Jordan III Retro: MJ’s Famed Sneaker Silhouette

The Air Jordan III can be a great sneaker to have. It did not feature Nike's Swoosh logo, but it had the new Jumpman logo on the tongue, visible Air unit, and gray elephant hide-like print. The AJ3 Retro brings back the classic feel and appearance of MJ’s famous game shoe. The shoe features full-grain leather, visible cushioning, elephant print details, and a redesigned fit for maximum comfort.

The original colorways of Air Jordan III include White Cement, Black Cement, and Fire Red. In 2001, Jordan introduced the True Blue, a Retro of the AJ3, as the fourth colorway. MJ wore the Retro version while playing for the Washington Wizards. Over the years, the AJ3 has Retroed many times, but the classic White Cement and Black Cement remain the most popular.

The White Cement model Retroed in 1994, 2003, 2011, 2013, and 2018. The Black Cement Retroed in 1994, 2001, 2008, 2011, and 2018. The Fire Red model got its first Retro in 2007 as the brand introduced other colorways, including Pure Money, Black Cat, and Do the Right Thing. The True Blue model returned in 2009 and ushered the 25th Anniversary and Doernbecher models in 2010.

History of the Air Jordan III Retro

Tinker Hatfield, the AJ3 designer, revealed that Michael Jordan was on the brink of ending his contract with Nike until he met with him. Michael was unhappy with the AJ2 because it did not meet his expectations. After an insightful meeting, Hatfield realized that Michael Jordan had a deep sense of style. He contributed to the design of the AJ3, which became one of his favorite sneakers.

It became one of the most recognizable silhouette because it was innovative at the time. All the Retroes have followed the same mantra, maintaining the classic appearance but improving the tech and innovations for better performance. As Michael was having his breakout season, he was wearing the AJ3. What followed was a wave of demand for AJ3s among the basketball players of the time. The generation of players after MJ would don the AJ3 Retro because they were in love with the classic and its influencer, Michael Jordan.

The AJ3 Retro is among the most celebrated for its history and performance on the court and its style off-court. It is a must-have basketball shoe for sneaker collectors, fans, and the day's players. Many collaborations with AJ3 are still in existence and continue to rule the market every production year.

Why the Air Jordan III Retro Stands Out

In 1989 when the original AJ3 was introduced, it featured a high-quality material, and the elephant print. The material was unique in 1989 and remains a showstopper today. The print also found in the retros pairs well with the tumbled leather. The retros feature various improvements from the original shoe. In areas like the midsole, the retro does not have paint cracking and deterioration.

Because of the limited releases, the Air Jordan 3 Retro is a beloved and famed silhouette among sneakerheads and players. The fame and hype of the original AJ3 has also contributed to the fame of its retros. The newer models are revitalizing Michael’s footwear franchise with textured embellishments and graphics that commemorate the brand's iconic legacy.

Proper Lockdown and Comfort

Besides the style, originality, and appearance, the Air Jordan III Retro comes with competitive features. It offers a changeable lacing system that provides a customizable fit. The shoe also has an injected TRR heel counter to keep the shoe locked in place for optimal support. The mid-top collar of the shoe provides sufficient support for the ankles. The general heel-to-midfoot lockdown is excellent.

The retro Air Jordan 3 has a removable Durapontex sock liner. These insoles enhance underfoot comfort. They also help to decrease heat buildup during intense activities on the court. It is one of the most comfortable fittings in the AJ lineup. The leather upper is high performance for extended durability. This leather constitutes a mix of nubuck, full grain, and synthetic rubber. Judging from many reviewers, this leather quality is among the best on the market. It feels soft to the touch and is supple.

Versatile and a Responsive Platform

One of the more attractive AJ silhouettes is the Air Jordan 3 Retro. It features an innovative mid-top silhouette and elephant print design. It was the first AJ to feature a visible Max Air unit and the Jumpman logo. The brand features Nike Air branding on the heel for the first time to complete the appearance and make it different from the rest.

As for the casual sneakerheads, the shoe has a clean look that goes well with anything. In-court, the shoe improves your performance. The sculpted polyurethane midsole on the AJ3 Retro with a Max Air unit at the heel and encapsulated Air-sole unit at the forefoot contribute to responsiveness. This cushioning is lightweight and provides responsive and active impact absorption.

Interesting Collaborations and Colorways

Air Jordan III Retro Fire Red

The Fire Red colorway of the Air Jordan III Retro features a predominantly white upper with red and black accents. The ‘Fire Red’ colorway is one of the most popular colorways of the Air Jordan III Retro. It features a smooth grain leather upper with elephant print overlays and striking red overlays at the mudguard. Near the collar, you will find perforated panels. The lateral panel has gray accents and blazing red eyestays.

The 2007 and 2013 Air Jordan III Retro models had the ‘Air’ lettering on the heel and the Jumpman motif. The designer has removed these features in the latest model and replaced them with the original Nike Air branding. The rubber outsole has a light gray paneling and has an exposed Air unit underfoot. For aesthetics and maintaining the classic appearance, the new model features the elephant-print toe cap and outer heel, standing against the blinding white upper.

Air Jordan III Retro Cool Gray

The Cool Gray AJ3 Retro launched in February 2007 made a comeback to the lineup in 2021. The premium leather upper features a tonal gray theme. Dark hits of gray accent the perforated panels along the collars, throat, and heel molds. The shoe contrasts against the monochrome paneling using ‘Orange Peel’ and ‘Sport Red’ elements at the hardware, eyestays, and tongue.

A peak of orange appears near the mudguard and the exposed air cushioning units. The tongue features the Jumpman logo while the ‘Air’ and Jumpman branding adorns the rear part of the heel. The midsole brings together color-blocked white and graphite rubber structuring.

Air Jordan III Retro UNC

The Air Jordan III Retro UNC released on March 7th, 2020 is a tribute to Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina. The Jordan Brand limited production to 250 pairs to circulate among the basketball and football teams of the University. The shoe details include Jumpman branding at the tongue, the ‘Air’ lettering, and Jumpman embossed logo at the heel, a muted graphic overlay, and rubber components at the mudguard. Due to its limited supply, the shoe is among the most coveted sneakers.

Air Jordan III Retro Mocha

In 2001, the Jordan Brand released the first Mocha in the Retro lineup of AJ3. The sneaker returned in 2018 wearing a monochromatic theme with contrasting mocha brown overlays and a graphic elephant print. The model also contains brown elements at the eyelets and embroidered Jumpman logo at the tongue and outer heel.

Air Jordan III Retro OG Black Cement

 The original Air Jordan III was the Black Cement model, the signature model for the Jordan Brand. The brand established itself as a pop culture icon since its debut in 1988. In 2018, the brand Retroed into one of the most expensive models in the lineup.

The Black Cement was the brainchild design of the designer Tinker Hatfield and MJ himself. This explains why the Retro was exceptional, standing out among all other brands on the market.

The chase to acquire the Retro was stiff as sneakerheads, players, and collectors booked the shoes in every outlet. If you were not lucky in 2018, you could get a pair of the Air Jordan III Retro OG Black Cement today from eBay. Other available retro brands in the AJ3 lineup include the AJ3 Retro ‘True Blue’ and the famous AJ3 Retro Infrared 23. Find them today on eBay, enjoy their beautiful designs, and be part of their legendary history.