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The Air Jordan V, Tinker Hatfield's third Air Jordan design, was the first shoe to outwardly acknowledge Michael Jordan's ever-growing fame. By the summer of '89, Jordan had already been MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star MVP, and a two-time Slam Dunk champion. All eyes were, as they say, on him. So Hatfield embraced it, equipping the newest Air Jordan with a 3M reflective tongue that would shine under the arena lights and in the flashbulbs. In the 23 years since its initial introduction, the Air Jordan V has been produced in no shortage of styles. Click through to check out The 15 Best Air Jordan V Colorways of All Time, and give us your take in the comments.
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Air Jordan V "White/Metallic Silver"
Year Released: 2000
In 2000, Jordan Brand kept it clean and simple with this makeup of the Air Jordan V. JB dropped them in the spring and 'heads were ready, as the white and silver colorway was perfect for the summer. The "23" stitched into the heel was just the cherry on top of the icy clear outsole.
Air Jordan V "White/Sport Royal/Stealth"
Year Released: 2006
The White and Sport Royal colorway dropped in 2006 amongst a number of other non-original colorways that year. This version was the simplest color makeup and one of the most underrated, but if it dropped today you could imagine anyone from the Orlando Magic lacing them up. Not to mention the countless college teams that could do the same.
Air Jordan V "Motorsports"
Year Released: 2008
The Jordan Motorsports V never released to the public, unfortunately. It wasn't until the VI that we actually got a chance to cop the annual special make up for MJ's "other" favorite hobby. This colorway of the Air Jordan V was not just unique, it used the light blue hues of Jordan's beloved North Carolina college days, which is always a welcome addition to most collector's closets.
Air Jordan V "Black/University Blue"
Year Released: 2006
Nubuck has always been a popular material choice with the Air Jordan V. It's part of what makes the black based versions so popular. When Jordan wrapped the V in black nubuck in 2006, they switched it up from the usual and added University Blue stitching to contrast against the upper. The same blue was then spread about the shoe, making its way onto the inner lining and tranluscent outsole. The reflective tongue then added that perfect final touch to the new colorway.
Air Jordan V "BIN 23"
Year Released: 2011
In 2011, JB hit the Jordan V with its "Premio BIN 23" makeover. Uber-plush premium leather replaced the traditional choices and the iconic mesh side panel was removed, in favor of a more clean an luxurious feel. The Air Jordan V Premio edition came with wooden shoe trees to further enhance the baller status feel of these extremely limited kicks.
Air Jordan V "Green Bean"
Year Released: 2006
3M is always a dope addition to a pair of kicks, it gives that added neck-breaking effect when the light hits it just right. In 2006, 3M was typically just used as an added detail but Jordan Brand took it next level with the "Green Bean" colorway of the Air Jordan V. The nickname Green Bean came from the color that wrapped the inner liner and accented the otherwise Flint Grey midsole. Needless to say, the colorway was unique, both in the fact that the 3M was abundant and in that green was used as an accent color.
Air Jordan V "Army Olive"
Year Released: 2006
With the attention that the Undefeated x Air Jordan IV recieved, all similar colors after seem to get thrown into the "Undefeated" nickname category. The Army Olive colorway of the Air Jordan V somehow seemed to avoid that, thanks to how well done the colorway was. Army Olive wrapped the entire upper in an olied suede finish that made this version of the Air Jordan V stand out from any other previous colorway. The Flight Satin orange hue added the finishing touches to this military-like colorway.
Air Jordan V "Tokyo"
Year Released: 2011
The rarest Air Jordan V? Amongst retros and excepting PEs, almost certainly. Only released in Tokyo to celebrate the opening of Jordan Tokyo 23 in 2011, the yellow and black Vs featured a highly stylized negative space "23" embroidered on the outer heels. A wider release would satisfy many, but at the expense of exclusivity. What's more important?
Air Jordan V "Raging Bull Red Suede"
Year Released: 2009
If there's any one Air Jordan V that gets more oohs and aahs than any other, it's probably the all-over red suede "Raging Bulls." "Seeing red" may be the theme, but whatever the reasoning, the all-red suede took the V's classic silhouette to a whole 'nother place. These would be a crazy solo retro drop - but until that happens, happy hunting.
Air Jordan V "Raging Bull 3M"
Year Released: 2009
What's better than a 3M tongue? An entirely reflective shoe, of course. The lesser-appreciated (by some) Air Jordan V in the "Raging Bull" pack of 2009, this dark grey version popped like no other (well, except 2006's "Green Beans") when the light hit it. The fact that it was a colorway that MJ himself COULD have worn on the court gives it more caché than its vegetable-inspired brother.
Air Jordan V "Laney"
Year Released: 2000
The first Air Jordan tribute to Mike's high school, Emsley A. Laney High in Wilmington, North Carolina, the "Laney" Vs featured the Buccaneers colors of blue and gold, as well as MJ's number 23 on the sides. He wore 23 in high school (and beyond, natch) as a tribute to his older brother, Larry, who wore no. 45. Mike picked No. 23, as it was as close to half of 45 as he could get. Yup, 22.5 would have looked real strange on the back of a Bulls jersey. Rumors of a Laney V re-retro have become too loud to ignore recently, and it seems as if the 13-year wait for some could soon be over.
Air Jordan V "White/Black/Fire Red"
Year Released: 1990
Anyone who missed out on this original colorway gets another shot tomorrow as the first "Fire Red" Air Jordan V makes its first appearance since the "23"-enhanced drop from the CDP in 2009. This is the V as Tinker originally intended, with the fighter plane details offset by that flashy 3M tongue. Get ready for spring while it's still brick out.
Air Jordan V "Black/Metallic Silver"
Year Released: 1990
Back in the late '80s and early '90s, black Jordans meant two things - the Bulls were in postseason mode, and the Cleveland Cavaliers were in trouble. The original release and the first retros may have featured "Nike Air" on the heels, but the later retros added the "23" embroidery on the outer heels, formerly a Jordan-only perk. Can't go wrong either way, although both would be nice.
Air Jordan V "Grapes"
Year Released: 1990
Off-court colorways of on-court signature shoes may be a regular thing these days, but back in 1990 there was a bit more separation. The Grape Ice/New Emerald Air Jordan V may not have been the first Air Jordan to appear in non-Bulls colors - the Air Jordan 1 was produced in tons of off-court colors, and the "True Blue" IIIs didn't have any affiliation - but it was the one that you can consider the direct ancestor of all the rest. The one retro was nice and all, but this one can't come back again soon enough.
Air Jordan V "Fire Red"
Year Released: 1990
The only on-court Air Jordan V to feature a non-reflective tongue, the second "Fire Red" Vs were also the first PE-style Air Jordans to hit store shelves. Embroidered with the shadowed "23" on the outer heels that previously had only appeared on Mike's own Jordans, this third on-court Bulls colorway is first for us.
