Evolution of Nike’s Air Jordan Shoe Series: 1984-2016
Shoes were just shoes for the first 80 some odd years of the 20th century. Then in the mid-80s, Nike released a pair of shoes featuring a certain ex-Tarheel...
As legend has it, the iconic 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 31 in all (not counting variations). Next to each pair is Nike's motto for the shoe (if any) and the year in which they debuted.
Air Jordan I
- "Notorious" - 1984-85
Air Jordan II
- "Italian Stalion" - 1987
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" - 1994
Air Jordan X
- "The Legacy Continues" - 1995
Air Jordan XI
- "Class Act" - 1996
Air Jordan XII
- "The Dynasty Continues" - 1997
Air Jordan XIII
- "Black Cat Pounces" - 1998
Air Jordan XIV
- "Race Ready" - 1999
Air Jordan XV
- "Speed of Sound" - 2000
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 XX9Â -Â 2014
Air Jordan XXX - 2016
Air Jordan XXXI - 2016
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Melissa | Dec 6, 2012 | Reply
I am loving the Nike Jordans, my husband says if he and his kids can’t wear Jordans then it don’t make sense :) he has always worn them and now he even has me crazy about them and I’m a more flipflop/ sandal type girl. Also would love 2 know and see more of the jordan sneaker boots, especially love a cute pink and white pair my sis in law has a picture of. Keep bring the hot styles.
Fabfive24 | Apr 8, 2013 | Reply
I love the Jordans Phat low the most. Got 6 of them. The hightops is not my thing.
kolluctemall | Apr 27, 2013 | Reply
Extremely helpful page… trying to figure this out in a store is impossible. thank you!
sneaktango | Jul 31, 2013 | Reply
Nice organization. Earlier model looks better than newer ones. :)
Dean | Sep 4, 2013 | Reply
You do not have a picture of the first Air Jordan. The first Air Jordan was white and was really just the Nike Air Airship model. I have pictures of both shoes in a folder on Facebook Dean Holsman.
Zoom | Sep 6, 2013 | Reply
The Air Jordan XX8 “Dare to Fly” looks sick!!
janis bernd | Dec 16, 2013 | Reply
Trying to locate Nike air size 12 item 173134-141-00 UPC 1062442
Deidre | Dec 17, 2013 | Reply
Jordan needs to produce more to put out in stores so that stores wont have to sell tickets or raffles. There should be enough for everyone that wants to purchase if they want. Thats one reason that people are starting to not want to buy. It cause a lot of conflick.
bluntman | Jan 11, 2014 | Reply
I like the early jordans but the later ones aren’t as appealing visually. Although the Jordan 2010’s are a return to form.
Mike Smeth | Jan 24, 2014 | Reply
I agree Deidre. Especially considering the violence and even murders that have occurred as a result of people fighting to get them on release day (or night). I like that there is scarcity because it creates value, but certainly there has to be a better way to deal with it then this
matt | Mar 5, 2014 | Reply
picture of the bred 12’s is fake
virgel | May 13, 2014 | Reply
no such thing as “bred” 12’s, they are call “flu game” 12’s lmfao
Kevin | Aug 27, 2014 | Reply
There were 2 versions of the first jordans, i.e. the red white and blacks (shown above, first picture) and the red and blacks (not shown). Jordan would usually wear the latter with his away/road uniform, but very seldom wore the former. Instead, at home he would typically don the the version shown in the 2nd pic with the black front. This version however, was not available to the public. As a side note, my friend bought a pair of the red / blacks, and I bought the red/white/blacks, then we swapped one and had the cool mismatching one on each foot.
DNip87 | Sep 30, 2014 | Reply
I had a pair of every style 1- 16. After XVI the J’s were complete garbage. Even the 15’s and 16’s were questionable. My favorites are the 2, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14. Thats it.
Lamiya | Dec 19, 2014 | Reply
i want the columbiansssssssssssss
Emily | Jan 2, 2015 | Reply
i just have a AJXX9 , red color. i want get more . anybody know where to get ?
chuck | Jan 13, 2015 | Reply
i have a pair of nike air shoes and on the tongue it says SIX453…the shoes are white and black new with sticker tags never worn ….i cannot find these anywhere on the internet checked nike.com and googled nike air SIX453 shoes and still cant find anything out about these….can someone help me and let me know if these are valuable shoes and where i can research them? thank you
anthony | Jan 28, 2015 | Reply
how can i find the sneakers mj wore in gator aide commercial while running threw desert , meeting the monk? i had a pair with matching shirt & shorts s.o.s
lucas | Feb 23, 2015 | Reply
I love Jordan’s because they are the center of the world for basketball shoes. I have four Jordan, and let me just say that I would never trade any of them, no madder how much money they offer. what im trying to say is that Jordans shoes really changed my life.
destiny bailey | Apr 30, 2015 | Reply
i think these shoes are ugly and not something i would wear.
Marc | May 13, 2015 | Reply
Back in 1996 I was in high school and got my first pair, the “Class Act” in black and white…Brings back a lot of memories…
Stasia | Nov 4, 2015 | Reply
You forgot the Grey Ones from 2011!
jayesimi bolaji | Nov 21, 2015 | Reply
How I wish I can afford any one of the Jordan Nike air sneakers, but financial status is not helping matter, but not with standing Jordan is a great shoes though I might not gotten any but those that wore, I cherish it on them.?? to jordan
K.G | Dec 9, 2015 | Reply
What’s the author’s name of this? I need it for a project…
Trey Treutel | Dec 9, 2015 | Reply
K.G » You can just attribute it to Cardboard Connection as this was compiled by multiple authors.
Ana | Feb 17, 2016 | Reply
So im so crazy in looking for a pait of J’s i had back in the 90’s so can’t find the model why can’t that be? Is it that they weren’t that popular i teally dont remember the model all i rember is they were all white hi tops
john atherton | Mar 12, 2016 | Reply
I have a pair of jordans got them around 2001 trying to find out what they are called as iv not been able to find them any where
Austin | Jul 30, 2016 | Reply
So i have these grey black and salmon jordans i would like to see if anyone could possibly recognize them at all her is a link to the picture.
http://prntscr.com/bzd4re
adou | Oct 10, 2016 | Reply
have black and white Jordan 11s dont know what they are called
rafaelo | Oct 21, 2016 | Reply
Which Jordan shoe is the best comfortable and nicest to wear ?
Scott | Dec 1, 2016 | Reply
My family had a sporting goods store that we sold 10 years ago. I recently found a pair of Air Jordan BGS size 5 youth in my basement that are still in the box and have never been worn. I believe they are Air Jordan VII from 1992. Blk.Lt Grph-Bordeu These are original and not Retro. Is there a market for these. Any suggestions of where I should attempt to sell them at?
Kyriana | Mar 20, 2017 | Reply
this is sooo amazing and cool .
Chris Jordan | Apr 22, 2017 | Reply
All the shoes are good for sports lover. They are comfortable and trendy. The colors and design looks wonderful.
cj85957 | May 4, 2017 | Reply
Nice Blog! Jordan shoes are very attractive and beautiful. Colors of the shoes are good. Thanks for Blog!
cj85957 | May 20, 2017 | Reply
Good One! Shoes are best and nice. Best for the sports. More comfortable and durable shoes. Thanks for the blog!
Chris Jordan | Jun 13, 2017 | Reply
i had a great experience of these pair of shoes just loved it. its so comfortable and flexible to wear.my whole family liked this shoes a lot.
Steven Ruben | Aug 27, 2017 | Reply
How much do a pair of Jordan 1 sneakers in mint condition with the box cost today.