Rounding Up Air Jordan 13 Retro Grails Ahead of the "French Blue" Release

Michael Jordan donned the Air Jordan 13 Retro throughout his final season with the Chicago Bulls. Tinker Hatfield‘s design visually riffed on Jordan’s nickname, the “Black Cat,” adapting a sculpted, paw-like outsole in commemoration of the athlete’s animalistic prowess on the court. Since the model’s 1997 debut, the silhouette’s unconventional paneling has seen numerous iterations met with devout fanfare. Ahead of the “French Blue” drop, HYPEBEAST revisits noteworthy AJ13s that continue to dominate the closets of avid sneaker collectors.

Below, revisit our favorite retro grails and shop the selection on GOAT’s website.

Air Jordan 13 Retro “French Blue”

Release Date: August 20, 2022
Lowest Price: $239 USD

Back with a vengeance, “French Blue” is expected to drop on August 20. The crisp white-and-blue colorway first appeared on an Air Jordan 12 in 2016. The upper leaves a clean, frosty impression with white tumbled leather paneling, baby blue suede overlays and pops of gray at the toebox. The model’s signature holographic orb punctuates the outer heel, while the tongue showcases Jumpman branding in red embroidery. To complete the cool-toned theme, pops of gray reappear at the outsole.

Air Jordan 13 Retro “Flint”

Release Date: May 2, 2020
Lowest Price: $252 USD

“Flint” dropped in May 2020 and marked the fourth time the beloved colorway appeared on the AJ13. Also worth noting: The silhouette dropped alongside Netflix’s Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance. Harkening back to the OG, the model is replete with hi-vis reflective detailing throughout the indigo blue upper. The sneaker’s textural skin is hit with gray suede paneling at the heel and mudguard. Light blue Jumpman branding accents the tongue, while a black Jordan tag hits the lower edge of the throat. For added support, full-foot Zoom Air cushioning is housed in the sole unit.

Air Jordan 13 Retro “Olive”

Release Date: January 20, 2018
Lowest Price: $288 USD

“Olive” donned an entirely suede construction, with blacked-out structuring throughout the upper. Olive-toned overlays hug portions of the outer heel and midsole. Aside from the holographic emblem applied to the collar, the model maintains a neutral, colorblocked theme, down to the jet-black outsole and laces. A decorative red Jumpman logo adorns the tongue. 

Air Jordan 13 Retro “He Got Game”

Release Date: August 4, 2018
Lowest Price: $302 USD

The 2018 release of “He Got Game” corresponded with the 20th anniversary of Denzel Washington sporting the sneaker on the silver screen in Spike Lee’s 1998 cult classic of the same name. The model shows no stylistic deviations from the OG model and retains icy white paneling, contrasted by suede and pebbled overlays in black. Red piping hugs the outsole, along with red embroidered Jumpman branding at the tongue. 

Air Jordan 13 Retro “Black Cat”

Release Date: January 21, 2017
Lowest Price: $425 USD

In honor of the legend himself, “Black Cat” captures Michael Jordan’s power and stealthy presence on the court through clean, refined minimalism. The all-black silhouette is replete with a soft-touch nubuck upper, incorporating the model’s signature 3D reflectivity throughout the padded mesh paneling. The midsole is dressed with glossy components along the lateral panel. Aside from the speckled laces, this silhouette is entirely monochrome down to the sole. A holographic jewel decorates the outer heel, while a panther motif adorns the insole, embroidered in crisp, white threading.

Air Jordan 13 Retro “Bred”

Release Date: August 18, 2017
Lowest Price: $278 USD

Originally released in 1998, Jordan Brand resurrected “Bred” in 2017. An ode to the iconic colorway, the model faithfully restores the brilliant black-and-red colorblocking throughout the upper and mudguard. Elements of texture come into play through smokey pebbled detailing at the toebox and fiery “True Red” suede overlays at the midsole, outer heel and collar. As a finishing touch, a reflective green emblem decorates the collar.

Air Jordan 13 Retro “Altitude”

Release Date: December 21, 2017
Lowest Price: $213 USD

Fittingly released on Black Friday 2017, “Altitude” is entirely enveloped in black pebbled leather. Pops of “Altitude Green” electrify the outsole and embroidered Jumpman motif at the tongue. The monochromatic style introduces glossy and textured components for a sense of visual dimension.