The Most Overrated Jordan, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Jordan you think is the most overrated!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:27
In the world of sneakers, Jordans hold a special place with numerous models each acclaimed for their unique design and cultural significance. However, not all Jordans are created equal, and some are touted more for their hype rather than performance or design quality. Identifying overrated Jordans can help new buyers make informed decisions and steer the community discussions toward more underrated gems.
By voting on which Jordans are considered overrated, users contribute to a clearer understanding of popular opinion and market trends. This continuous input from the sneaker community ensures that the rankings reflect current perspectives rather than past reputations. So, cast your vote and see where your opinion fits within the larger conversation about Jordans.
What Is the Most Overrated Jordan?
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155votes
Air Jordan 15
Tinker HatfieldThis shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield and debuted in 1999. Its unique design, inspired by the X-15 fighter jet, was not well-received by many sneakerheads. The shoe's bulky appearance and lack of appeal led to poor sales.The Air Jordan 15 is a basketball shoe that was released in 1999. It features a unique and futuristic design inspired by the X-15 fighter jet. The shoe combines mesh, leather, and woven materials to provide both comfort and durability. The Air Jordan 15 is known for its sleek and elongated silhouette, coupled with performance-driven features.- Release Year: 1999
- Design Inspiration: X-15 fighter jet
- Materials: Mesh, leather, woven materials
- Silhouette: Sleek and elongated
- Performance Features: Zoom Air cushioning, herringbone traction pattern
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243votes
Air Jordan 2
Bruce KilgoreThe Air Jordan 2 was released in 1986 and was the first Jordan shoe to not feature the iconic Nike Swoosh. The shoe's design was criticized for being too plain and lacking in innovation.The Air Jordan 2 is a basketball shoe that was first released by Nike in 1986. It was designed to be a luxurious and premium option within the Air Jordan line, intended to reflect Michael Jordan's off-court style and appeal.- Release year: 1986
- Design inspiration: Italian craftsmanship and high-end fashion
- Materials: Leather upper with faux lizard skin detailing
- Technology: Nike Air cushioning for enhanced comfort
- Design elements: Wings logo on the tongue, metallic eyelets, midfoot strap
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322votes
Air Jordan 16
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 16 was released in 2001 and was designed by Wilson Smith III. The shoe's design was criticized for being too complicated, and the use of a shroud to cover the laces was seen as impractical.The Air Jordan 16 is a basketball shoe that was released by Nike under the Air Jordan brand. It is considered one of the most overrated Jordan models due to its mixed reception from sneaker enthusiasts. Despite its high profile release, the Air Jordan 16 failed to live up to the expectations set by its predecessors.- Release Year: 2001
- Upper Material: Leather
- Technology: Zoom Air
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Closure: Lace-up
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420votes
Air Jordan 20
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 20 was released in 2005 and was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe's design was inspired by Michael Jordan's love for luxury cars, but the shoe's bulky appearance and high price tag made it unpopular.The Air Jordan 20, also known as the AJ XX, is a basketball shoe that was released in 2005. It is considered by some as one of the most overrated models in the Air Jordan line. The design of this shoe is notable for its fusion of luxury and performance elements, inspired by the world of motorcycles and Italian sports cars.- Release Year: 2005
- Design Inspiration: Motorcycles and Italian sports cars
- Upper Material: Leather and woven materials
- Midsole: Phylon foam with Zoom Air units
- Outsole: Rubber with herringbone traction pattern
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57votes
Air Jordan 2012
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 2012 was released in 2012 and was designed by Tom Luedecke. The shoe's modular design, which allowed wearers to customize the shoe's cushioning system, was seen as gimmicky and unnecessary.The Air Jordan 2012 is a basketball sneaker from the Air Jordan line, known for its highly versatile design and customizable features. It was released in 2012 as a part of the Jordan Brand's flagship sneaker series.- Upper Material: Leather/Synthetic
- Midsole Technology: Nike Zoom Unit with interchangeable cushioning pods
- Outsole: Rubber with multidirectional traction pattern
- Closure: Lace-up
- Ankle Support: Padded collar and internal sleeve
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611votes
Air Jordan 22
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 22 was released in 2007 and was designed by D'Wayne Edwards. The shoe's design was inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, but the shoe's futuristic appearance was criticized for being too busy and over-designed.The Air Jordan 22 is a basketball sneaker that was released by the Jordan Brand in 2007. It was designed to provide superior performance on the court, incorporating innovative technologies and a stylish design. The shoe features a mid-top silhouette with a combination of synthetic leather and patent leather for durability and a premium look. It also includes a strap around the ankle for enhanced support.- Release Year: 2007
- Silhouette: Mid-top
- Upper Material: Synthetic leather, patent leather
- Ankle Support: Strap
- Cushioning: Zoom Air
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710votesThe Air Jordan 23 was released in 2008 and was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe's design was inspired by Michael Jordan's love for golf, but the shoe's high price tag and lack of innovation made it unpopular.
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86votes
Air Jordan 2010
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 2010 was released in 2010 and was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe's design was inspired by Michael Jordan's love for motorcycles, but the shoe's bulky appearance and high price tag made it unpopular.The Air Jordan 2010 is a sneaker from the iconic Air Jordan line, known for its innovative design and performance capabilities. It was released in 2010 as the 25th anniversary edition of the Air Jordan series. The shoe was anticipated to be a groundbreaking release, but it garnered mixed reviews from both fans and sneaker enthusiasts.- Upper Material: Leather and synthetic materials
- Sole Technology: Zoom Air cushioning in the heel and forefoot
- Design Features: Removable lace cover and variable lacing system
- Support: Mid-top design with ankle support
- Durability: Rubber outsole with multidirectional traction pattern
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97votes
Air Jordan 12
Tinker HatfieldThe Air Jordan 12 was released in 1996 and was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe's design was inspired by the Japanese flag, but the shoe's lack of innovation and high price tag made it unpopular.The Air Jordan 12 is a popular sneaker model in the Air Jordan line of basketball shoes. It was first released by Nike in 1996 and designed by Tinker Hatfield. The design of the Air Jordan 12 was inspired by Japan's flag, with its rising sun motif, as well as traditional Japanese sandals called 'geta'. It features a sleek and streamlined silhouette with a combination of leather and synthetic materials for superior durability and comfort. The Air Jordan 12 also introduced several innovative features including a carbon fiber shank plate for added stability, a full-length Zoom Air unit for responsive cushioning, and a modified herringbone traction pattern for enhanced grip on the court.- Release Year: 1996
- Design Inspiration: Japanese flag and geta sandals
- Upper Material: Leather and synthetic materials
- Midsole Technology: Full-length Zoom Air unit
- Outsole Traction: Modified herringbone pattern
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103votes
Air Jordan 7
NikeThe Air Jordan 7 was released in 1992 and was designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shoe's design was inspired by African tribal art, but the shoe's lack of innovation and high price tag made it unpopular.The Air Jordan 7 is a popular basketball shoe from the Air Jordan line by Nike. It was first released in 1992 as the seventh signature shoe for basketball legend Michael Jordan. The design of the Air Jordan 7 was inspired by West African tribal art, as well as Nike's Huarache technology, which provided a snug and comfortable fit. The shoe features a unique geometric pattern on the upper, along with various colorways and materials used throughout its releases. With its sleek and innovative design, the Air Jordan 7 quickly became a favorite among athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike.- Release Year: 1992
- Designed For: Basketball
- Inspiration: West African Tribal Art
- Upper Material: Leather, Nubuck, and Synthetic textiles
- Outsole Material: Rubber
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Ranking factors for overrated Jordan
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HypeThe level of hype and anticipation surrounding the release of the shoe. Overrated Jordans often have a disproportionately high level of excitement compared to their actual value.
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DesignEvaluate the overall aesthetic of the sneakers and ask whether the design is significantly exceptional or innovative compared to other Jordans or sneakers in general.
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PerformanceAssess the shoe's performance and functionality on and off the basketball court. Overrated Jordans may not necessarily provide the best comfort, support, or durability.
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InfluenceConsider the cultural impact and significance of the shoe. Overrated Jordans may lack an original or iconic backstory or may not have influenced sneaker trends or the broader culture.
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PriceAnalyze the retail and resale market for the shoe. Overrated Jordans may have exorbitant price tags that do not match their actual value or appeal.
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AvailabilityEvaluate the level of exclusivity and limited availability of the sneaker. Some overrated Jordans may not be as scarce as the hype suggests, potentially making them less desirable to collectors and enthusiasts.
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CollaborationsDetermine if the shoe's reputation is inflated due to a high-profile collaboration with a celebrity, athlete, or fashion brand. Overrated Jordans might not stand on their own merits without the association to a famous name.
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NostalgiaAscertain if the shoe's popularity is largely driven by nostalgia or a retro appeal rather than its own unique qualities. Overrated Jordans could be riding on the sentiments of a past era that does not translate to modern tastes and preferences.
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InnovationExamine the technological advancements and new materials used in the shoe. Overrated Jordans may not have any groundbreaking features that differentiate them from other sneakers.
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ComparisonsCompare the sneaker to other Jordans or popular sneakers in the market. Overrated Jordans may not hold up in quality, style, and performance when matched against similar shoes.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most overrated Jordan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Jordan is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1901 views
- 189 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Jordan once every 24 hours. The rank of each Jordan is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most overrated jordan
When it comes to basketball shoes, there is no doubt that the Jordan brand is one of the most popular and iconic. However, with so many different Jordan models and colorways released over the years, it can be difficult to determine which ones are truly worth the hype. This is where the concept of an "overrated Jordan" comes into play. Some shoes may have been marketed heavily or have a certain nostalgia factor attached to them, but may not actually live up to the expectations of sneaker enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore some of the most commonly cited overrated Jordan models and why they may not be worth the investment.
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