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Originally published on November 11, 2011.
What’s an 11/11/11 without an Air Jordan 11-themed feature – at 11:11am EST might we add
We don’t know because we’ve never been here; this is a first. However, our Nice Kicks staff put together a list of the top 11 Air Jordan 11s to celebrate this day that only comes once a century.
The Jordan 11 came in only 5 colorways in 1995-1996 – three mids that Mike wore on the court and two lows that came after the historic 72-10 season and fourth NBA title. The other pair we saw in Space Jam and against Orlando never dropped in the first run.
We will update this list as Jordan brings out more 11s as they commonly do with lows hitting us up in the summer months and a new December Jordan 11 that has become a holiday tradition as good as Mariah.
11. Air Jordan 11 Low IE Black/Varsity Red
Original Release: 1996
Retro Release(s): 2003, 2011, 2021
The Air Jordan 11 Low IE will always live in the shadow of the first released Air Jordan 11 mid-top model, but sometimes this silhouette just flat out gets overlooked. We made sure to include an IE on this list and looked no further than the original colorway. It was one of the most underrated releases of the year for Jordan Brand.
10. Air Jordan 11 “Cherry”
Original Release: 2022
Retro Release(s): N/A
The Varsity Red Low top Jordan 11s from 2001 caused countless fans to ask – what if? Bootlegs supplied the streets for years of a mid-top white and candy red Jordan 11, but Jordan Brand finally came correct and delivered what the streets had been waiting on for decades: the Cherry 11s.
9. Air Jordan 11 “Gamma”
Original Release: 2013
Retro Release(s): N/A
Following some OG and retro-bring backs, Jordan Brand mixed it up with a new colorway of the Jordan 11 for the Holidays for the first time. The blacked-out midsole was a head turner along with the icy blue bottom. No need to worry about yellowing on these ones. The Gamma 11s remain one of the most asked-about retro colorways to make a comeback.
8. Air Jordan 11 Low “Citrus”
Original Release: 2001
Retro Release(s): 2015, 2021
The “Citrus” Air Jordan 11 Low is easily one of the more subtle approaches on this low-top signature model. Instead of incorporating a citrus-colored patent leather mudguard to coincide with the other low-top creations, Jordan Brand only applied citrus touches on the outsole and Jumpman branding. For this reason, many consider this one of the best and most distinctive low-top colorways to release.
7. Air Jordan 11 “72-10”
Original Release: 2015
Retro Release(s): N/A
Jordan made an 11 that looks like something Michael would have worn during the iconic, record-setting 1995-96 season that he didn’t. The 72-10 11s pay homage to that historic run and dropped these ironically just a season before the Golden State Warriors went 73-9. But “it don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that ring,” right?
6. Air Jordan 11 Low “Snakeskin”
Original Release: 2001
Retro Release(s): 2019
The Air Jordan 11 Low “Snakeskin” is considered the best low-top colorway of MJ’s 11th signature sneaker. It is easily the most distinctive Air Jordan 11 low top as it is the only one (not including the IEs or GS releases) to feature a texture other than patent leather on the mudguard. Although it wasn’t well received when it debuted in 2001, we’re sure sneakerheads would flock to the store if a retro release were announced.
5. Air Jordan 11 “Columbia”
Original Release: 1996
Retro Release(s): 2001, 2014*, 2024*
The “Columbia” Air Jordan 11 kicks off our top five and rightfully so. His Airness debuted this pair in the 1996 NBA All-Star game on his way to winning MVP honors. Jordan fans would have to wait 13 years to get the Legend Blue adaptation to the OG and rumor is that in 2024 the Legend Blue Jordan 11 is coming back.
4. Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”
Original Release: 2001
Retro Release(s): 2011, 2021
2011’s most anticipated sneaker came in the form of the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”. However, it was just as big if not bigger when it was originally released in the spring of 2001. If you recall, the “Cool Grey” Air Jordan 11 was the only colorway of MJ’s 11th signature model that he wore as a member of the Washington Wizards. Jordan waited another decade to bring the shoes back in 2021, so should we see them come back in 2031? This shoe and its fandom were responsible for inspiring a long list of Cool Grey Jordans.
3. Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”
Original Release: 2000
Retro Release(s): 2009, 2016
The “Space Jam” Air Jordan 11 may have garnered the most hype and hoopla surrounding its original release than any other Air Jordan 11 release on this list. If you recall, we first spotted this shoe in the 1996 sports film Space Jam, and many sneaker enthusiasts desperately inquired about a release date. Four years later, Jordan Brand granted the sneaker community’s wishes by releasing these. The shoes returned in 2009 as the first shoe to restart the holiday Jordan 11 tradition that has happened every year ever since. In 2016 the Space Jam 11s got retooled to resemble a closer shape to the OG cut in 1996. While the Space Jam 11s are not on the books to return anytime soon in mid-cut form, the low-top Space Jam 11s will be released in 2024.
2. Air Jordan 11 “Playoffs” aka “Bred”
Original Release: 1995
Retro Release(s): 2001, 2008, 2012, 2019
The 1995-96 NBA season was historical thanks to His Airness leading the Bulls to a mind-blowing 72-10 NBA record. Although he wore another classic colorway of the Air Jordan 11 during the regular season, he cruised through the playoffs while wearing the Air Jordan 11 Black/Varsity Red.
1. Air Jordan 11 “Concord”
Original Release: 1995
Retro Release(s): 2001, 2011, 2018
Let’s make a list: 72-10, 1995 NBA MVP, 1996 All-Star Game MVP, 8th scoring title, and NBA All-Defensive Team. Shall we continue? MJ accomplished more in this shoe than any other sneaker he had ever worn. Let’s not forget, they were the shoes Michael Jordan wore when making that 100-foot dunk.
Images courtesy of Flight Club.
