No one can forget the most iconic pairs of Air Jordans—Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement,” Air Jordan 11 Low ‘Bred’—but what about the ones we’ve all but forgotten? The Jordans that never go viral but should. Some just miss the moment completely, while others are largely overlooked. But make no mistake about it: these kicks still bring serious fire. So, here are 10 amazing, rare pairs of Air Jordans that you probably missed.
Air Jordan 3 Retro Explorer Tropical Twist
The Air Jordan 3 Retro Explorer ‘Tropical Twist’ takes the classic AJ3 and ramps it up—literally. It ditches the low-cut look for a high-top makeover, almost as if the sneaker had just hit its growth spurt. Drenched in bold teal against the sleek grey base, this pair carries the swagger of an OG with the height of a modern remix. Fresh? Check. Functional? Absolutely. Unexpected? 100%.
Air Jordan Fusion 3 ‘Varsity Red’
The Air Jordan Fusion 3 ‘Varsity Red’ is the result of what occurs when the stylish love child of the Air Jordan 3 and the Air Force 1 happens. Mixing classic hoops heritage with mashup street-ready swagger, this bold combination of silhouettes rocks a head-turning black and varsity red combo that you can’t ignore. These rare Air Jordans are part retro, part remix, and 100% looks to be built to stand out.
Air Jordan 1 Mid Melo SE ‘Equality’
Launched as part of Nike’s annual Black History Month collection in February 2019, the Air Jordan 1 Mid Melo ‘Equality’ is a striking black-and-white sneaker. One of the looks that typifies the ‘Equality’ collection for Nike, this sneaker shows that a statement piece can be just that without the need for colors that pop. For this design, it’s more about the attitude than the palette.
Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Tech Chrome’
The Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Tech Chrome’ gives Michael Jordan’s championship-winning sneaker a sleek, modern glow-up. Draped in black and dark gray suede with a touch of translucent flair on the side panels, this pair channels the heritage of MJ’s game and blends it with high-tech vibes. It’s like the classic AJ6 got a futuristic upgrade—same winning DNA, just a little more stylish.
Social Status x Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Pony Hair’
Releasing during All-Star Weekend 2019, the Social Status x Air Jordan 6 Retro embraced luxury and took it to the next level. Not everyone can say they own a pair of sneakers that are made with pony hair. The Social Status team, in collaboration with Jordan Brand, made sure this particular silhouette did not look or feel like any other Air Jordan 6 on the market.
Air Jordan Fusion 4 ‘Bred’ 2009
The Air Jordan Fusion 4 is the product of attempted gene-splicing between the AJ4 and the Air Force 1. It dropped in classic OG colorways and remixed some fresh looks. Somehow, this sneaker hybrid works—if for no other reason than having two iconic sneakers on one foot.
Nike Air Jordan 30 – Cosmos
Released on July 9, 2016, for the low price of just $200, the Air Jordan 30 ‘Cosmos’ drew its design inspiration from two out-of-this-world venues: the Quai 54 streetball tournament, held in Paris, and the galaxy as a whole. It features a full-on cosmic print that covers the knit upper of the sneaker and pretty much makes wearing these bad boys a space-age experience for your feet. Today, expect to shell out some serious dough if you’re trying to cop a pair of these rare Air Jordans.
Air Jordan 1 “Board of Governors” FF
There are only 88 pairs of the “Board of Governors” Air Jordan 1s ever made, meaning most sneakerheads can only dream of owning these rare sneakers. Yet, somehow, DJ Khaled managed to obtain a pair. Because, of course, he did.
Air Jordan 1 High “Quai 54” FF
In DJ Khaled’s endless sneaker collection, one piece stands out: a families and friends edition of the Air Jordan 1 High “Quai 54”. These kicks were made for the 2017 Air Jordan 1 “Quai 54” festivities and show off a clean, smooth blend of suede and leather that pays tribute to the colors of the French flag and the Air Jordan line’s roots.
Air Jordan 3 RTNA
Created in 2021 with Lifescaped and Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 3 RTNA is like the secret menu of rare Jordans—sneakerheads barely know it exists. This beauty never hit the public. Featuring an iridescent coating that mimics butterfly wings and beetle shells, it’s like the sneaker version of a magic trick—no pigments, just pure science.
