Where to Find Retro Jordans

Official Nike Website

Okay, so it’s a little obvious, but when you’re buying from a top brand like Nike, don’t cut corners. Plenty of imposters want to hand you something that they call an Air Jordan Retro, but you will not settle for second-rate cool, will you? Your best option lies in going straight to the source, to Nike’s official website. Once there, click on Footwear from the top tab, then refine your search to “Air Jordans” from the drop-down and drool at the parade of seriously hip, swaggering sneakers. Find the one that best suits you, if you don’t know already.

Other Online Stores

Now for the tricky part. Lots of people love Retro Air Jordans and a lot of Nike-anointed sellers may have sold out, so you might have to try a few online stores before you hit pay dirt, especially if you’re questing for a recent release model. Nike’s site features several legitimate distributors that you should definitely check out: NikeStore, FinishLine, EastBay, FootAction, FootLocker, and Champs. Perhaps the most appealing of these, FootAction accommodates Retro customers with free shipping, which makes for an advantageous deal.

All of the websites listed above feature the Air Jordan Retro 3, a deadly, serene sneaker in black and grey, the Retro 7, an intrepid white padded model with either blue or yellow accents, and the Retro 14, a ribbed, tailored black and grey higher model with the trademark Jordan logo. However, as you would expect, NikeStore presents a few more Retro designs, like the suave, sporty, but unassuming Sky High Retro, an off-court sneaker in white or black. If you’re looking for the non-Nike websites with the widest variety, you might prefer FinishLine. There, you can also purchase some earlier releases, like the blazing brick red Air Jordan Retro V.1, which will undoubtedly endow you with a little more bounce in your step.

Brick and Mortar Stores

Online retailers don’t fulfill everyone’s ideal of the tactile bond that needs to form between a player and his shoes. So, for those of you who need to feel the support, tug the laces, and experience your Retro Jordan before you commit, find a store near you using Nike’s handily searchable reference. You might also run to this resource if you can’t find an online vendor for your dream sneakers: such is the plight of Air Jordan Retro 5 fans. Plug in your city and behold the map of pinpointed locations, both official Nike stores and approved carriers. Exercise some common sense, though, and call the store before you go to pick up your pair. It’s a tragic sight to see a man understandably despairing over an out-of-stock Retro Jordan.

eBay

If you weren’t a savvy buyer, we wouldn’t even suggest this option, so please don’t betray our confidence, all right? If you really can’t find the right Retro anywhere near you, or you are looking for a lesser-price used pair, you could go ahead and consult eBay, where plenty of rare and exciting Retro Air Jordans sell every day. But beware of fakes and stay "allergic to the counterfeit," as the rapper T.I. would say. If you want some general tips on swiping Retro Jordans on eBay, read over seller retrolaces_com’s down-to-earth tips.

Where not to Look

Having listed where you should buy, it’s only fair to tell you where you shouldn’t. Zappos, although an excellent seller of almost everything under the sun, doesn’t sell Nike Jordans. So, don’t waste your time there. Try to avoid self-proclaimed mega-stores that only sell Retro Jordans, especially if they’re shipping from an overseas location. They’re probably not on the level. Do your homework on Nike’s website so that you don’t end up buying a model before it’s actually released.

For cloud-like cushioning paired with fierce panache and vintage flair, snag your pair of Retro Jordans from one of these sites and get in the game.