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The 10 Best "UNC" Sneaker Colorways

The 10 Best "UNC" Sneaker Colorways

Our favorite sneakers sporting the University of North Carolina color scheme.

Matt DeSciora

No matter what is trending in sneakers, the “UNC” colorway theme is always relevant. But one cannot deny the fact that the college-basketball-inspired look shines brightest during the sport’s March Madness hysteria.

We know you’re here for a rundown of the best “UNC” sneakers for the March Madness season—and beyond—but before we go any further, it’s important to be familiar with the style's history. More than just an eye-catching colorway, the “UNC” theme is as influential as any in the culture.

Introduced by Nike in 1985, the “UNC” color story helped give a storytelling component to Michael Jordan’s then-new signature shoe, the Air Jordan 1. Inspired by Jordan’s college basketball team, the North Carolina Tar Heels, the “UNC” Jordan 1 was the first signature shoe of an athlete to be released in college colors. It was one of the most popular colorways of the Jordan 1 back in the ‘80s, and a core component of other Jordan releases thereafter.

The “UNC” colorway later debuted on the Air Jordan 9, Air Jordan 10, and Air Jordan 11 in the 1990s. More recently, Jordan Brand has treated seemingly every great Air Jordan shoe to a “UNC” inspired makeover, including the soon-to-be-released Women’s Air Jordan 2 Low as well as the Air Jordan 3, Air Jordan 4, Air Jordan 5, Air Jordan 6, Air Jor… you get the idea.

Now that you have some background information on the “UNC” theme, let’s get into the very best “UNC” sneakers at Stadium Goods. We promise you plenty of Air Jordans, a few Nikes, and one very sweet New Balance shoe.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC”

The OG to all “UNC” colorways is the iconic Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC.” Although the Jordan 1 “UNC” wasn’t the only basketball shoe dressed in the team uniform colors of one of the sport’s top college programs when it debuted in ‘85, there was also the Nike Dunk. But the Jordan 1 was by far the most popular, which is saying something, because the Nike Dunk’s original “Be True to Your School” pack is legendary.

Air Jordan 5 “UNC”

A new addition to the “UNC” family, the Air Jordan 5 “UNC” is the first example of the Tar-Heel-inspired design appearing on the venerable basketball shoe. And it doesn’t disappoint. The look modifies the Jordan 5’s timeless appearance with a new branding patch on the heel and plenty of buttery University Blue suede.

Air Jordan 3 “UNC”

Some “UNC” themes have loose ties to the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. Others, like the Air Jordan 3 “UNC,” are actually based on a Player Exclusive colorway worn by players on the team. The Tar Heels rocked a slightly modified version of this gem during the 2018 NCAA Men’s March Madness tournament.

Air Jordan 6 “UNC”

Released in 2022, the Air Jordan 6 “UNC” is classic for two reasons. For starters, it honors the North Carolina Tar Heels, which, as we now know, is a great thing. And secondly, the “UNC” Jordan 6 actually replicated the color block of one of the Jordan 6’s most revered colorways: the original “Carmine” from 1991. And if you prefer a more black-based Jordan 6, there’s also the “other” Air Jordan 6 “UNC.”

Nike Air Force 1 Low “UNC”

The Air Jordan 1 and Nike Dunk aren’t the only two classic basketball shoes in a “UNC” colorway. In 2021, Nike released the Air Force 1 Low in a “University Blue” theme that gives a little love to the UNC Tar Heels. Before this release, the “UNC” theme had appeared on the Air Force 1 Mid in several “NYC” inspired looks back in the day. It also appeared on Rasheed Wallace’s Player Exclusive Air Force 1 High in the early 2000s.

Women’s Air Jordan 1 Mid “UNC”

The Air Jordan 1 is one of the most popular shoes in the world. It isn't surprising that the “UNC” theme has appeared on each version of the model, including the Women’s Air Jordan 1 Mid.

Women’s Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Patent Leather”

There are many flavors of the “UNC” colorway. Just look at the Women’s Air Jordan 1 High OG “UNC Patent Leather.” The shoe features a glossy patent leather design that harkens back to the Air Jordan 11. And it features not one, but two shades of blue, both of which are inspired by the Tar Heels, on its design.

Women’s Air Jordan 2 Low “UNC to Chicago”

Yup, like we said, there are several variations of the “UNC” story, like the Women’s Air Jordan 2 Low “UNC to Chicago,” which draws inspiration from Jordan’s college and professional basketball teams.

Air Jordan 4 “University Blue”

Surprisingly, the Air Jordan 4 didn’t debut in a “UNC” colorway in 1989. Had it done so, it may have looked a little something like the Air Jordan 4 “University Blue.” This design features plenty of Carolina Blue, in this case called “University Blue,” as a show of love to the basketball team Jordan won a championship with way, way back in the day.

Women’s New Balance 550 “UNC”

Michael Jordan never wore New Balances as far as we know, but that didn’t stop the Boston based footwear brand from releasing its own “UNC” inspired colorway on its own classic basketball shoe last year: the Women’s New Balance 550. This two-tone style is as smooth as any “UNC” sneaker by Nike or Jordan in our honest opinion.