Ranking the Air Jordan Line From 1 to XX8

Year Released: 2000

On the one hand, being the "worst" Air Jordan is still better than being the best of most other things. And the initial black/red colorway of the Air Jordan XV was pretty good. But the clunky feel and far-too-literal Prada Sport "inspiration" made up for a rare whiff.

Year Released: 2009

Much of the technology that debuted on the Air Jordan 2009 didn't make it to the Air Jordan 2010, which isn't necessarily a condemnation of said technology, but may as well be one. The pricepoint and esoteric inspiration (fencing?) didn't help, either.

Year Released: 2004

The original intent of the Air Jordan XIX was to produce an entirely laceless Air Jordan. Instead, the Tech Flex sheathing wound up simply covering the laces, which were thinner and cinched tight via lace-lock. There was an awful lot going on here.

Year Released: 2006

As if the Air Jordan 18 didn't hammer home the whole "Michael Jordan is into motorsports" thing, the XX1 should have made it abundantly clear, especially in the Schumacher-esque red suede incarnation. Drop-in, interchangeable heel cushioning was the new-new.

Year Released: 2010

It's entirely possible that one day we will look back fondly upon the "porthole" that allowed you to see straight through the upper of the Air Jordan 2010. But we doubt it. The flagship sneaker of what would be the short-lived "W3LCOM3 HOM3" Dwyane Wade era, the Air Jordan 2010 had plenty of revolutionary features, from the lasered midsole to the bottom-loaded full-length Zoom Air. But that 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea upper-man.

Year Released: 2012

Taking the modular setup of the Air Jordan 2011 one step further, the Air Jordan 2012 came with two different height booties as well as three different midsoles, presenting the wearer with a variety of options. The upper, inspired by jazz-era zoot suit apparel, provided a throwback feel to a decidedly forward-thinking project.

Year Released: 2003

Following Michael Jordan's third (and presumably final) retirement, he got involved in motorsports in a much more official manner than just breaking speed limits in his Ferraris and Porsches. The Air Jordan 18 previewed this passion with a design that looked much like a high-end driving shoe. The tread ran up the back of the heel, and the lace covers were stitched down rather than just snapped on. Stitching on the outsole reflected that of high-end dress shoes, which Michael would find himself in more often than not shortly thereafter.

Year Released: 2002

How can a sneaker be inspired by jazz music? Can't really say, but that's apparently how the Air Jordan XVII came about. The sneaker came in a faux metal briefcase and retailed for a then-grounbreaking $200 (handcuff not included). It was also the first Air Jordan to debut in Washington Wizards colors, which was just...weird.

Year Released: 2007

Sneakers inspired by cars are cool, but you know what would be even cooler? Sneakers inspired by PLANES. Yes, that had already happened with the V, but that was a damn near 50-year-old plane. For the Air Jordan XX2, the inspiration was the all-new F-22 stealth fighter, a project that made Jordan's secrecy look downright pedestrian. Angular camo and high-polish titanium brought the military feeling to the forefront.

Year Released: 1995

For all the Air Jordan X did for the Air Jordan line, it should probably be higher. Alas, here we are. (This is in part due to the fact that it was followed up by the groundbreaking Air Jordan XI.) Ghilly lacing on Jordans started here, and the flat outsole listing Jordan's accomplishments was a particularly nice touch. The X also provided one of the best stories of the Jordan canon, where Jordan himself told Tinker Hatfield that the toepiece on the first colorway would have to go. It was too late to change the launch color, but ensuing models would go back to the clean toe. Which, to Jordan's credit, looked much better.

Year Released: 1993

It's tough to put an Air Jordan that Michael Jordan played in (and won a championship in) this low, but the Air Jordan VIII remains an anomaly in so many ways. One possible scenario is that someone at Nike objected to the minimalism of the Air Jordan VII, and Tinker Hatfield said, "OK, how about THIS?" The Air Jordan VIII layered straps on straps, with a furry tongue patch and a heavily padded ankle collar. It carried over the clean toe of the VI and VII, but otherwise nearly all that remained from the previous models was the Jumpman and Bugs Bunny.

Year Released: 2005

Maybe the Velcro "leash" is something only a surfer could love, but the lasered Air Jordan XX served its primary purpose perfectly, as a celebration of Michael Jordan's storied career. Said lasering has been used over and over since then, but this is why Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith cooked it up in the first place.

Year Released: 2013

The single most amazing thing about the Air Jordan XX8 is that the design didn't leak before the official unveiling. Now that's stealth. And say what you will about the eight-inch boot-inspired shroud, but be sure to wear them first. The Flight Plate technology, which takes the pairing of carbon and Zoom to the next phase, assures that Air Jordan will remain at the top of the performance heap.

Year Released: 2001

The intent of the Air Jordan XVI was to provide a shrouded look off the court and a stripped-down one on it, although few of the NBA players who wore it followed that plan. Michael Jordan was out of the picture at that point, so the XVI was championed by new jacks like Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson and vets like Reggie Miller and Michael Finley. Most wore the shrouds on court, and we can't remember a single instance of one of the magnetic snaps popping off. Proper.

Year Released: 1999

Cars have always provided sneaker designers with much inspiration, and Tinker Hatfield borrowed liberally from Mike's Ferrari 550 Maranello while designing the sleek Air Jordan XIV. The aggressively cut shoe used air intakes at the base and decidedly Ferrari-esque badging, and performed on-par with its Italian godfather. Mike liked them so much he wore them nearly a year early in the 1998 NBA Finals.

Year Released: 1996

The "rising sun" motif was recognizable from far away, and the full-grain leather exterior hid a high-tech basketball performer. The Air Jordan XII took the carbon plate from the XI and added the still-new Zoom Air to create a Bentley-like performer. Sure, it was a little heavy, but just let it get up to speed. Designed for guards, the Jordan XII also proved to be a proper shoe for big men, as it was worn (much to MJ's chagrin) by Bulls centers Luc Longley and Bill Wennington.

Year Released: 2011

The clear-cut best Air Jordan of the post-XX3 period, the 2011 combined a futuristic interchangeable midsole with a classic luxe leather upper. Tom Luedecke made the tech fit seamlessly into the silhouette, a feat much like putting current Corvette underpinnings in a Deuce coupe. In fact, forget a Jordan XX9, just manufacture Lunar/Zoom drop-in midsoles for the 2011.

Year Released: 1994

The first Air Jordan that Michael Jordan wouldn't wear at all (except on the baseball diamond), the Air Jordan IX suffered a bit unjustly in retrospect because of this. But as the years pass, the IX is starting to receive its due. The inner bootie maximized comfort, the simple design simultaneously looked back to the II while foreshadowing the XI, and the tread pattern with messages in multiple languages emphasized Jordan's worldwide acclaim. Plus, a Chicago Bull did wear them in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game-it's just that it was B.J. Armstrong.

Year Released: 1987

The sports-luxury roots of Air Jordan can be traced back directly to the Air Jordan II. Made in Italy and lacking the familiar Swoosh, the Air Jordan II sported a polyurethane sole, faux iguana leather, and a look unlike any other basketball sneaker-until it was shamelessly knocked off, that is. For some reason the II doesn't get the same love and respect as the Tinker-designed III, but the style risks taken by the III's design would have been impossible were it not for the II.

Year Released: 1991

With a rear pulltab inspired by Mike's Porsche Turbo and a neoprene tongue with corresponding pulls, the Air Jordan VI was as sleek and form-fitting as the exotic car it was inspired by. Done up in nearly monochomatic colors, the Air Jordan VI was strictly business-and Jordan responded with his first NBA Championship (and first Finals MVP).

Year Released: 2008

It's unlikely that anyone save maybe Michael Jordan himself saw his line lasting long enough to match his uniform number, but best believe around 17 or 18, people at Jordan started worrying about the 23rd incarnation of the flagship shoe. The Air Jordan XX3 embodied the sports-luxury concept with Considered (read: environmentally conscious) construction, intricate embroidery on the upper, and details as personal as a thumbprint (altered, of course) and MJ's signature. Did it perform as good as it looked? Silly question.

Year Released: 1997

"Black Cat." This was one of Jordan's many nicknames, and Tinker Hatfield would unknowingly reference it in his design of the Air Jordan XIII. The "eye" was a holographic representation of the Jumpman superimposed on a 23, and the dimpling on the upper reflected Jordan's second (or maybe first) passion: golf. Zoom Air provided the cushioning, just as it did in its bulkier predecessor. Championships are won in these.

Year Released: 1992

Lightweight performance with cues from the Huarache line, the Air Jordan VII was a Tinker Hatfield project that added elements from his non-Jordan work. It was quite the departure from the VI, doing away with Visible Air for the first time since the II and moving away from the traditional white/red and black/red color schemes. Jordan was becoming a global brand-as would be evidenced by the Dream Team's dominance in Barcelona-and his sneaker would have global inspiration. It was only right.

Year Released: 1990

The 3M tongue was meant to reflect the light of photographer's flashes, which were more attracted to Jordan than ever in his sixth season-kind of like moths to light only in reverse. Inspired by the World War 2 era Mustang fighter plane, the Air Jordan V carried over the mesh panels and variable lacing from the IV, only in a sleeker package. Clear rubber on the bottom exposed the Jumpman and provided stickier grip, while an assymmetrical ankle collar provided support only where it was needed most.

Year Released: 1989

As great as the Air Jordan IV's design was, something about them will always be associated with tragedy. Whether it was Buggin' Out having his hundred-dollar ($108 with tax!) sneakers scuffed beyond salvation in Do The Right Thing, or Craig Ehlo watching in vain as they hovered above the Richfield Center's court long enough for that one final Shot, the Air Jordan IV both inspired dreams and crushed them. Had these been designed in the past decade, they probably would have been a III P.S.. Instead, they made their own mark.

Year Released: 1995

A comeback sneaker fit for a king. The Air Jordan XI revolutionized basketball footwear with its use of carbon fiber and patent leather-disparate materials working in harmony-via a Tinker Hatfield design that was birthed against the wishes of Nike higher-ups. Now a Christmas retro tradition, the Air Jordan XI once represented the very pinnacle of basketball sneaker performance.

Year Released: 1985

The first Air Jordan was basically a Dunk in Bulls colors with Michael Jordan's all-new ball and wings logo on the ankle collar. But that simple physical description doesn't come close to capturing the sheer mania this shoe engendered upon its release in 1985. Jordan himself wore the shoe a full six months before it released at retail, and his rookie exploits only built demand to a fever pitch. Sneaker culture as we know it today started here. Face it, your dad was a hypebeast.

Year Released: 1988

The go-to Jordan for people who don't even know what Air Jordans are, the Air Jordan III goes with everything, was Tinker Hatfield's first Air Jordan design, and was the model Mike wore when he won the Dunk Contest, All-Star MVP, MVP, and defensive player of the year. Oh, and the scoring title. The iconic elephant print has spread everywhere, and a fresh pair still looks-well-fresh even 25-plus years later. The best.