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Gift Guide: What to Buy the Air Jordan Collector

Air Jordan

Gift Guide: What to Buy the Air Jordan Collector

Shopping this holiday season for the Jordan collector that already has it all? It can be tough, but we’re here to help.

Matt DeSciora

Few sneaker collectors are more knowledgeable than Air Jordan enthusiasts. Expressions of their passionate fandom are not limited to knowing every shoe Michael Jordan was wearing during memorable on-court moments or, say, the inspiration of the outsole design of the Air Jordan 17. These types may come off as persnickety to some, but avid Jordan collectors will tell you they’re just thorough in their appreciation of Air Jordans.

Have one of these diehards on your holiday shopping list this year? We don’t envy you, but we won’t leave you in the cold, either.

While it may seem like this expert-level Air Jordan collector already has every great Jordan shoe, we’re here to tell you a little secret: they won’t turn down the opportunity to “double up” on their favorite sneaker(s). You know, “rock one, stock one.” This type of fanatic seems to always have ample room for shoes, too, so don’t get discouraged if it looks like adding a shoe box or two to their Great Wall of Sneakers will send the whole thing cascading to the floor.

What we’re really trying to say is, whether the Air Jordan collector you’re shopping for has any of these 10 releases already or not, they won’t be disappointed, either way.

Air Jordan 3 “White Cement Reimagined”

A guide to timeless Air Jordan colorways wouldn’t be worth its weight in salt without the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement Reimagined.” Simply put, the Jordan 3 is one of the greatest and most essential Air Jordan models of all time, and its original “White Cement” colorway is one of the most legendary sneakers in existence. The “White Cement Reimagined” is based on the OG “White Cement” from 1988, and features details anyone who is into Jordans wants on the Jordan 3, including “Nike Air” on the heel, true-to-original elephant print, and even a slight aging effect to the heel counter and midsole to give the shoe a more vintage look.

Air Jordan 1 High OG “Chicago Lost and Found”

The avid Air Jordan collector loves nostalgia, and no sneaker evokes more of it than the Air Jordan 1 “Chicago Lost and Found.” This colorway is inspired by what an original version of the “Chicago” Jordan 1 would have looked like had you come across it in the storage room of an old school mom and pop shoe shop in the late ‘80s.

Air Jordan 11 “Gratitude”

The Air Jordan 11 “Concord” is one of the greatest Air Jordans ever made. The sneaker is so popular, in fact, that it’s been remixed not once, but twice over the course of its lifetime, with the most recent being the new Air Jordan 11 “Gratitude.” Based on the “Concord” inspired Jordan 11 from the “Defining Moments Pack” from 2006, the “Gratitude” has the same metallic gold Jumpman and black patent leather as the mid-aughts release, but Jordan Brand opted to construct it with a leather upper instead of ballistic mesh for an even more refined appearance.

Air Jordan 6 “Carmine”

Good things come to those who wait. But no one ever said waiting was easy. Curiously, it took 30 years for the Air Jordan 6 “Carmine” to be re-issued in its original design, complete with “Nike Air” branding, and sneaker collectors are still sore about the subject. But at least they got one damn good shoe in return for the wait. The modern “Carmine” is as accurate to the original design as possible. It features the same panel shapes and colors as the 1991 release, and the same “Nike Air” detailing on the heel and on the insole as the old school version, too. Want to win over an Air Jordan collector’s heart this holiday season? Gift them a pair of the Jordan 6 “Carmine.” You can’t go wrong.

Travis Scott x Fragment x Air Jordan 1 High OG

With respect to the recent tragedy and controversy surrounding Travis Scott, we cannot deny that the hip-hop artist’s collaboration with Fragment on the Air Jordan 1 is one of the most desirable Air Jordan 1s in recent memory. Design elements from Scott’s previous work on the retro basketball shoe, like backwards Swoosh branding and “Cactus Jack” insignia, combines with components from Fragment’s Air Jordan 1 colorway from 2015 for a singular look. In the year of the three-way collaboration, Travis Scott, Hiroshi Fujiwara, and Jordan Brand showed mastery in how to combine opposing styles and influences into one cohesive look.

Air Jordan 4 “Black Canvas”

The Air Jordan 4 “Black Canvas” isn’t an original colorway of the fourth Air Jordan, but it isn’t less essential to the Jordan collection than any of the model’s other releases over the years. Designed in a durable black canvas upper with black and grey accents, the “Black Canvas” is made to withstand heavy wear, and will only look better with age and time. Which is a good thing, because you’ll want to wear something as versatile as this shoe day after day, year in and year out.

Off-White x Air Jordan 5 “Sail”

Celebrations aren’t taken lightly in Jordan Brand’s world. In 2020, Jordan honored the Air Jordan 5’s 30th anniversary by collaborating with Off-White on two vintage-inspired colorways of the classic basketball shoe. Both Off-White x Air Jordan 5s lean heavily into the vintage basketball shoe’s ‘90s-era heritage with oxidized detailing and “23” branding on the heel that mimics the look of Michael Jordan’s old Player Exclusive Jordan 5s. The shoes also feature new die-cut circles that appear randomly throughout the upper. The circles can be cut with a knife for a customized look. Which means this: even if the Jordan Collector in your life already owns the Off-White Air Jordan 5s, they’ll gladly accept another pair so they can cut out—or not cut out—the shoe’s circular designs.

Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Neutral Grey”

Thanks to “The Last Dance” docu-series, not to mention the rise in vintage streetwear and sneakers on social media, the original Air Jordan 1 from 1985 became a must-have in the sneaker world last year. The model’s original “Chicago” and “Bred” colorways were desirable in 2020, but the rare “Natural Grey” style was the one to get if you could because of how great it looks with sun-bleached Levi’s or faded Carhartt Work Pants. Jordan Brand was likely noticing all of this, no doubt, because it finally re-issued the “Natural Grey” as the Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Neutral Grey” this past February. A highly accurate remake of the original, the ‘85 edition of the “Neutral Grey” features the same collar height, panel shapes, and branding placement as its “Natural Grey” predecessor.

Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”

Still on top of his game in his second-to-last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1996-97, Michael Jordan dominated the NBA and looked great while doing so in the Air Jordan 12 “Cherry.” Before switching to the Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” and “Flu Game” for the ‘97 NBA Playoffs, the “Cherry” was MJ’s sneaker of choice during the regular season, and is now one of the most popular and iconic colorways of all time as a result of the memorable moments Jordan had in the shoe.

Air Jordan 11 “Cherry”

The Air Jordan 11 “Cherry” is the high-top version of the Jordan 11 Low of the same name, and same look, that debuted way back in 2001. Just like the OG “Cherry,” the contemporary version of the colorway honors Jordan’s time with the Chicago Bulls with a white-and-red color scheme that of course pays tribute to the Bulls’ team uniform colors. Any Jordan 11 in Bulls-inspired colors is always appreciated, and the “Cherry” is no exception.

Shop the Full Air Jordan Gift Guide at Stadium Goods