-lizard skin. Unlike the first Air Jordan, it did not feature the Nike swoosh.
Air Jordan VI
The Air Jordan VI was released in 1991 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. It also included translucent rubber soles and lace locks. It was also the shoe Michael wore to win his first NBA Championship.
Air Jordan V
The Air Jordan V was released in 1990 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. It was the first to include translucent rubber soles and lace locks. The shark-teeth shaped midsole was inspired from World War II fighter planes.
Air Jordan IV
The Air Jordan IV was released in 1989 and designed by Tinker Hatfield, and the first to be sold globally. Michael Jordan also wore these for "the shot" in Cleveland, one that fans will never forget, as this shot at the buzzer won Game 5 and the series for Chicago in the first round of the 1989 Playoffs.
Air Jordan III
The Air Jordan III was released in 1988 and the first Jordan to be designed by Tinker Hatfield. His design basically saved Nike from almost losing Michael Jordan, who was ready to leave Nike after his contract expired. It was also the first shoe to feature the famous Jumpman logo.
Air Jordan I
The first sneaker of a legend. Designed by Peter Moore. It was released in 1984 in a red and black colorway that was later banned by the NBA. Later they released a red and white colorway that was allowed. Nike sold more than $100 million dollars of the Air Jordan I in its first 12 months.