Images: Nike/Jordan
Jordan Brand opens the new year with its Spring 2021 Retro Footwear Collection. The assortment introduces three new women’s exclusives (including the first women’s iteration of the Air Jordan IX) and fresh iterations of the Air Jordan I, IV and V, amongst others.
Women’s Air Jordan IX
This exclusive model marks the first time Jordan Brand has introduced the Air Jordan IX to its women’s line. The Air Jordan IX, which was originally released during MJ’s first retirement from basketball, tells an international story that uses the shoes’ outsoles as its canvas. Through distinct global graphics and words in different languages, the shoe illustrates MJ’s impact and influence around the world. That sentiment lives on today, evidenced in this women’s exclusive model which features the phrase “Change the World” on the heel loop. The shoe also employs unique color schemes on both shoes using vegetable-tanned materials and natural plant-based dyes.
Women’s Air Jordan I HI OG
This women’s release offers a twist on the Air Jordan I Gold Toe, switching out the patent gold from that model for “crinkle” silver — inspired by space innovation and the future of flight. The shoe’s color blocking balances genuine black leather overlays on the toe, tongue and collar, a white quarter panel and midsole, and crinkle silver details on the ankle, heel and toe box. This model comes in extended sizing (women's 5 up to women’s 16.5/ men's 3.5 up to men’s 15).
Air Jordan I Retro HI OG
Familiar colors applied with a fresh color-blocking scheme characterize this Air Jordan I Retro HI OG. The shoe brings genuine University Blue leather to the ankle, heel, toe and outsole, black on the Swoosh and collar and contrasts it with a white quarter panel, midsole, tongue and toe box. A black Wings logo with University Blue branding on the tongue finish off the model’s clean and classic detailing.
Air Jordan I Retro HI OG
This new take on the classic Air Jordan I Retro HI OG takes inspiration from various design cues used in previous Air Jordan I models. Foldable eyelet-flaps, exposed foam on the tongue with a reversed tongue tag and tri-tonal color-blocking of Volt, University Gold and Sail simultaneously pay homage to iterations of the past while creating a new execution of the model.
Air Jordan III Retro
Re-releasing for the first time since 2007, this Air Jordan III Retro returns with true-to-form coloring and upgraded materials. With hits of Sport Red and Orange Peel on the tongue, eyelets, Air bag and heel tab, the upgraded construction features a genuine leather upper, matte-finished midsole and elephant print overlays on the forefoot and heel. This retro arrives in a full family offering.
Women’s Air Jordan IV
Another women’s exclusive, inspiration from space exploration showcases the strength and beauty of the technical materials used in spacesuits across this Air Jordan IV. The upper is made of a black and Starfish Orange metallic mesh and is complemented by matte TPU heel tabs and wings. Black mesh netting on the quarter panel and tongue bottom lead up to a raw-edge construction on the tongue upper exposing the foam material underneath. Hits of orange on the toe and heel of the rubber outsole complete the look.
Air Jordan IV Retro
With University Blue genuine suede leather upper, this new rendition of the Air Jordan IV combines premium materials with a classic Jumpman color scheme. The shoe’s construction features OG mesh netting on the quarter panel and tongue bottom with recognizable cement splatter on the midsole, heel tabs and wings and is completed by a woven jock tag on the tongue. This model comes in new packaging and is available in men’s and grade school sizing.
Air Jordan V Retro
An evolution of the Air Jordan V Stealth, which originally released in 2006, this model puts a fresh twist on the familiar colorway. An all-white genuine leather upper with the OG silver reflective tongue are accented by black on the midsole with a blue splatter finish and blue on the lace toggle and sockliner. The shoe, which comes with new packaging, releases in full family sizing.
Air Jordan V Retro
Celebrating the iconic textural elements of the Air Jordan V in new places, this reconstructed and reconfigured iteration sees the OG reflective material typically found on the tongue upper now on the quarter panel and tongue bottom. This installment, releasing in men’s and grade school sizing, mixes suede leather, textiles and translucence in new ways while also maintaining OG details like the hallmark “23” branding on the heel and splatter finish on the midsole.
Air Jordan IX Retro
Taking a more subtle approach to the Air Jordan IX, this rendition pairs subdued tones of black and charcoal on genuine nubuck leather with pops of University Gold throughout the sockliner and branding on the midsole, tongue and heel. The model maintains an OG construction and is available in a full family offering.
Air Jordan XIII Retro
Incorporating classic Starfish Orange — a color rooted in recent Jordan Brand history — this take on the Air Jordan XIII sits an OG genuine quilted leather upper atop the familiar panther paw-like outsole. Complete with the holographic cat’s eye along with a carbon fiber shank plate, this retro comes with OG packaging and releases in full family sizing.
Models from the Jordan Brand Spring 2021 Retro Collection will be available in January on SNKRS.