6 Best Air Jordans, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic on
6 Best Air Jordans, 20+ Shoes Tested in 2023

No matter what generation you belong to, basketball is still Michael Jordan; and Michael Jordan is basketball. He is that legendary. He is that influential. 

Given all that, it should not surprise anyone that his main line of signature shoes is still releasing new models almost two decades after his final retirement. There are now more than 50 Air Jordan models, including retros and special releases.

Through the years, the Air Jordans are known for their quality and performance. They feel premium and they play so well. But there is hierarchy even among the best. It is our job here at RunRepeat to test the Air Jordans and help you tease apart the legendary from the great. It’s not an easy task, but it sure is worthwhile.

How we test basketball shoes

Like many review sites, we give a CoreScore for each Air Jordan model on record. This number is based on the ratings given to it by experts, regular basketball players, and hobbyists. Of course, these individual ratings are weighted accordingly. Experts’ scores have the most weight. 

Yet, we acknowledge that a numerical score is not descriptive enough. So, we also come up with a concise qualitative review for each shoe:

  • Test Air Jordans and other basketball shoes in actual games.
  • Buy the shoes using our own cash. Don’t get us wrong, we are grateful for freebies, but they may steer us away from being bias-free.

Best Air Jordans overall

Air Jordan XXXVI
Air Jordan XXXVI

CoreScore

93
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 367 users
93 / 100 from 11 experts

Pros

  • Dust-proof traction
  • Springy cushion
  • Impact protection
  • Lightness
  • Breathability
  • No-frills foot containment

Cons

  • Narrow
  • Needs break-in
  • High price
  • Not for outdoors

Verdict

The Air Jordan XXXVI is not perfect, but it does not have real performance issues either. It effortlessly checks all the right boxes, and its wearers have a really good time on the hard court. Quite frankly, it is not surprising if this shoe tops the list of the most preferred basketball shoes in 2021.
Air Jordan XXXVI full review

Best performance Air Jordans

Air Jordan XXXV
Air Jordan XXXV

CoreScore

90
Superb!
4.5 / 5 from 108 users
91 / 100 from 13 experts

Pros

  • Dependable grip
  • Strong impact protection
  • Premium materials
  • As-expected fit
  • Reliable foot lockdown
  • Smooth steps
  • Lightweight feel

Cons

  • Needs to be broken in
  • Dust-prone
  • Not for outdoor use

Verdict

As expected, the Air Jordan 35 was released to so much anticipation and fanfare, which in all fairness did not go to waste. The Air Jordan XXXV indeed delivered in terms of performance. It has a nice grip on clean indoor floors. Attention to detail is pretty evident in this one because the curvatures on the forefoot and heel areas allow for smooth heel-to-toe transitions. It offers a lot of impact protection and premium comfort, too.
Air Jordan XXXV full review

Best retro Air Jordans

Air Jordan 6
Air Jordan 6

CoreScore

81
Good!
4.6 / 5 from 5,786 users
65 / 100 from 3 experts

Pros

  • Sturdy and durable
  • Great every-day sneaker
  • Really stylish look
  • Breathable
  • Good ground feel
  • Neoprene sleeve boosts comfort
  • Variety of colorways and materials
  • Okay grip on clean courts

Cons

  • Minimal cushioning
  • Subpar traction
  • Sloppy fit

Verdict

Based on the on-court performance and overall quality, the Air Jordan 6 makes much more sense as an everyday sneaker. Basketball players know this, sneakerheads love this. Especially because they have 10+ colorways to choose from.
Air Jordan 6 full review

Best casual Air Jordan sneakers

Air Jordan 1 Mid
Air Jordan 1 Mid

CoreScore

93
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 41,327 users
98 / 100 from 6 experts

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Cushy sole
  • Hip and cool style
  • Adaptable flair
  • Wide selection of colorways
  • Long-lasting
  • Low-maintenance
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Run-of-the-mill leather
  • Creases easily

Verdict

A hybrid between the high and low, the AJ1 Mid allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. It furnishes you with ample ankle support the High provides and the adaptability the Low delivers. Although it continues to live behind the shadow of its taller and pricier sibling, the Mid offers a hint of freshness into the familiar, well-loved silhouette. Simply put, you can't go wrong with the Mid version.
Air Jordan 1 Mid full review

Best value

Air Jordan Legacy 312
Air Jordan Legacy 312

CoreScore

85
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 3,971 users
N/A

Pros

  • Superb comfort
  • Vintage (80s) vibe
  • Easy to clean
  • Affordable
  • Great for daily use
  • Well-cushioned
  • Good fit
  • Reliable traction
  • Adequate lockdown
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Elephant print looks a bit off
  • Strap is very snug at first

Verdict

With the superb comfort it offers, the Air Jordan Legacy 312 is able to charm many basketball players and sneakerheads. Hoopers attest that the pair performs neatly on the court and help them deliver their plays, while sneaker fanatics mentioned that it matches their casual outfits well. So, if you're looking for a performance beast that can also fill in as an everyday sneaker, the Air Jordan Legacy 312 is your great bet.
Air Jordan Legacy 312 full review
Author
Dimitrije Curcic
Dimitrije Curcic

Dimitrije Curcic has been playing basketball for over 22 years. Like Manu Ginobili, he’s a left-hander whose moves led him to a better career-shooting percentage than the Argentine himself. After playing professionally for 10 years, Dimitrije moved to coaching for two seasons before he became a basketball statistician for StatScore, and FanSided contributor for the San Antonio Spurs. Dimitrije loves to tell hoop stories through numbers and graphics and has been featured on Fansided, FiveThirtyEight, Eurohoops, and TalkBasket among the others.