If you’re not watching the long-awaited The Last Dance documentary about Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls what are you even doing with your life? While the ridiculousness of some of the 90’s era suits and outfits have received plenty of attention throughout the episodes this is the perfect opportunity to discuss the game-changing Air Jordan sneakers.

Before we get to the Top 9 (Jordan’s Olympic number) sneakers of all-time a couple notes:

1) There have been 34 official versions of Air Jordans released from 1985 through 2019 as we await the XXXV coming out later in the fall if production timelines remain in place. I’m only including original releases when the sneakers first dropped to the public.

2) I’m only including official colorways from the original releases. Some of these editions have seen a dozen or more colorways for the public and hundreds of retro tweaks over the years.

A few that just missed the cut…

Air Jordan XII – The red and black version from the “flu game” against Utah are iconic but otherwise this is a sneaky plain sneaker.

Air Jordan XVI – This was actually an awesome shoe without its bulky leather shroud.

Air Jordan XIX – One of the few post-retirement sneakers that tried for something bold and made it look pretty good.

Air Jordan XIV – A sharp and sleek shoe that Jordan put on for his last game with the Bulls, aka “The Last Shot” sneaker.

Air Jordan X – Known as one of the cleanest looks, I’ve only liked the white/black/silver colorway.

Air Jordan XIII – A bit of a space feel to the sneaker Jordan wore for his last season with Chicago.

Now, for the Top 9 of all-time…

#9 Air Jordan IV (1989)

This shoe is awesome in its own right but suffers from a bit of hindsight for me. The first and biggest factor is that it came right after the landmark Air Jordan III which was a major breakthrough for the brand and the basketball sneaker market. The IV was also very similar in many ways to the III so it’s like looking at a lesser twin version.

Still, it’s definitely one of the iconic sneakers in the line and incredibly popular to this day. The plastic framed eyelets set the shoe apart and the large Nike Air logo on the back below a rubber heel tab highlighted a great sneaker that was worn in Jordan’s memorable “The Shot” to send Cleveland  home in the 1989 playoffs.

#8 Air Jordan XX9 (2014)

One of only two pairs that made the list since Jordan officially, officially retired from the game. If you’re a sneaker head you may be aware that the Air Jordans went through quite a rough patch once Jordan left the game and more designers got involved in his shoes. In today’s list, there are no editions from 1995 through 2013. While there may be some cult favorites, I highly doubt any of those in that 19-year period will stand the test of time.

The XX9 was a bit of a return to normalcy for the brand (the XX8 came out with a large front zipper that created a boot of fabric over the shins while releasing in black with electric green) that was sorely needed. This XX9 wasn’t shy about advertising the iconic Jumpman logo but that translucent sole with the toe logo is awesome.

#7 Air Jordan VIII (1992)

Full disclosure, these were the second pair of Jordans I owned and as a kid I was absolutely obsessed with them. To date, they are still the only Jordans with a double cross-strap and were the wildest release until at least the XV version in 1999.

This black/bright concord/aqua colorway released in addition to a black and white pair in more familiar Bulls colors made the VIII a special one. The chenille tongue Jumpman logo may be my favorite aspect to any of the Air Jordan shoes. These were worn when Jordan completed the first of the Bulls’ three-peat.

#6 Air Jordan I (1985)

The story sold by Nike was that the first Air Jordan I was banned by the NBA due to color violations, except this isn’t quite the full truth. While awaiting for his new Air Jordan I to be ready for the court, MJ wore a modified pair of Nike Air Ships in red/black during the pre-season of his rookie year. These were immediately banned, and Jordan switched to a primarily white with red pair of Air Ships until the Air Jordan I was ready. Nike did appear to have the ‘banned’ Air Jordan I colorway made for the fall of 1984 but it was never used in games as I mentioned it wasn’t deemed game-ready. Jordan did wear these for the ’85 dunk contest (you can see the original Air Jordan logo on the heel).

For the remainder of Jordan’s rookie season he wore the colorway pictured below, although due to his foot injury in the 1985-86 season, the Jordan I’s would be released in many different colorways as the Air Jordan II was pushed back to November 1986.

People adore this shoe and its OG status. It’s probably #1 or #2 on most other lists. For me, I’ve never liked the fact that it had the Nike swoosh and was basically a modified Air Force One without the strap. But it is still iconic in its own right.

#5 Air Jordan XXXI (2016)

Never before or since has a pair of Jordans so seamlessly combined a throwback and modern look. These XXXI Jordans combined the ‘fake’ story of the Jordan I being banned and built something sharp over 30 years later. They also remain the lightest pair of Jordans ever released.

The subtle Nike swoosh hearkening back to 1985 mixes well with the giant Jumpman logo–the first time they have been combined on the sneaker line. The translucent red sole with the “BANNED” script in black is a cool touch.

#4 Air Jordan VI (1991)

This was the shoe worn on the way to Michael Jordan’s first NBA Championship where he primarily sported the black and infrared colorway pictured below. A friend picked up this colorway so I went with the white and infrared myself. The combination of leather and suede was so amazing.

The VI featured an inner sleeve booty (where the Jumpman logo connects on the laces), the memorable rubber tongue with finger loops, a molded heel tab, translucent “frosty” sole, and maybe the best the Air Jordan’s ever looked with a lace lock.

#3 Air Jordan III (1988)

The third installment was the first by Tinker Hatfield who has designed over two dozen different Air Jordans, included every pair from III through XV. While the first Jordan’s changed the industry these III versions broke the mold as Nike finally found an identity for their prized athlete who was no longer wearing something similar to an Air Force One or other Nike sneakers.

This was the first Jordan with the Jumpman logo, the first with the visible heel air unit, and perhaps most importantly the first to introduce the elephant print that has dominated Jordan Brand gear for three decades. It was also the first Jordan to feature in the Mars Blackmon TV ads with Spike Lee and the pair he wore during the controversial 1988 slam dunk contest in Chicago.

#2 Air Jordan V (1990)

The run from the Air Jordan III through the Air Jordan VI will go down as the greatest 4-years in sneaker design history thanks to the aforementioned Tinker Hatfield. This run coincided with Jordan going from NBA superstar to global icon. From that bunch, I think the V takes the cake.

There’s so much to like, including the P-51 Mustang sharktooth design on the midsole, the translucent icy sole used for the first time, the lace lock used for the first time, and who can forget the absolutely iconic 3M reflective tongue with the Jumpman logo?

#1 Air Jordan XI (1995)

Our champion, still undefeated. When Jordan returned from retirement in March 1995 he wore the Air Jordan X and switched to the prototype Air Jordan XI for a couple games in the fateful Orlando series loss during the playoffs. The sneaker was later released to the public in November 1995 and was worn for the entire 1995-96 season when Jordan secured his first championship after retirement.

The addition of the patent leather was a game-changer. Combined with the translucent frosty sole and clean lines this sneaker has proved to be more popular than any other in the Jordan lineup. It also feature a carbon fiber insert which was way, way ahead of its time. The prototype that Jordan wore for the 1995 playoffs featured the “45” on the back for when he briefly switched jersey numbers. For the initial release to the public, the sneakers featured the more familiar “23” although nearly all retro releases since have used the “45.”

Most importantly, Jordan wore the black and concord colorway in Space Jam, so that seals the top spot.