WORD BY JOSEPH FURNESS
There are 35+ sneaker silhouettes to choose from in the ever-expanding Jordan line, but only a handful of them are considered timeless. The Air Jordan 5 model, first worn by the sub-brand's namesake in the 1989-1990 NBA season is no doubt one of them – making it a crucial component in every judicious dresser’s armoury.
Inspired by WWII fighter jets, Tinker Hatfield’s AJ3 design is distinguished by its sizable reflective tongue, practical lace toggle, shark tooth midsole and transparent sole. But it's the sneaker’s sturdy aesthetic and heavily cushioned interior that leaves many Jordan newcomers wondering how the kick would look, fit and feel on their feet.
To answer all of your Air Jordan 5 sizing, fit, comfort and care queries (including “Is the Jordan 5 true to size?”), we’ve enlisted the help of five savvy sneakerheads – some of which you may recognize from your Insta feed – for our ultimate Air Jordan 5 sizing and fit guide.
Air Jordan 5 Overview
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
Air Jordan 5s tend to fit true to size. However, if you have narrow feet, you may want to opt for a half size down when purchasing a Off-White x Air Jordan 5.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
Although the Air Jordan 5 is weighty, the silhouette is generously padded. Thus, the AJ5 provides wearers with an uber comfortable on-foot experience.
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
To ensure your Air Jordan 5 remains in great condition, spray your pair with a sneaker protector before you leave the house. Upon returning home, store them kicks in their original box.
Jordan 5 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Darion Famous (@darionfamous)
Sneakerhead based in Los Angeles, USA
My first pair of shoes were Jordans, and they’ve been a staple in my wardrobe ever since. Growing up, I would collect all the retro cards from Jordan boxes and put them on my wall.
The AJ5 is an all-time great. The defining features – such as the lace lock, rubber mesh inserts and jagged midsole – make this shoe one of my favorite Jordan silhouettes.
Here, I’m wearing the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 5: a shoe first revealed at Paris Fashion Week in January 2020. This colorway pays homage to the first Jordan that Virgil Abloh ever owned, which is one of the reasons why I find this collaborative sneaker so compelling.
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
I would recommend staying true to size when it comes to Air Jordan 5 sizing, as the high-top design ensures that your feet are constantly supported.
How do you style Air Jordan 5s?
I like to style my AJ5’s with denim, relaxed cargos, printed sweaters and oversized flannels. I even like to change the laces from time to time – switching from white to black, or different colors for each shoe.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
On a scale of 1-10, I’d give the Air Jordan 5 an 8 for comfort. Although the sneaker can occasionally feel heavy, it’s comfortable enough to include in my weekly rotation.
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
To care for the sneakers I usually use Jason Markk cleaning products. After a few wears and a good clean, they go back into their original box looking brand new.
Jordan 5 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Josh Dominic (@jdkicks6)
Sneakerhead, YouTuber and content creator based in Berlin, Germany
The Jordan 5 is one of the most collectable shoes in the Jordan line, owing to its striking features. Here, I’m wearing the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 5: the collaboration that helped the ‘90s-style sneaker reach the contemporary mainstream. Virgil took the silhouette and slimmed it down considerably; he also made the tongue super thin and constructed the shoe with lighter materials. Now, the Air Jordan 5 is the mainstay of my sneaker rotation.
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
For me, the Air Jordan 5 fits true to size – including the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 5. For context, I opt for the same size in Air Jordan 5s as I do for Air Jordan 1s and 4s.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
Truth be told, the Air Jordan 5 (which is now over 30 years old) is not the most comfortable shoe I own. For me, it’s a sneaker you wear because of the way it looks and not because you’re looking for something comfortable.
How do you style Air Jordan 5s?
The Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 5 compliments my style really well, especially the black colorway, which I style with almost anything. If I had to choose, I’d wear them with cargos – either in black or olive green.
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
I'm very careful about avoiding wearing my favorite sneakers in wet and windy weather. I plan to rotate my Air Jordan 5s every other week to avoid wear and tear.
Jordan 5 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Evita Nicola (@evitanicola)
Sneakerhead based in the The Netherlands
The Air Jordan 5 is definitely one of my favorite Jordan silhouettes, together with the Jordan 1s, 4s and 11s. My favorite details? It’s got to be the transparent outsole, reflective tongue and lace locks. My favorite colorways? The two that I own – the Black Metallics (2016 re-release) and the Fire Reds (2020 re-release). Both were inspired by OG pairs from the ‘90s.
But the reason why I love the Air Jordan 5s so dearly is because they make me feel confident. Even if I wear a plain look (e.g. an all-black suit), this sneaker is sure to bring fire to my fit.
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
I would say the Air Jordan 5 fits true to size. I wear a size 36EU in all Air Jordan silhouettes, including this one.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
On a scale of 1-10, I would rate the Jordan 5, 7.5 in terms of comfort. The Jordan 5 silhouette may be heavy, but they're extremely soft inside, and the tongue is thick and cushiony. For this reason, I would recommend them for those long days when you’re constantly on your feet.
How do you style Air Jordan 5s?
I enjoy styling my Air Jordan 5s in various ways. During the week, I love to style them with a more formal look for work – say a pair of black trousers and a matching blazer. On the weekends, I opt for something comfier, and my AJ5s look just as great with these kinds of fits too!
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
The Air Jordan 5 is made from nubuck leather; to keep them clean, I spray them with a sneaker protector before wearing them outside. After wearing them, I remove any dirt using a nubuck brush and return them to their original box, mainly so they don’t get dusty.
Jordan 5 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Adaeze Akilah (@ursoskinnyadaeze)
Model, Stylist and Creative Director based in New York City, USA
Air Jordan 5 is one of my favorite sneaker silhouettes as it reminds me of my childhood spent watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Will Smith would always incorporate the sneaker into his character’s off-beat style, which I found extremely inspirational at the time, and still do to this day.
Here, I’m sporting the Air Jordan 5 in my favorite colorway: Retro Wolf Grey (2011). Some unique features about this model are the grey nubuck bottom, the white speckled teeth, and the grey lace lock. My 10-year-old pair now have a yellow tinge, but I’ve recently come to the conclusion that I prefer them like this.
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
When it comes to Jordan 5 sizing, I would recommend purchasing your true size. That is unless you have wide feet, as I believe the silhouette fits a little narrow.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
I find these sneakers very comfortable, they never feel tight. I love that they are stylish and I can wear them all day long with ease.
How do you style Air Jordan 5s?
Air Jordan 5s are so versatile – they work well with almost everything! Here, I’ve decided to style them with a pair of green cargo pants, A-COLD-WALL* long sleeve tee and Moncler Genius x Fragment jacket. I’d wear this outfit to meet with friends, to the deli and even to a shoot.
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
I clean my sneakers with Jason Markk products after every wear, and I also keep them in their original box. As this pair are a little older, I’m cautious when I wear them to avoid any irreversible damage.
Jordan 5 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Vincent Uong (@vincentuong)
Sneaker collector based in Florida
The Air Jordan 5 is one of the most iconic shoes in the sneaker line, and my favorite colorways are 2011’s Retro Wolf Grey and 2020’s Off-White x Nike Sail. The reason I’m such a huge fan of the shoe is because they look amazing and perfectly match my style, making it easy to find something to wear them with.
How do Air Jordan 5s fit?
The Air Jordan 5 fits true to size; however, I would suggest you opt for a half size down in the Off-White x Nike pairs if you have narrow feet.
How comfortable are Air Jordan 5s?
I own the OG and Off-White models, and I can safely say they’re both very comfortable.
How do you style Air Jordan 5s?
The Air Jordan 5 sneaker fits into my everyday style because they work well with my go-to pants, constructed with a baggy/straight-leg design. Here, I paired the sneakers with a sweater, a vintage Mercedes hat and a pair of vintage grey Carhartt trousers. My other favorite ensemble is my vintage Nascar hat, along with a vintage varsity jacket and a pair of grey jeans.
How do you care for Air Jordan 5s?
When it comes to caring for my Air Jordan 5s, I spray one or two coats of protector onto the shoe every week. I also carry sneaker wipes with me just in case anything happens to them while I’m out and about. Fortunately, the Off White x Nike Jordan 5 is made with a synthetic ripstop upper, which means they don’t get too dirty.