The Jordan Brand is widely recognised as one of the best sneaker brands (if not THE best)on the market. But let’s be honest for a sec. Not every Jordan model has been a hit. In fact, there are some pretty big clunkers in the lineup. Whether it’s signature silhouettes released after the year 1998 or hybrid models that tried their hardest to be something they’re not, there are absolutely some Air Jordan sneakers that you should consider tossing from your closet. We’ve put together some of the worst of the worst. But this is all in jest. If you love the shoe, wear it! But allow us to judge you for it momentarily.
Air Jordan 2
The Air 2 is one of the few Jordan silhouettes that actually look better (make that much better) in a low-top cut. So if you’re still holding onto pairs with that awkward-looking high-top collar, it might be ‘high’ time to consider letting them go (pun intended).
Air Jordan 15
Mike’s 15th signature shoe is one many fans wish the brand had just skipped altogether. It doesn’t look good as a high top, the low is even more of a monstrosity, and removing the gravy boat-like tongue didn’t help sell these back in the day. If they aren’t even good for hooping in, why is anyone still holding onto these?
Air Jordan 19
The Air Jordan 19 would be just fine…IF it didn’t have that mediaeval chain suit-like tongue action going on at the front. Some colourways seem to work better with this detail than others, but the black patent leather pair looks terrible. Go ahead and toss those ASAP.
Air Jordan 2010
Any Nike or Jordan with clear panels or windows should never have been worn outside of the very specific period when they were actually trendy, but the 2010 model is an even bigger no-no. So much about the look is wrong, but the biggest eyesore is the transparent hole on the sides. We’d be shocked if you still wear this shoe; maybe even that you owned it at all.
Air Jordan 2012
I’m not sure if the black and white Jordan 2012 colourway wants to be a basketball shoe or a dress shoe, but in either case, this design is just plain U-G-L-Y. We look and we judge.
Jordan 2.5 Team
For some reason or another, Jordan Brand thought they could enhance the look of the Jordan 2 by borrowing a few elements from MJ’s third signature model; they were dead wrong. The 2.5 looks like a Frankenstein creation, with the “ii” and “v” stitches on the collar and the chunky mudguard cutting through the upper. These should not exist, much less be worn on anyone’s feet.
Jordan Dub Zero
The Jordan Dub Zero was all the hype when it came out in the mid-noughties, but that era is probably where they should have stayed. The design hasn’t aged well, and the colourways seem especially hard to pull off these days. Go on and leave these in the past where they belong.
Jordan Sixty Plus
Sneakerheads love the Jordan 1 and 5, and many can even appreciate Jordan models 2 and 7, but that never meant any of us wanted them all competing for attention in one single design. The Jordan 60 Plus was meant to celebrate all of the sneakers in which the GOAT scored 60 or more points, but the execution didn’t score high with Jordan fans.
Jordan Son of Mars
The Jordan Son of Mars may possibly be the worst Jordan Hybrid ever. The design has far too much going on; the elephant print of the AJ3, the puffy collar of the AJ6, and the laser-etched strap of the AJ20 all clash in one confusing mishmash. Even worse is the model’s loud “Olympic” colourway. Yikes.
Jordan Spiz’ike
The Jordan Spiz’ike may have a pretty meaningful story behind it, paying respect to Spike Lee and his contributions to the original Air Jordan commercials as Mars Blackmon, but that’s where our appreciation for these sneakers ends. Another hybrid model that lacks the subtlety of the OGs it’s inspired by. Some colourways are still sort of wearable, but if the mudguard doesn’t match the upper, it’s time to recycle them and move on.
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