The Best Air Jordan Releases of 2026 So Far, Ranked

2026 has been a strong year for Jordan Brand: archive colourways back after long absences, a 1999 sample released for the first time, and collaborations from fragment design, Union LA and Awake NY. Our number one pick of the Air Jordan releases of 2026 so far is the Air Jordan 1 High OG from fragment design and Union LA in Varsity Red and Sport Royal, style code IO7847-002.

The Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP x Fragment x Union LA 'Varsity Red Sport Royal' leads our list and sits in the Air Jordan range live now at PUSHAS, where every pair is authenticated by hand. The rest of our picks span the Air Jordan 1 Low, 4, 5, 6 and 11.

What 2026 brought for Jordan

Three threads run through the year. The archive: the Air Jordan 5 'Black University Blue' and the Air Jordan 11 Low 'University Blue' came back after long absences. The vault: the Air Jordan 6 'Reverse Infrared Salesman' was a 1999 sample that had never released. And collaboration, with Hiroshi Fujiwara's fragment design and Union LA sharing an Air Jordan 1, and Awake NY marking the Air Jordan 6's 35th anniversary.

How we ranked them

These are our editorial picks, judged on colour blocking, materials, the story behind each pair and how easily it wears.

1. Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP x Fragment x Union LA 'Varsity Red Sport Royal'

The fragment x Union LA Air Jordan 1 High OG brings two of Jordan Brand's most respected partners together on one shoe. Style code IO7847-002 comes in Black, White, Varsity Red and Sport Royal, and it draws on fragment design's 2014 Air Jordan 1. Union's details include visible stitching around the collar and logos from both labels at the collar and heel.

It launched online on 14 February 2026 ahead of a wider release on 27 February, as the lead shoe of a three-shoe collection. It tops our list because it combines both partners' design references in a clean colour scheme.

2. Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Reverse Infrared Salesman'

Collectors know it as the 'Reverse Infrared': a 1999 salesman sample of the Air Jordan 6 that never went to public release. The Reverse Infrared Salesman finally arrived on 14 February 2026 under style code CT8529-001. It has a black upper but flips the blocking of the Black Infrared, with far more Infrared across the midsole.

It is a piece of Air Jordan 6 history in a colour scheme that had never reached shelves before.

3. Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Awake NY Midnight Navy'

Angelo Baque's Awake NY built the Air Jordan 6 'Midnight Navy', style code IQ5706-400, for the model's 35th anniversary, returning to Jordan Brand after its Air Jordan 5 work in 2025. The official colourway is Midnight Navy, Infrared 23, Game Royal and Light Blue, and the shoe carries Awake NY's 'A' logo.

The idea behind it is the bootleg: exaggerated colour blocking and unconventional stitching that look unofficial at first glance, finished in premium leather. It released through Awake NY on 23 August 2026 before a wider launch on 29 August.

4. Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lakers'

The Air Jordan 4 'Lakers', style code FV5029-500, debuted early at NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles before its release on 7 March 2026. Imperial Purple covers the upper, with black and grey on the netting and gold in small flashes.

The Los Angeles reference comes through the colour scheme.

5. Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Black University Blue'

The Black University Blue (DD0587-008) returned on 20 June 2026, 20 years after it first released in 2006 as part of Jordan Brand's Lifestyle Series. A black nubuck upper carries University Blue accents, with a 3M reflective tongue, translucent mesh side panels and an icy outsole, all close to the 2006 original.

The black base keeps it easy to wear, and the University Blue accents add contrast.

6. Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Laser Black University Red'

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Laser' (IV6750-001) released on 22 August 2026 in Black, University Red, Palomino and Summit White. Its black upper is covered in laser-etched artwork, with University Red on the tongue branding.

The Laser treatment dates back to 2005, and the etched detail is easiest to see up close.

7. Air Jordan 11 Retro Low 'University Blue'

The Air Jordan 11 Low 'University Blue' (FV5104-100) returned on 18 April 2026. The colourway first appeared in 2001 and last released in 2017, and it keeps the classic formula: a white upper, a University Blue patent leather mudguard and an icy translucent outsole.

It is the warm-weather pick here.

8. Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Banned'

The Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Banned' (IW6276-001) released in May 2026 in black and red, the colour blocking behind the Air Jordan 1's 'Banned' story. The detail that sets it apart is the red X on the heel, carried over from the 2011 Air Jordan 1 High 'Banned'.

How it fits

Fit varies by model, so check the Air Jordan size guide for measurements by model before you choose.

Which pair is built for you

Shoe	Built for	Wear it with
fragment x Union LA Air Jordan 1 High OG	Clean colour with a collaboration story	Chinos or straight denim and a plain crewneck
Air Jordan 6 'Reverse Infrared Salesman'	Archive history in black	Black cargos and a heavyweight tee
Awake NY Air Jordan 6 'Midnight Navy'	Blue on blue with a collector's story	Washed navy denim and a grey hoodie
Air Jordan 4 'Lakers'	Team colours in purple and gold	Black denim and a single gold accent
Air Jordan 5 'Black University Blue'	A black 5 with a bright lining	Black fleece or dark cargos
Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Laser'	Detail that shows up close	Relaxed trousers and a white tee
Air Jordan 11 Low 'University Blue'	Summer shine	Shorts and a white or light blue tee
Air Jordan 1 Low OG 'Banned'	Black and red on a low-top	Cropped denim and a black overshirt

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 27 September 2026. Every item below is live now at PUSHAS.

• Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG SP x Fragment x Union LA 'Varsity Red Sport Royal': in stock
• Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Reverse Infrared Salesman': in stock
• Air Jordan 6 Retro 'Awake NY Midnight Navy': in stock
• Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lakers': in stock
• Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Black University Blue': in stock
• Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Laser Black University Red': in stock
• Air Jordan 11 Retro Low 'University Blue': in stock
• Air Jordan 1 Retro Low OG 'Banned': in stock

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price.

For a closer look at one model, read our best Air Jordan 5 colourways or the Air Jordan 5 'Black University Blue' release specs.

FAQ

What are the best Jordans of 2026 so far?

Our number one pick is the Air Jordan 1 High OG from fragment design and Union LA in Varsity Red and Sport Royal, style code IO7847-002. The Air Jordan 6 'Reverse Infrared Salesman' is second.

Which Jordan releases in 2026 brought back older colourways?

The Air Jordan 5 'Black University Blue' returned on 20 June 2026, 20 years after it first released in 2006. The Air Jordan 11 Low 'University Blue' returned on 18 April 2026, after debuting in 2001 and last releasing in 2017.

What is the Air Jordan 6 'Reverse Infrared Salesman'?

It is a 1999 salesman sample that never went to public release, finally released on 14 February 2026 under style code CT8529-001.

What new Jordans released in 2026 as collaborations?

The fragment design x Union LA Air Jordan 1 High OG released in February 2026, and the Awake NY Air Jordan 6 'Midnight Navy' released in August 2026 to mark the Air Jordan 6's 35th anniversary.

Are all the 2026 Jordans on this list in stock?

Yes. Every pair on this list is live now at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand.