Every Air Jordan Shoe Worn by Michael Jordan

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The legacy of His Airness remains unquestioned.

His Jordan Brand continues to surge, with retro Air Jordans selling in mass volumes as it ages beyond the thirtieth year of his iconic signature line. He’s the majority owner of a Charlotte Hornets franchise valued at a billion dollars.

It was his legendary career on the court as the sport’s greatest player ever that has earned him such global recognition through the years, and it’s the moments he created on the hardwood in his annual Air Jordans that we’re always excited for a chance to highlight and look back on.

Check out MJ in all of the Air Jordans that he wore throughout his playing career, in our latest edition of Kicks On Court Classic.

Nike Airship

Prior to having his own signature shoe, Michael Jordan wore the premier basketball shoe in Nike’s arsenal – the Nike Airship. Michael Jordan wore a Black/Red pair of the Nike Airships during the preseason that drew the attention of David Stern’s office following a game at MSG that would eventually lead to them being banned by the NBA.

Air Jordan 1 Prototype

Prior to the official unveiling of the Nike Air Jordan, known today as the Air Jordan 1, Michael wore a number of prototypes while the Nike team led by designer Peter Moore refined MJ’s first signature sneaker.

Air Jordan 1

While MJ started his legendary career wearing the Nike Airship, he finished off his rookie season in the Air Jordan 1 playing mostly in the Chicago and Black Toe versions of the shoe. In one of the biggest moments of his rookie season, young MJ was front and center on TV screens nationwide when he took part in the 1985 NBA Slam Dunk Contest wearing the Black/Red colorway of the Air Jordan 1. Following this decision, Nike was sent a letter from NBA Commissioner David Stern’s office reminding them of a conversation following an October preseason game where Jordan was in violation of NBA uniform code by wearing a Black/Red Airship.

Air Jordan 1 White/Red/Black aka “Chicago”

Air Jordan 1 White/Black/Red aka “Black Toe”

Air Jordan 1 White/Red/Black “Chicago Alternate” PE

Air Jordan 1 White/Black/Red “Black Toe Alternate” PE

Air Jordan 2

Michael’s second season was cut short due to a broken foot while wearing the Air Jordan 1. For the sequel, Nike designer Bruce Kilgore was tapped to lead the project that included a full length Nike Air unit for more cushioning and EVA midsole similar to what many of the Nike Tennis shoes had at the time. Jordan would take the court in the 1986-87 season wearing the Jordan 2 in two white based colorways and won his first Dunk Contest in 1987.

Michael Jordan wearing Air Jordan 2 worn in 1987 NBA All-Star Game — Air Jordan 2 worn in 1987 NBA All-Star Game

Air Jordan 3

While laced up in the Air Jordan 3, the 1987-88 season was one of the greatest seasons of Michael Jordan’s careers despite not winning an NBA Championship. In this season, Michael led the NBA in steals, took home Defensive Player of the Year, was the league’s leading scorer, defended his NBA Dunk Contest title, won NBA All-Star Game MVP, and won his first NBA MVP award. On the NBA court he wore three of the four original color ways of the Jordan 3, but it wouldn’t be until he suited up with the Washington Wizards that he would wear the True Blue colorway of the Retro Jordan 3 in an NBA game.