Best Nike Air Jordan Shoes 2023
We bring you everything you need to know about the iconic Nike Air Jordan and pick out some of the best options around right now
The Nike Air Jordan1 is one of the brand’s most recognisable and best-selling shoes.
Having made its debut as a basketball sneaker back in the mid-1980s the Air Jordan 1 has undergone several redesigns and upgrades since it first hit the court.
As well as being a popular basketball sneaker, the shoe has gained popularity as a lifestyle and casualwear shoe away from the court in the years since its launch.
In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about Nike Air Jordans, from how the original shoe came about, to just why it’s become one of Nike’s top selling shoes. We’re also going to bring you our pick of our favourite Nike Air Jordans out there right now.
So, with the introductions out of the way, it’s time to start looking at the history of Nike Air Jordan shoes.
Nike Air Jordan – History
Nike Air Jordan is a line of basketball shoes and apparel produced by the brand for former basketball star Michael Jordan. Nike first signed Michael Jordan to an endorsement deal back in 1984 as the brand looked to expand its presence in the basketball space.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
The first Jordan shoe – the Nike Air Jordan 1 – was an instant hit and to this day remains as one of the brand’s most popular shoes. Indeed, many regard the Nike Air Jordan 1 as one of the most iconic sneakers in history, a shoe which transcended the sport of basketball and has continued to grow in popularity away from the court.
Over the years, Nike have released a wide range of shoes as part of the Jordan Brand, but the Nike Air Jordan 1 remains as one of the most iconic shoes from which many of the modern-day designs are built from.
One of the aspects that set the Nike Air Jordan 1 apart from other similar basketball shoes was the inclusion of Nike’s revolutionary air cushioning technology, which has come to be one of the unique selling points of the product.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
The Nike Air Jordan 1 OG high remains as one of the brand’s most popular and collectable sneakers, but there are plenty of other options in terms of the design, such as low options, plus a huge selection of different colourways which is constantly being updated and refreshed.
The Air Jordan 1 is steeped in history. Legend has it that the first version of the shoe was banned by the NBA because it violated the league’s rule that sneakers must be predominately white and in keeping with the team’s jersey. Jordan was reportedly $5,000 for every game in which he wore the original red and black incarnation of the AJ1s – and Nike were happy to pick up the tab and capitalise on the publicity.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
However, there is some debate about whether Jordan was ever actually fined because he was apparently not known to have worn the shoes at a game during a regular season. Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that the original AJ1s caused quite a stir, and that likely played a part in increasing their popularity and status.
Nike Air Jordan Sneakers – Things To Know And Consider
So, now that we’ve established that Nike Air Jordans are firmly established in sneaker folklore, let’s take a look at some of the finer details regarding these special shoes.
The first thing to know is that the range of colours and designs on offer from Nike is constantly being updated and refreshed, with new colourways and special editions launching regularly. For this reason, it’s a great idea to check out the Air Jordan 1 Shoes section of the Nike website from time to time to see what’s available.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
There are three main size versions of the Nike Air Jordan, the high-tops, mid-tops and low-tops. The three options offer quite different styles and looks, so take a look at what’s available and decide which of the options you think would suit you best.
One other thing to consider is visiting your local Nike or sportswear store to check out a few different styles and sizes of Air Jordans so you can decide on the best one for you. This will also give you the chance to try on a few pairs, see how they feel on your feet, and ensure that you get the correct size.
Best Nike Air Jordan Shoes – Our Pick
So, now that we’ve covered some of the main things to know about the Nike Air Jordan, it’s time to bring you our pick of some of the best options out there at the moment.
If you’ve done any research for yourself, you’ll know that the line of Air Jordans is constantly being refreshed and updated, so we do recommend having a browse of the Air Jordan Shoes section of the Nike website to see what’s on offer, as there will inevitably be more options than what we’ve been able to feature on this page.
1) Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG
Where to buy: www.nike.com
(Photo: Nike)
Probably the most popular incarnation of the timeless shoe, the Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG remakes the classic sneaker with a fresh feel to it. Nike say that they’ve tweaked the original to include premium materials with new colours and textures to give a modern expression to an all-time classic. Made from genuine leather for durability and structure, these shoes have the classic wings logo stamped on the collar, as well as a stiched-down swoosh logo. The colours and looks that this shoe is available in is constantly changing and being updated, so be sure to check the official Nike website for the latest offerings.
2) Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid
Where to buy: www.nike.com
(Photo: Nike)
The next option on our list is the Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid. Inspired by the original AJ1 shoe, this mid-top option keeps the iconic look and offers a fresh twist. It features a leather, synthetic leather and textile upper for a supportive feel, plus a foam midsole and Nike Air cushioning to provide lightweight comfort. Like all of the shoes we’ve featured on this page, it comes in a range of different colours, and it’s certainly worth checking the Nike website to see what’s available at the moment.
3) Nike Air Jordan 1 Low
Where to buy: www.nike.com
(Photo: Nike)
The next option on our list is the Nike Air Jordan 1 Low. Inspired by the original shoe which debuted back in the 1980s, the low-top version of the Air Jordan 1 has developed its own status as a unique shoe in its own right. Of course, its design is inspired by the original AJ1, but the low-top version offers a different, clean and classic look with ultimate versatility. Available in a wide range of colours, as well as the all-white option pictured above, the Nike Air Jordan 1 Low can be a great addition to any wardrobe rotation.
Anything Else To Bear In Mind?
Shopping for sneakers and shoes online can be tricky, especially if you’ve not owned a pair of the same type before. For this reason, we do recommend popping down to your local sportswear or shoe shop to try on a few pairs for yourself so that you can get a good idea about how they look and feel, but also ensure that you get the right fit.
Visiting your local sports shop will also allow you to see a wide range of different colourways to help you find the best Nike Air Jordan 1s for you.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
If you prefer to shop online or it’s tricky for you to pop into your local shoe shop, then be sure to familiarise yourself with the returns, refunds and exchanges policy of the site you’re shopping from, so that you’ll know where you stand if you need to make a return.
As we mentioned above, we do also recommend having a look at the Air Jordan section of the Nike website to see what’s on offer, because the colourways and sneaker designs do change from time to time and there may be better options than what’s featured on this page.
(Photo: Adobe Stock)
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
So, that brings us to the end of our guide to the best Nike Air Jordan shoes. We’ve walked you through some of the key things to know about the famous Air Jordan 1 shoes, including how they came to develop into one of Nike’s most popular sneakers.
We’ve also brought you our pick of three of the best options out there at the moment. We’ve put the classic and original Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG as the top option on our list, but all of the various incarnations of the Nike Air Jordan 1 are exciting options.
