15 years ago, the world was much different but sneakers were somewhat the same.
Jay-Z was returning from retirement, PJ Tucker was transitioning from Texas to Toronto and Travis Scott was in high school. Stylistically, footwear fans were starting to mix and match streetwear and sportswear in bold fashion, with retro Jordans dead center in a convergence of cultures.
In 2006, Jordan Brand’s Lifestyle series, branded as L’Style or LS, was at its peak. Loud launches like the “Citrus” 7s upset purists and delighted those that dared to be different. Timeless OGs returned for the first time, including the “Grape” 5s and “Military Blue” 4s, giving fans of all ages something to chase.
As the world welcomes the return of the Air Jordan 4 “Lightning” – back for the first time since 2006 – we rerank the top 20 Jordan Brand launches from that impactful period that’s now 15 years old.
20. Air Jordan 4 “Thunder”
(Image via Flight Club)
The Air Jordan 4 “Thunder” largely lived up to its name, making noise in a new era of retro reign. By introducing bold black and yellow blocking to the model Mike hit “The Shot” in, hoops nostalgia immediately took a backseat to a new Motorsport story being told. Famously, pairs released online only at Jumpman23.com, costing a whopping $500 as they were packaged with a matching jacket.
In 2012, the Air Jordan 4 “Thunder” returned for the first and only time. Since the “Thunder” 4s arrived in 2006, the powerful black and yellow palette has crossed over to the Air Jordan 14, with a “Red Thunder” motif rumored to release on the AJ4 this holiday season.
19. Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal”
(Image via Flickr by Christopher Cuttriss)
After over a decade in the vault, the Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal” was released as a retro for the first time ever in the spring of 2006. The model made famous by Michael Jordan in the midst of his first three-peat had evaded collectors when the AJ7 turned ten in 2002, having fans wonder if and when the “Cardinal” colorway would ever return.
An OG makeup, the “Cardinal” 7s proved strong amongst Day 1 fans and fashion-conscious coppers. While touring Late Registration, Kanye West performed in the “Cardinal” 7 retros at Coachella just days after they dropped. In 2011, the “Cardinal” 7s returned to retail, favored by first-time buyers but still missing the mark on the Remastered Retro initiative that started in 2015.
18. Air Jordan 4 “Mist Blue”
(Image via Stadium Goods)
After a run of player exclusives and very limited launches, Jordan Brand was ready to bring Carmelo Anthony’s blue and yellow beauties to the masses. Well, kind of. The Air Jordan 4 “Mist Blue” borrowed the familiar accents of Melo’s most memorable one-offs, kept casual friendly by a grey base and kept hard to get by LS availability.
Showing shades of Denver Nuggets styling but made more to pull off with a popped collar polo, the “Mist Blue” 4s launched at what were then deemed Urban Accounts with gaudy graphic tees amongst other misguided merch. Still, the softer sentiment on the AJ4 was perfect for the moment even if it was a moment many couldn’t enjoy.
17. Air Jordan 14 “Candy Cane”
(Image via Flight Club)
Only weeks after Christmas, the Air Jordan 14 “Candy Cane” returned in January of 2006. Missing the mark on a dad joke drop, the White/Red colorway only worn in weartest fashion by Michael Jordan still possessed the fanfare of a Chicago classic.
Even though it had only been seven years since the “Candy Cane” 14s first released at retail, fans were ready for another round. In amateur and professional play, the first round of retro 14s were revered for their performance, not cutting corners in construction or technology the way many modern-day releases do. The “Candy Cane” 14s have since returned in 2012 and 2019.
16. Air Jordan 5 “Sunset”
(Image via Sneaker Bar Detroit)
In the early 2000s, Jordan Brand began experimenting with retro releases in colorways and sizing exclusive to ladies. Typically, the tones were reserved to pinks and powder blues, often taking on low tops. The Air Jordan 5 “Sunset” was an awesome anomaly, playing to PM skies and just left of OG origins.
The Air Jordan 5 “Sunset” has never returned to retail despite a looming love affair with 2006 retro releases and increased enthusiasm for women’s exclusive launches. Randomly, Drake appeared in this pair in 2014 while sitting courtside at a Raptors game.
15. Air Jordan 7 “Citrus”
(Image via Sneaker Bar Detroit)
Make no mistake: Jordan Brand was bent on spreading their wings past nostalgia in 2006. The Air Jordan 7 “Citrus” was exactly that – a bold take on an old favorite in no ways tied to Chicago. Employing contrast stitching – a favored Air Force 1 sartorial choice in years prior – the decidedly loud launch was not for everyone, but it turned the heads of all.
Predating the “King County” Spizike in its Oak Hill hues, the “Citrus” 7s were in many ways similar to Eddie Jones’s PE pair from the Miami Heat in 2002, taking things to another level through actual allocation and the aforementioned stitchwork. These have never returned, making them all the more a time capsule of 2006.
14. Air Jordan 5 “Green Bean”
(Image via Sole Collector)
Before fully 3M sneakers were the norm or Oregon exclusives were lust after with each new semester, the Air Jordan 5 “Green Bean” offered a flash of what was to come. Genetically modifying the reflective tongue seen on the OG AJ 5, the “Green Bean” retros pointed to an impending era where fashion soon lived forever through photos.
This 2006 take released right when summer began fading to fall, hitting at an odd spot between back-to-school shopping and the holiday rush. Years later, 2009’s “Toro Bravo” Pack would revive the full-flash styling. However, market research revealed fans favored the full red suede style much more than 3m, leading to more tonal takes and less reflective pairs.
13. Air Jordan 14 Black/University Blue
(Image via Flight Club)
For fans of a certain age, 2003’s Air Jordan 12 “Nubuck” was a monumental release. The online-only launch paired with a matching hoodie and pinwheel fitted was coveted and seldom seen thanks to its limited availability and package pricing.
The Air Jordan 14 Black/University Blue ran back that storied palette but did so without the add-ons. Since its arrival, the Black/University Blue theme with suede or nubuck backing has hit hard on the Air Jordan 6 in 2017 as well as an Air Jordan 5 in that same year of 2006.
12. Air Jordan 4 “Mars Blackmon”
(Image via Flight Club)
The Air Jordan 4 “Fire Red” was subject to many alterations over the course of the 2000s. After getting left out of the ‘99 run of anniversary takes, the last Air Jordan release of the 1980s would come back decades later with laser etching and Air Force soles.
Close but not quite, the “Mars Blackmon” Air Jordan 4 brought back the beloved hot hues and rubber wings despite not toting Nike Air tagging. More tasteful than 2009’s “Flu Game” 12s, the on-the-nose storytelling seen by Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It character stamped on the heel aged more like a City Series Air Force 1 than something too tongue and cheek.
11. Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red”
(Image via Sports Illustrated)
One could argue that Jordan Brand did not do the “Fire Red” 4s a justice in 2006 due to their Mars Blackmon makeover. The Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red” from that year though? A collector’s dream for fans both old and young.
Never before brought out in re-released form, the retro rendition packed #23 embroidery like MJ’s game shoes, appealing to a wide range of wearers. At this time, Nike Air was a no-go on the heel branding as a way to protect those that still had their OGs. That distinction proved a controversial move that has been monetized in the time since.
10. Air Jordan XX1 “Red Suede”
(Image via Jordans Daily)
In 2006, the Air Jordan game shoe was in an odd spot. MJ was officially removed from playing and the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson were all fighting to take his place. Funny enough, many kids born years after Jordan’s rookie season still favored playing in his retros.
Ahead of its time in all this was the “Red Suede” Air Jordan XX1. Inspired by a Bentley and packing modular cushioning before the Kobe System – you’re welcome – the AJ XX1 not only moved the needle in regard to performance, it predated the all-red sneaker craze that would dominate the next decade.
9. Air Jordan 4 “Military Blue”
(Image via GOAT)
Like other OGs on this list, the Air Jordan 4 “Military Blue” was a longtime cometh. Returning for the first time ever in 2006, this retro hit almost all bases by returning a revered colorway and doing so with few frills.
As anyone will point out, there was no Nike Air on the heel as addressed previously on other pairs of this era. Still, the rubber wings and archival colors brought vintage appeal in a year where most pairs were pandering towards the future.
8. Air Jordan 4 “Sand”
(Image via Sneaker Bar Detroit)
For years, Jordan Brand has played with earthy tones to mixed results. After original backlash to the “Mocha” 3s in 2001 and a warmer response to the “Linen” 10s in 2006, the “Sand” Air Jordan 4s found favor as a well-received women’s exclusive.
Before everything non-OG had a petition for a bringback, the “Sand” 4s were so nice they released them twice. Returning in 2017, the clean colorway predated the neutral 4s introduced by Virgil Abloh, still serving as a smooth wear no matter the decade.
7. Air Jordan 7 “Pacific Blue”
(Image via Flight Club)
The Air Jordan 7 did plenty of experimenting in 2006, with “Flint” and “Chambray” colorways appearing completely removed from the hardwood. Though those pairs proved perfect for an oversized Polo or an Artful Dodger hoodie, the “Pacific Blue” release is now realized as ahead of its time.
Before aged sneakers became a trend or even before Kanye was putting arthouse hues on his namesake Nikes, Jordan Brand’s LS line laced the AJ7 with a pearl white upper we’d now name sail. The mix of pacific blue and ceramic orange still appear unique, with the slightly translucent outsole once again appearing precedent of current trends.
6. Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat”
(Image via Pintrest by nirmax)
The Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat” was against the grain and almost a miss in 2006. Dropping alongside the “Pure Money” motif in spirit, the tonal takes felt as though they were chasing the Black/Black and White/White AF1 trend that took over years prior.
Wild colors by most estimates were the future, with neutral having little value at that time. Fast forward to the 2010s and the “Black Cat” 4s skyrocketed in the rankings of what fashionable sneakerheads wanted. By 2020 they were finally back, making many of us wonder why we passed on these all those years back.
5. Jordan Spizike
(Image via Flight Club)
In 2006, Spike Lee got his flowers and then some. The “Mars Blackmon” 4 was a cool callout to the man that made the most of MJ’s quiet cool, while the Jordan Spizike saw a signature shoe for the celebrated director decades after his arrival.
At the time, most Air Jordan aficionados weren’t seeing the Pan-African palette or even likening the scheme to album art of A Tribe Called Quest. Instead, most wondered, Why did they put green on a Chicago colorway? Like lots of work from Lee, he saw things before the rest of the world and we’re better for it. Proven more popular than peer hybrids like the Dub Zero or 6 Rings, and in some ways paving the way for Don C’s 312 design, the Spizike introduced influencer footwear in a manner that still sells today.
4. Air Jordan 4 “Tour Yellow”
(Image via Stadium Goods)
August of 2006 saw the Air Jordan 4 “Thunder,” “Lightning,” and “Tour Yellow” all arriving with the same palette and limited numbers. The “Tour Yellow” take was the only pair released in stores and without accompanying clothing, riffing oh so slightly off the original “Cement” take from 1989.
Since their arrival, Jordan Brand has altered OGs in often less than exciting fashion. The “Alternate” series of 2015 lived only in Chicago shades while the overwhelming contrast of Air Jordan 12 flips appears so strong that it’s almost its own thing. Keeping an original element like cement print but tossing in a pop color? We’re here for more of that.
3. Air Jordan 5 “Grape”
(Image via GOAT)
Over the course of 2006, the Air Jordan 5 was on a tear led mostly by new colorways that were aimed towards a streetwear savvy market. However, it was the original Air Jordan 5 “Grape” that returned for the first time and caused the biggest chase amongst both Day 1 purists and new school heads.
In 2006, the Air Jordan 5 “Grape” was relegated to Urban Accounts, making these L’Style in allocation despite being an original colorway. The exclusivity only made them more coveted, owning the Hornets hues that would adorn vintage snapbacks and Karmaloop clothing for the rest of the decade.
2. Air Jordan 4 “Lightning”
(Image via House of Heat)
The Air Jordan 4 “Lightning” took all feedback about fans only wanting OGs and threw it out the window. Inspired by MJ’s racing team, the bright yellow 4s were louder than peers and predecessors, serving as a statement wear when they touched down in 2006 and in every year since.
In 2021, the staying power proves true as these will be brought back in general release form after their LS introduction. Untied to online exclusivity or pre-packaged clothing, the “Lightning” 4s make an impact no matter the time or units produced.
1. Air Jordan Defining Moments Pack
(Image via Pintrest)
How do you become the best release in a year filled with grails? You put two shoes in one box. Updating the Air Jordan 6 and Air Jordan 11 with championship gold, the Defining Moments Package rewrote all the wrongs of can’t wear clothing and unorthodox colorways by telling a true story worth celebrating: the start of MJ’s two three-peats.
The first Jordan Brand double-drop of its kind, the DMPs were supposed to appear under Christmas trees the previous year. After quality control issues surrounding the 11 eyelet branding prevented these from launching in the Holiday Season of 2005, pairs were pushed to January of 2006. To this day, the Defining Moments Package is a marquee moment in sneaker culture, coveted by fans of all eras but most meaningful to those that embarked on that epic chase that took place 15 years ago.
