Shoes were just shoes for the first 80-some-odd years of the 20th century. Then in the mid-1980s, Nike released a pair of basketball shoes featuring a certain ex-Tarheel. The Air Jordan was born, and the rest, as they say, is history.
As legend has it, the iconic Air Jordan 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 36 in all (not counting the many colorways and retro variations). Next to each pair is Nike's motto for the shoe (if any) and the year in which they debuted.
Shop for popular Air Jordan editions at Nike.
Nike also produces popular sneakers for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
In addition to the sneakers, Jordan fans have many other collectibles to track down.
Check out more MJ options with our various guides:
- Michael Jordan Rookie Cards and Top 1980s Cards
- How to Spot a Fake Michael Jordan Rookie Card and Not Get Scammed
- Top 23 Michael Jordan Cards of All-Time
- Top 20 Michael Jordan Inserts of All-Time
- Real-Time Top 50 Hottest Michael Jordan Card Tracker
- Comprehensive Michael Jordan Baseball Card Guide
- Michael Jordan Golf Card Guide
- Ultimate Michael Jordan Figure Guide
- Ultimate Funko Pop Michael Jordan Figure Gallery and Checklist
Complete Air Jordan Sneaker Guide and Gallery List
Air Jordan I - "Notorious" - 1985
- Buy vintage on eBay.
- Buy retro on eBay.
Air Jordan II - "Italian Stallion" - 1986
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan III - "Gotta Be the Shoes" - 1988
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan IV - "Taking Flight" - 1989
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan V - "The Fighter" - 1990
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan VI - "Promised Land" - 1991
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan VII - "Pure Gold" - 1992
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan VIII - "Strap In" - 1993
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan IX - "Perfect Harmony" - 1993
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan X - "The Legacy Continues" - 1994
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XI - "Class Act" - 1995
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XII - "The Dynasty Continues" - 1996
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XIII - "Black Cat Pounces" - 1997
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XIV - "Race Ready" - 1998
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XV - "Speed of Sound" - 1999
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XVI - "Marching On" - 2001
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XVII - "Jazzed Up" - 2002
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XVIII - "Last Dance" - 2003
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XIX - "Full Flex" - 2004
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX - "Living Greatness" - 2005
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX1 - "Performance Luxury DNA" - 2006
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX2 - "Hit the Afterburners" - 2007
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX3 - "The Number of Greatness" - 2008
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 2009 - "Beyond" - 2009
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 2010 - "Full Speed Ahead" - 2010
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 2011 - 2011
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 2012 - "Choose Your Flight" - 2012
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX8 - "Dare to Fly" - 2013
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XX9 - 2014
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XXX - 2016
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan XXXI - 2016
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 32 (XXXII) - 2017
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 33 (XXXIII) - 2018
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 34 (XXXIV/XXX4) - 2019
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 35 (XXXV) - 2020
- Buy on eBay.
Air Jordan 36 (XXXVI) - 2021
- Buy on Nike.