Released: 1986
The Air Jordan 2 was released in 1986 and marked a sharp departure from the rugged, basketball-first aesthetic of the AJ1. Designed by Bruce Kilgore (famous for the Air Force 1) and Peter Moore, the AJ2 was the first Jordan model to embrace luxury fashion design cues — it was made in Italy with premium leather, a faux lizard skin upper, and no Nike Swoosh on the upper. This was a bold signal that Jordan Brand was aiming not just at athletes, but at the emerging lifestyle and fashion market.
Michael Jordan wore the AJ2 during the 1986–87 season, a year in which he came back from injury and absolutely dominated: averaging 37.1 points per game and earning his first NBA scoring title. Even though the Bulls were still a team on the rise, MJ was unstoppable — and the AJ2 was along for the ride.
Design Elements
- Made in Italy with high-end leather and faux lizard skin
- No Nike Swoosh branding — a statement of MJ’s standalone brand power
- Sleeker, dress-shoe-inspired profile
- Full-length Air-Sole unit for cushioning
- Wing logo on the tongue
Key Moments
- 1986–87 NBA season: Michael averaged 37.1 PPG — still the highest of his career
- 1987 Slam Dunk Contest: Jordan wore the AJ2 while finishing second to Dominique Wilkins
- Cemented MJ’s ability to draw attention even on a non-playoff-contending team
Cultural Impact
The AJ2 is often viewed as the black sheep of the early Jordan line, partly due to its luxurious styling and partly because it didn’t have a flashy commercial campaign like the AJ1. However, it has grown in stature over time among sneakerheads for exactly those reasons. Its Italian craftsmanship, minimalist branding, and fashion-forward design laid the groundwork for Jordans to be seen as more than just performance shoes.
While not as hyped at launch, retros of the AJ2 — especially collabs with Off-White, Union, and J Balvin — have reestablished the model’s legacy. Sneakerheads now appreciate it as the moment Jordan Brand dared to go upscale.