Why Are Air Jordans So Popular?

May 12, 2020 Mike Comments 0 Comment

Air Jordans are popular because of the impact Michael Jordan had on the game of basketball and the classic design, which also had a huge impact on the sneaker world with it’s aesthetic.

The Air Jordan 1 was the first basketball sneaker that transcended basketball while it was still new.

One of the reasons why the very first Air Jordan (Air Jordan 1) was so groundbreaking when it was released in 1985 was because it had a simple silhouette and a nice colorway. The shoes were very distinct. The red and black, with some white means you can wear it with almost anything and not have to worry about matching.

Furthermore, the release of Air Jordans in 1985 marked Michael Jordan’s introduction into the NBA. Click HERE to see the best Jordans.

Three mains reasons why the Air Jordans are so popular is because of the smart marketing that created huge demand when it was released, Michael Jordan’s greatness on the court during his playing days, and it became a status symbol.

History of Air Jordans

The Air Jordan sneakers were produced by Nike.

The very first Air Jordan was originally called the Nike Air Ship and it was designed by Peter C. Moore. The colorway was red and black, which was a problem. It was banned by the NBA Commissioner at the time, David Stern, for not having enough white.

Peter Moore used the design of the Nike Air Ship as a blueprint to create the Air Jordan 1. Michael Jordan and Nike used the banned Nike Air Ship as promotion for the Air Jordan 1.

The Air Jordans 1 came with multiple colorways with the most well known being the white/black-red colorways (inspired by the Chicago Bulls) and the Royal Blue colorways.

The white/black-red colorways is still the Air Jordan sneaker that’s most worn today. It’s able to resonate with both old fans and new fans.

The name Air Jordan was picked from a list as well as the original ball-and-wings logo, sketched on a napkin by Moore, who was the Nike Creative Director at the time.

“On the flight home I noticed a youngster wearing a replica pair of pilot’s wings given to him by the airlines,” Moore remembers. “The design seemed to fit the idea of a guy who could fly.”

Source: Complex

According to Moore, the sneaker itself was based on what little input Jordan gave. “[Jordan] expressed the idea of having ‘something different, something exciting, and low to the ground,’” Moore says. “Those were the directives.

When Peter Moore was designing the Air Jordans, he focused alot of color. Moore says:

“The whole idea of the shoes was to bring color into basketball and Jordan, as it turned out, was the most colorful performer in the game.”

The Air Jordan colors were dictated by the Bulls colors, which were red, black, and white.

Three colors on a single basketball shoe in 1985 was unheard of.

Michael Jordan initially didn’t like colors because it reminded him of the University of North Carolina’s (where Jordan went to school) rival NC State.

Nike and Michael Jordan heavily promote and marketed the Air Jordans and it was launched in April 1985.

He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in December 1984 and started the 1985 All-Star game, playing 22 minutes. He wore the black and red version of his shoe in the dunk contest, but wore the black, red, and white in the game.

Designer Tinker Hatfield also deserves credit for designing the Air Jordan III. It was the first Air Jordan to feature a visible air unit on the heel, the new Jumpman logo, an elephant print trim and tumbled leather to give it a luxury look.

The Air Jordan III further popularized the Air Jordans by making it a luxury brand.

3. Smart Marketing and Huge Demand

One of the reasons why Air Jordans was so popular in 1985 is because of the huge hype surrounding the release.

For example, When the Air Jordans 1 was released in April 1985, the hype had reached a high point that was never seen before around a sneaker release.

The demand was so crazy that some of the first resellers in history flipped their $65 Air Jordans for $100 right out of the store. When initial shipments sold out, retailers wanted more.

How popular was the Air Jordan sneakers at the time? Jordan products alone accounted for $100 million in sales in 1985 after the company sold just $65 million in all its product in 1984.

The Air Jordans were so popular that they remained on shelves for years, eventually reaching markets it was never intended for. For example, when skateboarders were looking for alternatives to canvas Vans, they started wearing Air Jordans. Skateboarders felt they were nice sneakers to skate in. Air Jordans continuted to spread in more demographics.

2. Michael Jordan’s Greatness on the Court

Michael Jordan has won 6 NBA champions, 6 Finals MVP, 5 MVPs and has provided a ton of iconic moments during his tenure as a Chicago Bulls. He is widely regarded as the greatest NBA player of all time.

Michael Jordan’s name became synonymous with greatness and this made the Air Jordan sneakers something worth having and very popular.

The Air Jordans are more than just shoes for many people. They embody Michael Jordan’s greatness on the basketball court. Everyone wants to “be like Mike,” and there is a commercial and universal belief that having his shoes in our lives makes us more connected to him. The drive and the ambition transfers into the Air Jordans as something tangible that people can hold and touch.

This isn’t the first time Michael Jordan started a trend. Click here to see Michael Jordan’s influence on NBA shorts.

1. Air Jordan is Status Symbol

The allure of the Air Jordan has made it a status symbol and very popular among the masses.

For most sneakerheads and people who enjoy basketball, owning a pair of Jordans is a privilege. There are multiple stories of people making tough sacrifices and saving their money just to own a pair of Air Jordans sneakers.

One key reason why Air Jordans are so highly regarded is because it makes people feel special, like when they put them on they’re a part of history. It’s history that they’re documenting. It’s history that you can wear on your feet. Wearing a pair sneaker like the Air Jordan is meaningful because they bring back the player’s glory days.

No other sneaker has been able to make people feel like that.

Furthermore, A lot of people couldn’t afford the Air Jordans when they were kids. Their parents didn’t have the money to get these shoes. Now they have jobs and are financially stable, they can relive their childhood. It’s very nostalgic.

This is also the story of players that make it in the NBA. For example, Spurs forward, Lamarcus Aldridge says “Growing up in my neighborhood, [Jordans] were kind of like the Holy Grail. I couldn’t afford them. So just being able to work and save up the money to actually buy them was huge.” via ESPN

NBA Star Russell Westbrook also have spoken highly of Jordans. “I definitely was big on [Jordans], I just wasn’t able to afford them. Growing up, I never thought I’d be in this situation to be able to debut a Michael Jordan shoe, which is crazy to think about. But I’m just excited to be able to do that, and to be associated with Jordan is an honor in itself.” via ESPN

Air Jordans are also an investment with the potential for a big payout in the long run.

Influence of Air Jordan

Air Jordan’s massive influence on culture has also kept it relevant throughout the decades and has made it even more popular.

As a matter of fact, Air Jordans played the biggest role in launching the sneaker culture as a whole. Its the first sneaker that became something to collect.

Air Jordan is well known for reaching out to popular music artists and having them help create a unique Air Jordan to call their own. These include artists like Travis Scott, Eminem and Drake. Air Jordan is also popular among the streetwear companies and designers.

Air Jordans are so much a part of the day-to-day culture of the world. Just like Coca-Cola, NBC or Dove Soap, they’re something you hear about and see to the point that a lot of times you don’t even realize it.

The Jordan brand constantly has new releases and still relevant. According to Jordan Brand creative director and co-lead designer Mark Smith, it’s because of the established brand of the Air Jordans.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. [That frame of thought] allows us to really focus on the meaningful difference in things we could elevate.”

Where Are Air Jordans Made?

Nike owns none of the factories where Air Jordans are produced and contracts the work to various factory owners. There are factories in Indonesia and Vietnam. But most of the factories that make the Air Jordans are located in China.

Why Are Air Jordans So Expensive?

Air Jordans are expensive because of the brand name. They are essentially responsible for sneaker culture. Because the brand is so strong and popular, the price is also high.

There are also limited editions of releases, which causes the price to soar. Nike pioneered a strategy of limiting supply on the market to keep demand high, which is why there are rare Jordans that trade for several times their retail price online.

Another reason why Air Jordans are so expensive is because Air Jordans are made out of more material than normal shoes (ex. running shoes).

However, there are still some Jordans that aren’t too expensive. Click HERE to find affordable Jordans.