KicksGuide's 2003 Retro Shoe of the Year Award goes to best retro released this past year. This recognition is given to the model line as a whole and not any individual colorway.

WINNER - Air Jordan III Retro

      Was there even a doubt that the Air Jordan III Retro was going to walk away with this one? The white/cement/red colorway has been one of the most anticipated releases of the past few years. The Retro sold out merely hours into the first day. Furthermore, the Cements became a stable hold in the buying and selling marketplace in 2003. It is now a must-have in anyone's collection. Forever known as the free throw line dunk shoes, the III was the first Air Jordan designed by Tinker Hatfield. For most sneaker fans, the III was the first Air Jordans that made a lasting impression in their heads. The elephant prints on the toe and rear of the shoe is unique only to the III. It was the first J to have a visible air sole unit and also the foundation that led to the creation of the IV and V. As for the Retro, Nike left majority of the original design cues intact but the re-release version did change the Nike Air logo at the back to the Jumpman. The difference was not substantial and despite the protest by purists, the III became a fan favorite (Online voters favored the III with a whooping 65% of the votes) and easily the best Retro shoe of 2003.