Does it feel like 2012 was just yesterday? Or maybe it feels like forever ago. Or, perhaps it appropriately feels like 2012 was precisely ten years ago. However you feel about the year 2012, most agree that it was one of the most epic years for sneakers of all time.
There were innovations like Flyknit technology. There were insane celebrity sneaker designs, like the Air Yeezy II. There were bold new takes on classic kicks like the Foamposite One “Galaxy” and classic retros like the Air Jordan 11 “Bred.” It was a year for the ages for many brands, but Nike and Jordan, as they usually do, dominated all year long.
Here’s a look back at the ten best Nike & Jordan Brand releases of 2012.
Flyknit Trainer “Medal Stand”
Released during the Summer Olympic Games in London, the black/volt Flyknit trainer instantly became legendary. During those Olympic Games, Team USA athletes won 104 medals, including 46 gold, which was the best for gold and overall.
Nike Flyknit Trainer “Medal Stand” (Image via SneakerFiles)
It was the most golds ever won by the US in which they were not the host nation. Both the Flyknit Trainer and Racer would become incredibly popular in a multitude of colorways.
It didn’t hurt that Kanye West was famously photographed in them as well. Over the past ten years, Flyknit technology has arguably become one of the most significant advances in footwear technology, and Nike has utilized the material in basically every footwear category since its inception.
Roshe Run
An incredible design because of its simplistic nature, the Roshe Run first debuted in 2012. Because of its sneaky-low pricepoint and versatility, the Roshe Run quickly became the sneaker everyone wanted.
Nike Roshe Run Tech Sheet (Image via HYPEBEAST)
Designed by Dylan Raasch, the Roshe was a minimalistic running sneaker meant for everyday lifestyle use. Launching in relatively tame and modest colorways, the popularity led to the release of basically every colorway under the sun.
Nike Roshe Run (Image via Sneaker News)
As is Nike’s MO, they quickly capitalized on the popularity and released a Roshe in everything from a golf cleat to a sneaker boot.
Air Yeezy II
When you break the Air Yeezy II down, the design was not that revolutionary. Kanye West’s second signature sneaker with Nike incorporated some classic features into the Yeezy II, including an Air Tech Challenge II sole and a classic ’90s forefoot velcro strap.
Nike Air Yeezy II Sketch (Image via Nike)
However, the addition of other key elements like a glow-in-the-dark outsole and gold obelisk lace aglets helped the Yeezy II stand out from everything else dropping that year. Having the name “Yeezy” attached to it didn’t hurt either.
Nike Air Yeezy II “Pure Platinum” (Image via Nike)
Looking back, everyone wanted the Yeezy II. Incredibly, it would be the last model Kanye West would collaborate on with Nike before leaving for adidas in 2013.
Kanye West in the Nike Air Yeezy II “Pure Platinum” (Image via Sole Collector)
Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs”
One of the most popular AJ12 of all time, the “Playoffs,” dropped in April 2012. MJ wore this black and white model during the 1997 Playoffs alongside the famous “Flu Game” black/red colorway.
Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs” (Image via Sneaker News)
A lot of folks have been asking for this colorway to drop again. Fortunately, ten years later, this colorway is returning in 2022 for the 25th anniversary.
Foamposite One “Galaxy”
In 2012, the Foamposite One “Galaxy” became Nike’s “most hyped sneaker.” Set to launch during the NBA All-Star Weekend in February, the “Galaxy” colorway was a fresh take on the classic Foamposite.
Nike Foamposite One “Galaxy” (Image via Sneaker Freaker)
With a glow-in-the-dark sole and a beautiful galaxy design on the upper, the “Galaxy” was pleasing to the eye and very difficult to cop.
Celtics star point guard Rajon Rondo famously rocked them during the All-Star Game in Orlando. Also of note was the Kobe 7 “Galaxy” that also dropped during that same weekend.
Left to Right: Kobe Bryant in the Nike Kobe 7 “Galaxy” & Rajon Rondo in the Nike Foamposite One “Galaxy” (Image via Complex)
Air Jordan 4 “Bred” aka “Black Cement”
Some really good AJ4’s dropped in 2012, including the “Fire Red,” “Military Blue,” “Thunder,” and “White Cement.” The most beloved of them is the “Black Cement,” which dropped on November 1st of 2012.
Air Jordan 4 “Bred” (Image via Kicks On Fire)
We were still in the era of just the Jumpman logo on the heel instead of the OG NIKE AIR logo, but only the super OG heads were really disappointed about that. Everyone else just wanted a chance to own the shoe that MJ hit “The Shot” in.
2012 was the 23rd anniversary of the original release, making this drop extra special.
Air Jordan 7 “Olympic”
One of the most iconic AJ7s because of what MJ did in them during his time with the “Dream Team” — the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” retroed in 2012. The greatest player of all time played on the greatest basketball team of all time in ’92, and he wore this model during every game.
Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” (Image via Sneaker News)
Back in 2012, this colorway dropped for the 20th anniversary of its release.
Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” (Image via Defy New York)
It should also be noted that the infamous “Raptor” colorway also dropped in 2012.
Air Jordan 9 “Olive”
A classic Air Jordan 9 that many did not appreciate when it initially dropped. MJ never wore them in the NBA, so they weren’t as popular as his other models. The olive and black combination was just a little too different compared to the primary “Bulls” colorways.
Air Jordan 9 “Olive” (Image via Kicks On Fire)
However, the “Olive” is definitely much more beloved now. In 2017, Jordan Brand dropped an “NRG” boot rendition of the “Olive,” and some hoped the regular model would come back again as well. It has yet to return since the 2012 retro.
Air Jordan 11 “Bred”
Arguably one of the greatest sneakers of all time, and a sneaker Jordan Brand always knocks out of the park — the Air Jordan 11 black/red, aka “Bred,” “Playoffs,” retroed for the third time in December of 2012.
Air Jordan 11 “Bred” (Image via Kicks On Fire)
It was a fitting end to a banner year for Jordan Brand with the release just four days before Christmas. Its release was just four years after the 11/12 Countdown Pack drop, but it didn’t matter for sneakerheads; Jordan could drop this colorway every year, and it would still sell out — just like it did again in 2019.
Air Max 95 OG “Neon”
This model and colorway will always be on a top ten list no matter what year it is. Arguably the greatest running sneaker of all time because of its iconic design and Air Max bubbles, the Air Max 95 “Neon” dropped on December 31st, 2012 — the last day of the year.
Nike Air Max 95 OG “Neon” (Image via Kicks On Fire)
Just like the Air Jordan 11, this make and model could drop every year and would sell out. Nike seems to know this, as it again dropped in 2015 and last year in 2020.
Drew Hammell is a SoleSavy member and the creator of the Nike-dedicated archival page @NikeStories. You can find more of Hammell’s work here.
