The sneaker industry is always growing, and we love to see that. But we gotta give credit for the legacies that led to the industry blowing up the way it did. And when we talk about legacies when it comes to kicks, one brand immediately comes to mind. Jordan Brand and Nike certainly set the tone for how exclusivity and hype work. However, unless you’re a die-hard sneakerhead, it’s easy to forget about the silhouette that paved the way for Air Jordans. You see, the Nike Air Ship was the OG before OGs became a thing. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and get to know the silhouette anew, shall we?
Before the Jordan 1, There Was the Nike Air Ship
History time! We’re gonna take it step by step for the newbies reading. So, back in 1985, Jordan showed up wearing a black and red pair of sneakers. This pair violated the rules of the NBA, so they warned MJ that he’d get a fine if he kept wearing them. He did, and Nike agreed to pay that fine and defy the rules, and in turn, revolutionize the sneaker game. Naturally, that reputation went to the “Banned” black and red Jordan 1. The Banned or Jordan 1 Bred became as iconic as the man who wore it.
That’s what Nike capitalized on through their very short and on-point commercial. And if the Swoosh is good at anything, it’s to tell the right stories through their commercials. However, this story in reality belongs to a different silhouette. And while it is a different shoe, the Nike Air Ship was the blueprint for the creation of the Air Jordan 1!
Legend has it that special makeups of the Nike Air Ship were available for Michael Jordan. And by legend, we mean the sneaker designer Peter Moore. Yep, totally that one. Nike applied some alterations to the kicks to fit the GOAT. Whatever happened to these kicks, nobody knows. Well, MJ probably gave them to people, which leads us to the following info.
Nike Air Ship Finally Gets the Recognition It Deserves!
So, the Nike Air Ship practically disappeared after the Air Jordan line took over. However, the sneaker industry loves game-worn sneakers, and many are willing to pay tons of money for them. And well, that was proven true once again when a pair of Air Ships got auctioned off at Sotheby’s for $1.472 million! You see, according to the website, this pair is the one MJ wore during his 5th NBA game as a rookie. This makes it the earliest known pair that he wore during his NBA career! If you wanna know what the most expensive sneaker auctions are, check this out.
The Air Ship Becomes a Staple in the Industry
Although 2020 was a hard year generally, it was also a pivotal year in the sneaker industry. So many fire releases came out, including one reissue that everyone fell in love with. You see, the Swoosh decided to bring back the Nike Air Ship with a bang! The kicks made their big intro through the New Beginnings pack which included a red and white Jordan 1 High alongside the Air Ships. The pack retailed for $350 but is currently worth a whopping average of $964 on the aftermarket!
From that day on, the Nike Air Ship became a staple among Nike releases. From hot collabs to new colorways, the silhouette is the gift that keeps on giving! Oh, and Nike played it smart and kinda renamed the kicks. So today, we have the Nike Jordan Air Ship as a nod to the silhouette’s history. Now, let’s check out some of our favorite colorways that every sneakerhead should have in their collection.
Our Favorite Nike Jordan Air Ship Colorways
Last Notes Before We Go
It’s amazing how one pair of shoes can change a whole culture. And that’s exactly what the Air Jordan did along with the Nike Air Ship in the background. But as sneakerheads, we’re always looking forward to new kicks to love! So keep your attention on our blog for the latest sneaker and botting news. After all, whenever hot new kicks are about to hit the market, everybody wants to catch ‘em first. That’s why you’ll need a good sneaker bot to have the upper hand on drop day! Luckily, NSB3 is one click away and ready to help you out big time. Godspeed!
