Basketball shoes Jordan

1985, the first Air Jordan

In 1985, Nike bet on the most promising recruit of the Chicago Bulls and dedicated its own basketball shoe to him. The first Air Jordan, designed by Peter Moore, features a high-top leather upper, the Swoosh on the side, and a wing-shaped logo on the ankle. Its red and black colour scheme, matching the franchise's colours, stands out on the courts of the time, dominated by white shoes. The success quickly goes beyond the courts: the signature shoe becomes an object of urban culture, and each new model in the saga, awaited like an event, establishes the idea that a pair of sneakers can be collected as well as worn.

The other brands

Basketball shoes are also available by brand:

• Nike.
• adidas.
• Puma.
• Under Armour.
• Reebok.
• Peak.

All the shoes can be found on the shoes page.

Jumpman, Tinker Hatfield and the birth of Jordan Brand

The silhouette of the Jumpman, a player in mid-air, arms stretched towards the basket, initially appears on tags and advertisements. It appears on the tongue in 1988, with the third Air Jordan, the first model signed by Tinker Hatfield, who adds a visible air bubble at the heel and a pattern resembling elephant skin. Hatfield will then design most of the iconic models of the saga. In 1997, Nike makes Jordan a standalone brand, with its own collections and athletes. The reissues of historical models, called retros, faithfully reproduce the shapes and colours of origin and rank among the most sought-after sneakers in the world.

Retro or performance model: which Jordan to play in

A Jordan retro reproduces the design of a model from the 1980s or 1990s, but also its materials and cushioning of the time: heavier and less protective than a recent shoe, it is mainly worn in the city. For club play, one should choose a current performance model, lighter, with responsive cushioning and a sole designed for grip on the court. Guards and forwards, who often change direction, prefer a low-cut upper and a sole close to the ground; big men, who jump and absorb contact under the basket, prefer thicker cushioning and a high-top that supports the ankle. A pair for matches is kept for the court to preserve the grip of the rubber.

Good deals

Good deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items dispatched in 24h are prepared and shipped within 24 hours. The year's highlights follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

How do Jordan shoes fit?

Most Jordan fit normally: your usual size should be fine. Try them on at the end of the day with sports socks, and leave a little space in front of the big toe, especially on the high-top models made with stiffer leather.

What do GS, PS and TD mean on Jordan kids' shoes?

GS, for Grade School, refers to larger kids' and teenager sizes, PS, for Preschool, the sizes for nursery and primary school children, and TD, for Toddler, the very first baby sizes.

How to convert a women's Jordan size?

Women's US sizes are one and a half sizes smaller than men's sizes: a women's eight and a half corresponds to a men's seven. European sizes, however, remain the same, which makes choosing easier.

How to clean white Jordan sneakers?

Remove the laces, brush the sole with soapy water, and clean the leather with a slightly damp soft cloth. Leave to air dry, away from a radiator, stuffing the inside with paper to maintain shape; avoid putting them in the washing machine.

How to lace high-top Jordan shoes for playing?

To play, lace up to the last eyelet and tighten gradually from the toe, so the ankle is held without being compressed. For casual wear, the last eyelets are often left loose and laced more loosely for a more relaxed style.