Released in 1992 and designed by Tinker Hatfield, Michael Jordan’s 7th silhouette with Nike, the Air Jordan 7, was inspired by African tribal art (see the geometric patterns on the upper). Originally released in 5 colorways: Raptor, Bordeaux, Hare, Olympic, and Cardinal. None of them are actually the best the silhouette had to offer. Here, we list the top 10 best Air Jordan 7 sneakers of all time.
1. Air Jordan 7 “Champagne”
In 1992, Michael Jordan won his second NBA Championship, and in 2015 (more than 20 years later), Nike released the Air Jordan 7 “Champagne” to commemorate the achievement. The black and white sneaker has metallic gold accents and a clean white sole. The “Champagne” was part of the “Celebration Collection” (alongside the AJ7 “Cigar”) and features championship ring lace locks branded with the iconic Jumpman logo.
2. Air Jordan 7 J2K “Obsidian”
Released in August 2012 alongside a Filbert-based colourway, the Air Jordan 7 Retro ‘J2K’ is eco-friendly and part of Nike’s Considered project. The sneaker is made from leftover materials from other shoes, making it a sustainable choice. The Obsidian upper features a unique pattern and is complemented by Filbert accents on the inner bootie and Natural touches on the laces and midsole.
3. Air Jordan 7 “Orion Blue”
The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Orion Blue” pays homage to Michael Jordan’s performance at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, where he won a gold medal and his second consecutive NBA championship. The sneaker features a sleek mid-top design with a white leather base and pops of black, Infrared, and Orion Blue on the collar, heel, tongue, and midsole.
4. Air Jordan 7 “Barcelona Days”
These sneakers feature a sleek two-tone dark and Wolf Grey leather upper, with pops of orange, turquoise blue, and Infrared accents on the tongue, heel, and outsole. Released in April 2015, as the name suggests, the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Barcelona Days” pays homage to the Dream Team’s visit to Barcelona during the 1992 Summer Olympics.
5. Air Jordan 7 “Cigar”
The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Cigar” features a premium red leather upper with metallic gold accents and a gum sole. This design was part of the “Celebration Collection” and was released alongside the AJ7 “Champagne” colourway. Both sneakers also feature unique Jumpman branded ring lace locks.
6. Air Jordan 7 BCFC Paris Saint-Germain PSG
The Air Jordan 7 Retro BCFC Paris Saint-Germain PSG, also known as the ‘Paname’, is a collaboration between Jordan Brand and the French football club. This mid-top sneaker features a white tumbled leather upper with semi-translucent mesh inserts on the quarter panel and collar. The collar is adorned with a gold Jumpman icon, and the quarter panel has a ‘Paname’ tag, revealing the sneaker’s interior bootie in PSG’s signature navy and red hues. The moulded heel patch depicts the Eiffel Tower with a fleur-de-lis badge, replacing MJ’s jersey number. The sock liner is inscribed with ‘Ici c’est Paris’ as a final touch.
7. Air Jordan 7 J2K “Filbert”
The Air Jordan 7 J2K “Filbert” is a limited-edition sneaker designed by the legendary Tinker Hatfield based on an Afropop art poster. What makes these basketball sneakers even more remarkable is that they were made using leftover scraps from the factory, recycled, and patched together to create a one-of-a-kind look.
8. Air Jordan 7 “Citrus”
The Air Jordan 7 Citrus’ upper is crafted from black nubuck and features a Huarache-inspired inner sleeve and orange stitching that adds a pop of colour. The orange hue is also present on the 23′ heel patch and the Jumpman logo embroidered on the lateral collar, while a red webbing pull tab at the heel makes it easy to slip on and off. The black foam midsole is accented with orange and red crimson, featuring encapsulated Air-sole cushioning for added comfort.
9. Air Jordan 7 N7
The Air Jordan 7 N7 is a special-edition sneaker made to support sports funding and programs for Native American and Aboriginal communities. The sneaker features a white leather base with turquoise, red, yellow, and black accents. The iconic tribal print of the Air Jordan 7 is featured on the tongue and Huarache ankle piece, while N7 logos are applied to the heel tabs. The inside of the tongue also features a triangular motif.
10. Air Jordan 7 “Golden Moments”
As part of a double release to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s 1992 Summer Olympics win, the ‘GMP’ sneaker arrived in August 2012’s ‘Golden Moments’ package. Gold facets are prominently displayed on the midsole, Jordan branding, and counter. A dappled triple-coloured outsole adds authenticity to this classic shoe. It’s definitely one of the best Air Jordan 7 sneakers of all time. For more amazing Air Jordan 7 sneakers: Sneaker Fortress
