Image via Complex Original
Keeping track of Air Jordans used to be easy. Back when Mike was racking up scoring titles and slam-dunk championships (but not the other kind of championships quite yet), releases were limited to three or four colorways a year. There were no retros, some models weren't even released as lowtops. Now? Forget about it. There have likely been as many Air Jordans released this year so far as there were in the first seven or eight years of Mike's career combined. As such, some models fall by the wayside without getting the respect they deserve. So we present here The 25 Most Underrated Air Jordans of All Time — get 'em while you can still afford 'em.
RELATED: The 100 Best Air Jordans of All Time
25. Air Jordan V "Black/University Blue"
Year Released: 2006
When the Air Jordan Retro V in Black and University Blue hit stores, the biggest complaint was about the contrast stitching on the uppers. That and of course, everyone and their mother was saving money for the Grape V that was dropping a couple weeks later and Fire Red (with the 23) after that. This is one we can understand passing on for the OG colorways that released around it. That doesn't mean we don't kick ourselves for not getting these while we had the chance.
24. Air Jordan I Phat Low "Black - Varsity Royal"
Year Released: 2008
We may be looking forward to the upcoming release of the Black and Varsity Royal Air Jordan Retro I but if you were paying attention back in 2008, you would have scooped this Phat Low version. Tucked under some denim you have the same look of the highs and could have easily grabbed a pair of these from the outlets for well below retail.
23. Air Jordan IV "Black Cat"
Year Released: 2006
Black on black is a difficult colorway to push, considering how many silhouettes have gotten the treatment. Usually they get screwed up with some patent leather or some other texture that steals away from the style of the sneaker beneath it. The Black Cat version of the Air Jordan Retro IV used Michael Jordan's nickname as inspiration for an all-black makeup that kept things simple and overly slept on.
22. Air Jordan V "Sport Royal/Stealth"
Year Released: 2006
2006 was a tough year for sneakerheads, especially those on a budget. The Air Jordan Retro V dropped in so many colorways that most of us had no choice but to pick and choose which would end up in our closet. These were one of the colorways that we wish we'd have picked up.
21. Air Jordan XX1 "Graphite"
Year Released: 2006
Without MJ carrying the Air Jordan signature line, the mid-2000s had many sneakerheads looking to relive their youth through retro releases. The red suede Air Jordan XX1 had all of our attention, especially when Sugar Ray laced them up for the NBA All-Star game. Looking back, the Graphite grey version, wrapped in the same plush suede as the red joints, should have been on our feet while watching that All-Star Game.
20. Air Jordan V "Burgundy"
Year Released: 2006
The Burgundy Air Jordan Retro V opened up the opportunity for new materials on the silhouette. The suede used was top-notch and turned heads. Sure, you may have thought it wasn't a good match for all that Varsity Red Bulls-inspired gear you have, but you probably have too much of that anyway. The good thing about the Burgundy V is, well, you weren't the only one who regrets not picking up a pair.
19. Air Jordan XVI "Cherrywood"
Year Released: 2001
2001 was a tough year for the signature Jordan line, but that means opportunity for underrated sneakers. Michael Jordan was in retirement and the retro of sneakers like the Air Jordan III meant that a lot of sneakerheads scooped up True Blues and Mochas in favor of the signature Air Jordan of the year. The "Cherrywood" version with the grey cover and white patent material is still slept on to this day.
18. Air Jordan XIX Low "White Cement"
Year Released: 2004
Elephant Print might be tired but when this Air Jordan XIX dropped in 2004, it was a reminder of how timeless this color combination really is. The low version of the Air Jordan XIX cut down to just the basics and then Jordan Brand applied some classic colorways, which made this version an underrated option for a time period with no Air Jordan III colorways available at the time.
17. Air Jordan IX "French Blue"
Year Released: 2002
The Air Jordan IX was reintroduced in retro form in 2002 with a handful of colorways. Alongside the Cool Grey and Olive versions that will retro this year, the French Blue and Flint Grey colorway originally released a decade ago. Clearly, with only the Olive and Cool Grey version getting the 10th anniversary re-release, these are slept on even by Jordan Brand.
16. Air Jordan VII "Chambray"
Year Released: 2006
When the Air Jordan Retro VII Chambray and Flint Grey colorways dropped in 2006, these were scooped up with the quickness. then a few weeks later they were all over eBay and message forums, while the Flints were suddenly the only one people wanted and became way overpriced. You can scoop these for well under a hundred bucks if you keep your eye out. That's a hell of a deal.
15. Air Jordan XIII Low "Chutney"
Year Released: 1998
The Air Jordan XIII was one of the sneakers MJ notched an NBA title wearing on the court but it was also one of the first to feature more street-savvy colorways. The "Chutney" colorway on the black base was accented with gold details that made it a must for the ballers — the off-court ballers that is. And the XIII is one of the very few Jordans that may have (blasphemy alert!) looked better as a low-cut.
14. Air Jordan XIV "Oxide"
Year Released: 1999
The Air Jordan XIV is remembered most for the iconic image of MJ striking a pose as he knocked out the Utah Jazz, for what would become known as "the last shot." Not that we get tired of seeing that image over and over but reality is, there were better colorways of the Air Jordan XIV. The smooth side-paneled version without the perforations was more like the Ferrari that inspired the design, so we can start there. Indiglos and Black Toes get plenty of love but how come nobody ever talks about the Oxide colorway? You do realize this was the first time a Ray Allen worthy colorway was ever available at retail right?
13. Air Jordan 18 "Black/Royal"
Year Released: 2003
Once again, Michael Jordan had decided to call it quits. Maybe we were salty or just obsessed with the white and Sport Royal colorway he wore in his last All-Star Game appearance, but the sleek style and soft suede of the black and royal Air Jordan XVIII should have been copped, twice. They were like slippers with laces.
12. Air Jordan XI Low IE "Zen Grey/Cobalt"
Year Released: 1996
The Air Jordan XI is known by people who aren't even into sneakers for its patent leather uppers. For those in the know (ok, maybe those too cheap is more like it), the low-cut sibling of the Air Jordan XI, the IE, was a shot at all things Jordan XI without the shine. The IE had the patent swapped out for a more traditional (at the time) elephant print upper. Even after a retro run in 2003 that gave 'heads a second chance at these, most of you still slept on 'em.
11. Air Jordan XIII Low "Navy/Black"
Year Released: 1998
The low-cut Air Jordan XIII is arguably the best low version of a signature Air Jordan. It maintains the most similar style to the original cut and material. The Navy/Black version had the mesh on the upper panel and a color combo that was never seen on a pair of Air Jordans before. The colorway has eluded the crazy resale prices of some other colorways (*cough* Ray Allen PE *cough*).
10. Air Jordan XI Low "White - Varsity Red"
Year Released: 2001
How could we possibly say that any patent leather Air Jordan Retro XI is underrated? Easy, the Varsity Red Air Jordan Retro XI Low sat on the shelves back in the day and thanks to the trend of everyone needing to have iced-out soles, they still get little respect. Talk about coldhearted.
9. Air Jordan XVII+ "White/Metallic Copper - Sport Royal
Year Released: 2002
The Air Jordan XVII was a significant sneaker in the Air Jordan signature line because it was the last shoe MJ wore on the court. The silhouette never reached its potential but the "Plus" version which did away with the superfluous lace covers and added croc skin details was the epitome of luxury sport.
8. Air Jordan III "Mocha"
Year Released: 2001
The earliest of the non-original Air Jordan Retro III colorways was the "Mocha." For the first time, Jordan Brand opted for a color palette that had no ties to the original Air Jordan III, and also no tie to the Chicago Bulls inspired colorways we were used to. The Mocha Air Jordan Retro III is one of the cleanest non-original colorways on any of the Jordan line, let alone the Jordan III.
7. Air Jordan I "Countdown Pack"
Year Released: 2008
2008 was history in the making for Jordan Brand in quite the literal sense. The release of every single numbered Air Jordan gave 'heads the opportunity to relive their past and add some oversized boxes to their closet. The Air Jordan Retro I was paired up with the XXII, meaning you were taking an L if you copped, especially at retail price. If you stepped up and grabbed the CDP Jordan I, consider yourself lucky, the color-blocking on these is nothing short of classic. Sorry about the XXIIs you got stuck with, but hey, at least its not XVs.
6. Air Jordan XVI "Ginger"
Year Released: 2001
Maybe it's because of their nickname that they became the red-headed stepchild of the Air Jordan XVI colorways, but the "Ginger" colorway is often overlooked. Think of the Air Jordan XVI Gingers as that nerdy girl in school that you always overloooked then years later becomes unquestionably gorgeous. Yeah, should have never let this one slip past you.
5. Air Jordan V "Army Olive"
Year Released: 2006
Since we know most of you couldn't get your hands on the Undefeated Air Jordan Retro IV (don't worry, neither could we), this 2006 Air Jordan Retro V provided a nice alternative. These have picked up in popularity since but sat in stores when they originally released. The olive and orange color combination has since become a standard issue for a lot of companies, yet, lots of 'heads still overlook the Army Olive Air Jordan Retro V.
4. Air Jordan I "Metallic Red"
Year Released: 2009
Anything that was an OG colorway is fresh, well most of the time. But when it's an original colorway and it's in Bulls colors? We can't understand why the Metallic Red Air Jordan Retro I doesn't get more love. Especially with it being a Jordan I HIGH! Seriously, with or without the 'Do The Right Thing' print on the inner liner, these are money. But we just saw them for sale in NDS form for under 70 bones. What gives?
3. Air Jordan II "Melo"
Year Released: 2004
Player Exclusive colorways reach sky high prices on eBay, but for some reason, the Air Jordan Retro II in the Denver Nuggets colorway for Carmelo Anthony is slept on by most people. (As is the Air Jordan II in general, for that matter.) This was also one of the first times that a player-inspired colorway was actually available to the public on a Jordan, so why are these so slept on?
2. Air Jordan I "Shadow Grey"
Year Released: 2009
There are so many Air Jordan Retro I colorways (and original colors too) that it's hard to believe that any would be considered underrated. However, the 2009 release of the Shadow Grey Air Jordan Retro I was definitely overlooked. To start, it was an original colorway. It was a true high-top, not a Phat, or Alpha, or any other degrading suffix. Last but not least, materials were one of the best the Air Jordan I has seen since MJ first laced them up back in the '80s.
1. Air Jordan 2011 "White/Black"
Year Released: 2011
The Air Jordan 2011 is one of the best Jordan shoes made in the last decade. Quality is on point, interchangeable midsoles let you decide what type of cushioning you want on a daily basis, and it has all the elements of a classic Jordan. The initial colorway paid proper tribute to the "Concord" XIs. And did we mention they were in part designed by Tinker Hatfield? The Huarache-esque inner sockliner, oversized Jumpman on the heel and one-piece hand-burnished leather rand are just a few of the reasons, you will miss these if you didn't pick up a pair.