The Air Jordan 3 hit the streets in 1988. To follow up an incredible year the year before, a great pair of Jordan shoes was needed and fulfilled.

Hatfield takes command

The Air Jordan 3 was the first of 14 Air Jordans designed by Tinker Hatfield. The Air Jordan 3 also carried more of Jordan¡¯s name on the shoe since the man himself was an active part of the design of the shoe. The shoe was the perfect example of Tinker¡¯s skill to blend fashion with function.

A first of many

The Air Jordan 3 broke ground for many different aspects of the Nike Air Jordan shoe line. First, the Air Jordan 3 featured the ¡°Jumpman¡± on the tongue of the shoe. This silhouette of Jordan was to celebrate and commemorate his Slam Dunk Contest victory the year before. Every Jordan after the Air Jordan 3 features this Jumpman as a focal point of the shoe as well as became the new logo for the Air Jordan line. The Air Jordan 3 was also the first to feature a visible air unit. Lastly, the Air Jordan 3 featured elephant print on the upper. Though this material was only used again on 1 other model, it set a standard that the Jordan shoes are as much fashionable as functional. The Air Jordan 3 also is one of the most famous shoes in the Air Jordan lineup. On many polls, the Air Jordan 3 finishes as the greatest sneaker of all time.