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Since the '80s, Air Jordans have been at the forefront of sneakers. Michael Jordan's Nikes became his own when they first lost the Swoosh with the Air Jordan II. Since then, the Jumpman has become one of the most-recognized logos in the world. Jordan still pushes out some of the most ground-breaking performance basketball shoes today (hello, Air Jordan XX8) but new Jordans have become overshadowed by Retro Jordans for a lot of sneakerheads. Whether you're into new Jordans or retro Jordans, there is one thing that is certain—Jordan Brand is the leader of the sneaker game. With that said, 2013 has seen a healthy mix of new designs and retro sneakers in the mix that help Jordan Brand keep that title firmly in hand, or rather laced up. This year we've seen the iconic Grape Air Jordan 5 return, multiple classic colorways of the Air Jordan 1, along with new styles for Melo, CP3 and the signature Air Jordan model, the Air Jordan XX8. Check out The Best Air Jordans of 2013 (So Far) and let us know which your favorite Jordans have been in 2013.
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25. Air Jordan I "Hoyas"
Released: February
Michael Jordan may have hit that first famous last shot to deny Georgetown an NCAA championship, but the Hoyas have been a Jordan school since Allen Iverson laced up Concord XIs back in '95. Respect due.
24. Air Jordan III "Crimson"
Released: February
The fact that these sat on shelves for a while was more a matter of release fatigue than it was a condemnation of the sneaker itself. Wait a few years and these will be as sought-after as many other 2013 drops that sold out immediately.
23. Jordan Spizike "Black History Month"
Released: February
3M and Volt both stand out amongst other color options on their own but Jordan Brand packed this Black History Month edition of the Spiz'ike with both. The colorway is louder than DJ Kool after he's cleared his throat. Uh, huh.
22. Air Jordan I "Carolina"
Released: February
If the "Carolina" 1s weren't mids and didn't feature the Jumpman on the tongue and heel, they would have wound up ranked a lot higher. Like, single-digits higher. Also, we would have mixed these and the black/royals and gotten our Lance Mountain on.
21. Air Jordan III "Joker"
Released: February
The "Joker" IIIs were part of an All-Star pack that also included a 1 and a Melo M9, among others. Match at your own risk.
20. Air Jordan XI Low
Released: June
While this variation of the Air Jordan 11 from Jordan Brand might be a little off the norm, the color-blocking is quite wearable. Black socks, these Jordan Lows and some summer heat is a recipe for success.
19. Air Jordan XX8 "Russell Westbrook PE"
Released: June
It's a shame Russell Westbrook got knocked out of the playoffs from an injury this year but we have to give props where it's due. Westbrook's PE colorways on the Air Jordan XX8 are all on another level but the leather perforated upper on these gives them high class appeal.
18. Air Jordan XIII "White/Black/Red"
Released: March
Call them "He Got Games" if you must, but this first colorway of the Air Jordan XIII is best remembered as one worn by Michael Jordan rather than Jake Shuttlesworth. And the all-leather uppers meant no worries about 3M or red suede bleeding through the soles. 1997 back.
17. Air Jordan VIII "Phoenix Suns"
Released: May
This wasn't the first time Jordan Brand did up an Air Jordan retro in the colorway of a vanquished foe, but it was one of the best applications of the concept. Here's hoping someone at Nike sent Charles Barkley a pair.
16. Air Jordan V "Black Grape"
Released: June
It's hard to put this black nubuck version of the classic "Grape" Air Jordan V ahead of the white original-so we didn't. That said, the idea of flipping an original colorway like this is worth pursuing further.
15. Jordan Melo M9 "Black History Month"
Released: February
Melo's latest signature, the Jordan Melo M9, has been the recipient of a number of dope colorways but the flashiness of the Black History Month joints are hard to touch.
14. Jordan CP3 VI AE "Clippers"
Released: April
Chris Paul's sixth signature model received a makeover dubbed "Artisan Edition" as the Clippers made their way towards the NBA Playoffs. Not only is the shoe pretty dope and packed with performance, the Clippers inspired colorway he debuted featured the birthdate of his son stitched into the tongue. Well played, CP3.
13. Air Jordan I "White/Black/Red"
Released: January
It was kind of strange that these original Jordan 1s dropped with the Jumpman while the "Knicks" ones came with the coveted "Nike Air" branding. No worries, though-an original colorway is an original colorway, and the basic Chicago joints hadn't been seen in some time. Very welcome.
12. Air Jordan V "Fire Red"
Released: January
Proof that no matter how many times a classic colorway can drop, there will always be buyers. Did you cop?
11. Air Jordan 1 97 "Black/Red"
Released: March
Jordan Brand gives us anxiety attacks when we see them combining classic silhouettes into one. However, the leather used on the Jordan I 97 was top notch and the dimples from the Air Jordan 13 added some depth to these.
10. Air Jordan VIII "Home"
Released: April
Bugs Bunny endorsed them and Marvin the Martian tried to steal them, but the classic white Air Jordan VIIIs are best remembered as the kicks Mike wore en route to the conclusion of his first three-peat. The overbuilt upper is a bit much for warm weather, but sometimes you have to suffer for your style.
9. Air Jordan 1 "Knicks"
Released: January
Whether these were for Melo or not can be debated elsewhere, but Michael Jordan's love for Madison Square Garden and respect for its basketball-mad denizens are well-known facts. Jordan may have kept Patrick Ewing from winning a title and sent the Knicks home early often, but the respect at least was mutual. One can only imagine what the reception would have been if Mike had been a Knick from the jump(man)-well, at least they got the shoes.
8. Air Jordan 1 "Black/Gold"
Released: April
The black/gold Jordan 1s were long THE mythical Air Jordan-not the patent mids with the "jewel" ball-and-wings logo from 2003, but original pairs allegedly produed for just two or three people back in 1985. Worn pairs surfaced in obscure Japanese magazines and websites, but no one could ever really verify the story. Well, these were a little easier to get, but not much. Super-limited release, super-dope shoe.
7. Jordan Trunner Pro Dominate "Electric Green"
Released: May
The Jordan Pro Dominate is quietly creeping in the shadows of the Air Jordan XX8 as one of the best new perfomance models to come from JB in recent years. The modular design inspiration has elements that make you think Kobe VII System, while the Flight Plate technology has been adapted to more generous training usage.
6. Air Jordan XX8 "Black/White/Electric Green"
Released: February
It's a testimony to the power of the Air Jordan brand that, over a decade after Michael laced them up for the final time, the reveal of the new flagship shoe is still a highly anticipated event. Images of the Air Jordan XX8 never leaked, and thus the official unveiling was the first time most laid eyes on the high-cut shrouded silhouette. It was a risky move in a world where basketball silhouettes continue to get lower and lower (hi, Kobe), but risky moves are what Michael Jordan and Tinker Hatfield have always been about.
5. Air Jordan V "Grape"
Released: May
One of the first, if not the first, "lifestyle" Air Jordans (the True Blue IIIs and Military Blue IVs always seemed more on-court oriented), the Grape Vs were a hard-to-process drop when they first released in 1990. If nothing else, they introduced new colors to the Air Jordan palette and prepared consumers for further wildness in the '90s. Now they're just a great shoe.
4. Air Jordan 1 "Black Toes"
Released: May
The model Mike himself was wearing in the original "Jumpman" photo, the "Black Toe" 1s were a rare variant on the basic "Chicago" colorway. Nearly impossible to find in 1985 form, and previously only available as a mid as part of the "Old Love, New Love" pack, these were scooped up quick.
3. Air Jordan XX8 "Carbon Fiber"
Released: April
Two XX8s in the top ten? Yup. The XX8 is crazy but so was putting Elephant Print on a sneaker back in '88. Arguably the best colorway of the Air Jordan XX8 is ths limited edition "carbon fiber" edition. The carbon-look of the upper balanced on the Bright Crimson midsole and carbon fiber Flight Plate was set off perfectly with the white outsole and more Bright Crimson on the liner.
2. Air Jordan 1 "Black/Royal"
Released: February
The black/royal Air Jordan 1 has become a most-coveted version of the Air Jordan 1, more due to its prior retroing in 2001 than any particular advantage it holds over a myriad of other "OG" Air Jordan 1 colorways. That said, this retro was worlds better than the prior retro, and could even be appreciated by those fortunate enough to be holding the 1985 originals. A little Nike Air goes a long way.
1. Air Jordan Retro III 88
Released: February
Hard to argue with that Nike Air on the heel, isn't it?