Nike's Air Jordan sneakers are iconic and have become collectibles and investment pieces over the past 30 years. As a matter of fact, there is a whole sneakerhead culture that has developed around these shoes.
That said, this is a guide for people unfamiliar with Air Jordans to help them understand the details of the shoes and the things they should be looking out for in the long run.
Basically, What Is an Air Jordan?
Before we get into the shoes, let us know about the man, the myth, the legend himself, Michael Jordan.
He is a professional basketball player considered one of the greatest players of all time. He has won numerous awards and championships in the NBA and Olympics. In addition to his basketball career, Jordan has also had success as a movie star, NASCAR team co-owner, and as the name and face of Nike's Air Jordan brand.
In 1984, Nike and Michael Jordan created a new brand of sneakers called Air Jordan. These shoes were different from any other shoes on the market because they had "air soles," which allowed the wearer to jump higher. Michael Jordan was a very famous basketball player at the time, and Nike saw an opportunity to create a new line of shoes that would be popular among basketball players and fans.
The Air Jordan brand has been incredibly successful due to a few key marketing decisions:
- Creating a "banned shoe" ad campaign when the NBA started fining Jordan for the colorful shoes generated a lot of interest and made people want the shoes even more.
- Nike has continued to produce new and innovative designs, which has kept people interested in the brand.
- Nike has sold the shoes at a relatively high price point, which has helped to create an aura of exclusivity around the brand.
- As a result of all these factors, Nike has sold billions of dollars worth of Air Jordan shoes.
What Are the Numbers Attached to Air Jordans? What Do They Mean?
The Air Jordan line of sneakers is made up of 35 editions, with a new one released annually. Different colorways and collaborations fall within each edition, totaling more than 35 different types of sneakers. Each has a unique design.
The value of an Air Jordan is affected by the edition it is. The earlier editions are more valuable because they are rarer and in better condition. The value is also affected by the utility of the shoe and the time that has passed since it was released.
Team Jordans were created in the 1990s when the Jordan Brand first started to take more creative control. These sneakers don't have an edition number and were made to be different from the regular Jordan shoes.
What Is a Retro?
Retros are shoes that are made to look like an older model of the same shoe. They are usually made with different materials and technology than the original shoe and often have minor changes. The Air Jordan 1 is the shoe with the most retros, with 99 different versions made.
The sneaker industry has drastically changed over the years, and many new shoes are not made to last. However, there are still some great quality shoes out there if you know where to look. It's important to think about sneakers like you would a vintage car when it comes to quality and durability. The same principle applies to Jordan retros.
Conclusion
Overall, Air Jordans are a must-have for every sneakerhead looking to amp up their collection. Take note of all our pointers above and see to it that you are buying from reliable sources. Take note of the originality and never hesitate to ask about its current value so you can avoid overpaying for your retros.
If you are looking for a good Jordan shoe store in Atlanta, GA, look no further than our high-quality sneakers here at Cutz N Kickz. We are a barbershop and sneaker shop in Atlanta, a discourse community committed to the communicative furtherance of community and mental health well-being. Check out our online store for more of our sneaker collections and their prices.