Air Jordan 13 Sizing, Fit and Comfort Guide

Michael Jordan’s final year as a member of the Chicago Bulls is bittersweet. He was able to ride off into the sunset as an NBA champion once more, securing the Bulls’ third consecutive victory in the NBA Finals in 1998, marking the second three-peat of his career. His second “retirement” didn’t last too long, and we’re still trying to erase Jordan’s two years with the Wizards in the early 2000s, but that final year as a Bull also brought with it the release of the Air Jordan 13.

Designed by none other than Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 13 drew inspiration from black cats, specifically panthers. Hatfield likened MJ’s on-court playing style to that of the fierce jungle predator, and brought features like the panther’s pawprints to the outsole and a cat eye to the upper. Inside, the shoe featured a carbon fiber plate and Zoom Air cushioning, encased within a Phylon midsole.

During the Air Jordan 13s original run in 1997 and 1998, the model was released in seven different colorways, including the high-top Black Toe, Chicago, Flint, Playoff, and Bred, and two low-tops, one in Carolina Blue and another in Chutney. Jordan Brand would first retro the sneaker from 2004 to 2005, then again in 2008 as part of the Countdown Pack. More retro releases hit shelves in 2010, 2011, and from 2013 onward, it became a near regular part of the release calendar.

That Black Toe colorway we mentioned earlier now goes by the nickname “He Got Game,” a reference to Spike Lee’s film of the same name. In the movie, Denzel Washington’s Jake Shuttlesworth wears a pair of the AJ 13 Black Toes, and it’s forever associated with the character and film.

If you’re interested in copping a pair of Air Jordan 13s, you’ll want to make sure you get the correct size. Follow along with our Air Jordan 13 Sizing Guide so you get all the answers about Jordan 13 sizing, how the AJ 13 fits, and more. You can also check out the best Air Jordan 13 colorways here.

Different Types of Air Jordan 13s

Jordan Brand introduced the Air Jordan 13 to the world first in high-top form, but they also offered a low-top version during the silhouette’s original run. It’s definitely a rarer variant of the sneaker, as since 2017, we’ve only seen seven different AJ 13 Lows drop, including the Dongdan and CLOT collabs, the OG Chutney, and a Singles Day colorway.

Aside from these different cuts, the model has also been released in golf and cleated versions, using different tooling to allow the AJ 13 to be worn for football, baseball, or golf. The standard cleated version hasn’t hit shelves since 2018, with the golf version last releasing a year prior in 2017.

Are Air Jordan 13s Comfortable?

Thanks to its Zoom Air and Phylon foam midsole, the Air Jordan 13 is comfortable to wear. It provides a plush feeling, and the padded interior and leather construction help the shoe feel great on foot. It does lack a bit of breathability, but not so much that it’s unbearable. You’ll have no problems wearing the shoe all day long, though, considering the shoe is from nearly 30 years ago, there are more comfortable options.

Do Air Jordan 13s Fit True to Size?

Jordan 13s, like most Air Jordan shoes, will fit true to size. Some prefer to go down a half size in order to loose-lace their sneakers, but even going true to size you will be fine to do this. It’s also a bit forgiving for those wider feet, so unless they’re noticeably wider, going true to size should be ok.

Air Jordan 13 Fit Tips and Recommendations

Even though the Jordan 13 is traditionally found in a higher cut, it’s not a shoe you necessarily need to wear with pants. There are plenty of outfits that go well with the Jordan 13 that have shorts, and because the shoe is so recognizable, it’ll stand out.

Air Jordan 13 Sizing Compared

We’ve compared the Air Jordan 13 to other popular Air Jordan sneakers so you can better gauge how the shoe will fit you personally.

Air Jordan 1 vs. Air Jordan 13

Mike’s first sneaker, the Air Jordan 1, is far behind the Air Jordan 13, both in age and comfort. The Jordan 1 features a rubber midsole with minimal Air cushioning in the heel, and in all honesty, it’s not a great shoe to wear for going out and about. Both the Jordan 1 and Jordan 13 will fit true to size.

Air Jordan 4 vs. Air Jordan 13

The Air Jordan 4 is now one of the more comfortable retro Air Jordans thanks to the retooling by Nike SB, but it doesn’t come close to the AJ 13. The added Zoom Air and Phylon midsole give the Air Jordan 13 the advantage in the comfort department. Luckily, like most Jordan shoes, the Air Jordan 4 will fit true to size like the AJ 13.

Air Jordan 11 vs. Air Jordan 13

MJ started his second three-peat with the Bulls wearing the Air Jordan 11, a sneaker that he has stated is his favorite. Both shoes come in high-top form, with the internal tooling quite similar. Zoom Air, Phylon foam, and a carbon fiber shank are used inside the AJ 11 and AJ 13, and on top of the similar cushioning, both sneakers will fit true to size.

Air Jordan 14 vs. Air Jordan 13

Michael Jordan ended his career with the Chicago Bulls in the Air Jordan 13. Scratch that, it technically was the then-unreleased Air Jordan 14. MJ premiered the sneaker during the ‘98 NBA Finals while the sneaker was still in development, and the black and red colorway he wore in his last shot for the Bulls has gone down as one of the most iconic Jordans. Both shoes use Phylon foam, Zoom Air, and a midfoot shank, but the AJ 14 switches things up a bit. The Zoom Air unit is split between a forefoot and heel unit and the midfoot shank is now constructed with TPU. You’ll have no problems with comfort for either sneaker, and both will fit true to size.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com