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Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023

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 37 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:

Complete Air Jordan Sneaker Guide and Gallery List

Air Jordan IEvolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 1 - "Notorious" - 1985

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 2

Air Jordan IIEvolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 3 - "Italian Stallion" - 1986

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 4

Air Jordan IIIEvolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 5 - "Gotta Be the Shoes" - 1988

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 6

Air Jordan IVEvolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 7 - "Taking Flight" - 1989

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 8

Air Jordan V - "The Fighter" - 1990

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 9

Air Jordan VI - "Promised Land" - 1991

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 10

Air Jordan VII - "Pure Gold" - 1992

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 11

Air Jordan VIII - "Strap In" - 1993

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 12

Air Jordan IX - "Perfect Harmony" - 1993

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 13

Air Jordan X - "The Legacy Continues" - 1994

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 14

Air Jordan XI - "Class Act" - 1995

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 15

Air Jordan XII - "The Dynasty Continues" - 1996

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 16

Air Jordan XIII - "Black Cat Pounces" - 1997

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 17

Air Jordan XIV - "Race Ready" - 1998

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 18

Air Jordan XV - "Speed of Sound" - 1999

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 19

Air Jordan XVI - "Marching On" - 2001

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 20

Air Jordan XVII - "Jazzed Up" - 2002

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 21

Air Jordan XVIII - "Last Dance" - 2003

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 22

Air Jordan XIX - "Full Flex" - 2004

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 23

Air Jordan XX - "Living Greatness" - 2005

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 24

Air Jordan XX1 - "Performance Luxury DNA" - 2006

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 25

Air Jordan XX2 - "Hit the Afterburners" - 2007

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 26

Air Jordan XX3 - "The Number of Greatness" - 2008

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 27

Air Jordan 2009 - "Beyond" - 2009

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Air Jordan 2010 - "Full Speed Ahead" - 2010

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 29

Air Jordan 2011 - 2011

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 30

Air Jordan 2012 - "Choose Your Flight" - 2012

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 31

Air Jordan XX8 - "Dare to Fly" - 2013

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 32

Air Jordan XX9 - 2014

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 33

Air Jordan XXX - 2016

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 34

Air Jordan XXXI - 2016

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 35

Air Jordan 32 (XXXII) - 2017

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 36

Air Jordan 33 (XXXIII) - 2018

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 37

Air Jordan 34 (XXXIV/XXX4) - 2019

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 38

Air Jordan 35 (XXXV) - 2020

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 39

Air Jordan 36 (XXXVI) - 2021

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 40

Air Jordan 37 (XXXVII) - 2022

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 41

Evolution of the Nike Air Jordan Signature Shoe Sneaker Series: 1984-2023 42Making purchases through affiliate links can earn the site a commission

User Comments

Nick
Nick

Air Jordan XIX – “Full Flex” – 2004

yes those are jordan XIX – “Full Flex” – 2004

Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas

Love the 13 felt so good on my feet and they were crazy when it came to the look. I have 2 pairs white ones and black ones keep them in the box and wouldn’t trade for nothing, and can’t wait for them to come back out, 2 more pair. Ya heard.

Marc
Marc

Back in 1996 I was in high school and got my first pair, the “Class Act” in black and white…Brings back a lot of memories…

lucas
lucas

I love Jordan’s because they are the center of the world for basketball shoes. I have four Jordan, and let me just say that I would never trade any of them, no madder how much money they offer. what im trying to say is that Jordans shoes really changed my life.

DNip87
DNip87

I had a pair of every style 1- 16. After XVI the J’s were complete garbage. Even the 15’s and 16’s were questionable. My favorites are the 2, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14. Thats it.

Kevin
Kevin

There were 2 versions of the first jordans, i.e. the red white and blacks (shown above, first picture) and the red and blacks (not shown). Jordan would usually wear the latter with his away/road uniform, but very seldom wore the former. Instead, at home he would typically don the the version shown in the 2nd pic with the black front. This version however, was not available to the public. As a side note, my friend bought a pair of the red / blacks, and I bought the red/white/blacks, then we swapped one and had the cool mismatching one on each foot.

bluntman
bluntman

I like the early jordans but the later ones aren’t as appealing visually. Although the Jordan 2010’s are a return to form.

Deidre
Deidre

Jordan needs to produce more to put out in stores so that stores wont have to sell tickets or raffles. There should be enough for everyone that wants to purchase if they want. Thats one reason that people are starting to not want to buy. It cause a lot of conflick.

Zoom
Zoom

The Air Jordan XX8 “Dare to Fly” looks sick!!

sneaktango
sneaktango

Nice organization. Earlier model looks better than newer ones. :)

kolluctemall
kolluctemall

Extremely helpful page… trying to figure this out in a store is impossible. thank you!

Fabfive24
Fabfive24

I love the Jordans Phat low the most. Got 6 of them. The hightops is not my thing.

Melissa
Melissa

I am loving the Nike Jordans, my husband says if he and his kids can’t wear Jordans then it don’t make sense :) he has always worn them and now he even has me crazy about them and I’m a more flipflop/ sandal type girl. Also would love 2 know and see more of the jordan sneaker boots, especially love a cute pink and white pair my sis in law has a picture of. Keep bring the hot styles.

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