13 Best Air Jordan Shoes for Travel

Since first worn by Michael Jordan in 1984, the Air Jordan shoe has come through decades of incredible stories. What started as athletic gear has now transformed into a pop icon with cult-like status. And today, we’re going to talk about a list of the Air Jordan best shoes, curated specifically for those looking for special footwear for their next trip.

For your information, there are now a total of 35 versions of the Air Jordan available. Note that this doesn’t include the different color variations. In conclusion, there will always be Air Jordan best shoes for every mood and every style. That being said, let’s start with the reviews!

Jordan 1 Chicago

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Also known as AJ’s most popular shoe, the Jordan 1 Chicago is the equivalent of the holy grail for collectors. It was first released in 1985 and reintroduced several times, with the 2015 model being the most recent. The AJ 1 Chicago comes with an iconic silhouette that has wowed thousands of street basketballers and basketball fans around the world.

Since the release of ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’ documentary, Jordan 1 Chicago’s popularity has been on the rise again. It is iconic and lightweight. Luckily, you can still find some on the market today. However, we can’t guarantee that these Air Jordan best shoes will still be around anytime soon. So grab yours while you can.

Jordan 3 Black Cement

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First introduced in 2018, Jordan 3 Black Cement marks a new era for the Air Jordan brand. This is the first AJ Black Cement shoe to carry the ‘Nike Air’ branding since its first model was created in 2001. It’s also known for having the iconic elephant print on both the front and back.

These Air Jordan best shoes were released to coincide with the 55th birthday of the Chicago Bulls’ living legend to add a bit of historical value. So you could say that this pair of sneakers has a bit of a celebration mark on them. Most reviewers on Amazon say the Black Cement 3 is one of the most beautiful AJ shoes you can get today, and we couldn’t agree more with that.

Are you looking for something slimmer? You might want to consider getting running shoes from Puma. Check out our best Puma shoes for travel.

Jordan 5 Fire Red

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Some people may not be aware of this, but the Jordan 5 Fire Red is the latest iteration of the AJ shoe. The newest model is being released in 2020 to mark the 30th anniversary of the ‘royal Airness’ brand. It features a retro design that basketball fans know and love.

If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that these Air Jordan best shoes are almost identical to the OG pair from 1990. It has a smooth leather upper and black midsole. And don’t forget the iconic fire red shark teeth ornament.

Jordan 4 Black Cement

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Jordan 4 Black Cement seems to have been around for decades. That’s understandable, as these sneakers never seem to go out of style. It comes with a red sole, black upper, and awesome gray accents. Some might argue that this model isn’t as ‘retro’ as other AJ shoes. But to be honest, that doesn’t change the fact that the Jordan 4 Black Cement is a damn cool sneaker.

We admit that these Air Jordan best shoes are a bit bulky, especially compared to other modern iterations. However, you can’t deny that the Jordan 4 Black Cement is a beautifully crafted sneaker. It’s lightweight, looks great, and goes well with any casual occasion.

Jordan 11 Concord

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The Jordan 11 Concord is one of the most iconic Air Jordan XI series releases. It has been mentioned in hundreds of articles and videos as one of the most influential footwear in sneaker history of all time. The silhouette is our main star here. At the time when it was first released, it was something completely new, never seen before. Meanwhile, adding a leather upper and transparent sole makes this shoe even more impressive.

Three decades have passed since the Jordan 11 Concord was first revealed to the public, and people are still talking about these sneakers. Many collectors out there don’t even hesitate to call it one of the best Air Jordan shoes. These sneakers are a must-have if you don’t mind the high-top design.

Jordan 1 Retro High Pine Green

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Also known as part of the ‘black toe’ line, the Jordan 1 Retro High Pine has become one of AJ’s most legendary sneakers. Thanks to its unusual color combination, this is probably the only Jordan shoe that could go well with Celtic fans!

Technically speaking, these Air Jordan best shoes are crafted from tumbled leather. In case you have no idea what we’re talking about, tumbled leather is top-grain leather spun in a machine with tiny stones inside. This loosens the fibers, providing some extra flexibility. Meanwhile, the Retro High Pine details worth mentioning include a black leather swoosh and sail midsole.

Air Jordan 3 Retro UNC

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Like the Retro High Pine Gree, the Air Jordan 3 Retro UNC comes with a tumbled leather upper. It also boasts the same iconic elephant print as the Jordan 3 Black Cement. Meanwhile, the valor blue details make these sneakers look more refreshing than other releases from the same lineup.

For a while, the Air Jordan 3 Retro UNC was one of the rarest AJ sneakers on the market. That’s because this color combination is only available exclusively to University of North Carolina students. Luckily, the UNC model is now widely available after being opened to the public in recent years. If you want to have a little piece of the fascinating history of the AJ brand in your collection, these Air Jordan best shoes are a must.

Are you planning to go on a cruise soon? Check out our best shoes for cruises, and make sure you get the most out of your experience.

Jordan 11 Bred Playoffs

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The Jordan 11 Bred Playoffs made its first official NBA debut in April 1996. As the name suggests, these sneakers are playoff-ready. This model then seemed to be dormant until it was then re-introduced in 2001 or almost five years after the shoe was first released.

Among collectors, the Jordan 11 Bred Playoffs is one that deserves ‘holy grail’ status. It has significant historical value and is still considered by many to be among Air Jordan best shoes of all time. The design is genius. It’s lightweight. Other than that, the colorway is awesome.

Jordan 1 Retro High Shadow

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The Jordan 1 Retro High Shadow is perhaps one of the rarest AJ sneakers ever. During the three decades of the brand’s history, these shoes have only been officially released to the public three times. This makes Retro High Shadow a highly collectible item. It’s popular among collectors, and depending on the conditions, you may need to pay a handsome amount of money to get yours.

The photo below shows that the Jordan 1 Retro High Shadow sports a cool black and gray leather upper. It also ranks among Air Jordan best shoes with Nike Air branding on the tongue and insole. Check this one out if you have time.

Air Jordan 1 Retro Royal

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Known among basketball fans and sneaker enthusiasts as Mike’s favorite colorway, the Air Jordan 1 Retro Royal has become one of the myths of NBA history. MJ was first spotted wearing these sneakers in 1985, thanks to a legendary photo taken by Chuck Kohn. Soon after, the AJ 1 Retro Royal became one of the most in-demand basketball shoes in the US. This is even though MJ never actually wore it on the court!

In total, the Air Jordan 1 Retro Royal has been released to the public four times. That alone is enough to describe how popular these sneakers are. If you’re on the hunt for Air Jordan best shoes, you won’t be disappointed by this model.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High Rust Pink

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Making its official debut in early 2017, it didn’t take long for the Air Jordan 1 Retro High Rust Pink to gain popularity among sneaker collectors and fans alike. Just like the rest of the AJ1 series, this cool footwear comes with the two-tone silhouette you know and love. As you’d expect from Air Jordan best shoes, these sneakers feature a black premium tumbled leather construction with a white midsole for a cool look.

Some of you might not expect it, but the Air Jordan 1 Retro High Rust Pink is one of the most expensive AJ1 sneakers on the market today. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful Jordans ever created. So if you happen to see it in the wild, don’t hesitate to grab it!

Before we unveil our runners-up, you might want to check our best shoes for sand activities. They’re great when you want to do some exploration around the beach or dunes.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Reverse Taxi

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Like other AJ sneakers, the Air Jordan 12 has an interesting story regarding the design process. It says the original model was inspired by Japan’s rising sun flag, which explains why you get sun-like stitches on the side panels. From a technical point of view, the AJ12 series is the first to be equipped with Zoom Air technology.

The current model we’re discussing is widely known as the Air Jordan 12 Retro Reverse Taxi. As the name suggests, these sneakers are the opposite of the original. Instead of white leathers and mudguards, these shoes come in black nubuck. Some love it, while some others – well, not very. But regardless of what you think, there’s no denying the fact that Retro Reverse Taxi is one of Air Jordan best shoes to date.

Air Jordan 1 Mid Triple White

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Some of you may be surprised to learn that the Air Jordan 1 Mid Triple White is considered by many to be the worst Jordan ever made. Regardless, these sneakers get the highest appreciation among hip-hop stars, rappers, and the like. Hence, they’re officially one of the most popular AJ shoes around.

The triple white colorway is the main attraction and the biggest drawback of these sneakers. While it looks crisp and bright, it’ll turn ugly once you get your shoes dirty. But if you don’t mind that, these are the Air Jordan best shoes for you. As of this writing, the AJ1 Mid Triple White has been released three times, with the 2020 version being the most recent.

How to Choose Air Jordan Best Shoes

Are you planning to get your hands on your first pair of Air Jordans? Well, congrats on taking the first step to greatness! However, most people we know are often confused when they want to buy Air Jordan best shoes. Most of them are unsure about the right size or which model to get.

If you’re one of the people above, don’t be discouraged. That’s because today, we’ll provide you with a quick guide on how to choose the best Air Jordan shoes. Without further ado, let’s check out our tips below.

Size

When planning to buy Air Jordan shoes, most of you will probably think: ‘Are AJ shoe true-to-size?’. Well, the answer is yes! When buying your first pair of Jordans, get whatever size you normally wear. It doesn’t matter if it’s AJ1, AJ5, or even AJ11; stick with your usual size. There’s no need to do size up or down.

Originality

As we said at the beginning, Air Jordan best shoes have been transformed into a cultural icon. They’re practically everywhere, from Hollywood movies to fashion weeks to basketball courts. That’s why AJ’s shoes don’t come cheap, and it’s essential to make sure that you don’t end up getting a fake. 

Luckily, countless articles on the Internet can help you distinguish a copy from the original. Our advice? Only get your sneakers from an authorized Nike store or distributor.

Speaking of shoes, are you planning a safari trip in the near future? If so, you need to check out our best shoes for a safari.

Budget

Air Jordan best shoes are generally offered somewhere between 150 to 200 USD. But for certain releases, the price can skyrocket to 500 USD or even a grand. We’re talking about high fashion collaborations, limited editions, or celebratory versions here. Therefore, make your choice based on your budget. If you’re a collector, spending all that cash on some limited releases makes sense. But if you’re looking for a cool pair of shoes to wear around, go with the regular model.

Why Jordan Shoes are Popular?

First of all, Jordan sneakers are designed as high-performance footwear. They’re well crafted and use only the best materials. If you’ve ever tried wearing AJ sneakers, you’ll know that they provide comfort and support like no other.

Are Jordan 1s Comfy?

Yes, because they come with Air cushioning technology. You can walk all day with Jordan 1s on your feet without feeling any discomfort. While they’re not the most comfortable sneakers around, these Jordans definitely won’t let you down.

If Air Jordans aren’t your thing, you might find something interesting in Under Armor’s catalog. Check out our best Under Armor shoes for travel.

Do Air Jordans Crease?

Unfortunately, yes. A crease is something you can’t avoid in any sneaker. No matter how careful you are, frequent use will give your footwear some signs of aging.