Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023
Shoes were just shoes for the first 80-some-odd years of the 20th century. Then in the mid-1980s, Nike released a pair of basketball shoes featuring a certain ex-Tarheel. The Air Jordan was born, and the rest, as they say, is history.
As legend has it, the iconic Air Jordan sneaker series almost never lifted off. Soon after Michael Jordan debuted the Air Jordan I, the NBA stepped in and banned the shoe because they featured "non-regulation" colors. Suffice it to say, Jordan didn't listen and thusly, the great basketball shoe boom began.
Below is a look at each and every pair of Air Jordan shoes released by Nike, a total of 37 in all (not counting the many colorways and retro variations). Next to each pair is Nike's motto for the shoe (if any) and the year in which they debuted.
Nike also produces popular sneakers for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
In addition to the sneakers, Jordan fans have many other collectibles to track down.
Check out more MJ options with our various guides:
- Michael Jordan Rookie Cards and Top 1980s Cards
- How to Spot a Fake Michael Jordan Rookie Card and Not Get Scammed
- Top 23 Michael Jordan Cards of All-Time
- Top 20 Michael Jordan Inserts of All-Time
- Real-Time Top 50 Hottest Michael Jordan Card Tracker
- Comprehensive Michael Jordan Baseball Card Guide
- Michael Jordan Golf Card Guide
- Ultimate Michael Jordan Figure Guide
- Ultimate Funko Pop Michael Jordan Figure Gallery and Checklist
Complete Air Jordan Sneaker Guide and Gallery List
Air Jordan I
- "Notorious" - 1985
Air Jordan II
- "Italian Stallion" - 1986
Air Jordan III
- "Gotta Be the Shoes" - 1988
Air Jordan IV
- "Taking Flight" - 1989

Air Jordan V - "The Fighter" - 1990

Air Jordan VI - "Promised Land" - 1991

Air Jordan VII - "Pure Gold" - 1992

Air Jordan VIII - "Strap In" - 1993

Air Jordan IX - "Perfect Harmony" - 1993

Air Jordan X - "The Legacy Continues" - 1994

Air Jordan XI - "Class Act" - 1995

Air Jordan XII - "The Dynasty Continues" - 1996

Air Jordan XIII - "Black Cat Pounces" - 1997

Air Jordan XIV - "Race Ready" - 1998

Air Jordan XV - "Speed of Sound" - 1999

Air Jordan XVI - "Marching On" - 2001

Air Jordan XVII - "Jazzed Up" - 2002

Air Jordan XVIII - "Last Dance" - 2003

Air Jordan XIX - "Full Flex" - 2004

Air Jordan XX - "Living Greatness" - 2005

Air Jordan XX1 - "Performance Luxury DNA" - 2006

Air Jordan XX2 - "Hit the Afterburners" - 2007

Air Jordan XX3 - "The Number of Greatness" - 2008

Air Jordan 2009 - "Beyond" - 2009

Air Jordan 2010 - "Full Speed Ahead" - 2010

Air Jordan 2011 - 2011

Air Jordan 2012 - "Choose Your Flight" - 2012
Air Jordan XX8 - "Dare to Fly" - 2013
Air Jordan XX9 - 2014

Air Jordan XXX - 2016

Air Jordan XXXI - 2016

Air Jordan 32 (XXXII) - 2017

Air Jordan 33 (XXXIII) - 2018

Air Jordan 34 (XXXIV/XXX4) - 2019

Air Jordan 35 (XXXV) - 2020

Air Jordan 36 (XXXVI) - 2021

Air Jordan 37 (XXXVII) - 2022

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KQPrints
This is a great post, I love Jordans