A Definitive Look at the Air Jordan 6 Retro Collection
The Air Jordan 6 was the first to win a championship and has seen some changes via retro drops.
There are many reasons why sneaker enthusiasts love Air Jordans. Aesthetics, unique colorways, performance, craftsmanship, and historical significance are just a few. The Air Jordan 6s tick a check mark in each of these categories.
Created by legendary shoe designer Tinker Hatfield in 1991, the Jordan 6s would earn their place in Jordan Brand history when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls overcame their arch-nemesis Detroit Pistons in the Conference Finals. This win enabled Jordan to play the LA Lakers in the NBA Finals and finally earn his first NBA Championship while sporting a pair of iconic sneakers.
If winning an NBA championship while wearing a pair of Jordan 6s isn’t enough to make this sneaker one of the most iconic in history, then the silhouette designed by Hatfield would certainly push it over the edge. Hatfield drew inspiration from Jordan’s speed and agility on the court and his love for German sports cars off the court when designing the Jordan 6.
A Truly Unique Silhouette
What gives this version of the Jordan sneaker a sports car feel is the rubber heel tab Hatfield added to the Jordan 6. Hatfield even nicknamed the heel tab a spoiler! When you view the shoe from the side, you can see why this would be the case. A neoprene booty is mixed with a full-grain leather upper for a clean toe and stylish design. The Nike Air unit is visible in the heel like previous models of Jordan sneakers and is accompanied by matching cushions in the front. Additionally, a larger-than-normal rubber tongue was added to this version of Jordan after Michael commented about struggling to pull on his sneakers with other models.
Just like the Jordan 3, 4, and 5, the Jordan 6 would include the Nike Air and Jumpman logos. However, the 6s would be the last Air Jordan sneaker to feature visible Nike Air branding.
Original Colorways: High-Top Only
The Air Jordan 6 was released in five different colorways and only in high-top format. These colorways included three black and red styles to match the Chicago Bulls color scheme. The five original colorways were Black/Black - Infrared, White/Carmine - Black, White/Infrared - Black, White/Sport Blue - Black, and White/New Maroon. The infrared color was a unique shade and different from shades of red in past Jordan releases. It was much more vibrant than the true red shade Jordan Brand fans had grown accustomed to.
Air Jordan 6 Finally Gets a Retro Version
It took nine years for this iconic sneaker to see its first retro versions hit the market, and this first drop did not disappoint. It featured the Black/Infrared colorway that Michael Jordan wore during his first run to the NBA Championship in 1991. This first Air Jordan 6 retro versions would also remove all Nike Air branding from the original sneaker design and only showcase the Jumpman logo.
Retro White/Midnight Navy
Adding another non-Chicago Bulls-themed sneaker to the lineup, this Jordan Retro 6 version featured a deep navy blue on the midsole, heel spoiler, and rubber tongue. The perforated panels in the shoe’s upper allowed for breathability while the leather upper offered durability.
2000 Retro Olympic
This pair of retro Jordans was released shortly after the 2000 Summer Olympics and were worn by Ray Allen. A white design with blue panels in the upper, heel, and tongue was accompanied by red Jumpman logo accents for a patriotic feeling. It is rumored that this retro 6 design was limited to 150 to 200 pairs, making it one of the more rare Jordan sneakers to collect.
Another Set of Retros in 2002
The 2002 retro release would see the Jordan 6 appear in low-top format for the first time. One of these low-top colorways was the Retro Black/Metallic Silver Low. This all-black shoe sported silver accents on the midsole and heel spoiler, giving it a much different feel than other black versions that have included an infrared shade for the accents.
Retro White/University Blue Low
Another low-top version released in 2002 was a white and university blue combo. This sneaker featured a white-on-white upper with blue accents on the midsole and heel. It was one of the first Jordan 6 retro sneakers made available in women’s sizes.
Retro White/Coral Rose Womens Low
Another Jordan 6 retro sneaker geared towards women included the distinctly new coral rose colorway. This low-top sneaker had an all-white upper with grey and coral rose accents along the midsole. The rubber heel pull-up had a touch of grey along the back to bring it all together.
Defining Moments Pack
In 2006, Jordan Brand released a special type of retro Jordan 6 within the Defining Moments Pack, which included two shoes. This special package was developed to commemorate Michael Jordan’s first and fourth championships from 1991 and 1996. The retro package included a new version of the Air Jordan 6 and 11.
The retro Air Jordan 6 in this release was an all-black version with a nubuck upper. Metallic gold accents on the midsole, heel spoiler, and Jumpman logo on the tongue gave this retro version its color.
The Countdown Pack
Leading up to the 2008 launch of the Air Jordan 23, the Jordan Brand released a series of “countdown packs” to commemorate significant moments within the Jordan collection. There were eight packs in all, each containing two pairs of sneakers. One of these packs featured an Air Jordan 17 paired with an Air Jordan 6. This AJ 6 version was modeled after the popular OG Carmine colorway. It sported a white leather upper with a red neoprene sleeve. There were black accents on the midsole, rubber heel, and oversized tongue while the Nike Air unit was visible through a translucent rubber sole.
Retro Olympic Rings
The 2008 retro drop saw another unique shoe added to this sneaker lineup. While its unique colorway fit the Olympic scheme, it was quite a contrast from traditional Jordan sneaker releases. This high-top shoe featured an all-white upper with blue, green, red, and yellow accents on the midsole. These colors also appeared on the heel and tongue of the shoe, helping it fit right in at any Olympic Village.
Plenty of Collaborations
In addition to all the retro releases, the Jordan 6 line has seen its fair share of collaborations over the years. One of the more notable collaborations was when Gatorade teamed up with the Jordan Brand to create a special shoe in 2017. This collaboration sneaker featured a white leather upper with bright orange panels. A green Jumpman logo on the tongue helped tie together the Gatorade color scheme and iconic Jordan 6 design.
Travis Scott and Air Jordan 6
Another popular collaboration to feature the Jordan 6 design was in 2019 when music artist Travis Scott teamed up with the brand to release his version of the iconic shoe. The Travis Scott Jordan 6 collaboration sneaker included an olive upper, lace locks, and a unique side cargo pocket. This shoe also sported Cactus Jack and Nike Air branding.
With the Jordan 6 owning such a special place in NBA history and pop culture, there will surely be additional collaborations in the future to excite and delight sneaker enthusiasts shopping on eBay.