Modelled after and popularised by one of the most famous basketball players ever, Nike’s Air Jordans shoes grew to the top over the last few decades. Today, almost everyone who can afford them buys and flaunts them without hesitation. Celebrities like Post Malone, athletes, and even common folk wear them alike. Also, there are even whole businesses that are based on customising Air Jordan shoes so they can be sold to people who enjoy a little bit of personal touch and flavour in what they wear. There’s a lot of history to uncover behind these shoes so let’s not waste more time and get into it.
History of Nike Air Jordan shoes
The Nike Air Jordan shoe first came to be back in 1985, when Michael Jordan and Nike teamed up to design a basketball shoe with Air (Nike’s brand name) in it. The first pair of the Air Jordan shoes that were made were whites and reds, the colours of the Chicago Bulls.
Though there were many pairs that would go on to be released throughout the years, there are only ten pairs of the original five types that remain in existence today. These kinds of rare shoes would likely sell for millions in auctions.
Only Michael Jordan’s name is attached to the shoe adds so much value to it. One pair of his rookie season shoes were sold at an auction for over 1 Million Dollars. That’s just an insane price tag but it’s not so surprising when you think about the legend that is attached to it.
Jordan is likely the most celebrated basketball player in all of the world. He is to basketball what Muhammad Ali is to boxing.
Why are Nike Air Jordan shoes famous?
Nike’s decision to produce a basketball shoe under their name forced Nike CEO Philip Knight, an avid basketball player, to get involved in designing the shoe. After many attempts by different parties, Knight finally decided to put a carbon copy of the Air Force 1 on a basketball shoe.
The original design didn’t feature any air in it but was rather just made using plastic to replicate the appearance of real leather. Back then, Nike was not that famous yet. Michael Jordan himself was still trying to prove himself in the league and the world wasn’t even aware of who he is yet.
When these shoes were released, they changed how basketball shoes were viewed forever. It was so popular that people started to demand an Air Jordan shoe every year until they got tired of it and had to stop producing them because there couldn’t be another pair as iconic as the first batch made variations.
Today, there are over 20 types of Air Jordan shoes, and countless customised and themed versions of each version out there. Air Jordans have run the gamut from low tops to high tops, low cuts to boot-style shoes. Some of the popular ones include:
- The Air Jordan I
The original colours were red and white. These were used in the 1984 Olympics. It was also a pair that Michael lost in his first game for wearing it at a time when no one knew about him yet.
- The Air Jordan II
First released in 1986, these shoes are popular for the carbon copy of the Nike Huarache shoe attached to them.
- The Air Jordan III
Popular because it was the first pair of Air Jordans to feature a visible air bubble inside the shoe and also because Michael Jordan wore them when the Bulls won their first championship.
- The Air Jordan IV
One of Michael’s most iconic pairs of shoes. It brought back memories of the Chicago Bulls’ golden age and is also considered one of his favourite pairs.
- The Air Jordan V
These were Michael’s comeback shoes when he returned from retirement. A must-have for fans and collectors alike.
Current Situation
Classic Air Jordans are still incredibly popular but are likely to go through a slight decline as new shoes take their place. The reason for this is that older shoes always have some sort of history attached to them, and people want newer ones that bring current fashion trends and can be easily customised. With that said, Air Jordan shoes are still insanely popular with all age groups because they do look amazing when you put them on. The average price tag for an original pair is much less considering how much high-end sneakers now cost.
Conclusion
Women’s Nike Jordan Shoes and Air Jordans for kids are also some popular choices, clearly, these shoes are for everyone. No one is excluded from people who want to rock a pair, so there’s no reason to leave them out. This rise to fame has been no small feat. In fact, it’s not something any other particular model will achieve any time soon. So, the next time you see Jordan shoes on sale, do not hesitate and buy them right away. There is a reason this is the greatest shoe in the world.