23 Air Jordan Samples We'd Like to See Release

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Year Of Sample: 2012

After Michael Jordan himself, the most prominent baller to lace up Air Jordan XIs was Allen Iverson, who made them his go-to shoe during his second (and final) season at Georgetown. And while he signed with Reebok out of college and continues to rep the brand, it would be great if Jordan would honor the little man who, um, well, crossed him up in the NBA. We can dream.

Year Of Sample: 1991

The best thing about the "Carmine" Air Jordan VI-and the 2000 Olympic makeup, for that matter-is the way the color really makes the design pop. And before the Carmines there was this black/white sample pair which never saw the light of an Athlete's Foot. One only can wonder why these weren't released in 2010 rather than the "Oreo" VI. Er, not that we have anything against Oreos.

Year Of Sample: 2012

The Air Jordan XV isn't exactly a favorite sneaker even amongst Air Jordan aficionados. Its clunky build means it's not a great on-court performer, and that jutting tongue makes them a tough sell off of it. Not to mention, barring the original red and black, the colorways were nothing to write home about. But this shiny entry from the Rainbow Pack, which combined a bright royal upper with a pure white sole unit, gives the XV a bit of new life. And given the current popularity of outrageous design, maybe now is the time to try the XV again.

Year Of Sample: 2010

The white and red (with black laces) "History of Flight" pack wasn't much of a departure from traditional Air Jordan colorways, which come to think of it was probably the whole point. The black laces looked a bit forced on most pairs, except for the Air Jordan II, which is no stranger to black laces in a white and red upper. Just make them in Italy, please.

Year Of Sample: 1985

There's a lot of history about the original Air Jordan 1 that's still being untangled, and as such it's difficult to place the provenance of this sample with "NIKE" in the banner above the ball and wings logo rather than "AIR JORDAN." Was it an early enough sample that it was before Michael Jordan had actually signed? Does the absence of "NIKE AIR" from the tongue make it a non-Air shoe, or was it just a GS shoe (although that's not what it looks like). If the KO could come back, there's no reason this variant couldn't.

Year Of Sample: 2012

With 28+ years of the Air Jordan signature line, it's easy to look back and say that certain models carry more weight than others. One thing that always helps a particular model stand the test of time is Michael Jordan actually wearing them. In his stint with the Wizards, Jordan wore the "Ginger" Air Jordan XVI but after the 2012 "Rainbow Pack" sample showed up on the Internet, we can imagine he'd have laced these up during his Washington days as well.

Year Of Sample: 2010

The Air Jordan 2010 was a polarizing sneaker, to say the least. The bottom-loaded Zoom Air may have felt great, the assymmetrical ankle collar may have harkened back to the V, but all anyone could see at first was that porthole that allowed you to see straight through the shoe. What would have perceptions have been like if those windows weren't there? Well, we almost found out. Samples of the 2010 were made without the windows, and it tends to let the focus go elsewhere-like that killer suede toe. What could have been, and what still can be.

Year Of Sample: 2013

Unfortunately, all too many people know what a gum-soled Air Jordan XI would look like already, thanks to the combined ravages of wear and time. But even the most yellowed-out clear sole has nothing on this gum sole sample of the Air Jordan XI low. Forget the Legends of Summer Air Jordans that you're never going to be able to get anyway, these should be the real Red Octobers. Or Novembers. Or any month, really.

Year Of Sample: 2012

The Air Jordan XX3 is one of the most popular post-retirement Air Jordan models. Tinker Hatfield returned to create a future classic that would help ignite the passion for Jordan 'heads who had lost interest in the new models. The "Rainbow Pack" is yet another of those extremely limited special makeups and the Jordan XX3 is quite possibly the best of the bunch.

Year Of Sample: 2005

Remember when one-piece uppers were a thing? This would have been back when lasering was at its peak, and Dunks and Air Force 1s were both produced with smooth, virtually seamless uppers. Well, a few Jordans were made that way too, most notably some Xs which still pop up on eBay every once in a while. There was also a pair on Flight Club forever, which must have either sold or been pulled. Anyway, these XIVs haven't been seen quite as often, but to us, they're a better shoe. The sleek, Ferrari-inspired upper works even better with the one-piece concept, and hey, production should be easy enough.

Year Of Sample: 2013

Let's face it, it's nearly impossible to make a bad Air Jordan XI. The design (thank you, Tinker) just doesn't allow it. That's not to take away anything from the black and green "XX8 Days of Flight" colorup, which is a banger regardless, but it looks better on the Air Jordan XI than it does on most silhouettes. Which goes for a lot of colors. Sorry, other Jordans.

Year Of Sample: 2011

Just as quickly as they surfaced, the denim and khaki versions of the Air Jordan III sank without a trace. Last seen nearly exactly two years ago, the samples haven't led anywhere yet, but suffice to say a limited release of a denim Air Jordan III with gum bottoms would likely make Doernbecher resale prices look sane. Maybe throw some black leather on there too, word to DJ Clark Kent.

Year Of Sample: 2013

The Air Jordan 1 has gotten no shortage of love this year, and one expects that will continue straight into 2015, the silhouette's 30th anniversary. So while decisions are being made about colorways, we humbly submit the "XX8 Days of Flight" model for consideration. Black premium leather, lime green accents, and an embossed ball and wings logo-subtly outrageous, just like Nike originally intended.

Year Of Sample: 2006

As if you needed more reasons to want to work for Jordan Brand, these Air Jordan V samples should give you another. Created for a lucky Jordan Brand executive in 2006, the "Wedding" Air Jordan V gets its nickname because that's wht it was created for, a wedding. The white and gold version features details for the big day stitched on the inside of the tongue and carries a color combo that would make any collector envious. Clearly, these will probably never actually make any production line.

Year Of Sample: 2012

The Air Jordan II may not have the Swoosh or the Jumpman but it's one of the best of all time for many reasons. For the opening of a new Nike store in DC, Jordan Brand worked up a series of Georgetown Hoyas inspired colorways. Nearly every shoe in the made for display line up was tastefully done but there is something about the grey and blue on the Jordan II that has us wishing it was on our feet.

Year Of Sample: 1999

Even up to today, the Air Jordan XI remains somewhat sacred in the Air Jordan lineage. Sure, there was a lot of experimentation with the patent leather low-cut versions the first time they released, but the original Air Jordan mid remains primarily available in original, Jordan-worn colorways, this year's "Gamma Blue" Christmas release notwithstanding. These white mids with orange patent would be quite the departure from that, but maybe it would open things up for a whole new generation of Jordan fans.

Year Of Sample: 2010

The Air Jordan III is hard to wrong with but when it's a part of a collection of Jordans using the same hues, it still stands out thanks to its details. The Pantone 284 Collection looked like something a Carolina Tarheels fan would dream of. The light blue colorways teamed up with white accents were all solid but the Jordan III featured laser detailing throughout the upper that made it much more unique than the rest of the collection.

Year Of Sample: 2008

MJ may not be in high regards when it comes to his role with the Bobcats but that doesn't mean the Bobcats colorways weren't flowing. Whether it was for Michael during practice or for Gerald Wallace, these Air Jordan XX8 samples should have been made for the masses.

Year Of Sample: 1996

Was the "referee" sample of the Air Jordan XI IE really made for refs? Or was it just a "stealth" way of debuting a new silhouette? Given the red Jumpman on the tongue, the red springplate, and MJ's not-always-cordial relationships with the officials, one would presume it was the latter. This is supported by the sneaker's actual structure, which features a more primitive lacing setup than the production models. Regardless, putting this pair in production instead of pushing a new retro color would be amazing.

Year Of Sample: 2013

To help launch the Air Jordan XX8, Jordan Brand reworked a series of limited edition black and green colorways of each of the signature Air Jordan shoes. For 28 days, a new model was unveiled, one each day, in matching colors that would eventually be the launch color of the Air Jordan XX8. The Air Jordan IV was one that stood out from the rest as a colorway we'd love to see happen. Especially after we weren't the winners of the XX8 Days of Flight giveaway.

Year Of Sample: 2010

You crazy for this one Mark Smith! As if dousing every Air Jordan silhouette in Pantone 284 (Carolina blue) wasn't enough, the XI received a little extra treatment with lasering on the patent leather. A wider release would be something of a bitter pill for Jordan purists, but if it's not one thing with those people it's something else (and trust, we should know). These would make for a killer Christmastime hyperstrike, not that we're trying to suggest anything.

Year Of Sample: Early 2000s

The icey sol didn't originally show up on the Air Jordan signature series until the Jordan V but it's a safe bet most 'heads would be lining up for a chance at these samples. In the early '00s these clear soled "White Cement" Air Jordan IIIs showed up on the forums and had everyone guessing. The Doernbecher III has received the clear bottom treatment but these would still turn some serious heads.

Year Of Sample: 1995

This might be cheating, as the "45" Space Jams and Concords would have no doubt gone into production had Michael Jordan kept his comeback number. But he didn't, so the "45" XIs remain a highly sought-after (and oft faked) Air Jordan. A number on the heel might not be as significant as an entirely different colorway, but it does stand for something-that the Air Jordan XI shouldn't just be remembered for the '95-96 season and a Bugs Bunny movie.