Our 7 Favourite UNC Inspired kicks of All Time

Now, if you were lucky enough to cop the Jordan 1 UNC Toe in the shock drop last week, then Im sure youll know that the UNC colourway is actually a pretty big deal. Although it had never graced the courts throughout Michael Jordans 13season reign, it still holds weight as one of the most coveted colourways of all time.

Released in 1985 amongst 15 fresh colourways that presented the beginnings of the Jordan lineage, the UNC colourway stood out for its accentuated and crisp white and blue palette that offered a new feel to many of those sneaker enthusiasts out there.

Inspired by the team colourings of North Carolinas very own Alma Mater college, where MJ played Division I basketball in 1981, the renowned UNC palette has been one that has followed Jordan throughout his career and continues to make a statement on our streets, courts and everything in between.

Now you know a little bit about the backstory of this notorious colourway, were going to take you through our top 7 UNC' inspired kicks of all time.

1. Air Jordan 1 High UNC (1985)

Image courtesy of Quest website

Nothing beats the classics. It wouldnt be a UNC appreciation without the shoe that started it all. The titular shades of blue and white, its highrising profile, Swoosh branding occupies the sidewall and the inaugural wing branding sits blissfully along the collar whats there not to like? The Air Jordan 1 High UNC returned to our rotations in 2015 as a retro, boasting a slightly higher sculpt, a less contoured midsole and thicker stitching throughout.

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2. Nike Air More Uptempo University Blue (2017)

Image courtesy of GOAT website

Turning heads since its inception in 96, the Nike Air More Uptempo complimented the 90s with its largerthanlife design. Premiered on the feet of Scottie Pippen throughout the 95 96 season of the Chicago Bulls, the fit also made waves on our hardwood floors.

The University Blue rendition adopted similar tooling to its early predecessors; Airappliqued sidewalls are cladded in white , which all lie on a blue perforated leather base for an instant nod to the colourways collegiate roots. The aforementioned tones run through to the Airinduced midsole for that courtcertified comfort throughout.

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3. Air Jordan 11 Columbia (1996)

Released as one of the OG colourways, the Air Jordan 11 Columbia stands as one of the most soughtafter models to date. Worn by MJ during the 96 NBA allstar game in San Antonia, as well as landing on the feet of Will Smith during his 6 season stint on the family sitcom The Fresh Prince of BelAir the Air Jordan 11 Columbia is a shoe that does it all.

Leather uppers are dressed up in a white leather, casted with patent overlays, plus theres extra Jordan branded cues posited throughout the heel and tongue, which takes on the famed Columbia blue colour scheme. With the shoe first retroed in 2001, 5 years after its debut and then returned to our rotations in 2014 in a newly revamped Legend Blue colour scheme.

4. OffWhite x Air Jordan 1 UNC (2018)

Image courtesy of @pairofoffwhitejordan1s via Instagram

When it comes to collaborations, the Jordan brand certainly knows a thing or two, and its creative venture with OffWhite on the Jordan 1 UNC is nothing short of an icon. Gaining traction on our shelves in 2018 as the third edition of the Jordan 1 x OffWhite series, the fit arrives in a sleek white and blue leather combination, coupled with Virgil Ablohs signature vibrant orange stitch, black coated wordmark and a red zip tie a duo that certainly never misses.

Give your OffWhite x Air Jordan 1 UNCs the ultimate personalisation with our easytouse Crep Protect Mark On Pen. Available in black and white, and perfect for designing your own custom patterns.

5. New Balance 550 UNC (2022)

Image courtesy of @bricked.store via Instagram

Even Though the New Balance 550 is most commonly known for its avid lifestyle appeal, the fit actually originated on our basketball courts in the 80s and this UNC inspired colour scheme is an ultimate homage to its hardwood heydays. For this one Steven Smiths iconic design takes on a relatively minimal white leather setup, joining its University Blue overlays on the N logo, heel and tongue for a collegeinspired feel throughout.

6. Air Jordan 10 Powder Blue (1994)

Image courtesy of GOAT website

Released the same year as MJs shortlived retirement from basketball to join the Birmingham Batons in 1994, the Air Jordan 10 Powder Blue was one that stemmed back to Michael Jordans love for Alma Mater College. Designer Tinker Hatfield wanted to commemorate Jordans 10year accomplishments (so far) by also incorporating these milestones on the striped rubber outsole. White full grain leather made up the majority of the shoe, while accents of Powder Blue also offered a pop of colour to the heel collar. The colourway was then retroed 20 years after its debut in 2014.

7. Nike Air Force 1 Low UNC (2021)

Image Courtesy via Sneaker News Website

Nikes 82 inner city grail has also been one of the later subjects of the UNC colourways. Even Though this subcultural icon has taken on a lengthy span of colourways throughout its 41year lineage, its UNC colouring is one of many that continues to turn heads. Vibrant touches of blue dress up the leather uppers, while crisp accents of white add a clean feel to the Swoosh, heel and midsole for a conventional, colourblocked finish.

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With our top 7 UNC colourways unveiled, let us know what your favourite UNC inspired kicks are in the comments.

In other news, the Jordan 4 x Travis Scott is rumoured to drop holiday season 2023