Los Angeles-based shop Union is one of the originators in this crazy thing called streetwear. As such, it’s only right one of the leaders should be selected to apply its vision to an Air Jordan model. When the opportunity presented itself, Union capitalized on it by crafting one of the year’s best capsules. The vintage-styled sneakers bring together color and material references from Jordan Brand’s heyday in the ’80s and ’90s, meticulously mashing them together in weird, working harmony. What may look like Frankenstein shoes to the average person are actually two well-done homages to the model that started it all.
2. Travis Scott x Air Jordan IV
Travis Scott had the best year of any rapper releasing shoes. His second Air Force 1 collab with Nike was well received, but it was the “Cactus Jack” Air Jordan IV that had people everywhere chasing “checks over stripes.” Riffing off the old color scheme of his hometown Houston Oilers, the ASTROWORLD rapper’s collab came draped in a blue suede that felt familiar yet fresh at the same time. Black accents, a red sockliner, bits of paint splatter, and Scott’s nickname stamped on one of the heels completed the look. We can’t all be lucky enough to stumble across a pair at our local outlet, but at least the “Cactus Jack” can still be had for fairly reasonable prices on the secondary market.
3. Air Jordan III ‘Black/Cement’
We’ve seen the Air Jordan III “Black/Cement” reissued numerous times over the years. The model and colorway are as timeless as it gets, and fans are always receptive to them. This year, Jordan stepped its game up by offering better materials and a solid shape with the latest version of the classic. However, 2018 will be remembered best as the year that “Nike Air” branding reappeared on the heel in all its OG greatness for the first time since 2001. The alteration is one sneaker collectors clamored to receive for years, so it’s fitting for “Air” to make an appearance for the model’s 30th anniversary. The small change is significant enough that it makes grabbing a pair of the ’18 edition worthwhile, no matter how many pairs of previous versions heads have on ice.
4. Off-White x Air Jordan 1 ‘White’
Seeing one of Virgil Abloh’s Off-White creations land on this list is no major surprise—not with the way the designer keeps churning out hits for both Jordan Brand and Nike. The “White” Off-White x Air Jordan 1 earns a spot since it’s one of the most artistic takes on the model that we’ve seen in recent years. While it’s visually similar to its “Chicago” predecessor from 2017, the decision to go with a pristine white-and-cream color scheme makes the shoe more versatile. Abloh said he originally wanted to release the shoe in this colorway before realizing how it might be mistaken for a Dunk, but we beg to differ. Confusing the two would be nearly impossible when all of the designer’s distinguishing signatures appear here: a mix of mesh and leather, deconstructed Swooshes, “Air” branding on the midsole, and the all-important zip tie. The model even scored a Paris runway debut—a fitting look considering how Alboh’s works helped merge the worlds of streetwear and high fashion. The fact they only released at a handful of European retailers adds to the allure since scarceness often makes a shoe that much more coveted.
5. Air Jordan XI ‘Concord’
Jordan Brand traditionally goes all out for retro XI releases in December, and this year took on greater importance than usual with the release of the “Concord” XI. Owning a pair of the shiny grails has become a rite of passage in the sneaker world. The latest release comes closer to original specs, all the way down to the higher-cut patent leather and the number “45” adorning the heel, representing the number Michael Jordan wore with the Bulls in his return to the league in 1995. Those tiny wrinkles may not seem like much to most, but they are significant enough for many enthusiasts to warrant obtaining a pair. Thankfully, the most recent “Concords” weren’t nearly as difficult to get as retro XIs of previous years. Easier access does not equate to less desirable, as a well-done retro of this proportion will always be a must-have.
6. Levi’s x Air Jordan IV
Jordan Brand and Levi’s got their feet wet with a 2008 collaboration that included a denim Air Jordan 1 with red elephant print bundled with a pair jeans that had a matching lining. It’s a pack that hasn’t aged well and, quite frankly, wasn’t very cool at the time, either. So while the thought of the two mega-brands getting together again may not have been the most exciting move on paper, it actually turned out to not only be positive, but influential as well. The tonal denim uppers translated well to the Air Jordan IV, but it’s what fans did after the fact that cemented the collab’s spot on this list. In a year in which DIY sneakers went mainstream, the Levi’s x Air Jordan helped lead the way with its ready-to-customize materials and design. Whether it was via bleaching, painting, or distressing, this collab became one of the most unique sneakers of the year and helped pave the way for custom versions of shoes like the all-white Off-White x Nike Air Presto that followed.
7. Air Jordan 1 ‘Satin Shattered Backboard’
It’s not every year that one of the best Air Jordans to come out is made with women in mind. Long have female consumers aired complaints about sneaker brands not putting them first, or designing shoes that are simply smaller versions of men’s silhouettes in pink, purple, or covered in glitter. Jordan Brand changed that perception this year in a number of ways—most notably with this satin version of its popular “Shattered Backboard” Air Jordan 1 from 2015. Unlike the first pair, this one was only made for women. Smaller-footed guys could still squeeze into them, but Jordan Brand deserves credit for doing right by the ladies for once. Read More Here
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