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Here Are 5 Colorways Jordan Should Re-Release as Retros

A short list of the most underrated Jordan colorways of all time

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On Monday, April 15, Jordan broke the internet all over again. The highly anticipated Air Jordan IV Retro OG Bred IVs subtly dropped on the Nike SNKRS app and sold out in minutes. It’s already been dubbed the “must-have sneaker” for the spring/summer season, and many sneakerheads believed they missed out on an ultimate come up. However, a wide release is slated for May 4.

But as we save our coins and circle the date on our calendars for one of this year’s most anticipated releases, ONE37pm has decided to dig through our vintage Jordan shoeboxes. We created a list of some of the coolest overlooked colorways that should be retroed for the new generation of sneaker collectors to enjoy.

Air Jordan X (Ice Blues: White / Obsidian – Ice Blue – Varsity Red)

Released on June 11, 2005, this eye-catching colorway is an ultimate sneaker collectible for many Jordan fans due to its rarity. Ice blue and obsidian are perfectly meshed to symbolize Jordan’s collegiate colors in UNC Tar Heel blue and the school’s archrival, the Duke University Blue Devils. But what stands out on these classic shoes besides the colorway is the sole, which is inscribed with MJ’s greatest career accomplishments.

Air Jordan II (Retro Black / Chrome)

The Air Jordan II sneaker has a pretty interesting history in the Jordan sneaker lineage. Designed by Bruce Kilgore, the original pair debuted in the high-top white/red colorway in 1986 and then in a low-top style in 1987. It was later retroed in 1994 when it was rumored that the original molding of the shoe was either destroyed or stolen. So in 2004, Nike decided to cut up parts of the ’94 retro release and mod it onto the rare black/chrome release. They haven’t seen the shelf since. It’s time for that to end.

Air Jordan Retro XV (Black / Varsity Red)

Inspired by the number of years MJ played after retiring for the second time (15), Jordan collaborated with legendary designer Tinker Hatfield to design a shoe that commemorated the greatness he exhibited on the court. Jordan and Hatfield decided on a design that paid homage to the X-15 fighter jet, which broke the speed record on October 3, 1967.

Air Jordan VII (Olympic White / Midnight Navy / True Red)

The 1992 USA basketball team known as “The Dream Team” was put together to win gold at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, and was arguably the greatest sports team ever assembled. Michael Jordan was, of course, on that team.

What’s so unique about this shoe is that Jordan and Hatfield decided to put MJ’s “Dream Team” number (9) on the heel, rather than the signature number he wore throughout his career (23).

Jordan and the Dream Team crushed the international competition, beating teams by an average of 43.4 points per game.

Air Jordan I (OG: UNC White / Carolina Blue)

This shoe started it all.

In 1984, after receiving major scrutiny from the NBA and getting fined for using colors the NBA felt violated its “league uniform policy,” Nike wanted to pay homage to a rookie who stuck with them through the controversy. Nike paid every single fine Jordan was hit with for every game he played in the original black/red colorway and hired a team of designers, including Hatfield, Kilgore and Peter Moore, to create a colorway that perfectly represented his alma mater and his legacy as one of the school’s all-time great scorers. The UNC White / Carolina Blue colorway became a staple in the hip-hop culture as well as one of the most underrated releases to ever come out of the Jordan lineage.

Related: These '90s-Era Sneakers Are Officially Cool Again

Related: 50 Iconic Sneakers Under $150 That Are Still Dope

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