The 12 Best Air Jordan 12s Of All Time

This year will bring out a ton of retro Jordans once again as well as some great retro Jordan 12s. With recent images surfacing yesterday of the Red/White Air Jordan 12s, it got us thinking about what are the best Air Jordan 12s of all time. After some internal debate amongst the Nice Kicks team, we have assembled a list of the 12 best Air Jordan 12s.

The twelfth shoe in the Air Jordan line first hit the hardwood in the 1996-97 season on the feet of Michael Jordan as he and the Bulls were hungry yet again to go Back-To-Back following the historic 72-10 season. Initially only five colorways were released of the Air Jordan 12, but since returning as a retro, that number has more than tripled.

There have been some solid retro colorways of the Air Jordan 12, but time after time of the retro 12 releases, the original colorways always dominate. Could it be that MJ made history in them?

Have a look through the next pages of the 12 best Air Jordan 12s and why they are on the list.

[Editor’s note – there are many PEs not included on the list. Stay tuned for that list shortly.]

Air Jordan 12 “Vivid Pink”

Year: 2016

A Cam’ron colorway on the Air Jordan 12 Mid? Oh boy. Upping the ante on the low top launch of the 2000s, this bold take on the MJ favorite was extremely popular on gals, kids and guys, too. Where will these land on our Top 50 list at the end of the year? Tough to say, but these get the 12 spot on our AJ12 list.

Air Jordan 12 “Gamma Blue”

Year: 2013

Gamma Blue was the color of the season at the end of 2013. The highly anticipated December Air Jordan 11 release sported the unique hue of blue, but you could get a good dose of it a month ahead of time when they released on November 21, 2013.

Air Jordan 12 “Stealth”

Year: 2022

The Air Jordan 12 retro got a cool grey release with a touch of orange, but the Stealth Jordan 12 delivered a softer grey and a cleaned up look absent of the contrast color. Still one of the cleanest Air Jordan 12s to release that wasn’t an OG.

Air Jordan 12 “Nubuck”

Year: 2003, 2009

The Air Jordan 12 “Nubuck” was an online exclusive initially when they released in 2003 online at Jumpman23.com. The release was the first of its kind coming pre-packed with a matching hoody and hat. All in, the set was $200 which many heads were frustrated about since many just wanted the shoes. The “Nubuck” Air Jordan 12 would later release individually in 2009.

Air Jordan 12 “French Blue”

Year: 2004, 2016

Michael Jordan returned from retirement a second time to play for the Washington Wizards which lent inspiration for this colorway that released just a year after the G.O.A.T. stepped away from playing in the NBA for good. The shoes were never worn by MJ in the NBA but were one of the best Jordans worn by Kobe Bryant.

PSNY x Air Jordan 12

Year: 2015

At the tail end of 2015, Jordan Brand got heads excited for the 2016 retro Air Jordan 12 campaign with a collaboration with Public School. The monotone dark grey Jordan 12 was an instant sell-out at the very select retail stores that had the honor of releasing them.

Air Jordan 12 White/Varsity Red

Year: 1997, 2009, 2023

For Chicago’s away games in the 1996-97 NBA season, Michael Jordan was spotted quite frequently in the Air Jordan 12 in White/Varsity Red. The highlight of the shoe’s performance came just four games into the season when Chicago visited Miami defeating the Heat thanks in large part to MJ’s 50 point performance.

As a retro in 2009, the shoe’s somehow picked up the nickname of “Cherry” Air Jordan 12. The source of this nickname is still under investigation.

WMNS Air Jordan 12 Retro “Brilliant Orange”

Year: 2023

Some called these the “Shattered Backboards”, others called them the “SF Giants”, but there was no way to get around calling the “Brilliant Orange” retro 12s BEAUTIFUL. Easily one of the best womens exclusive retro Jordans of all time.

Air Jordan 12 “Playoff”

Year: 1997, 2004, 2012, 2022

While known as the “Playoff” colorway for the Air Jordan 12, MJ first pulled them out for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game where he put up a triple-double becoming the very first player to ever achieve such success in said showcase. The Cleveland crowd booed the decision by the NBA to give the All-Star Game MVP honors to Glen Rice, but Michael Jordan wasn’t done with these kicks.

In Game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Michael Jordan put up 55 points to help lift the Bulls to victory after they were trailing at halftime. The “Playoff” Air Jordan 12 was also worn by Michael Jordan in the walk-off game of the season when MJ and the Bulls clinched their fifth NBA title defeating the Utah Jazz in Game 6.

Air Jordan 12 “Taxi”

Year: 1997, 2008, 2013

The “Taxi” Air Jordan 12s saw the most time at home in Chicago. Michael Jordan recorded his regular season high of 51 points in the Taxi 12s against the New York Knicks and was remembered as one of cleanest Jordan shoes worn by Michael Jordan. A low-top version of the shoes came out in 2004 and made their way to TV on the feet of Jadakiss in his music video for “WHY?” The first time they would return as a retro was in December of 2008 as the final Countdown Pack paired with the Air Jordan 11 “Playoff.” Quite a duo of kicks for $310.

Air Jordan 12 Black/Varsity Red

Air Jordan 12 Black/Varsity Red

Year: 1997, 2003, 2009*, 2016

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan woke up with flu-like symptoms. The source of the illness later came under dispute with many pointing to food-poisoning caused by bad pizza the night before the game. Whatever caused MJ to feel sick, he was sick. Despite the illness, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to a pivotal Game 5 victory to tip the 2-2 series in favor for the Bulls 3-2. Putting up 38 points and 11 boards, MJ was photographed in an iconic snap with Scottie Pippen helping his Airness off the court at the end of the game. His performance while playing ill would earn them the nickname the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12 and be remembered as one of Jordan’s best games wearing the Jordan 12.

The OG version and first retro in 2003 featured an all leather makeup, but in 2009 the “Flu Game” Air Jordan 12 released with a sick-face emoji as well as “97” and “38” etched on the heel representing his points in the game and the year he fell ill.