The 10 Best Air Jordans of 2021
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By Stadium Goods |The 10 Best Air Jordans of 2021
The very best from another big year of Air Jordan releases.
Matt DeSciora
It’s been nearly two decades since Michael Jordan debuted a new Air Jordan shoe in the NBA, but his retirement from basketball has hardly affected the unwavering popularity of the greatest signature shoe collection of all time. Air Jordans were some of the most desirable and innovative sneaker releases of 2021 due to Jordan’s indomitable legacy, and because a new generation of creators, all inspired by “The GOAT” in one way or another, were drawn to the timeless appeal of so many Air Jordan styles throughout the last twelve months.
In 2021, classics worn by Jordan with the Bulls, like the Air Jordan 6 “Carmine,” and new school colorways designed through an artistic lens, like A Ma Maniére’s Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women,” had an immeasurable impact on the direction of sneaker culture. As we’ve seen before, no sneaker brand is better at mixing nostalgia with hype than Jordan.
Now, as the year comes to a close, it’s time to reflect back on the best Air Jordan releases of 2021. It’s almost impossible to say which shoe is the greatest, so we improvised and picked 10 Air Jordans from 2021 that we think best represent where Jordan Brand has been, and where it’s headed into the future.
These are the 10 Best Air Jordans of 2021.
True, Michael Jordan wore a lot of great Air Jordans with the Chicago Bulls. But he also found a way to keep his footwear choices interesting on the Washington Wizards, too. One of the best sneakers Jordan wore during his tenure with the team was the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey.” The retro basketball shoe’s first-ever non-original colorway, the “Cool Grey'' created a frenzy in the sneaker community when it originally released in 2001 and when it was brought back in 2010. We all waited another 11 years for its next drop, but as you can see, it was worth it.
Air Jordan 1 Low OG “Neutral Grey”
Even if you have a passing interest in sneakers, you’re probably familiar with the Air Jordan 1’s “Bred,” “UNC,” and “Chicago” colorways. And that’s great. But as cool as those Air Jordan 1s are, there are some equally sweet colorways from the archives, like the “Neutral Grey” style that appeared on the Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 and Air Jordan 1 Low OG in 2021. Once known as the “Natural Grey,” the renamed “Neutral Grey” was released on the Jordan 1 Low OG for only the third time in history this year, after the 1985 and 2015 editions. The 2021 version features a slightly modified Swoosh on the sides and one less eyelet hole, but is otherwise a highly accurate replica of the original style from 1985.
A Ma Maniére x Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women”
New sneakers with intentionally-retro details were popular in 2021, perhaps none more so than A Ma Maniére’s Women’s Air Jordan 3 “Raised by Women.” Part homage to A Ma Maniére owner James Whitner’s mother, part homage to the first Air Jordan shoe Whitner ever owned (which was purchased by his mother,) the “Raised by Women” updates the old school shoe’s appearance by replacing its original elephant print details with hairy grey suede on the toe and heel. Add in a healthy dose of cream accenting to mimic the look of oxidation, as well as some nostalgic “Nike Air” branding on the heel, and you have one of the year’s most thoughtful Air Jordans.
Air Jordan 5 “Raging Bull 2021”
Remember Jordan’s “Defining Moments” packs from back in the day? If you’re unfamiliar with, forgot about, or just plain old whiffed on some of those coveted releases from yesteryear, Jordan Brand has been giving everyone a second chance at owning “DMP” styles like the black-and-gold Air Jordan 6 and Air Jordan 5 “Raging Bull” in recent years by bringing them as solo releases. Also known as the “Toro” for its all-red suede design, the original “Raging Bull” was packaged with a black-based Jordan 5 colorway in 2009, and is as influential an Air Jordan shoe as there’s ever been. Truly ahead of its time, the “Raging Bull” idealized the all-red-everything movement that shoes like the Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October” and the red-based Nike Air Max 90 “Independence Day” popularized in the early 2010s.
Women’s Air Jordan 1 Mid “Apricot”
The Air Jordan 1 Mid was the trendiest sneaker of the year, a shoe that seemed to be released in new and exciting colorways on a daily basis. Some honored the shoe’s legacy, others pushed its design into the luxury category, like the Women’s-exclusive “Apricot.” A combination of plush materials in warm hues highlight the “Apricot’s” spring-meets-fall appearance, making it one of the most creative looks for any Air Jordan 1 Mid of 2021.
Air Jordan 4 “University Blue”
Amazingly, the Air Jordan 4 had never been released in a “UNC” colorway before dropping in “University Blue” this past April. An early “Sneaker of the Year” contender when it debuted, the “University Blue” retains the cement-style patterning found on the model’s original “White/Cement” colorway, and even features a “removable” name tag on the nylon Jumpman branding found on the tongue, an inventive design that references the product tag found on the bottom of basketball jerseys.
Another classic from back in the day, the Air Jordan 6 “Carmine” was the latest, and perhaps most anticipated, Jordan 6 to come back in true-to-original form when it was released earlier in 2021. Like the first version that was released in 1991, the modern “Carmine” is complete with its original “Nike Air” branding on the heel and insole, accurate panel shapes and brightness of the shade of “Carmine” red on the upper, and retro-style packaging. It took a while for Jordan Brand to give us the “Carmine” we’ve always wanted, but it was absolutely worth the wait.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 1 High OG
Beginning with A Ma Maniére’s “Hand Wash Cold” collection with Nike, the fashion boutique’s sneaker collaborations have featured a luxury-focused design ethos. That spirit underpins the look and feel of its Air Jordan 1 High OG that was released in December 2021. Among the shoe’s talking points are a fine cracked leather upper, snakeskin Swoosh, and a quilted interior lining and collar that has become synonymous with A Ma Maniére’s work with Jordan Brand. With two collaborations on this list, nobody did Air Jordans better in 2021 than A Ma Maniére.
Air Jordan 1 High KO “Chicago”
No one, not even Nike, is quite sure what the “KO” in the Air Jordan 1 KO means, and that’s only worked in the vintage basketball shoe’s favor during its three-plus decades existence. Rumored to stand for “Knock Out” due to its canvas construction thought to be inspired by boxing rings or, more likely, “Knock Off” because it's a takedown of the original Air Jordan 1, the Jordan 1 KO is the most mysterious Air Jordan shoe ever. In May, it returned in its original “Chicago” colorway, complete with its original Nike Vandal sole unit, too, which is enough to earn a spot on our list of Best Air Jordans of 2021.
Hands down, Billie Eilish was the most exciting new sneaker collaborator of 2021. The Grammy Award-winning artist’s two Air Jordan colorways, a bright neon green vibe on the Air Jordan 1 KO, and a monochromatic beige Air Jordan 15, would be unusual choices for some, but makes perfect sense for Eilish, an eccentric who’s never been afraid to venture off the beaten path. Produced of one-fifth recycled materials, the Los Angeles native’s Jordan 15 shines light on an overlooked Air Jordan shoe that deserves a run in the spotlight.