Image via Complex Original
SpikeLead
Hate ‘em or love ‘em, the Spizike is the shoe that has earned the Jordan fusion experiment the most love. Originally it was going to be an one-time-only drop, but after Nike saw how well it did they decided to drop numerous colorways and release them all over. The sneaker borrows traits from six Jordan models: the Jordan III’s elephant print, the IV’s wings to hold the laces and sidepanel mesh, the overall silhouette and eyelets of the V, the lace locks and tongue from the VI, the IX for the back tab, and the XX’s lasered graphics in the sockliner. The best part is rocking the tongue out like Mike. Complex breaks down the 10 best colorways just in time for the new NY Knicks colorways dropping Saturday. Click on the gallery to see which pair is number one.
DoTheRightThing
10. Air Jordan Spizike "Do The Right Thing"
Year released: 2007
Complex says: Made to commemorate the colorway of the movie poster for Do The Right Thing, this release helped people crossover to the hybrid line. The splattered blue upper meshed with with the bright yellow highlights makes for one of the most original Spizike drops to date.
OGCement
9. Air Jordan Spizike "OG White/Cement"
Year Released: 2007
Complex says: The OG Cement look took its direction from the Air Jordan IVs made famous in Spike's Do The Right Thing. Crazy how much things changed in a year for the line — the colorway was a much-hyped released for the fourth quarter in 2007, causing JB fans to pay extra (more than $100 with tax) to cop them early. Buggin' out.
DoYouKnow
8. Air Jordan Spizike "Do You Know?"
Year released: 2009
Complex says: Do you know? Do you know? Do you know what the lining on these sneakers say? Two-toned elephant print on the heel and toe, the red and black guard on the midsole, a different color for each plastic eyelet piece — Jordan Brand put everything into these Spizikes. Literally.
Grapes
7. Air Jordan Spizike "Grapes"
Year released: 2010
Complex says: Named after the Jordan V that it borrows influences from, the "Grapes" use subtle hits on the outsole and lace holders. The shoe also features true cement elephant print and the embroidered '23' on the outer heel from the "Fire Red" Vs. The standout element of the "Grape" Spizikes, however, is the use of the perforated upper.
kingscounty
6. Air Jordan Spizike "Kings County"
Year released: 2007
Complex says: BROOKLYN! As you may not be aware, the borough of Brooklyn has the same outline as Kings County, which Spike Lee represents with evident pride. Done up in black with a white patent rand, and orange, red and yellow accents, the "Kings County" Spizike is every bit as bold and unique as its namesake.
infrared
5. Air Jordan Spizike "Infrared"
Year released: 2010
Complex says: Done up in a similar style to the "Kings County," with a black upper surrounded by a white patent rand, the "Infrared" Spizike toned down the overall look with some subtle white-on-grey cement print, an Infrared strip on the midsole, and a pale blue on the Jumpman and heel tab. One of the best.
WhiteTrueBlue
4. Air Jordan Spizike "True Blue"
Year released: 2007
Complex says: The "True Blue" Spizikes referenced the Jordan IIIs, which were the shoe that brought Spike and MJ together. The sneaker focused on the popular IIIs color — mainly up around the toe as well as the blue midsole strip around the heel. The shoe dropped just in time to heat up the summer of '07.
WhiteRedGreen
3. Air Jordan Spizike "White/Varsity Red-Cool Grey-Classic Green"
Year released: 2006
Complex says: The original Spizike release — there were only 4,032 pairs released through Jordan Quickstrike accounts. The shoe originally received harsh criticism from Jordanheads but once they hit the streets people started to feel ‘em. The simple combination of the white and red is always a good look on Jordans, and the green soles and lining gave them enough pop for people to reconsider and accept the fact that the game done changed.
BlackCement
2. Air Jordan Spizike "Fresh Since 1985"
Year released: 2010
Complex: The "Black/Cement" treatment on the Spizikes is layed out nicely. Drawn from the IVs sharing the same colorway, they feature tonal elephant print on the toe and heel and speckled lace wings and midsole. The lining repeats the "A High-Flying, Death-Defying 360 Slam Dunk" line from one of the original AJIV campaigns. With the black/cement IVs being in most peoples top ten Js, these weren't too hard to push out of sneaker shops.
BlackGreen
1. Air Jordan Spizike "Black/Varsity Red-Classic Green"
Year released: 2007
Complex says: The second release from the Spizike line just flipped off the lights on the OG pair, trading the clean white upper for black including the always illustrious patent leather. The hits of green on the elephant print used for the toe was a bold move that paid off for the Jordan Brand as they were an instant sellout, proving the Spizike could move units.
