Air jordan 10-12

Air Jordan X: Debuting in November 1994, these are the shoes MJ rocks when he kicks off his comeback.


Air Jordan X
Designer: Tinker Hatfield
Debut: 1994



The "zebra" Jordan is perhaps the quietest of the entire range and, almost without doubt, the most hated-on. While Nike was busy re-releasing a whole host of older Jordans, the man himself decided to make his famed return to the court, prompting a mad scramble from the design team to produce a high-quality shoe in a short amount of time. The result was a sneaker that combined elements of a number of the previous Jordans, but with the stripes to differentiate itself from any other kicks on the market.

Further information

As this was the shoe wrapped around Mike’s feet when he made his first return to the court, certain samples bear a stitched "45" on the tongue.


Air Jordan XI: The patent leather look. Jordans take on a new, formal look by featuring patent leather for the first time on an athletic sneaker.



Air Jordan XI
Designer: Tinker Hatfield
Debut: 1995



The "Space Jams", as they are known, hold a special place in many a sneaker freak’s heart, including my own. The answer to the question "What’s the big deal about the XI?" is a mere two words: patent leather. As one of the first athletic shoes to feature the material, these kicks made advances with their construction and, as a work of understated beauty, in design.

Further information

Echoing the fiasco with the first Jordan, the league fined Mike $5000 a game for rocking the colourway pictured above in the 1995 playoffs while the rest of the team wore all-black kicks.

Air Jordan XII: The Jordan XII's, released in November 1996, feature Zoom Air Technology and are on MJ's feet when he wins his fifth NBA title, defeating the Utah Jazz.


Air Jordan XII
Designer: Tinker Hatfield
Debut: 1996



As the first shoe released by the new Jordan Brand, the XII is notable in that it bears no Nike logo. From the "QUALITY INSPIRED BY THE GREATEST PLAYER EVER" inscribed on the heel to the Jumpman logo creeping up the toecap, the XII is an all-round class act, and will forever be remembered as Michael’s kicks for the legendary "Thirty-eight with the ’flu" game.

Further information

The pattern on the leather was inspired by a Japanese military flag which depicts the sunset.

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