Air Jordan 3, a small revolution in the world of sneakers

The Air Jordan 3, the master stroke of Tinker Hatflied

Third model imagined for "His Airness" a.k.a. Michael Jordan, the Air Jordan 3 could well have never been born.

After the spectacular success of the Air Jordan 1Peter Moore left the Swoosh brand and the Air Jordan 2 was a huge flop. So much so that the basketball star seriously considered ending his collaboration with Nike.

But this is without counting on Tinker Hatfield - designer genius and inventor of the Nike Air Max 1 and Nike Air Max 90. Convinced by the designer's visionary label, MJ finally decided to stay... sneakerheads around the world can breathe a big sigh of relief!

Released in 1988, the Air Jordan 3 is a small revolution in the sneaker world. And to promote its model, Nike launched an advertising campaign that will mark the history of sports marketing: it's the first time a sports brand plays the humor card to promote a model. Thanks to whom? Thanks to Spike Lee!

With his Air Jordan 3s on his feet, Michael Jordan had one of the most triumphant seasons of his career. He received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, was elected MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the NBA All-Star Game, won the Slam Dunk Contest for the 2ndth consecutive year, is elected MVP of the season and finished best scorer and best interceptor. The model will remain one of the great favorites of the basketball legend.

Today, the Air Jordan 3 remains one of the flagship models of the the Jumpman brand. In thirty years of existence, it has offered a multitude of reissues under the name of Air Jordan 3 Retro, to the delight of sneaker addicts who snatch up the latest models as on the first day!

The Air Jordan 3 revolutionizes the design of sneakers

The Air Jordan 3 is probably one of the first pairs in the history of sneakers to have been designed to be worn both on and off the basketball court. Results of the races? The 3rd model signed MJ is a small concentrate of audacity and innovations.

First, Tinker Hatfield shortens the upper of the Air Jordan 3 to make it a semi-mounted sneaker (Mid, for the purists) and bring more freedom of movement and mobility: if it seems obvious today, it is a first in 1988!

The designer also got rid of the logo "Jordan Wings" considered a little old and lacking personality, to adopt the now legendary Jumpman, which appears for the first time on the tongue of the Air Jordan 3.

Also new, the Nike Air technology - already present on the Nike Air Force 1 or the Air Jordan 1 - is visible for the first time. The air bubble will later appear on many other models of the brand with the Jumpman, including the Air Jordan 4 and the Air Jordan 6.

Last but not least, the elephant print on the heel and front of the sneaker remains one of the brand's most iconic designs.

When it was released in 1988, the Air Jordan 3 was available in four colorways that have become legendary and have been reissued many times: White/Cement Grey, Black/Cement Grey, White/Fire Red and White/True Blue.

Collaborations & special editions

Since its release in the 1980s, the Air Jordan 3 has been rejuvenated repeatedly with countless collaborations and special editions, some mainstream, some much rarer.

Among the limited editions revered by collectors, let's mention the Air Jordan 3 x DJ Khaled, Air Jordan 3 x Fragment, Air Jordan 3 x Quai 54 or Air Jordan 3 x Atmos collaborations but also the Air Jordan 3 Retro UNC, the Air Jordan 3 Flyknit or the Air Jordan 3 Retro Katrina.

The Air Jordan 3, a legend of the sneaker culture for men and women

With its look halfway between old school and new school, the Air Jordan 3 is a must-have for sneaker addicts, men and women.

Thirty years after the release of the first pair designed by Tinker Hatfield for MJ, we are far from the original range limited to four colors. Sneaker addicts can now choose from a wide range of colorways: rather sober (Air Jordan 3 Retro Fragment White Black, Air 3 Retro SE Fire Red Denim ...), pepsy (Air Jordan 3 Retro Laser Orange, Air Jordan 3 UNC...) or completely crazy (Air Jordan 3 Animal Instinct, Air Jordan 3 Retro SE Animal Instinct 2.0 ...)

How does the Air Jordan 3 fit?

The Air Jordan 3's don't fit particularly big or small, so you can take your usual size.