Get a pair of purple Air Jordans if you want a one-of-a-kind hue that will make you stand out in any crowd. For the Jordan Brand, this colorway has drawn some of the most impressive partnerships imaginable, including A Ma Maniére and the Toronto Raptors.
Over the past few years, Nike and Jordan have re-imagined the silhouettes that earned them a reputation in order to re-capture the public’s affection. We’ve seen the Air Jordan 5 “Grape” get several re-releases and alternatively colorways, while the Air Jordan 1 continues to be a staple for the two-tone design pattern that never goes out of style. If you’re on the hunt for sporty options for the foreseeable future, check out the Air Jordan 36, which also got updated in the plum-like hue.
There is certainly a lot to consider, and although familiarity with the brand name or a product’s design may be what first piques your interest, you should ultimately be guided by your own personal preferences and needs. Below, get a head start on your search for the best purple Jordans to buy right now.
Air Jordan 4 Retro Canyon Purple
The Air Jordan 4 Retro “Canyon Purple” is a complete redesign of Tinker Hatfield’s iconic 1989 shoe. The upper is made of fuzzy purple suede instead of the more commonplace leather or nubuck. The speckled eyelets and midsole are lime green, and the trademark Jumpman insignia is embroidered in orange on the sewn tongue tag. Meanwhile, black accents on the molded wings, Jumpman-embossed heel tab, and herringbone-traction rubber outsole balance out the vivid colors.
Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Court Purple 2.0
The “Court Purple” Air Jordan 1 High OG is a nod to the highly-coveted “Metallic Purple” model from 1986. The white leather upper of the high-top is accented with violet on the shiny Nike Swoosh and the collar. The Jordan Wings emblem on the lateral collar flap, the Nike Air tongue tag, and the satin collar lining all share the same hue, giving the sneaker a posh feel. To round out the design, a two-tone rubber cupsole with Nike Air in the heel provides lightweight cushioning.
Air Jordan 5 Retro Grape
In 2013, the “Grape” Air Jordan 5 made a second retro appearance. The much-talked-about shoe that nobody had been able to really purchase until 2006 finally hit store shelves that year. Mike’s hometown Hornets in Charlotte, North Carolina, inspired the first Air Jordans to have purple and emerald green. At the very beginning of the ’90s, the “Grape” 5s were worn by Mike on Wheaties boxes and by Will Smith in movies, defining the vivacious, hip-hop spirit of the era.
Air Jordan 4 Retro Purple Metallic
The Air Jordan 4 “Metallic Purple” saw a broader release in 2020 with numerous additional color schemes outfitted in the same two-tone design.
This iteration, complete with release details, takes inspiration from the iconic Air Jordan 1 “Metallic Pack” with its comparable purple colorway. The white leather foundation is contrasted with purple metallic hardware for the eyestays for a crisp, modern look. Jumpman logos on the tongue, heel, sockliner, insole, and bottom “Air Jordan” tag all have a contrasting color scheme. The shoe’s design is completed with a white rubber outsole with purple parts and a white Air-enhanced midsole.
Air Jordan 5 Retro Alternate Grape
This version of Michael Jordan’s fifth trademark shoe, also known as the Air Jordan 5 “Purple Grape,” has a deep purple upper and a grape-like outsole. Its initial release date was pushed back due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, but it finally saw a full release in 2020.
The uppers are constructed completely of deep purple suede, with the grape accent color serving as the predominant hue. Under the distinctive midfoot netting is a matte black layer, and the eyestays, laces, and collar trim are all black as well. There is additional netting around the neck, and an aqua Jumpman stands out against the black hi-vis bright tongue. Branding is completed with a black Jumpman on the heels and cloth tongue tags with embroidered text. The midsoles are also black, with teal details that resemble teeth and speckles in the forefoot and a visible Air Max unit in the heel. The appearance is finished off with icy blue outsoles.
Air Jordan 13 Retro Court Purple
In contrast to the lighthearted tone of the aforementioned AJ 1 High, the Air Jordan 13 “Court Purple” takes a far gloomier tack. The tumbled leather toe boxes, perforated mesh overlays, tongues, lining, and shoelaces are all white, while the rest of the upper is covered in a uniform black tint.
The suede heel panels, midsole, and Jumpman branding on the tongues and insoles are all covered in the shoe’s namesake color, which calls to mind the “Away” Air Jordan 13 PEs worn by former NBA point guard and Jordan brand signee Mike Bibby. The standard holographic insignia in the shape of a panther’s eye is sewn onto the inside of the collars and is colored a sickly green. The black borders and white chevron treading on the outsole complement the black and white Jumpman insignia at the lateral midfoot and complete the design.
Air Jordan 2 Retro Iron Purple
An eye-catching “Iron Purple” colorway of the Air Jordan 2 was introduced for the first time in 2014. The upper is constructed from a combination of nubuck and full-grain leather, and it has two-tone laces, a speckled midsole, and a safari-inspired pattern. Bringing this design to a close, the black tongue and heel counter stand in stark contrast to the white outsole.
Air Jordan 36 First Light
The Air Jordan 36 “First Light” offers a glimpse into the future, a departure from the Chicago Bulls-themed hues that have traditionally adorned premiere pairs of the newest Air Jordan models.
The design team behind Nike’s latest model broke down the meaning of the term “light” to inform their choices for the shoe’s jacquard leno-weave top and Zoom Air cushioning. Comfort and responsiveness are provided by a Zoom Air Strobel and the Eclipse Plate from the Air Jordan 35. It’s jam-packed with cutting-edge technology, and its multi-directional traction pattern on the sole is the cherry on top.
