Air Jordan, from worst to best
I was in high school when I bought my first pair of Air Jordans. I was saving money for almost a year and finally, when I bought them, I preferred to smell the inside of the box than to wear them and get them dirty. A few days later, I decided to go out for a walk and threaten anyone who approached me. Now, at 30, the situation remains exactly the same. Did you expect a plot twist? I know that no matter how many years go by, unboxing Air Jordans will remain a ritual.
35 years after the release of the most iconic sneakers in history, Backyard Opera collects all the shoes that carry the little guy who is ready to dunk and classifies them from the "tinautore" to the best sneakers in history. Put on your Air Jordans and start reading!
34. Air Jordan XV
All similar lists overseas have decided that the Air Jordan 2010 is by far the worst model in the collection, but look at this teratogenesis. Boundary could be the first proof of the existence of a bad-tasting, extraterrestrial race. Lines that don't make sense and a language that its creators wanted to remind us of the Jordan language that was displayed in the dunks. Let's just say that Jordan's second retirement from active duty in 1999 was not the biggest blow to his legacy.
33. Air Jordan 2010
The designer of this thing (I'm not sure if it can be described as a shoe), wanted to remind Jordan's defensive side, but in the end he found himself defending himself for inspiration. Big plus is the metallic how-they say it, which symbolized the insight of MJ’s game, but also serves to order your drive-thru chicken nuggets.
32. Air Jordan 2012
Realizing that even loyal fans have come to the conclusion that sandals are a little more stylish than Air Jordan, the brand decided in 2012 to remember their 90's origins and approach the original recipe. The result; A bad shoe for handball. Or for baseball. Or for cricket. However, definitely not for basketball.
31. Air Jordan 2009
We said it before, won’t say it again. In the 2008-2012 time, urban culture was searching for itself, men's fashion was experimenting and Air Jordan did not seem very willing to get out of this situation with a good plan.
30. Air Jordan XIX
"Excellent" or "gorgeous" is not enough to describe this piece of jewelry. The secret to the success of this amazing model is its minimal weight. I don't know, maybe it's the mitzvah that was thrown there instead of the language, in case you play Mordor away from home. What’s with the fabric? But why did they want it to resemble a reptile?
29. Air Jordan XXIII
- What number do we have to get this year? - The 23. - What was Mike’s number? We’ll have to put all our creativity. This shoe will be a station! - I found it! How about we put a fingerprint on the tongue and the whole other shoe is covered with a camo net, but we'll say it's Jordan's DNA? - Genius!
Do not laugh. That must have been the case.
28. Air Jordan XXIX
Another model, trying to figure out if it would appeal to basketball players or sneakerheads and ended up with one of the two, ended up looking like the shoes I made for my NBA 2005 player on PlayStation. And I wasn't even paid for it.
27. Air Jordan 2011
Have you ever heard your father see a ball that makes some unholy comparison like "When we were kids, your uncle John made the same moves as Bird, but he never missed"? Well, it's the same phase, just compare Air Jordan 2011 with Air Jordan 2.
26. Air Jordan XXVIII
- Hey guys, I have another great idea!!! - A shoe that has all the technical specifications to become the most practical of the series, but then it will button like a boxing boot. The design team just stopped trying for a while and this shoe is the best proof.
25. Air Jordan XVIII
Reminds me of Kobe's first signature shoe by Adidas, it was the first shoe Air wore with the Wizards jersey, the design is Italian, it is inspired by fast cars, while the "Black Royal" model was accompanied by a towel, one brush and a guide manual.
24. Air Jordan XXX
Although the name of the shoe sounded very promising, the only thing we got was a model with excellent performance on the floor and no logic in its design. Simple, indifferent, unworthy to bear the name Jordan. We just keep in mind that this year was the focal point where a slow and gradual improvement began.
23. Air Jordan XXII
There are many who think that Air Jordan XXII deserves a much lower list, but to be honest, it is a pretty good and steady shoe for your workouts. You wouldn't proudly upload it to a story to show that you got an Air Jordan, but it remains a good choice for basketball.
22. Air Jordan XVI
In 2001 Michael Jordan decides to become part of the Wizards front office and his brand invites you to create a model that will cover both basketball and prestige. Wilson Smith undertakes the design and presents a shoe well ahead of its time with many interesting features.
21. Air Jordan XXI
Hidden message that only appears in blacklight. These words are enough to excite the sneakerhead hidden inside me. Countless choices in colors, original design, but nothing more. Highlight of the year, the ‘Sonics’ model worn by Ray Allen. The best my youthful eyes had ever seen.
20. Air Jordan XXXIII
The brand once again gathered all the tech it was trying to present to us, but this time it decided in the design part to follow urban culture and release a very slick option with the cords hidden. Good job!
19. Air Jordan XX
Before you judge me, let me explain the reasons. First of all, we are talking about Hatfield's return to design, so the model has already got all the nostalgia points it could. By the way, the famous designer wanted to give us a shoe - a biography of Jordan with many designs and even more meanings. Concept taken directly from our deepest basketball dreams, with hip hop details and an ankle strap destroying all of the above. WHY;
18. Air Jordan XIV
OK, now let me judge you. Looks like these are the shoes that Jordan wore in his last league and He spoiled the design because he was in a hurry to wear them, but that doesn't mean that because there was a hype around anything related or looking like a Ferrari was cool justifies the madness around this specific model. I would say that it deserved a lower position, but Air's legacy seals my mouth.
17. Air Jordan XVII
You watch Michael Jordan returning to the court after years (even as a Wizard) wearing these shoes. You order them on the spot and inside the case you find a CD ROM. Tell me a good reason not to love this model.
16. Air Jordan XXXII
Jordan decided to release an improved version of Air Jordan II, and Tate Kuerbis undertook this difficult task. The design certainly won the impressions.
15. Air Jordan XIII
Is it a snake? Is it a car? Is it Superman? No, it's a cat, and more specifically, it's Michael Jordan. Because every self-respecting fashion brand must exhaust at least once every kind of fauna as inspiration. So in 1997, it was decided (don't ask who) that Jordan's moves are reminiscent of feline. The result; A shoe whose every line is based on the anatomy of the panther. We won’t lie. The concept is clear, and the result is beautiful and Jordan won the championship. You don't say that badly.
14. Air Jordan XXXI
I will consciously choose to ignore the rumors that still say that the brand tried to release a better version of the first Air Jordan and I will judge the 31st shoe of the series on its own. In 2016, Jordan finally managed to release a model that perfectly combined style and performance. Nevertheless, it no longer resembled to sneakers you would wear for a walk focusing more on the basketball part. Extremely comfortable, simple lines and awesome color choices.
13. Air Jordan II
Everything in life is a matter of comparison. And when you finally put this shoe between the 1st and the 3rd of the series, you understand that experimenting with Italian lines was not one of the wisest choices.
12. Air Jordan IX
The year Michael Jordan decided to leave NBA and take up baseball, the company was called upon to make one of its most difficult decisions. They chose to continue their circulation as they had already won their place amongst the ubiquitous NBA fans. So, the beautiful Air Jordan IX was released, the shoes we always wanted to see MJ wear, but he never did. Basically, he did it in a baseball game, but we're still trying to erase that memory.
11. Air Jordan XXXIV
At a time when everyone has realized that our favorite sneakers will be Jordans of the 90's, the brand is investing in this strategy , re-releasing the older versions with more attention to detail, while at the same time, working undisturbed to produce the perfect basketball shoe. And judging by the latest release, then it's probably on the right track. Amazingly light and steady. If you play basketball, we're probably talking about the best choice you can make.
10. Air Jordan XII
The Flu Game shoes have now become one of the most iconic models in the series and that makes perfect sense. Original design, safe colors and plenty of nostalgia. It is no coincidence that Drake chose to release his own version of this model.
9. Air Jordan VI
The Air Jordan VI were my first Jordans, I liked them so much that even when they disintegrated, I kept wearing them. So I may be emotionally attached to the shoe that led MJ to the championship for the first time, but we still have a lot of solid values ahead of us.
8. Air Jordan VII
First attempt to separate Jordans from the Nike philosophy has given humanity one of the most famous high-heeled sneakers in history, while MJ has a championship, an MVP final and an Olympic Medal. Whatever you get, is good!
7. Air Jordan X
Tinker Hatfield is not considered the greatest creator in the history of Air Jordans simply because he designed the most successful models, but mainly because he created trends. He found everything that had not been done and carried it out in his own way. And he showed us that with the release of Air Jordan X, the most minimal model in the most grand era. I think Jordan returned to play with these shoes.
6. Air Jordan VIII
If we built a capsule with historical objects for future generations to find, then Air Jordan VIII would surely be the most worthy representative of the 90's. Probably the most uncomfortable basketball shoe in the entire collection (mainly due to weight), but clearly a fashion statement for all Gen X. The fact that Jordan won his last championship wearing this model, while in their official advertisement Marvin the Martian pinched them for us, they just prove the 90's of the case.
5. Air Jordan IV
The most elegant black sneakers ever released have been imprinted in our memory for both Air's buzzer beater against Cleveland and the movie ‘Do The Right Thing’. If you always thought that only white sneakers go with everything, Air Jordan IV have made you look like a fool!!
4. Air Jordan V
And we finally get to my favorite sneakers. I don't have much to say!. Honor and glory to this Hatfield epic!
3. Air Jordan I
The shoe that changed the entire modern pop culture exceeded expectations from the beginning and, like Jordan, managed to establish himself from year one as one of the greatest. Peter Moore undertook the design to create something special and instead he redefined the term "signature shoe", generously giving us the most must have shoe in the entire collection. The $ 5,000 fine in each game just boosted his reputation.
2. Air Jordan XI
Air Jordan XI, with a completely different design compared to previous models, with the combination of fabrics and countless color options, were loved as few and to this day are one of the strongest cards of the brand. Huge plus, MJ’s amazing performance on the court.
1. Air Jordan III
The first shoe designed by the now legendary Tinker Hatfield - According to rumors, Jordan was thinking of leaving Nike for Adidas and this model was the reason he decided to stay with the company that believed in him. The sequel is well known. - The fake elephant skin and the aerosol that became part of the design. Two elements that no one has ever surpassed. - It was the first shoe in the series with the Nike Air logo. - Mike won the dunk contest with these shoes, jumping from the shooting line. - It is the only model that was perfectly connected with the city of Chicago and the Bulls team - Both the original model and the later variants were, are and will be the most versatile sneaker in history. And that is not going to change.
