The Best of Jordan Brand in 2024

The provided plenty of in-flight entertainment this year, but two models absolutely dominated the airwaves: the and From welcoming rising stars to celebrating loyal frequent fliers, the Jumpman’s highlight reel was longer than a transatlantic red-eye. Let’s rewind the tape and relive Jordan Brand’s best moments of 2024.

Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 RM ‘Grandma's Driveway’

BMX legend signed with the Jumpman in 2019, making history as their first BMX athlete. Following the success of Sylvester’s oil-stained Air Jordan 1 collaboration in 2018, fans have been waiting a long, long time for the sequel. This year, the wait was finally over. Sylvester and Jordan Brand locked-in for the , a masterful piece of storytelling recalling Sylvester’s childhood roots and BMX beginnings. Crafted in ‘Pro Green’ suede, a homage to the shade of green found on the fence surrounding his grandma’s driveway, the Air Jordan 4 RM (remastered) marked the debut of the AJ4 as a low-top silhouette. A brand new rubber caging system was also developed specifically for the collaboration, while the visible Air tech brought some nostalgic bounce to the new release. Over on the heels, tongue-in-cheek ‘Bike Air’ branding replaced the indelible Nike AIr iconography, offering a playful twist on the legacy model. We’re also handing out bonus points for all the extras as part of the release, including a stack of stickers and photographs of Sylvester when he was a kid in Queens.

J Balvin x Air Jordan 3 ‘Rio’

The Prince of Reggaeton is accumulating a royal collection of Air Jordans. Hooking up with the Jumpman for modern classics like the and the Colombian superstar continued his love affair with the in May with the evocative ‘Rio’ edition. Named after Balvin’s son, the Air Jordan 3 also found inspiration in the transcendent sunsets viewed from the mountains of Medellin, Balvin’s hometown. One of the pre-eminent sneakerheads in Latin America, Balvin recently sneakers from his own personal collection, which included several classics like the highly-coveted Off-White Air Jordan 1 customised by The Shoe Surgeon.

Nina Chanel Abney x Air Jordan 3 ‘Bicoastal’

Chicago artist dropped one of the toughest sneakers this year with the ‘Bicoastal’. Landing in June, the lush green mix of waxed canvas and shaggy suede came with rope laces, ‘Fossil’ midsoles, and whimsical chenille Nike Air logos. As part of the collection, Abney made history as the first artist ever invited to reimagine the iconic Jumpman logo. The result? A slam dunk for both Abney and the Jumpman. This project followed the collaboration in 2022, proving once again that Abney is on a flight trajectory that’s all her own.

Who Decides War x Jordan Flight Court

A New York–based luxury fashion brand co-founded by designers Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore in 2018, unveiled their as part of their Spring 2025 show. Imbued with the brand’s signature distressed elements, the collaboration was dripping with luxurious details, including bespoke stitching and special branding. On the inner tongues, Who Decides War also conveyed the uplifting message, ‘The World Is Your Court’. Dressed in the indomitable Chicago-esque mix of varsity red and black, the Who Decides War x Jordan Flight Court was crafted from a premium blend of nubuck, canvas, and leather. No doubt rising stars in the industry, we’re expecting the Jumpman to give Who Decides War plenty more game time in 2025 and beyond.

Usher Performs at Super Bowl LVIII in Air Jordan 4 Designed by The Shoe Surgeon

Usher’s half-time show at Super Bowl LVIII hit harder than a 49ers linebacker. Featuring everyone from Alicia Keys to H.E.R. and Ludacris, Usher also pulled off one of the all-time great Super Bowl ‘fits – a bespoke designed by none other than Featuring more chrome than a War Boys’ post-apocalyptic rig, the shimmering Air Jordan 4 was reportedly crafted in just 48 hours. As if that wasn’t enough, Usher paired his Jays with a blinding ensemble made up of 394,000 embroidered crystal.

Air Jordan 3 ‘Black Cement’

One of the most legendary Jumpman sneakers on planet Earth, the Air Jordan 3 ‘Black Cement’ arrived to much fanfare in November. Of course, this one is dripping with historical significance. Back in the late 80s, Michael Jordan and Nike were teetering on the edge of Splitsville after the Air Jordan 2 shot an economic airball. Luckily, the Air Jordan 3 was a return to form for the Swoosh, and Michael Jordan’s purported move to adidas was relegated to fan fiction and alternate histories. One of the hallowed OG Air Jordan 3 colourways, the 'Black Cement' 2024 model live up to the superlative reputation of its predecessors, but we’re still happy to see this one back in the starting lineup.

A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3 'While You Were Sleeping'

Tastemakers turned up the luxe-o-meter with the Air Jordan 3 ‘While You Were Sleeping’ back in September. A celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary, every single detail exuded opulence – from the grosgrain suede to the flawless leather. As part of the launch, A Ma Maniére also included three sets of laces with ‘HARDER’ text on the aglets and special hang tags. One of the most powerful storytellers on the block, we can only cross our toes for plenty more A Ma Maniére Jumpman product in 2025.

Travis Scott’s Jumpman Jack

Jordan Brand’s most reliable hype man finally launched the Jumpman Jack (also known as the CJ1 T-Rexx) this year. A Frankenstein of styles from the Nike archive, the Jumpman Jack fused together elements of the Air Jordan 1 and both models that La Flame has worked on previously. Virtually uncoppable without a plug, the collaboration has arrived in three flavours in 2024 – ’Sail’, ‘University Red’ and ‘Dark Mocha’. It’s been an absolute rager for Travis Scott this year., with the 33-year-old rapper repping them onstage across the globe for the Circus Maximus Tour, which ended in New Zealand after grossing $200 million.

Air Jordan 4 ‘Bred Reimagined’

The Air Jordan 4 was a late-80s windmill slam by lord of the laces . Originally making its highly-anticipated debut at the NBA All-Star Game in 1989 (where MJ laced the ‘Black Cement’ colourway en route to 28 points), the Air Jordan 4 has never strayed too far from the Jumpman lineup. Of course, Air-heads were eagerly anticipating the ‘Bred Reimagined’ colourway this year. Replacing the OG nubuck material with black full-grain leather, it’s hard to fault this 2024 reimagining.

Jordan Tatum 3

may not have logged heavy minutes as part of Team USA’s gold medal-clinching campaign (CC: Steve Kerr), but his sneaker certainly made a splash in the City of Love and Lights. Featuring trippy, 90s-esque visuals and Cushlon 3.0 foam, it’s undoubtedly Tatum’s most impressive, expressionist design to date. The Jumpman need to stop leaning on their retro models to drive sales, and bold designs are going to be fundamental for the brand as we sink our teeth and toes into 2025. Bonus points for again incorporating the name of his son, Deuce.

Air Jordan 4 ‘Military Blue’

The Air Jordan 4 ‘Military Blue’ colourway holds a very, very special place in the hearts of sneakerheads. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the AJ4 ‘Military Blue’ originally arrived in 1989 as the only colourway of the AJ4 that didn’t match the red and black of the Chicago Bulls. More understated compared to its high-achieving siblings (the ‘Black Cement’ colourway accompanied Michael Jordan as he took flight across the free throw line, while the ‘White Cement’ found its glow-up alongside Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing), the ‘Military Blue’ composition nevertheless carved out its own fan base among sneakerheads. Thankfully, the 2024 shape was more in-line with the classic 1980s contours than some previous AJ4 'Military Blue’ retros and sneakerheads hoovered up the retro.

For more end of year content, check out our other roundups.