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The Ultimate Air Jordan 2 FAQ

January 24, 2023 7:18 PM
Profile picture of Mariëlle Rezelman
By Mariëlle Rezelman
Content Marketer
The Ultimate Air Jordan 2 FAQ
Updated at
February 6, 2025

The History of the Air Jordan 2

After the popularity of the Air Jordan 1, Nike wanted to create a shoe that had a more luxurious look. By creating an exclusive sneaker using materials of the highest quality, they achieved this in the Air Jordan 2, which came out in 1986.

Designed by Peter Moore and Bruce Kilgore, the first design had a premium leather upper made from imitation iguana skin, for an elegant touch. The sneaker was also made in Italy, further highlighting Nike’s strategy.

The design of the AJ2 had lost the signature Swoosh on the side, and it also didn’t feature the visible Air unit, which was a hallmark of the Air Jordan 1. It emphasised a streamlined, clean-cut silhouette, with a minimalistic look, and elegant touches like deco stitching and smooth lines.

For the first time in the sport’s history, high-end fashion was combined with basketball. It’s no surprise Michael Jordan reached several milestones while wearing the Air Jordan 2. The model was seen on court during the 86/87 season.

The AJ2 debuted in three colorways, the ‘White/Black/Red’, ‘White/Black/Silver’, and ‘Black/Red’.

While the AJ2 never saw the popularity of the AJ1 and was later overshadowed by the release of the AJ3, it helped shape the direction of future luxury sneakers and laid important groundwork for the evolution of the Jordan brand.

Some notable collaborations saw a rise of interest in the model in recent years, including with Off-White in 2021, KAWS in 2018, and Don C in 2014.

Off-White X Air Jordan 2 Low SP 'White'

The brand continued to innovate with the arrival of the Air Jordan 2/3 in 2024. This sneaker design is a unique fusion of two iconic models, combining the upper of the Air Jordan 2 Low with the sole of the Air Jordan 3. This new design honours the heritage of the past while looking towards the future, with its first two colorways appearing in 'White & Black' and 'Black Metallic Silver'.

Air Jordan 2/3 'Black & White'

Air Jordan 2: Answering Your Questions

When was the Air Jordan 2 first released?

The AJ2 was first seen in 1986, shortly after the Air Jordan was released in 1985. It came in three colorways, ‘White/Black/Red’, ‘White/Black/Silver’, and ‘Black/Red’.

Who designed the Air Jordan 2?

Peter Moore and Bruce Kilgore designed the Air Jordan 2. They gave it a more luxurious look than the first model, with a premium leather upper, no visible Air unit, and no Swoosh.

How does the Air Jordan 2 fit?

The Air Jordan 2 is known to fit true to size, with a roomy toe box. People with wider feet may find the midfoot slightly tight, so might consider sizing up half a size for comfort.

How do you clean Air Jordan 2?

An Air Jordan 2 is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, use one of the following combinations:

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon water (for white leather)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon water (for white leather)
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon water (for all leather)
  • 2 drops mild detergent/dish soap/sneaker cleaner, 1 cup/240ml warm water (for leather, patent leather, mesh and other fabrics)

Mix and apply to the sneaker with a toothbrush, and gently scrub. Wipe it off with a damp cloth and allow to air dry.

For suede or nubuck, use a suede brush to remove surface dirt, a suede or pencil eraser for scuffs, and white vinegar or suede cleaner for stains. Dip a microfibre cloth into the liquid and lightly dab it on, let dry, then brush it over.

For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.

Laces can be cleaned with the same solutions and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.

Where can I buy Air Jordan 2s?

Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the Air Jordan 2 at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on AJ2 restocks and new releases!

Popular Air Jordan 2 Colorways

Jordan have released many successful colorways on the AJ2, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.

Air Jordan 2 Retro 'Chicago' | DX2454-106

The 'Chicago' is the OG colorway, worn by Michael Jordan in the 86/87 season. It's frequently re-released, and has surfaced in 1994, 2004, 2010, and 2022.

With a clean white upper and red and black accents, the colorway represents the Chicago Bulls.

Air Jordan 2 Retro 'Black/Chrome' | 308308-001

Released in 2004, the 'Black/Chrome' was the first non-OG colorway to gain popularity on the AJ2.

Its all-black leather upper with chrome detailing gives it a sleek, luxury look, and adds a modern touch to the retro model.

Air Jordan 2 Retro 'Lucky Green' | DR8884-103

The 'Lucky Green', released in 2023, is inspired by the Boston Celtics colours, and brings a fresh take on the classic Chicago-style colour-blocking.

The bright green accents make it a popular addition to the regular Air Jordan 2 line-up.

For more FAQs on your favourite sneaker models, visit the Sneaker FAQ page.

All the content is created according to our Editorial guidelines.

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