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Sneakers You Need to Know: Air Jordan 11

Air Jordan 11

Sneakers You Need to Know: Air Jordan 11

Your complete guide to Air Jordan 11 sizing, care, important colorways, and more.

Matt DeSciora

Earlier this year, we introduced our Sneakers You Need to Know series as a guide to the most essential sneakers in the culture. Over the last twelve months, we’ve covered the ins and outs of shoes everyone should be familiar with, including the Nike Air Force 1, adidas Yeezy Slide, and more. We wrap up the campaign with one of the most popular basketball shoes in history, the Air Jordan 11.

Debuted in 1996, the Jordan 11 is a pop culture icon. It was the shoe that Michael Jordan wore not only during the Chicago Bulls’ historic 72-win season, but in “Space Jam,” as well. It's also been the centerpiece of Jordan Brand’s yearly holiday release cycle since 2008, which should clue you in to just how important the Jordan 11 is to not only Jordan, but sneaker culture.

As you can see, the Air Jordan 11 is a shoe you absolutely need to be familiar with.

Air Jordan 11 “Concord”

Basic Air Jordan 11 Information: Original Colorways, Designer, Alternate Models, and More

The Air Jordan 11 was originally released by Nike in 1996. Like so many other classic Jordan models, it was designed by legendary Nike footwear designer Tinker Hatfield. The shoe’s patent leather mudguard was inspired by the sleekness of dress shoes which, supposedly, was a special request from Michael Jordan. Jordan, ever the showman, wanted his next Air Jordan shoe with the glossy material because he wanted to wear an elegant shoe on the court. It’s safe to say that “Tink” delivered.

Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam”

The Jordan 11 was released in several colorways upon its debut back in the day. The “Concord,” “Bred,” and “Columbia” makeups were all released by Nike in 1996. Interestingly enough, the first Jordan 11 colorway that anyone saw was the “Space Jam,” a mostly black colorway with purple accents and a white foam midsole. Despite appearing in “Space Jam” in 1996, the colorway didn’t release until 2000.

It’s worth noting that the Jordan 11 was also released in ‘96 as a low-top shoe called the Air Jordan 11 Low IE. It came in two colorways, the “Bred” and “Cobalt.” Speaking of the Jordan 11 Low, Jordan himself wore an alternate, Player Exclusive Low in patent leather during the ‘96 NBA Playoffs that later inspired the retail version of the Jordan 11 Low we know and love today.

Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”

Other Notable Air Jordan 11 Colorways

Being that the Jordan 11 is the centerpiece of Jordan Brand’s Holiday madness, it has been released in a bunch of great colorways over the years. Popular, non-original Jordan 11s include the “Cool Grey,” which debuted in 2001 and was worn by Jordan with the Washington Wizards. Other colorways worth getting familiar with are the “Jubilee,” the low-top “UNC,” and the Women’s Air Jordan 1 Low “Concord Sketch.” There are many others, too. Just have a browse here.

The Air Jordan 11 in Popular Culture

The Air Jordan 11’s place in pop culture begins with its appearance in “Space Jam,” the beloved film starring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny as well as a cast of ‘90s-era NBA greats, Bill Murray, and a who’s-who of Looney Tunes. In “Space Jam,” Michael wears the aforementioned “Space Jam” colorway during the movie’s most memorable scenes, which helped attract fans of basketball, Jordan, and cartoons to Air Jordan sneakers.

The popularity of the “Space Jam” Jordan 11, not to mention the shoe’s “Concord” and “Bred” colorways, also contributed to the hysteria behind the Jordan 11’s first non-original colorway: the “Cool Grey.” While the “Cool Grey” didn’t necessarily appear in any memorable commercials like its Air Jordan predecessors, the monochromatic grey colorway did become a cultural icon because of the anticipation of its release back in 2001. Now every time the Air Jordan 11 drops, in any color, it’s one of the biggest events in sneaker culture all year long.

Air Jordan 11 Sizing: How Does the Jordan 11 Fit?

Knowing how the Air Jordan 11 fits is just as important as getting familiar with its original colorways and most iconic pop culture moments. In terms of fit, the Jordan 6 runs true to size (or TTS, as it's commonly referred to as by sneaker collectors.) Like other Jordan models, if you have a narrow foot, and I mean a very narrow foot, you may want to size down half a size from your standard shoe size. Otherwise, there’s no need to make things complicated: take your usual Air Jordan sneaker size with the Air Jordan 11 and you should be able to enjoy wearing the shoe comfortably.

The Air Jordan 11’s On-Court Legacy

Perhaps more than any other Air Jordan, the Jordan 11 is virtually synonymous with Michael Jordan’s on-court play. That’s because the Jordan 11 was Jordan’s signature shoe during the Chicago Bulls’ historic 72-win 1995-96 NBA season.

The Jordan 11 is remembered for its presence in the ‘96 NBA Finals, and for good reason: it was the “Bred” colorway that Jordan wore while he memorably clutched the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the Bulls’ locker room floor. But the shoe was also a part of other classic on-court moments that season, including appearing in the rare “Columbia” colorway at the ‘96 NBA All-Star Game.

Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Bred”

Jordan also wore a Player Exclusive Air Jordan 11 Low during the ‘96 NBA Playoffs, a version of which later inspired the Jordan 11 Low silhouette that debuted in 2001. (Which is essentially a standard Jordan 11 without its top.) Jordan took to the court a few times in the Air Jordan 11 Low IE, an alternate version of the basketball shoe also designed by Tinker Hatfield. According to Tinker himself, the Jordan 11 Low IE was a more lifestyle, summer-ready shoe compared to the original Jordan 11, and it featured mesh, not patent leather, on its design. Jordan scored 46 points in the Jordan 11 Low IE “Bred” during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Air Jordan 11: An Iconic Shoe On and Off the Court

The Air Jordan 11 would have been an iconic shoe had it only appeared in “Space Jam.” But its association with Michael Jordan’s 72-win season with the Bulls is what truly sets it apart from other Jordan sneakers—no easy feat considering Michael won six NBA championships in six different Air Jordans.

Perhaps the most telling thing about the Air Jordan 11’s legacy is the fact that, now over 26 years into its existence, the classic sneaker continues to be the centerpiece of not only Jordan Brand’s annual Holiday release cycle, but the centerpiece of holiday sneaker shopping as a whole.

Shop All Air Jordan 11s at Stadium Goods