Originally launched back in 1986 and designed by Peter Moore (the man also behind the AJ1 and the Nike Dunk), the Air Jordan 2 “Chicago” is a classic Jumpman sneaker that deserves more recognition than it traditionally receives. Although not as popular as other early Jordan renditions, the kicks are without a doubt well-executed, wearable and stylish. So why does the AJ2 not receive as much love as its siblings?

Perhaps this trend goes back to the early days of Jordan Brand, as rumour has it that Michael Jordan himself was not a fan of the Air Jordan 2. After the widespread commercial success of the AJ1, the second rendition didn’t seem to strike as much of a chord with MJ or the general public, with the Chicago Bulls star even reportedly debating to leave Nike. Thankfully, Tinker Hatfield’s AJ3 came just in time, keeping Jordan with the Swoosh and allowing for a whole host of other classic sneakers to be created.

It’s unclear exactly why consumers and sneakerheads have always been so uncertain around the Air Jordan 2, but perhaps it’s simply down to the fact that hype surrounding the model has been few and far between. Up until recent years, the silhouette hasn’t been used for any notable collaborations, and retro releases have been few and far between, meaning the model doesn’t denote that sense of familiarity.

What we do know however, is that the Air Jordan 2 “Chicago” is without a doubt a forgotten classic. If you’re on the fence regarding this release then we’d definitely advise you to pick a pair up, as it could be a hell of a long time before we see this OG colourway again. With a near full size run available now at Foot Locker UK, head on over and pick up your pair before it’s too late!