The 10 Best Men's Air Jordans
This wiki has been updated 33 times since it was first published in January of 2017. Featuring Nike Air technology, Air Jordans have been coveted by athletes, collectors, and regular folk alike for over two decades. Designed to be able to take a beating on the court while keeping your feet and ankles protected, they're also stylish. The question is, which style works for you? We've made answering that easy by rounding up ten of the most functional, versatile and elegant pairs. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Retro 1 OG
2. Legacy 312
3. SB 1 OG Defiant
Editor's Notes
November 22, 2019:
For various reasons, it can be difficult to find the perfect Nikes in your size, so we overhauled our rankings to include releases that are available in both large and small sizes. The Retro 8, Retro 13 History of Flight, and iconic Retro 1 OG hold quite true to their origins with just a few minor adjustments, resulting in bold colorways and accents that are sure to be noticed on the street or the court. We especially like the Retro 8 because they're straight-up funky. The Retro 13 Chinese New Year and Retro 4 Special Edition are somewhat similar but with a bit more changes, all for the better -- the Chinese New Year are particularly loud (looking) kicks and the 4 SE will go well with almost any outfit.
Moving away from the retro replicas, the Legacy 312 bring together some of the Air Jordan brand's most attractive components, and the multiple color schemes offered are sure to include one that fits your wardrobe. Meanwhile, the Air 1 Mid SE are about as flashy as they come and the 11 Low Limited Edition are exceptionally stylish thanks to their large simulated snakeskin panel. And if you're a stickler for ventilation, check out the 1 High Flyknit, which have all of the style you're looking for with none of the hot leather. And once you find a sweet pair of kicks, maybe you'll need a new basketball so you can both look and play better than the competition.
October 22, 2018:
As it as with shoes as in-demand as Air Jordans are, models tend to be discontinued or sold out fairly often. This being the case, we did away with models that were no longer available for purchase. Some of the newcomers on our list, such as the Ol' School, inhabit the lower-rung of the Jordan totem-pole in terms of cost, yet they consistently outperform and outsell some of their more pricey (and often overpriced) brethren. That said, we were thrilled to learn about the 13 Retro History of Flight and the story behind them. Despite their price, they absolutely deserve a place on this list.
Special Honors
Nike Direct For the latest and most cutting-edge releases, check out Nike's direct store. It's one of the only places to get the newest kicks, and they have a huge selection to choose from at all times. You won't find any vintage models there, but you will be able to choose from nearly every colorway and size of their current lineup. nike.com
StockX Exchange Well-known among sneakerheads, StockX is the best place on the web to get your hands on the finest and rarest shoes. As the largest hub for vintage collectibles, you can have relative confidence in the authenticity of their products, and it's one of the few online services you can say that about. You'll find new, old, and even some one-of-a-kind models there, whether they're Jordans, Yeezys, Lebrons, or quite a few others. stockx.com
4. Retro 4 Special Edition
5. Retro 8
6. Air 1 Mid SE
7. 1 Retro High Flyknit
8. Retro 13 Chinese New Year
9. 11 Low Limited Edition
10. Retro 13 History of Flight
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.