The Top 10 Air Jordan 5 Colorways

Launched in 1990 at the height of Jordan’s prime, the Air Jordan 5 is a Tinker Hatfield masterpiece. Inspired by World War II fighter jets and Jordan’s aggressive game, the icy soled fifth shoe in the Jumpman legacy became an instant icon, cemented into pop culture with Mike’s dominant year wearing them and Will Smith’s penchant for 5s in the first season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. First retroed in 2000, 5s have found their way back to shelves steadily since.

The Air Jordan 5 is back in a major way this year, and with the Retro Fire Red Black Tongue dropping this week, we figured it was the perfect time to look back at our top 10 Jordan 5s of all time. Did your favorite make the cut?

10. Air Jordan 5 Retro Wolf Grey

Release Date: 2011 (OG), 2026 (Retro)

Another 2011 heater alongside the Tokyo and BIN 5s, the Wolf Grey Jordan 5 is a nubuck classic in monochrome grey that matches literally everything. We mean it, you can wear these shoes with anything. Don’t believe us? Try it when it gets retroed again next year.

9. Air Jordan 5 Retro Laney

Release Date: 2000 (OG), 2013 (Retro)

First released in 2000, the Laney 5 was inspired by Jordan’s high school and its blue and yellow jerseys, and instantly became a cult favorite colorway. Consider us in the cult.

8. Air Jordan 5 Retro Green Bean

Release Date: 2006 (OG), 2022 (Retro)

The Green Bean is a hate-it-or-love-it colorway, and on this side, we’re in the love-it camp. Leaning into the reflective tongue legacy of the 5, the entire Green Bean shines bright. This 2006 drop was retroed in 2022, and we’ve still got a few pairs on ice.

7. Supreme x Air Jordan 5 Pack

Release Date: 2015

One of the most prolific collaborators in the industry, the 2015 Supreme Jordan 5 pack featured a black, white, and camo pair, all with a Supreme logo cutting across the side panel netting and a 94 on the heel. All three pairs were great, but it’s the camo pair that stands out from the pack.

6. Air Jordan 5 Retro Tokyo

Release Date: 2011 (OG), 2025 (Retro)

A modern classic from 2011, the yellow suede Tokyo 5 was released exclusively at the opening of the Jordan Tokyo 23 store. Tokyo’s have been going for insane prices on the resale market ever since, but the shoe is finally getting the retro treatment later this month. See you on SNKRS.

5. Air Jordan 5 Retro Raging Bull

Release Date: 2009 (DMP), 2021 (Retro)

We’ve got a thing for suede. Inspired by the running of the bulls in Spain and Jordan’s running of the Bulls in Chicago, the all-red suede 5 was released in 2009 alongside a black pair as the DMP (Defining Moments Pack) and rereleased in 2021.

4. Off-White x Air Jordan 5 Pack

Release Date: February 2020 (Black Metallic), October 2020 (Sail)

A staple on so many top 10 lists, Virgil took the 5 and poked holes in it, cutting circles out of the upper and shifting a Black Metallic and Fire Red inspiration into two perfect colorways. In a packed field of heat, the Off White 5s stand out as one of Virgil’s best.

3. Air Jordan 5 Grape

Release Date: 1990 (OG), 2006 (Retro), 2013 (Retro), 2018 (Fresh Prince), 2025 (Retro)

There have been a lot of Jordan 5 colorways, but nothing beats the OGs. Putting purple and teal accents on the white upper, the Grape 5 will always be remembered for its appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and is a must-cop retro every time it drops.

2. Air Jordan 5 Fire Red Black Tongue

Release Date: 1990 (OG), 2013 (Retro), 2025 (Retro)

This pair did see the Finals court in 1991 on the way to Jordan’s first title. Another OG, this time taking the Fire Red Bulls colorway and adding a black tongue instead of silver, throwing Jordan’s 23 on the heel, and switching the midsole to red, might be the best red and black shoe ever made…alright, top 3.

1. Air Jordan 5 Black Metallic OG

Release Date: 1990 (OG), 2000 (Retro), 2007 (Retro), 2011 (Retro), 2016 (Retro), 2025 (Reimagined)

One of the four OG colorways in the 1990 release, the Jordan 5 Black Metallic was legendary on the court. Mike laced up the classic metallic grey tongue pair during the 1990 All-Star game and throughout that year’s playoff run. Sadly, we never got to see the 5s in the Finals that year. Thanks for nothing, Detroit.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com