Everything You Need to Know About Blue Air Jordan 12s

The Air Jordan 12s were made famous by the on-court heroics of Michael Jordan when the NBA superstar scored 38 points during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals while playing with a high fever. That performance against the Utah Jazz would ultimately help propel the Chicago Bulls to another NBA title and earn the nickname of the “Flu Game.”

While the athletic performance was one to marvel at, the design of the Air Jordan 12s also helped make this one of the most iconic sneaker silhouettes in the Jordan collection. Tinker Hatfield, Nike's legendary designer, looked to several outside sources to draw inspiration for this shoe. Chief among them is the Japanese “Rising Sun” flag emblem. Characteristics of this flag can be seen in the full-grain leather panel running from the midfoot to the toe with stitched lines running down the shoe’s upper. It is also the first version of Air Jordans to not include a Nike Swoosh anywhere on the sneaker. However, it still came in a Nike-branded shoe box.

The technology added to the Air Jordan 12 was nothing to scoff at, either. This iteration of Jordan sneaker was the first to feature Nike’s Zoom Air. A full-length unit was placed from heel to toe and encased in a Phylon midsole. The shoe also includes a carbon fiber midfoot support shank.

Original Colorways

Air Jordan XIIs would be released in five original colorways, including White/Black - Taxi, White/Varsity Red - Black, Black/Varsity Red - White - Metallic Silver, Black/Varsity Red, and Obsidian/White - French Blue. The last of which is the only option to contain any blue in the color scheme. It would not be until the Retro release in 2004 that a blue version of the Air Jordan 12s would hit the market.

Blue Air Jordan 12 Retro Releases

While there have been plenty of Air Jordan 12 Retro releases over the years, there have not been many blue versions like other Jordan product lines have seen. Sneaker enthusiasts looking for a pair of Air Jordan 12s will need to settle with blue being the secondary color of the design if they are looking for a pair of blue Jordans.

Air Jordan 12 Nubuck

While this Retro release from 2003 features an all-black nubuck upper, it does contain some Carolina Blue accents. These accents are placed on the tongue, heel tab, and outsole. The outsole also features the word “Jumpman." Splashes of blue are also present on the center portion of the shoe’s heel.

Air Jordan 12 Retro French Blue

Released in 2004, this iteration of the Air Jordan 12 features a large amount of blue on the sole as well as the side of the shoe stretching up to the toe. The white leather upper features the iconic stitched panels, which are derived from the Japanese “Rising Sun” flag. This sneaker could be considered to be the first true blue version of the Air Jordan 12 even though the majority of the shoe is white leather.

Women's Air Jordan 12 Retro UNC

Jordan brand also released a women's version of the Air Jordan 12s in 2004 with the UNC. While the AJ XIIs are synonymous with Jordan’s “Flu Game” in 1997, this sneaker draws inspiration from his college days at the University of North Carolina. It uses University Blue on the midsole, heel, and back of the shoe. This retro version also features an all-white upper, unlike other options that have a two-toned look separating the leather panels and midsole section running up to the toe.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Melo

This retro version was also released in 2004 and is considered a men’s version of the UNC. The Melo Retro sneaker features an all-white leather upper with stitched panels. A University Blue can be seen on the sole while a herringbone outsole was designed for maximum traction. Additional areas of blue can be found on the heel stretching up to the pull tab as well as the top eyelets and the Jumpman logo on the tongue.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Nubuck - 2009 Edition

The Retro Nubuck would see another version released in 2009. Similar to the 2003 version, this edition features an all-black, nubuck upper as well as a black toe. Hits of University Blue can be seen on the midsole, with the word “Jumpman” inscribed in it. The color is also seen on the heel tab and the Jumpman logo on the tongue.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Obsidian

Jordan's Retro Obsidian finally saw another release when it was re-introduced in 2012. An Obsidian Blue leather upper covers the majority of the sneaker and contains a stitched design that closely resembles the Japanese flag. Additional hints of blue can be seen on the heel pull tab as well as the trim around the ankle and top two eyelets.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Gamma Blue

After the successful launch of the Air Jordan Retro 11 Gamma Blue, Jordan brand repurposed this unique colorway for the Jordan 12 Retro release in 2013. This version of the AJ XII features a black nubuck upper with the expected stitched panels. A vibrant Cyan Blue covers the heel, midsole, and toe overlay. Small hits of red can be seen on the heel pull tab and the Jumpman logo on the tongue.

Air Jordan 12 Retro French Blue - 2016 Edition

Another version of the French Blue Jordan 12s was released in 2016. This sneaker features a white tumbled leather upper with stitched panels as well as a French Blue mudguard running from the midsole to the toe of the shoe. A white panel with the wording “Jumpman” is visible above the herringbone outsole. The white Jumpman logo sits in a blue square on the heel tab as well.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Deep Royal

The first all-blue Air Jordan 12 Retro sneaker was released in 2016 with the Deep Royal. This version of the AJ XII sneaker features a unique blue suede upper but still includes the iconic stitched panels to represent the Japanese flag. A blue textured leather mudguard runs from the middle of the side panel all the way up to the toe. On the heel, a white Jumpman logo sits within a grey, metallic stitched box as well as a white number 23 below the word “Jordan,” which runs sideways down the heel.

Air Jordan 12 Retro Indigo

Released in 2020, this Air Jordan 12 Retro sneaker offers another truly blue sneaker to the lineup. The two-tone colorway sports an Indigo Blue leather upper as well as a white mudguard that runs from the middle of the shoe to the toe. Within the Indigo Blue leather are the stitched panels one would expect to see on an Air Jordan 12. A herringbone outsole and carbon fiber shank round out this classic-looking Retro Jordan sneaker.

The Air Jordan 12 is a highly sought-after sneaker from the Jordan brand. It is popular because of its design appeal and historical NBA significance. While there are not an overwhelming number of blue editions, there are still a handful of options that use secondary blue colors to some life to the sneaker design.