Which are the best Jordans of all time? A ranked list

Which are the best Jordans of all time? A ranked list

Helix Odhiambo
updated at May 21, 2023 at 8:20 AM

Many shoes and athletic apparel are associated with top athletes. One such is Nike's Air Jordan built on the legendary basketball star, Michael Jordan. Nike has produced over 30 models of shoes in Michael's collections since the first one in 1985. The best Jordans of all time have recorded incredible sales in many stores worldwide. Consumers like them because of their quality standards.

Ranking the best Jordans of all time
Michael Jordan addressed the media during the launch of the Air Jordan 2009 at The Event Space on 8 January 2009 in New York City. Photo: Kelly Kline
Source: Getty Images

Michael's line provides comfort and support to users. Many celebrity athletes wear shoes from MJ's brand while training or playing on match days. They are also suitable for casual wear. Below is our ranking of the best Jordans of all time to help you decide which one to buy.

Top ten best Jordans of all time

AJ 1, 3, 4, and 5 are among the top 10 best Jordans of all time. Their qualities, unique features, and colourways have appealed to millions globally.

Is Jordan the greatest of all time?

Several sources consider the former Chicago Bulls star the best basketball player and athlete in history. His career achievements in the NBA and the successful brand he has built are comparable to none. Meanwhile, ranking the best Jordans of all time is not easy because of the many quality sneakers produced. Here are the top ten best, including years of release and their prices at StockX.

10. Air Jordan 4 Retro

Best Nike Air Jordans of all time
Air Jordan 4 Retro is one of the best sneakers to wear. Photo: @SOLELINKS (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

AJ4 "What The" is among the best-looking shoes in the famous brand line. It is made of leather and rubber and has the 'Nike Air' branding on the heel tabs.

  • Release year: 2019
  • Upper material: Leather
  • Outsole material: Rubber
  • Colourway: White/fire red-tech grey-military blue
  • Price: Around $435

9. Jordan 11 'Bred'

Most popular Jordans of all time
The Air Jordan 11 Retro 'Bred' 2019 brings back an original colorway initially debuted in 1995. Photo: @tilt.inglewood @platinumhands1 (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Michael first wore the footwear on NBA courts in April 1996. Since then, Nike has released several editions of the AJ11 Bred shoes. The 2019 edition is the brand's latest release and ranks among the best in MJ's collection.

  • Years released: 1995, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2019
  • Upper material: Patent leather
  • Outsole material: Rubber
  • Colourway: Black/true red-white
  • Price: $300 - $530

8. Air Jordan 3 Retro

Top 10 best Jordans of all time
Air Jordan 3 Retro was the first Air Jordan to feature visible Air, elephant print, and the Jumpman logo. Photo: @shoesoutletonline, @gmmk3055 (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Released in 2018 and 2020, AJ3 Retro 'UNC' is made of leather and has several colours. The 2020 footwear edition has a white tumbled leather upper with grey elephant print mudguards.

  • Years released: 2018, 2020
  • Upper material: Leather
  • Colourway: White/valour blue-tech grey
  • Shoe shaft style: Mid-top
  • Price: $400 - $2,000

7. Jordan 1 Retro High

Best Jordans for basketball
Jordan 1 Retro High has a black leather Swoosh, sail midsole, and pine green. Photo: @SneakerNews (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

The Retro High 'Pine Green' is one of the best Nike Air Jordans of all time. Its upper side has white tumbled leather. Other unique features include a black leather swoosh, sail midsole, and pine green outsole.

  • Years released: 2018, 2020
  • Upper material: Leather
  • Colourway: Pine green
  • Outsole material: Rubber
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $311 - $518

6. Jordan 6 Black Infrared

Is Jordan the greatest of all time
The Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Infrared' is a 2019 re-release of the OG colorway. It is one of the most unique MJs brands of sneakers. Photo: @binhecxit, @supermarvi (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Many people like the J6 Infrared sneakers because of their design. The brand is also famous because the legendary MJ wore it when he won his first NBA championship in 1991.

  • Years released: 1991, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2019
  • Colourway: Black/Infrared
  • Cushioning: Maximum
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $250 - $620

5. Jordan 11 'Concord'

Best-selling Air Jordans of all time
Jordan 11 Concord is one of the most expensive MJ's Nike brands. Photo: @aardodson, @JamarroBrown (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

The iconic J11 brand has a patent leather upper and translucent sole. Michael first wore it in 1995, and remains one of the best today. It has the number 45 at the heel, which sets it apart from other footwear.

  • Years released: 1995, 2006, 2011, 2018
  • Colourway: White/black-concord
  • Cushioning: Maximum
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $300 - $2,600

4. Jordan 4 'Bred'

What are the top 3 selling Jordans?
The Nike Air Jordan 4 ‘Bred’ is the 2019 retro of the iconic colourway of Michael Jordan's fourth signature shoe. Photo: @zSneakerHeadz (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

AJ 4 is one of the oldest sneakers in MJ's portfolio. One of its famous brands is the 'Bred 4', which comes with a red sole, black upper, with white and grey accents. 'Bred 4' is one of the best-looking Jordans ever created.

  • Years released: 1989, 1999, 2008, 2012, 2019
  • Colourway: Black/cement grey-summit white-fire red
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $370 - $684

What are the top 3 selling Jordans?

The top-ranked Nike AJ shoes are J1 'Chicago', J3 'Black Cement', and the J5 'Fire Red' brands. Most athletes prefer them because of their qualities and designs.

3. Jordan 5 'Fire Red'

Best Jordans for basketball
Jordan 5 Fire Red is a beautiful and amazing sneaker with a great 90s vibe. Photo: @nikestore, @JustFreshKicks (modified by author)
Source: Twitter

The J5 'Fire Red' Retro OG is one of the newest pieces in the Air Jordan line. Nike released the first J5 brand in 1990. Other editions came in 2000, 2008, and 2013 before the OG brand in 2020. The newest footwear has a unique design with smooth white leather construction on the upper and a fierce black midsole.

  • Years released: 1990, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2020
  • Colourway: White/fire red-black
  • Insole material: Foam
  • Cushioning: Maximum
  • Outsole material: Rubber
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $200 - $300

2. Jordan 3 Black Cement

What is the most expensive Jordan in the world?
The Air Jordan 3 Black / Cement is One of the greatest sneakers of all time. Photo: @solerepubliq, @basement_tokyo (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Nike released the J3 'Black Cement' brand on Michael Jordan's 55th birthday. It is one of the best-looking sneakers and among the most popular Jordans of all time. The shoe also features the original 'Nike Air' branding on the heel.

  • Years released: 1988, 1994, 2001, 2008 (CDP), 2011, 2018
  • Colourway: Black/fire red-cement
  • Cushioning: Maximum
  • Upper material: Leather
  • Shoe shaft style: Mid-top
  • Price: $290 - $637

The J1 'Chicago' footwear is the most popular and the best Jordans for basketball. Its popularity grew after The Last Dance documentary premiere, featuring Michael's final season (1997–98) with the Chicago Bulls.

1. Jordan 1 'Chicago'

Best Jordans of all time
Air Jordan 1 Chicago is considered to be the most legendary basketball shoe ever made. Photo: @chriscolgan (modified by author)
Source: Instagram

Originally designed by Peter Moore in 1984 and released in 1985, the AJ1 'Chicago' is one of the most coveted sneakers under the Nike brand umbrella. It is also among the most expensive in the line.

  • Years released: 1985, 1994, 2013, 2015
  • Colourway: White/varsity red-black
  • Insole material: Foam
  • Cushioning: Maximum
  • Outsole material: Rubber
  • Shoe shaft style: High top
  • Price: $400 - $30,000

What is the most expensive Jordan in the world?

The Air Jordan 13 sneakers are the most expensive Nike shoes under the athlete's brand. The footwear sold for a record $2.2 million in April 2023. MJ wore them during Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals (The Last Dance) against the Utah Jazz, where he scored 37 points to help the Bulls win 93-88. After the match, MJ gifted the sneakers to Jazz ball boy.

Best-selling Air Jordans of all time

Top ten best Jordans of all time
Air Jordan logo is seen in a shoe store in Krakow, Poland on 26 August 2021. Photo: Jakub Porzycki
Source: Getty Images

AJ Bred 11 is the most-selling shoe brand of the legendary athlete on eBay. The sneaker is also nearly 130% more popular than the Nike LeBron 9s. Other best-selling AJs are Royal 1, Cement 4, Concord 11, Space Jam 11, Infrared 6, Bred 1, Bordeaux 7, Chicago 1, and Black Toe 1, respectively.

Best Jordan 1s of all time

Air Jordan 1 is the first signature sneaker developed by Nike for the NBA legend. Since its debut in 1985, it has become one of the most popular sneakers globally. The best AJ1 shoes of all time are:

  • High OG 'Chicago' and 'Bred'
  • High OG 'Royal'
  • High OG 'Black Toe'
  • Off-White X High OG
  • Union X High OG

What is the most durable Jordan?

AJ XII ranks as the most durable Nike sneaker of the legendary athlete. The shoe has a bold design and striking elegance. Nike initially released it in 1996 in white/black colours. Its initial price was $135.

Most of the best Jordans of all time are available in many Nike stores worldwide. Some are affordable, but others are expensive. So, you now know which one you would like to buy and experience the luxury and comfort they provide.

READ ALSO: Charles Antetokounmpo's bio and details: Everything about the father of the Antetokounmpo brothers

Sports Brief recently featured Charles Antetokounmpo, the father of several sporting legends, including Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Nigerian national worked hard to earn his family a decent lifestyle, and his legacy is evident in the successful careers his children boast today.

Although Charles Antetokounmpo did not live to see his children become who they are today, he left a permanent mark that has shaped their lives and careers. Follow the above link to learn more about him.

Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.