At age 30, in 1993, and just having won his third straight NBA title with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan took a break from basketball. Nike, however, didn’t take a break from honoring His Airness. In 1994, the sneaker giant unveiled the Air Jordan 10, which celebrated Michael’s ridiculous resume. The sneaker’s outsole had a kind of timeline – a remarkable 10 crucial milestones from the MJ’s life and career that detailed his ascent. And when Michael made his shocking return to the NBA in March 1995, he pulled on the Air Jordan 10 and went back to work. Here’s a look at the 10 best Air Jordan 10 sneakers of all time.
Air Jordan 10 “Linen”
The Air Jordan 10 “Linen,” which first came out in 2005, has a color scheme that is unlike any other. While a second release of the sneaker hasn’t occurred yet, we firmly believe that it is overdue and more than deserving of a reprise. The sneaker itself is crafted largely from “Linen” canvas. This is complemented by a white leather mudguard and some very nice side panels that offer a bit more contrast than the “Linen” shades do.
Jordan 10 Retro “PSNY Red”
At the 2015 NYC fashion show, Public School NY presented for the first time its much-lauded Air Jordan 10 “PSNY” and a distinctive pair rendered in black. Unfortunately, this exclusive colorway was made for a very insular audience and not for the general public. Thus, finding this shoe for sale is a rare feat.
Air Jordan 10 “Doernbecher”
The imaginative mind of Daniel Pena, a young patient with hemophilia, gave life to the Air Jordan 10 Retro “Doernbecher.” He found his creative outlet through the Doernbecher Freestyle program. This initiative allows children under medical care to design new Nike merchandise.
Air Jordan 10 “Light Smoke Grey”
The unique color combination features a grey leather upper that showcases a nearly full spectrum of color specks, perfectly offset by deep black accents on the leather tongue and laces. The insoles provide the biggest surprise; the left shoe has a white insole with a 23 imprint, while the insole on the right shoe is black and boasts a red Jumpman. It was the first colorway of the Air Jordan 10 to feature these types of insoles. And there’s more. The inner side of the tongue carries a multi-colored Air Jordan cross-stitch patch.
Air Jordan 10 ‘Cool Grey’ (Infrared)
The ‘Cool Grey’ air Jordan 10 has a really fresh look, featuring a tonal grey upper and a colorful outsole that lists all of Michael Jordan’s career achievements. The ‘Cool Grey’ isn’t too loud, but it’s certainly eye-catching, and it’s more than just a cool colorway.
Jordan 10 “Drake OVO White”
In 2015, the October’s Very Own (“OVO”) label, from rapper and singer Drake, teamed up with the Air Jordan 10 to reinterpret the iconic sneaker model. The ultra-limited edition of the OVO x Air Jordan 10 Retro ‘White’ was first unveiled and available for purchase at an OVO pop-up shop in Los Angeles in April 2015. Five months later, in September 2015, sneaker culture was rocked once again when it was revealed that the OVO x Air Jordan 10 Retro ‘White’ would be re-released later that same month. See more Drake sneakers here.
Air Jordan 10 OG “Steel”
The Air Jordan 10 OG ‘Steel’ was being readied for the basketball court while Michael Jordan was off it. So, when His Airness called it a comeback and returned to the NBA for the ’94-’95 season, the AJ10 was in place and ready to perform. Even though Jordan chose to only don this rendition one time on an actual NBA court (due in part to a design element that he wasn’t too fond of), it nevertheless holds a significant spot in the story of His Airness’ return to pro basketball. As a “general release” colorway, this version of the AJ10 is unusually hard to find, which makes it a fascinating rarity. The sneaker returns in 2025.
Air Jordan 10 OG “New York Knicks”
The “New York Knicks” colorway is undoubtedly a standout in the City Pack, honoring five NBA teams: the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, Seattle Supersonics, and Orlando Magic. Even if you’re not a Knicks fan, you have to respect the vibrant mix of white, blue, and a touch of orange that adorn this sharp sneaker. The design opts for simplicity in the upper, which is made entirely of smooth white leather, in contrast to the black leather that serves as the “overlay.” “Royal Blue” and “Orange Flame” accents round out the look, capturing (as best as can be achieved through the medium of footwear) the essence of the New York Knicks jersey.
SoleFly x Air Jordan 10
The Air Jordan 10 Retro SoleFly 10th Anniversary is a sneaker edition that was released to celebrate ten years since Michael Jordan’s return to basketball. The sneakers were designed as a collaboration between SoleFly and Jumpman23. The Air Jordan 10 Retro SoleFly 10th Anniversary edition uses high-quality leather on the upper of the shoe with Turbo Green accents. The insoles feature Zoom Air cushioning, the tongue is made of mesh for increased ventilation, and the Jumpman logo is prominently placed at the back. Midfoot lockdown is achieved through the use of adjustable straps and the silhouette’s inherent design. The Air Jordan 10 Retro SoleFly 10th Anniversary was launched on May 10, 2020, with a price tag of $200.
Drake’s OVO x Air Jordan 10
In 2016, Instagram saw the post of a pair of solid gold Air Jordan 10 “OVO” by none other than Drake himself. The Toronto rapper contacted mixed-media artist Matthew Senna to craft the design in the (not flattering) medium of 24K gold. It might be worth mentioning that the sneakers—which currently sit enshrined in a display case in Senna’s studio—are not intended for human feet. They’re apparently a bust of sorts, with Senna estimating that the ornate sculpture weighs “100 pounds.” To see more Air Jordan 10s, visit: 23 Jumpman Street
