The Air Jordan 7, a legendary sneaker in the Jordan Brand lineup, continues to captivate sneaker enthusiasts and basketball fans alike. Since its debut in 1992, this iconic silhouette has been synonymous with style, performance, and the indomitable spirit of Michael Jordan.
Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 7 showcases a fusion of artistry and performance. Its distinctive design elements include a neoprene inner bootie, encapsulated Air cushioning, and a unique geometric pattern inspired by African tribal art. The combination of premium materials and attention to detail make the Air Jordan 7 a true masterpiece.
Built for on-court dominance, the Air Jordan 7 is equipped with features that elevate your game. The neoprene bootie provides a secure and comfortable fit, while the encapsulated Air units in the heel and forefoot deliver responsive cushioning and impact protection. The herringbone traction pattern on the outsole ensures exceptional grip and quick multidirectional movements, giving you the confidence to conquer the court.
1992 was a big year for Michael Jordan and the Air Jordan 7. He would lace up various colorways throughout the 1991-92 NBA season, en route to his second NBA Championship with the Chicago Bulls. He would then go on to assemble the Dream Team, leading Team USA to a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games held in Barcelona. For its ad campaign, Nike and Warner Bros. teamed up to launch Hare Jordan, alongside Bugs Bunny of Looney Tunes fame.
Needless to say, the Air Jordan 7 (VII) is a timeless sneaker that has appeal on and off the basketball court. Ahead of the upcoming release of the Air Jordan 7 Retro White Infrared, follow along as we break down the best Jordan 7's of all time.
10. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Ray Allen"
Released in 2019, the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Ray Allen” was inspired by Sugar Ray’s player exclusive from 2002 while he played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Slightly different, Ray’s original PE version features an all-leather upper with hits of silver and purple. The released pair sports nubuck on the upper with the silver and purple hits swapped. They also include dark green hits on the outsoles and throughout the tongue. Finishing things off is Allen’s logo printed on the insoles.
9. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Cardinal"
One of five original colorways of the Air Jordan 7, the “Cardinal” edition tends to receive the most slack. While there is nothing wrong with this colorway, there’s not that makes it stand out, either. Retroed in 2006, 2011, and then again in 2022, each iteration flew under the radar, sitting on store shelves well after its launch date. Even though it stacks up last to its OG counterparts, it reigns supreme over newer Air Jordan 7 Retro colorways, such as the “Afrobeats,” “Marvin The Martian,“ and “White Infrared.”
8. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Chambray"
The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Chambray” was one of the first “LS” (lifestyle) releases from Jordan Brand. A limited release in 2006, this Air Jordan 7 Retro was released alongside matching apparel and was available at what Nike called “urban accounts” back then. Urban accounts are the equivalent of NBHD stores of today. Made to cater more to the community, not big box stores like Foot Locker or Finishline. The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Chambray” quickly became a fan favorite with its slick, black-based upper and grey and light blue accents. Very sought after, Jordan Brand decided to re-release this colorway in 2023 to the excitement of many fans.
7. Trophy Room x Air Jordan 7 Retro "New Sheriff In Town"
There’s a new sheriff in town. Drawing inspiration from the infamous Greatest Game Nobody Ever Saw, the Trophy Room x Air Jordan 7 Retro pays homage to the notorious Dream Team scrimmage in Monte Carlo during the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. Sporting a USA-themed design, red, white, and blue cover most of the sneaker, finished off by metallic gold detailing. Other unique details include the multi-color back heel pull tab, MJ’s signature debossed on the heels, custom printed insoles, and special edition packaging. All of that, combined with this being a collaboration with Trophy Room, made this Air Jordan 7 Retro an overnight classic.
6. Air Jordan 7 Retro Premio "Bin23"
This Air Jordan 7 Retro Premio is a part of the “Bin23” series. Made to elevate releases with premium materials, this Air Jordan 7 Retro was limited to 2,059 individually numbered pairs. The colorway draws inspiration from Tinker Hatfield’s original sketch of the Air Jordan 7 and African basket weaving. The Bin23 wax seal is found in red on the back heels. Furthering the premium vibe, each pair came in dust bags with wooden Jumpman-branded shoe trees.
5. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Hare"
Eh, what’s up, doc? In 1992, Michael Jordan partnered with Warner Bros. and teamed up with Bugs Bunny on a special “Hare Jordan'' ad campaign. The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Hare'' represents MJ and the fictional Looney Tunes character. White leather overlays, light silver nubuck underlays, red accents, and a multi-color Neoprene tongue tie everything together. This pair has become synonymous with Bugs Bunny, spawning off an actual “Hare 2.0” colorway, complete with faux fur on the upper.
4. Air Jordan 7 Retro OC "Miro"
The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Miro” was inspired by Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird), a sculpture in Barcelona by Spanish artist Joan Miró. It was released in 2008 as a part of the “Olympic Celebration” Collection, made to commemorate the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Limited to less than 1,000 pairs, the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Miro” was released exclusively overseas, never making it stateside. Its unique design on the upper and bottom of the outsole, paired with matching laces and custom packing, made this Air Jordan 7 Retro one of the most sought-after pairs.
3. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Raptors"
Love it or hate it, this original colorway of the Air Jordan 7 Retro will forever be known as the “Raptors” edition. The amusing aspect is that the nickname for this pair originated from a new wave of sneakerheads in the early 2000s, despite the Toronto Raptors not even being in existence at the time of its release in 1992. It was originally known as the “Charcoal” or “Away” edition as Michael Jordan rocked them during road games and the 1992 NBA Finals en route to his first back-to-back championship with the Chicago Bulls. The combination of a black-based upper with red and purple accents made the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Raptors” a fan favorite. No matter how many times it has been re-released, people still anticipate its comeback, with many still waiting for its next return.
2. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Olympic"
When Michael Jordan joined Team USA and helped form the Dream Team for the 1992 Olympics, he laced up a special colorway of the Air Jordan 7. Inspired by the national colors of the USA, the red, white, and blue theme hits on all cylinders. The white leather underlays pair perfectly with the silver overlays on the upper. The red, white, and blue accents, along with hits of metallic gold, highlight the design. Representing MJ’s Team USA number, “9” is found on the back heels instead of the traditional “23.” The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Olympic” has been retroed various times over the past 20+ years and is still a pair the fans ask for annually.
1. Air Jordan 7 Retro "Bordeaux"
Nike and Jordan Brand have continued to release new colorways with each Air Jordan release. While most pairs usually come in traditional Chicago Bulls colors and a unique “All-Star” edition, one or two others test the boundaries of what fans expect to see from an Air Jordan. The Air Jordan 4 brought us “Military Blue,” “Grape” was introduced with the Air Jordan 5, “New Maroon” and “Sport Blue” accented the Air Jordan 6, and for the Air Jordan 7, “Bordeaux.”
The Air Jordan 7 Retro “Bordeaux” blends black and grey on a nubuck-based upper. Instead of red, a maroon-like Bordeaux accented this pair of Air Jordan 7s. It was the last original colorway of the Air Jordan 7 to be retroed and was last seen in 2015. While most fan favorites of classic Air Jordan models usually come in white, red, and black, the Air Jordan 7 Retro “Bordeaux” reigns supreme over all Air Jordan 7s with its sleek two-tone design and colorway.
In this article
Steve Jaconetta is the Head of Content based out of Connecticut. An encyclopedia for sneaker releases, he's covered the industry for over fifteen years. His stops have included Sole Collector, Complex, and StockX, to name a few. He considers the Air Jordan 11 Concord the greatest sneaker of all time and has a strong affection for 80s pop culture. Email: steve@soleretriever.com
