Air Jordan 5
History and Timeline
of the Air Jordan 5
of the Air Jordan 5
The Air Jordan 5 is Michael Jordan's fifth signature sneaker under the Nike brand. This model was first released in 1990 and designed by Tinker Hatfield, who also created shoes in the company's archive such as the Nike Air Max, Air Trainer and Mag. Hatfield is also credited with designing every signature sneaker Michael Jordan played in during his professional career in the NBA since the Air Jordan 3.
The Air Jordan 5 was originally released in four colorways:
- Black-black/metallic silver
- White-grape/emerald
- White-fire red/black
- Painted radium luminescence
- Black/fire red with Jordan's number 23 stitched on the heel (a player exclusive for the NBA star that never got released in the '90s)
The Jordan 5's
World War II Inspired Design
The Air Jordan 5's design was inspired by American World War II fighter planes, and is visible through the shark-tooth shaped design on the sneaker's midsole. Other creative elements of the Air Jordan 5 include a translucent icy outsole, adjustable lace lock, visible Nike Air unit, molded-ankle collar and reflective tongue. The first variations of the sneaker came in leather and nubuck. "Nike Air" branding was featured on the back of the shoe's original run, while later retros displayed a Jumpman logo.
The 7 Most Collectible Releases of the Air Jordan 5
Individual collaborators, such as Virgil Abloh, put their spin on the Air Jordan 5 to make the model more valuable to collectors.
Abloh, founder and designer of the fashion label Off-White, reimagined the upper of the sneaker with a textile mesh and translucent panels and windows. The result was the Off-White x Air Jordan 5, which released during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend at a retail price of $225.
Another collectible version of the Air Jordan 5 is the 2015 collaboration with the skate brand Supreme. Three Supreme versions of the Jordan 5 dropped in very limited numbers that included white/fire red, black/fire red and desert camo colorways. Each Air Jordan 5 in the Supreme collection featured "94" stitched where Jordan's number would typically be situated, and "Sup" was printed on the shoe's panel.
Michael Jordan's son, Marcus, owner of the Florida sneaker store, Trophy Room, did a collab on the Air Jordan 5 that was limited to 7,000 pairs. The shoe's ice blue colorway features the numbers 23 and 5, representing Michael's number and Marcus's college number, respectively. A wood-grain pattern is found underfoot, representing the floor of the Jordan trophy room that repurposed the hardwood from the old Chicago Stadium.
A handful of Air Jordan 5 colorways are rare and extremely limited. One of these is the T23 in varsity maize that was only released in Tokyo to celebrate the opening of Jordan's Tokyo 23 store in Japan.
The 2011 "Quai 54" pair released in France, which features white leather and neon green accents with the annual basketball tournament's logo embroidered on the heel.
In 2018, Will Smith unveiled a Friends & Family version of the Air Jordan 5 in shimmering gold and infrared-grape ice that was limited to 23 pairs and celebrated his character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
In honor of the Jordan Brand's partnership with football club Paris Saint-Germain, the sportswear brand created two variations of the sneaker with the team's branding, including a Friends & Family version in white leather and black that was never sold at retail and instead gifted to the club's members.
Cultural Relevance
of the AJ 5
of the AJ 5
Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 5 during the 1989-1990 NBA season. Jordan set a personal record for points scored in a single game while wearing this sneaker, with 69 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Off the court, the Jordan 5 became synonymous with Will Smith and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sitcom. The title character wears the sneaker's grape colorway in the prime-time hit's title sequence and in the premiere episode. Smith is also spotted in the Air Jordan 5 throughout the sitcom's first season. The Jordan Brand celebrated this connection with a handful of colorways in the 2010s.
Air Jordan V Goes Old School
The Air Jordan 5 was first revived in 2000. In addition to the black and metallic silver retro of the original, a white-varsity royal/varsity maize colorway was released that pays homage to Jordan's high school alma mater, Laney High School.
These models kicked off a wave of Jordan 5 retros in varying makeups in 2006-2009, 2011 and 2013-2020. Variations of the Jordan V were also introduced, such as a low-top version, plus luxury offshoots made with premium leathers and reflective laser etching.
The Air Jordan 5 International Flight colorway also celebrated the shoe's global appeal outside the United States. Retail prices ranged from $120 to $190 for general in-line versions, while premium makeups of the Air Jordan 5 with luxury leathers ranged from $225 to $400 at retail. The latest general release retro of the Air Jordan 5 in white-black/fire red retailed at $200.
Jordans Release Dates, News and Articles
Attention all sneakerheads and basketball fans! Read all about the oldest and latest Jordan releases on the eBay Sneaker Hub. From iconic retro styles to new collaborations, you'll find everything you need to know to complete your Jordan collection.