Most Air Jordan launches—especially the later ones—tend to go under the radar, mostly because MJ never laced them up. But in this sea of overlooked sneakers, the Air Jordan 21 is a hidden gem that deserves way more love. Now, you probably have a sneaky suspicion about which AJ21 colorway takes the crown, but let’s lace up and take a stroll through the best OG and retro drops to see how they measure up.
Air Jordan 21 OG “Red Suede”
This bright and bold suede sneaker is undoubtedly the pair that started many sneakerheads’ love affairs with the AJ 21 model and quite possibly red suede sneakers in general. Although these kicks didn’t come cheap (they actually saw a $5 hike in their price for good measure), they definitely made a splash in the sneaker world. The fiery red colorway even managed to blaze its way onto the big screen, appearing in the 2006 movie The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift when Bow Wow, or Twinkie as he’s called in the film, puts their beauty on full display.
Ray Allen’s Jordan 21 “Yellow Suede” PE
Any sneakerhead will tell you that player-exclusive (PE) versions of kicks are often considered the holy grail of sneakers. The Air Jordan 21 “Yellow Suede” holds a special place among these for fans of Ray Allen. These were made specifically for “Sugar Ray” during his 2005-06 NBA season with the Seattle Supersonics. A notable moment for the shoe came on April 19, when Allen wore them in a game against the Denver Nuggets. That day, Allen made history by setting the then-record for most 3-pointers made in a season. What really does make this shoe so special, though, is the fact that it’s incredibly rare. Word has it that fewer than ten pairs were made just for Allen.
Jordan 21 OG “Light Graphite”
The sneaker’s shape is complemented by its all-suede ‘Lite Graphite’ upper. The heel and midsole of the shoe take on contrasting colors of white and ‘University Blue.’ One design feature that really elevates the look of the sneaker is the diamond-quilted sock liner. It looks good. And that’s really the most important thing. Color-wise, this is one of the most versatile sneakers I’ve owned.
Jordan 21 OG “Flint Grey”
The Air Jordan 21, or AJ 21, was the first Air Jordan introduced in the era of $100-plus sneakers. Three years prior, in 2003, the world had witnessed the designs of the Black Cat and Air Jordan 18, both of which were priced at $150. The AJ 21’s starting retail price in 2006 was $160, but as with the aforementioned two sneaker models, the price tag did not go higher than $200.
Jordan 21 OG “Varsity Red Metallic Silver”
The Air Jordan 21 “Home” colorway is yet another design in the AJ 21 line paying tribute to the Chicago Bulls colors. This special edition was launched during the 2006 All-Star Weekend, marking both MJ’s birthday celebration and the debut of the 21s. The event also served a good cause, with a charity auction held to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The auction featured an exclusive collection of 21 pairs of Air Jordans, all signed by Michael Jordan himself, and this beauty was one of them.
Jordan 21 OG PE “Black Anthracite”
In November 2006, Jordan Brand presented a black and red PE version of the AJ21. However, like the previous entry on this list, it doesn’t quite fit the archetypal mold of a “Player Exclusive.” Instead, it leans more towards a “Special Edition” from the Air Jordan 21 line. Discrete lacing, a lightweight design, and a sleeker silhouette are its defining features. Additionally, it sports a nifty lace lock at the top eyelets that tightens the laces securely.
Jordan 21 OG PE “Black White”
The AJ 21 “Black White,” affectionately known as the “Taxi’s” because of their striking resemblance to the Taxi 12’s, stands apart from typical OG’s. While they are classified as player exclusives, it is more correct to label them as a special edition. Their defining features—like a leather strip that guises the laces and some alterations in shape and the sole unit—give them an identity that is just different enough to seem separate from the first standard releases.
Jordan 21 Retro “Bred”
In 2006, a “Bred” version of the Air Jordan 21 was supposed to come out. Images of the colorway circulated online, and sneakerheads were left waiting with bated breath to see if it would make an appearance at retail. However, the sneaker was canceled, and fans had to settle for the Air Jordan 21 “White/Red” colorway, which wasn’t really a 21 colorway at all because it wasn’t worn by Michael Jordan. It would be a further two years before we would see (and eventually cop) the Air Jordan 21 “Bred” during the Countdown Pack launch.
Jordan 21 OG Low “Bred”
The Air Jordan 21 OG Low “Bred” met the demand for an authentic black and red “Playoffs” variant of the AJ 21, which was only offered in mid-top form prior. This edition pays homage to the low-cut silhouette, currently transitioning into its resurgence, with precision. It joins the ranks alongside its predecessor, the “UNC” colorway, as the only two paint jobs currently available for the AJ 21 low. Both colorways serve as a commendable couplet of aural milestones in Michael Jordan’s celebrated basketball life. See other Air Jordan 12 releases here.
Jordan 21 OG Low University Blue
The “University Blue” colorway nods to MJ’s history and is inspired by the University of North Carolina. This color scheme is a fitting tribute to MJ’s college years. It’s a color scheme we never tire of. But while most AJ 21 releases come in a mid-top silhouette, this one stands out as one of two low-top variants. Shop the best Air Jordans and read the latest sneaker news: Sneaker Fortress
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