Known for their iconic red, white, and black branding, popular Nike Air Jordan colorways often have a similar palette. However, the range of designs goes far beyond these, from softer shades to sparkles, all of which appear in the design.
No wonder that sneakerheads collect the shoes both for nostalgia and wearability. The variety of shoe designs ensures that the same model in a different colorway looks fresh and contemporary.
Several rappers, including but not limited to Eminem, Drake, and Travis Scott, have also contributed to the steady popularity of specific colorways, making it their signature. This article explores the most popular Nike Air Jordan colorways that one must have in their wardrobe.
Chicago, Taxi, and more popular Nike Air Jordan colorways that sneakerheads must collect
1) Chicago: Red, white, and black
While the tri-color sneakers are unarguably stylish, the long history associated with Michael Jordan (especially in the years 1984 to 1986) makes them a true collectible. Any sneakerhead would want to get their hands on a pair of this colorway.
Air Jordan 1 featuring the three colors is a fan favorite, mainly because the legendary basketball player made it an iconic Nike pair during his NBA career.
2) Taxi: Yellow and black
Distinguishing itself from the Chicago colorway, the Taxi style of sneakers is white and black with a touch of yellow. The color combination works with many different variants of Air Jordan.
The year 2025 marks the release of Air Jordan 12 "Taxi," which makes this special because it will be the original colorway. Colorways are often modernized and reinterpreted to make them palatable to a new audience, but this one is bound to retain the charm of the original.
3) UNC: Blue and white
Another classic and popular Nike Air Jordan colorway, UNC was created keeping in mind the school colors of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Michael Jordan went to school. Despite leaving a year prior to his graduation, this is the place that gave another push to his blooming career in basketball.
The shade of blue used in these shoes is called "Carolina blue." No wonder this colorway has been among the most coveted ever since its launch in 1985.
4) Bred: Black and red
Nothing beats a classic, as the presence of "Bred" on the list of popular Nike Air Jordan colorways proves. Inspired by Michael Jordan's home team, the Chicago Bulls, it was first used in 1985 and has had several iterations on various Jordan sneakers since then.
The most well-known is the Air Jordan 4 "Bred," released in 1989. With a red sole and mostly black body with accents in white and grey, this colorway is elegant and a must-have for sneakerheads.
5) Concord: White with black
As the picture shows, this colorway offers a unique style, which made it a very popular Nike Air Jordan colorway right when it was released in 1995, with the legend himself donning a pair in that year. The shoe features a stylish and modern look.
A classy combination even outside the world of sneakers, the colorway can add a special touch due to its clear sole and timeless design, as seen on the Air Jordan 11. The Concord Low (Air Jordan XI) was released in 2014.
6) Shattered Backboard: Orange, white, and black
The incident wherein Michael Jordan damaged the board behind the basket while scoring at an exhibition match in Italy circa 1985 is probably common knowledge to fans and sneakerheads. It influenced the creation of the "Shattered Backboard," one of the sought-after Nike Air Jordan colorways.
While the Chicago Bulls player wore a pair of red Air Jordans at the time, his orange and black jersey inspired the shade used in this colorway. Launched for the first time in 2015, the "Shattered Backboard" (Air Jordan 1) is set to make a comeback in 2025, celebrating ten years since its inception.
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2025 is a resurgence of several classic and popular Nike Air Jordan colorways, including the "Bred" in the summer and "Shattered Backboard" in the fall. Sneakerheads and Michael Jordan fans are reasonably excited to get their hands on these newly-released colorways.
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