The 20 Rarest Air Jordans Ever Made

Few things in the sneaker world get people fired up more than exclusives. It could be a unique design made just for the athlete, a special release to benefit a charitable endeavor, or a one-off that gets fans activated in ways a general release would not be able to. The result is a passionate response that’s split down the middle. On one side of the fandom you’ve got the sneakerheads who love seeing unique takes on beloved models that’s out of the norm and on the other side are those who can’t stand them because they know they will never get a chance to own them. No matter what side you’re on, that’s why the brands keep making them; because they know it elicits something deep in the soul of their most dedicated followers.

Jordan Brand plays this game better than just about anybody. Starting with the Jordan 1 through 40, Jordan always makes special editions. It could be a one-of-one made for a legend or dozens that lace up an entire college football program; every time they get reported, it’s automatic engagement. But the fun isn’t always limited to the sneaker elites. Sometimes the public gets a chance to own these sneakers that many would consider grails. To be fair, the chances of actually owning them often is more difficult than beating Michael Beasley in a game of one-on-one, but at least there the opportunity was there. You just had to have the Sneaker Gods smiling upon you that day or deep pockets. Preferably you should have both luck and deep pockets to win to make it happen.

So let’s check out these ultra rare Jordans that were actually attainable by everybody at one point in time. To reiterate, this is not a listing of every Air Jordan player exclusive ever made. That would just be a list of a thousand one-of-ones, and that’s only counting the ones that have seen the light of day. This is a list of the rarest Air Jordans that were made available to the public at one point or another through Nike themselves, various auctions and raffles for charity, or other avenues. It doesn’t mean they were affordable or easy to find and buy, they just had to be made available. If you're curious on what the most expensive Jordans are, check out our most expensive sneakers of all time list!

1. Undefeated x Air Jordan 4

• Year Released: 2005
• Pairs Made: 72
• Available Thru: In-Store Raffle

Setting the bar that some feel has never been surpassed is the original Jordan collab, Undefeated’s Air Jordan 4 from 2005. Inspired by the MA-1 Flight Jacket of the 1950s, the olive green, black, and orange look became instantly iconic and recognizable. Two decades after its release, any time a new sneaker drops with a similar color scheme, they are immediately dubbed “Undefeateds” even though they are almost certainly not official collabs. And with the 20th anniversary retro on the horizon, what better way to kick this list off than with the one that started us down this path?

2. Air Jordan 5 Tokyo23

• Year Released: 2011
• Pairs Made: Less Than 1,000
• Available Thru: Jordan Tokyo23 in Shibuya

To celebrate the opening of the Jordan Tokyo23 store, they released a bold new colorway of the Air Jordan 5 that sits atop many people’s wishlists. While it does share some elements with the Lightning Air Jordan 4, the Tokyo23 stands out with its 3M reflective tongue, icy blue outsole, and unique “23” logo on the heel that uses its negative space to brilliant effect. Released right as sneaker culture was becoming mainstream, it’s a reflection of how sneakerheads used to operate before social media and reseller platforms. Instead of just logging on to your phone to buy these with a few taps on the screen, you had to make connections on message boards or literally book plane rides to Japan just to make it happen. With the 2025 retro just around the corner, it’s a sign of just how far we’ve come.

3. Dior x Air Jordan 1

• Year Released: 2020
• Pairs Made: 8,500
• Available Thru: Dior via Raffles

While 8,500 pairs made of both the High and Low versions might not technically be rare by the standards of this list, the fervor to get them during the pandemic era and their exorbitant price tag “buys” them a spot. Jordan Brand’s splashy entry into the world of high fashion changed the perception of Air Jordans forever. The colorway itself might be a relatively basic white and grey, but it’s the implementation of premium materials and the considered application of the Dior Oblique pattern on the swoosh that elevates them to a status symbol that everybody wanted to have. When the act of wearing these to a Presidential inauguration is headline material, that’s a success.

4. Air Jordan 4 Manila

• Year Released: 2020
• Pairs Made: 150
• Available Thru: Jordan Manila in BGC, Philippines

As part of the historic first Jordan Brand store in Manila, a special edition of the Air Jordan 4 that tapped into the heritage of the Philippines and its over seven thousand islands was released. It was a special moment for the country because of their unmatched love for the game of basketball. To help with the reveal of the sneaker, Jordan Brand also made history by signing Keifer Ravena, becoming the first Filipino-born athlete to sign with the brand. While not everybody who wanted them was able to get a pair at launch, it’s still a source of pride for the Filipino people to this day.

5. Air Jordan Legends Of The Summer Pack

• Year Released: 2013
• Pairs Made: 14 each
• Available Thru: Scavenger Hunt

Granted, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z teaming up for a summer stadium tour in 2025 would raise a lot of eyebrows. But in 2013? It was a must-see event. As part of the celebrity contingent at Jordan Brand, Timberlake was gifted exclusive red editions of the Air Jordans 1, 2, and 3 to wear while on tour. With only 14 pairs made each, a retail release or a raffle was out of the question. What wasn’t out of the question was Timberlake hiding them in different spots at the cities they toured in, leaving clues on his Instagram page for fans to chase after. Those who lucked out were rewarded with the sneakers, some of which were signed by Timberlake.

6. Air Jordan 5 Grape/Fresh Prince (Gold Satin Version)

• Year Released: 2018
• Pairs Made: 23
• Available Thru: Omaze Donations

In the pre-Slap, pre-Red Table Talk, pre-I Like Pretty Girls days of 2018, Will Smith was arguably the most beloved celebrity on social media. With his 50th birthday approaching, Smith teamed up with charity platform Omaze to offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to celebrate the big day with him. The part that sneakerheads remember the most is that there was also a consolation prize: the gold satin version of the Grape 5s, limited to only 23 made. Smith even recorded an unboxing video like he was a first time YouTuber. With over 1.7 million views to date, he’s getting close to Jacques Slade numbers.

7. Air Jordan 5 Black Metallic (Bel-Air PE)

• Year Released: 2023
• Pairs Made: 3
• Available Thru: NTWRK Giveaway

Possibly the deepest cut on this list is the laceless version of the Black Metallic 5s that dropped alongside the premiere of the second season of the Fresh Price reboot series Bel-Air. This reimagined Black Metallic 5 follows the formula of the 2018 Fresh Prince 5s that released sans laces to mimic what Will Smith wore on the show. However, these did not get a wide general release as only three pairs were made and only one was made available to the public via a raffle on the NTWRK app.

8. XX8 Days of Flight

• Year Released: 2013
• Pairs Made: 1 of each
• Available Thru: Social Media Giveaway

At the official reveal of the Air Jordan XX8 in New York in late 2012, Jordan Brand unveiled a never before seen complete collection of Air Jordans 1 through XX8 in black and stealth green. Unbeknownst to attendees, those same one-of-one Jordans would be given away on social media leading up to the launch of the XX8. Called the XX8 Days of Flight, people entered the giveaway by sharing pictures of their Js that matched up with the corresponding date. So somewhere out there is a lucky sneakerhead who took a picture of their Air Jordan 3s on February 3rd, 2013, and ended up winning the one-of-a-kind 3s.

9. Air Jordan XX Doernbecher

• Year Released: 2024
• Pairs Made: 21
• Available Thru: Sotheby’s Auction

Through sheer coincidence, the Air Jordan XX provided the perfect canvas to honor the over 100 young children who have participated in the Doernbecher Freestyle program. Remixed by Air Jordan XX designer Mark Smith, the laser cut imagery on the midfoot strap that represented Michael Jordan’s life and career achievements was replaced with initials and symbols of every kid who was part of the initiative. Winners of the 20 auctions also received an equally limited laser etched box to house the shoes and a matching t-shirt and bomber jacket. Technically, there’s actually 21 pairs in existence because at the 20th anniversary event, the artist proof version of the sneaker signed by Michael Jordan was auctioned separately and sold for $80,000.

10. Air Jordan 1 What The Doernbecher

• Year: 2021
• Pairs Made: 17
• Available Thru: eBay

There’s no doubt that the pair that sneakerheads look forward to the most in the yearly Doernbecher Freestyle Collection is the Air Jordan edition. In 2021, Nike created a “What The Doernbecher” Air Jordan 1 that combined elements of every Doernbecher Air Jordan up to that point. While one pair was auctioned off during the reveal party, the remaining 16 were up for grabs on eBay. In total, the auctions for the 17 pairs raised $565,069.88 for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

11. Air Jordan 10 Grimm Gala

Year: 2016

Pairs Made: 10 Total (5 Black, 5 White)

Available Thru: eBay

Running for six seasons, NBC fantasy crime drama Grimm imagines a world in which the characters from Grimm's Fairytales are real. Inspired by the duality of the colliding forces in the show, Tinker Hatfield created black and white versions of the Air Jordan 10 with unique collars embellishments for the Grimm Gala, a fundraising event for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. To make each pair even more special and encourage people to bid more at auction, each pair was signed by Tinker and Michael Jordan.

12. Dave White x Air Jordan 1 Wings For The Future (Gold)

Year: 2011

Pairs Made: 23

Available Thru: Sole Collector Auction

In the early days of the Jordan WINGS program, they tapped UK-based artist Dave White to create a special artistic rendition of the Air Jordan 1. Not to be confused with the black, white, and red pair that got a wider release a year later, this precursor Wings For The Future Jordan 1 features gold paint splattered across the toe and into the midfoot and recreates the American Flag’s stripes on the heel and collar in his own unique style. Proceeds from the auction went to one of the first Jordan WINGS partner schools, Inglewood High School in Southern California.

13. Spike Lee x Air Jordan 1 Fort Greene

• Year Released: 2017
• Pairs Made: Less than 100
• Available Thru: 40 Acres and a Mule HQ

Legendary director Spike Lee’s relationship with Nike and Michael Jordan began with the movie “She’s Gotta Have It.” Inspired by the Mars Blackmon character that Lee played in the movie, Nike’s ad agency Wieden+Kennedy paired up Lee/Mars with MJ and the rest is history. For the 30th anniversary in 2017, Spike dropped a super limited run of Jordan 1s in black and dark navy blue with various nods to Mars and the film. Sold at Spike’s 40 Acres and a Mule HQ in Brooklyn, the production run is speculated to be less than a hundred made.

14. Air Jordan 1 Charlotte Hornets Foundation

• Year: 2019
• Pairs Made: 300
• Available Thru: Auction (65 pairs), Raffle (10 pairs)

While every Air Jordan on this list is certainly rare by most definitions, only one was designed by the GOAT. A fundraising effort for the Charlotte Hornets Foundation during 2019's NBA All-Star Weekend, Michael Jordan designed these Air Jordan 1s with quilted leather construction in black and white. With 300 total in circulation, a number of pairs were given to friends of the brand. 65 were put up for auction with a buy it now price of $20,000 while the final 10 given away via raffles.

15. Air Jordan 11 RE2PECT

• Year: 2017
• Pairs Made: 5
• Available Thru: A Pop-Up Shop In Yankee Stadium

As the original Jordan Brand baseball athlete, Derek Jeter’s place at the table is secure. He delivered World Series wins while wearing Air Jordan cleats before anybody else thought to do so, and his signature Turn 2 line was a staple of the brand’s early years. During Jeter’s jersey retirement ceremony, Jordan Brand held a pop-up near Yankee Stadium and offered scratch off lottery tickets. The lucky five who won walked away with a blue suede Air Jordan 11 PE that is among rarest ever made. This is not to be confused with widely available Air Jordan 11 Low “RE2PECT” that is essentially a low cut version of the rare PE.

16. Eminem x Carhartt x Air Jordan 4

• Year Released: 2015
• Pairs Made: 10
• Available Thru: Auction

Despite having a very long history with the brand, Eminem’s myriad of Air Jordan collaborations have a habit of never making it to store shelves. Not even sure if they make it to the warehouses in Memphis, really. But in 2015, 10 pairs of the friends and family exclusive collab with Carhartt made their way to auction, raising $227,000 for Michigan State University’s Community Music School. Standout features of these 4s include a canvas upper, chrome eyelets, the reverse “E” Eminem logo and a stylized hockey mask on the heel tabs, and the Shady Records branding on the tongue

17. Eminem x Air Jordan 2 The Way I Am

• Year Released: 2008
• Pairs Made: 313
• Available Thru: Jordan Flight Club

An homage to one of his most iconic singles, “The Way I Am” 2s was released via Jordan Flight Club, an exclusive online hub reserved for only the “most dedicated” of Jordan fans (this is code for they bought a lot of Jordan products online). Of those Flight Club members, only 313 were able to score a pair of Slim Shady’s beloved collaboration. It also included a matching t-shirt, which might actually be rarer than the shoes in 2025.

18. Eminem x Air Jordan 4 Encore (2017)

• Year Released: 2017
• Pairs Made: 23*
• Available Thru: StockX Raffle

It’s not often you get a retro or a re-issue of an already exclusive sneaker, but that’s what happened in late 2017 when Eminem and Jordan Brand brought back the Encore 4s. With slightly altered shades of blue and grey so no one mistakes them for the 2005 originals, one pair was handed off to StockX along with other personal items from Eminem’s collection as part of a raffle. Proceeds from the promotion benefitted the Marshall Mathers Foundation to help fund Detroit community efforts.

*As Shady himself mentions in the video promoting the giveaway, 23 pairs were made, but only 22 made it to him. “Mr. 23” has pair #23. Take a wild guess who “Mr. 23” is.

19. Air Jordan 4 Wahlburgers

• Year Released: 2018
• Pairs Made: 46-76
• Available Thru: Raffle

The world may never know how rare the Wahlburger 4s are. Created as a one-off friends and family exclusive for Mark Wahlberg to celebrate his chain of Wahlburgers restaurants, the actor/businessman/early riser/Funky Bunch member claims on an episode of Sneaker Shopping that 23 pairs went to him and 23 went to Michael Jordan. However, an additional 30 pairs were made available to help raise funds for victims and first responders of the California wildfire disaster of 2018. So does that mean Wahlberg and Jordan collectively donated 30 pairs or did Jordan Brand make 30 more for the cause?

20. Air Jordan Kobe Retirement Pack

• Year Released: 2016
• Pairs Made: 1 of each in black and white
• Available Thru: Auction

The late Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour during the 2015-16 NBA season took him all the way to Toronto for All-Star Weekend. As part of the festivities, he was gifted two complete sets of Air Jordans 1-30 by then-Jordan Brand President Larry Miller; one in white to keep and another in black to auction off for the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation. It even says in the Nike press release that’s still on the website to this day, “the white set will undoubtedly be featured in Bryant’s home.” Well, fast forward a year later and the white set was also put up for auction, but with two glaring differences. The Air Jordan 3 and 8 that were remakes of the PEs that Kobe wore during his sneaker free agency in 2003 were swapped out for all-white pairs. While Heritage Auctions maintains the collection was the same gift that was given to Bryant, it’s unclear to this day how it ended up on the block and who listed it.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. After recently getting into Formula 1, he now has hot takes about who the greatest driver of all time is. Email: juan@soleretriever.com