Michael Jordan's Best Air Jordan PEs

Image via Complex Original

Year Worn: 1995

The patent leather XIs had much of their mystique created in the 72-win 1995-96 NBA season, but they debuted the previous year as Michael Jordan uncharacteristically struggled against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semis. Want to tell whether a sample (or game-worn) pair is from those playoffs? A 45 on the back is a sure sign.

Year Worn: 1996

And you thought no such thing existed. No telling how many of these actually exist but it's a safe bet there are only a few, if that. A low top "Concord" XI would be a welcome addition to anyone's collection but having the actual pair that Michael wore to the Championship Parade in 1996, that's on another level.

Year Worn: 1994

In 1994, MJ decided to try his hand at something different and go back to his love for baseball. Of course, Nike wasn't about to let him do it in someone else's shoes. Jordan was laced with a variety of different cleated versions of the Air Jordan IX, which would later be retroed, but the TPU version is one that he seldom wore and is even harder to find today. Rumor has it that you can count the number of these that were made on a single hand.

Year Worn: 1995

This point has been made before (er, by us), but the "Space Jams" shouldn't really be called the Space Jams at all. Michael Jordan didn't debut them in the movie, he debuted them in the 1995 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic. So by all rights they should be called the "Nick Andersons," and they should definitely have a "45" on the heels, as Mike never wore them while wearing 23. Well, except in the movie. OK, the name can stay.

Year Worn: 1995

Seeing that most people associate the XIs with 1996 (better memories), the shoe most associated with Mike's 1995 comeback remains the Air Jordan XI. And while the "Chicagos" were the most coveted, these basic charcoal grey road models with the 4-5 on the ankles are still our favorites. Muggsy probably got a real good look.

Year Worn: 1991

Carmine Air Jordan VIs were crazy as it is, but Mike's were even crazier. Some of his had a small "23" screened on one of the Carmine panels, a tiny personalized touch that meant so much. Beyond grail status.

Year Worn: 2001

Just because Michael Jordan was no longer a Bull didn't mean he had to wear the same sneakers you could buy in stores. His XVII lows had a slightly darker blue than the University Blue GRs, along with a small copper "23" embroidered on them. Elegant, as befitting someone who was pushing 40.

Year Worn: 1990

Was this the first "real" Air Jordan PE? It could have been. Well, technically Mike's original Air Jordans were a PE for five months from November of 1984 until April of 1985 when they finally released to the public, but these Fire Red Vs with the 23 embroidered on the side fit the definition a little better. As the Jumpman didn't make it clear enough whose sneakers these were.

Year Worn: 1995

For his long-awaited (and oft-debated) return to the hardwood, Michael Jordan wore a new sneaker and a new number. Donning 45 in honor of his older brother Larry (who'd worn the number in high school), his Air Jordan Xs were also blessed with the embroidered digits. Hey, if Harold Miner could get his number on his Jordans, best believe Mike could.

Year Worn: 1996

MJ didn't opt to wear Air Jordan Lows very often but surprisingly, in the 1996 NBA Finals, he laced up the beloved Black and Red Air Jordan XI in a Low version for a very short amount of time. These are one of his best PEs. Well, except for Seattle fans, who are still having flashbacks to Jordan dismantling the Sonics.

Year Worn: 1990

These would eventually release, but without the coveted "Nike Air" on the back, and with the embroidered "23" in a different (and shadowed) font. Somehow these looked better than the "plain" version that released, but maybe that's just because they were unobtainable.

Year Worn: 2001

Michael Jordan's coemback with the Wizards wasn't just noteable from a basketball perspective, but for his wearing styles that he hadn't worn for years. The IIIs actually extended back decades, last being seen on MJ's feet in 1988. The original "True Blue" colorway was Wizards-friendly already, but with the addition of a copper Jumpman they were perfect.