Air Jordan
Nike's Michael Jordan signature line, the foundation of modern sneaker culture. The Jumpman silhouette anchors every tag; production country and Nike pairing date the piece.
- Origin
- USA
- Founded
- 1985
- Category
- Athletic & Streetwear
- Documented eras
- 4
How Air Jordan labels evolved over time. Match the markers below against the tag in hand to place a garment in its era.
1985–1989
USA-Made Jumpman Tags
Paired with the Nike logo, the Jumpman often beside 'Flight', tags marked 'Made in U.S.A.' in red, black and white.
- Often paired with the Nike logo, indicating the strong association with Nike.
- Tags feature the iconic Jumpman logo, sometimes alongside “Flight.”
- Made in U.S.A. inscriptions, highlighting the American manufacturing origins.
- Simple color schemes with red, black, and white being predominant.
How to spot it
Jumpman with 'Made in U.S.A.' and Nike pairing.
Value signal
Grail; original 80s Jordans command serious collector money.
1990–1999
Detailed-Size Jumpman Tags
Larger tags with size and country detail, the Jumpman in white on black or red grounds, full care and fabric info added.
- Introduction of larger tags with more detailed manufacturing information.
- Tags include size indicators and “Made in U.S.A.” or other country designations.
- Jumpman logo remains a prominent feature, often in white on black or red backgrounds.
- Tags might include additional details like fabric composition and care instructions.
How to spot it
Jumpman on black or red with detailed size info.
Value signal
Strong; 90s OG retros hold serious resale.
2000–2009
Dark Multi-Language Tags
Bolder fonts and darker grounds, production shifting to India and China, Jumpman often paired with the Swoosh on multi-language size tags.
- Tags begin to showcase more modern designs with bolder fonts and darker colors.
- Introduction of tags that indicate different production countries like India and China.
- Consistent use of the Jumpman logo, sometimes paired with the Nike swoosh.
- Tags often include detailed size information in multiple languages.
How to spot it
Jumpman+Swoosh, often China or India make.
Value signal
Strong; condition and OG status drive value.
2010–2019
Streamlined Global-Make Tags
Sleeker minimalist tag layouts, Honduras and Malaysia make appearing, Jumpman in contrasting colours with multi-language care text.
- Tags reflect a more streamlined and minimalist design approach.
- Manufacturing locations diversify, with tags showing countries like Honduras and Malaysia.
- Jumpman logo remains central, often in contrasting colors for visibility.
- Tags may include production years and additional care instructions in multiple languages.
How to spot it
Streamlined modern Jordan tag, global make.
Value signal
Modern; hype-pair resale aside, priced on the shoe.