Introduced in 1996, the Air Jordan 12 has a nearly two-decade history of introducing new colorways, leaving sneakerheads with an abundance of options and, perhaps, some confusion about the best Air Jordan 12s of all time. Picking just one “best” pair is a tough task, but that’s what we’ve attempted to do. And we’ve done it by picking a few pairs and choosing among them rather than going by any sort of “definitive” criteria. Here are the top 10 best Air Jordan 12 sneakers of all time.
Air Jordan Retro 12 “University Gold”
Released as part of the Fall collection in 2020, these striking two-tone sneakers feature the signature Mudguard that looks like lizard skin. Instead of being seen on a tongue label, the Jumpman branding is in bright yellow on the sneaker’s back, a shade that pairs nicely with the matte finish of the sneaker’s eyelets.
Nike Air Jordan 12 “Gym Red”
The Air Jordan 12 “Gym Red,” released in 2018, represents a striking instance of monochromatic red in the Air Jordan line. While many Air Jordans feature several colors in their schemes, the “Gym Red” opts for a daring move: what at first glance appears to be a lack of color variety is compensated for by the shoe’s sheer textural diversity and a lizard-skin mudguard that almost demands to be seen up close. They may not be the most visually exciting shoes in the collection, but few pairs can make the kind of statement these can.
Air Jordan 12 “Eastside Golf”
These are magnificent sneakers constructed from high-quality leather and some neutrals inspired by terracotta clay that are splashed around the sneaker, spilling from the mudguard onto the upper. The insoles appear to show two images—one resembling clay and the other the color of a lush golf course—that probably relate in some way to the sneakers’ slogan: “Out of the clay, into the future.” To learn more: Sneaker Fortress
Air Jordan Retro 12 “Royalty”
This 2021 pair of sneakers is inspired by the “Taxi” colorway released in 1996 but has a few subtle details to set it apart from the retro style. While it still makes use of a lot of white on the upper, the same black for the laces, mudguard, and outsole, the yellow of the Jumpman on the sole of “Taxi” is entirely absent, and the lateral stripe that says “Jumpman” has been swapped out for a classic gold that matches the eyelets and the branding on the tongue label.
Nike Air Jordan 12 “Deep Royal”
The 2016 Air Jordan 12 “Deep Royal” continued the path forged by the “Gym Red,” taking a simple, stunning color, royal blue, and making it look like the sneakers are being swallowed by the ocean’s depths. Once again, using premium suede for the upper and the classic lizard-like leather for the mudguard, these sneakers went with a deep blue that seems to hover just above the ocean floor, coming up for air only in the brighter tonalities of a deconstructed view.
Air Jordan 12 Retro “Cherry”
Since its introduction in 1997, the “Cherry” colorway has been a showstopper, accompanying MJ during the legendary 1996-97 NBA season. Fast forward to today, this classic is just as impactful and momentous as its storied past. With its pebbled leather, its red, its silver, its quilted white upper—but especially its ’90s nostalgia and MJ-chasing-a-title energy—I’m not mad at the 2023 return of the “Cherry” 12 and the life we’ve been given to write this story-wrap.
Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game”
The 1996-1997 season was when Michael Jordan delivered heat—in every sense of the word—setting the stage for one of basketball’s most transformative moments. In Game 5 of The Finals—known as Jordan’s “flu game”—he recorded 38 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists against the Utah Jazz, all while battling a temperature of 103 degrees. His relentless will to win pushed the team one step closer to yet another Championship. All of this served as the genesis for the Air Jordan XII.
SoleFly x Air Jordan 12 Retro SP “Cafecito”
The Air Jordan 12 Retro SP ‘Cafecito’ designed by SoleFly offers a striking look with an upper that features gleaming stitched lines. The Radiant stitch lines on the otherwise somewhat banal upper make this one of the more exciting Air Jordan 12s to release in recent memory. But even the sliced-up upper can’t compete with the contrast provided by the “Cafecito” brown that wraps around the iconic shoe.
Air Jordan 12 Retro ‘International Flight’
A “Love of the Game” clause in Michael Jordan’s contract gave him the freedom to lavish his true passion—basketball—in even more practice and play as he readied himself for the next NBA season. Not only did Jordan uphold his “every summer, every offseason” path to the Hallowed Hall, but he also trotted abroad to convert more basketball neophytes to fans of the game. The Air Jordan 12 colorway shown here, one of three in the International Flight Collection, pays respects to the Kodo drummers of the Japan National Theater with its print-heavy (but subtle) upper. Jordan’s trip through Tokyo with the tune of those drummers in his ears served as the backdrop for the making of this shoe.
Air Jordan 12 Retro ‘Sunrise’
The Air Jordan 12 Retro GS “Sunrise,” released in October 2019, was made for kids with a multi-color upper that consists of “Racer Pink,” “Hot Punch,” “Bright Mango,” and a metallic silver mudguard. Designed in 1996 by Tinker Hatfield, the adult version of this retro hoops sneaker was inspired by the Japanese flag and its rising sun. It achieved a kind of legendary status during the “Flu Game,” when MJ dropped 38 points and 7 boards on the Utah Jazz while playing sick. To learn more about other amazing Air Jordan 12 sneakers, visit: 23 Jumpman Street
