Revisiting Air Jordan 3 Retro Models Ahead of the "Fire Red" Release
An iconic model is revamped with blazing red paneling and elephant print overlays.
A famed and beloved silhouette, the Air Jordan 3 Retro is among the most sought-after model in the sneaker community. Limited-edition releases and long-awaited returns continue to revitalize Michael Jordan’s footwear franchise with arresting graphics and textured embellishments that commemorate MJ’s iconic legacy.
Ahead of the “Fire Red” release, Hypebeast rounds up a curated selection of coveted AJ3s, including noteworthy cross-over collaborations with A Ma Maniére and Fragment Design.
Find the below sneakers and many more on GOAT and stay tuned for the upcoming release of “Fire Red.”
Air Jordan 3 Retro “Fire Red”
Release Date: September 10, 2022
Lowest Price: $217 USD
The anticipated drop of “Fire Red” arrives on September 10. The classic makeup opts for smooth-grain leather paneling throughout the upper with striking red overlays at the mudguard and perforated panels near the collar. Gray accents and blazing red eyestays outfit the lateral panel. Original Nike Air branding at the heel replaces the model’s signature Jumpman motif and “Air” lettering, distinguishing the model from its 2007 and 2013 predecessors. The elephant-print toe cap and outer heel stands out against the blinding white upper. The rubber outsole is dressed in light gray paneling, with an exposed Air unit underfoot.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “Cool Grey”
Release Date: February 20, 2021
Lowest Price: $230 USD
“Cool Grey” originally launched in February 2007 and returned to the AJ3 lineup in 2021. A tonal gray theme dominates the premium leather upper, with darker hits of gray accenting the perforated panels along the throat, collars and heel molds. Contrasting against the monochrome paneling are “Orange Peel” and “Sport Red” elements at the eyestays, hardware and tongue. A Jumpman motif embellishes the tongue, while a peak of orange reappears near the mudguard and exposedAir cushioning units. The midsole brings together colorblocked white and graphite rubber structuring. “Air” and Jumpman branding adorns the rear portion of the heel, followed by elephant-printed overlays hugging the midsole and toe cap.
A Ma Maniére x Air Jordan 3 “Raised By Women”
Release Date: April 28, 2021
Lowest Price: $366 USD
“Raised By Women” dropped in 2021 and followed James Whitner’s short film of the same name. The model was first exclusively available to women through a raffle, and shortly after, released in extended sizes to the general public. To achieve A Ma Maniére’s vision of a unisex model, the sneaker is dressed in white tumbled leather and decorated with pops of cream throughout the hardware. Light gray suede overlays are applied to the eyestays, counter heel and toe cap. The midsole and outsole are enveloped in a two-tone color scheme and feature cream and glossy gray components. Embroidered A Ma Maniére and Jumpman logos sit atop each tongue, alongside Swoosh branding and “Air” lettering embossed at the outer heel. Quilted lining at the counter and collar provides a touch of textural dimension.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “UNC”
Release Date: March 07, 2020
Lowest Price: $463 USD
“UNC” was first seen as a player exclusive in 2018. Available to the general public in 2020, the silhouette was originally limited to 250 pairs and circulated amongst players on the University of North Carolina’s football and basketball teams. The model showcases an icy white pebbled leather upper, punctuated by “Valor Blue” rubber components at the mudguard and a muted graphic overlay wrapped around the heel. Hits of blue are sprinkled throughout the hardware and Jumpman branding at the tongue. Navy blue inserts dress the collar and continue down to the model’s outer heel, which features “Air” lettering and an embossed Jumpman logo.
Fragment Design x Air Jordan 3 Retro SP “White”
Release Date: September 17, 2019
Lowest Price: $277 USD
Released in 2019, Hiroshi Fujiwara‘s twist on the classic AJ3 silhouette introduces white monochrome tumbled leather offset by glossy black paneling at the mudguard, toe cap and heel. At the outer heel, a translucent Jumpman motif is superimposed atop Fragment Design’s thunderbolt logo, with contrasting “Air” lettering in black. The model comes replete with white-toned hardware, laces, and topstitching. Built-in Air technology rests underfoot alongside co-branded insoles. The collaboration is further defined by technical data printed along the white midsole and frosty Jumpman branding embossed at the tongue.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “Mocha”
Release Date: December 15, 2018
Lowest Price: $377 USD
Mocha was initially released in 2001 as the first non-original color story of the Retro lineup. Returning in 2018, “Mocha” donned a white monochromatic theme with contrasting mocha brown overlays defined by a graphic elephant print. Brown elements are peppered throughout the model, seen at the eyelets and embroidered Jumpman logo at the tongue and outer heel. “Air” lettering adorns the lower portion of the heel, while oversized ribbed details appear near the heel tab.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “Infrared 23”
Release Date: March 08, 2014
Lowest Price: $152 USD
Nodding to the “Infrared” Air Jordan 6, this AJ3 pairs a white tumbled leather upper with perforated leather paneling at the collar and eyestays. Colorblocked veining punctuates the toe cap and mudguard. Stealthy black accents appear at the outer heel in the form of a Jumpman motif and “Air” branding stamped below the heel tab. To complete the silhouette, hits of black adorn the collar and tongue, with glossy black rubber paneling breaking up the white components near the outsole.
Air Jordan 3 Retro OG “Black Cement”
Release Date: February 17, 2018
Lowest Price: $301 USD
The Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” is a pop culture icon. Michael Jordan debuted the kicks in 1988 for the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago where he grabbed the MVP award for a stunning 40-point performance. During the televised program for the contest, commercials for the AJ3 also aired which starred a young Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon. Design wise, the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” was the brainchild of both design legend Tinker Hatfield and Michael Jordan himself. The “cement” elephant print is what makes this particular model standout and the motif has been seen on other Jordan and Nike models as well. With its black tumbled leather upper, gray panels, pops of red, embroidered Jumpman logo and crackled elephant texture, the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” continues on to be on the very top of every die-hard Jordan sneaker fan’s list.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “True Blue”
Release Date: June 19, 2011
Lowest Price: $147 USD
Remixing the color block theme presented by a handful of AJ3 predecessors, “True Blue” was released in 1988 to immediate fanfare. In 2011 and 2016, the silhouette returned with a smooth leather upper in white. Hits of electric blue and red contrast against the model’s arresting elephant print overlays, applied to the outer heel and portions of the toe. Continuing this fusion of color and texture, red and blue piping adorns the collar, eyelets and tongue. A red Jumpman logo is embroidered at the tongue, while Jumpman and “Air” branding accents the outer heel. Gray accents appear along the mudguard in contrast to the model’s white paneling and exposed Air unit below.
