Air Jordan 3 Designed by Tinker Hatfield, it marked a pivotal moment in sneaker history, saving the Jordan line and introducing several groundbreaking features.
Key Features of the Air Jordan 3
- Elephant Print – A distinctive cracked leather pattern on the toe and heel, becoming a signature Jordan Brand design.
- Jump man Logo – The first Air Jordan to feature the now-iconic Jump man logo on the tongue (replacing the Wings logo).
- Mid-Cut Design – Offered better ankle support compared to the AJ1 and AJ2.
Original & Popular Colorways:
- “White/Cement” (1988, 1994, 2011, 2018) – The most iconic, featuring grey elephant print and red accents.
- “True Blue” (1988, 2001, 2009, 2016) – White with blue elephant print and a red Jumpman.
- “Fire Red” (2007, 2013, 2022) – White with red accents and minimal elephant print.
- “Free Throw Line” (2018) – Celebrating MJ’s free-throw dunk contest win in 1988.
Cultural Impact:
- The AJ3 was featured in the famous “Jump man” ad campaign, where MJ dunked from the free-throw line.
- It appeared in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing (1989), further cementing its place in sneaker culture.
Releases & Retros:
- The Air Jordan 3 has been retroed multiple times, with updates like:
- Nike Air branding (2011, 2018) – Restoring the original “Nike Air” heel logo instead of “Jumpman.”
How the AJ3 Saved the Jordan Brand
- Tinker Hatfield, then a Nike designer, took over the project and convinced MJ to stay by involving him in the design process.
2. Performance & Tech (Then vs. Now)
- 1988 OG Tech:
- Polyurethane midsole (more durable than the AJ2’s foam).
- Padded collar for ankle support.
Modern Retros:
- Some retros (like 2018’s “White Cement”) restored the Nike Air heel branding for authenticity.
- Later models sometimes use phylon midsoles for lighter weight.
- Durability issues? Older retros (pre-2011) were known for midsole cracking (“polyurethane rot”), but newer versions improved materials.
3. Rare & Coveted AJ3 Variations
- “Fragment Design” (2020) – A collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara, featuring a sleek black tumbled leather upper.
- “A Ma Maniére” (2021) – A luxury take with aged midsoles, quilted lining, and premium suede.
- “Cool Grey” (2021) – A retro of the 2007 release, featuring an all-grey colorway.
4. The AJ3 in Pop Culture
- Worn by MJ in the 1988 Dunk Contest – He wore the “White Cement” AJ3 during his iconic free-throw line dunk.
- Celebrity Endorsements – Drake, Travis Scott, and Justin Timberlake have all rocked AJ3s.
- In Movies & TV – Besides Do the Right Thing, the AJ3 appeared in Coming to America (1988) and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
5. How to Style the Air Jordan
- Casual: Pair with slim jeans, joggers, or cargo pants + a white tee or hoodie.
- Streetwear: Match with oversized fits, camo, or vintage sportswear.
- High-Fashion: Works with tailored pants and a bomber jacket (see A Ma MANIERE’s luxury aesthetic).
6. Future Releases & Hype Rumors (2024-2025)
- “Red Cement” (2025) – Rumored to bring back a bold red elephant print.
- “Midnight Navy” – A potential new colorway with navy accents.
- Possible Reimagined AJ3 – Following the “Lost & Found” treatment like the AJ1.
7. Buying Guide: What to Look For
- Best Retros: 2018 “White Cement,” 2011 “Black Cement,” and 2021 “A Ma Maniére.”
Avoid Fakes: Check for:
- Correct elephant print texture (not too thick or thin).
- Proper Jumpman placement (not leaning forward too much).
- Nike Air branding on the heel (if it’s a retro that should have it).
SECRET DESIGN DETAILS YOU MISSED
- The Elephant Print Isn’t Random:
- Tinker Hatfield drew inspiration from African safari boots and luxury luggage textures.
- Every panel’s “crack” pattern is unique—no two AJ3s have identical elephant print.
- Hidden “Nike Air” on the Insole: Early retros (pre-2011) had this, later removed for cost-cutting.
Tongue Logo Stitch Variation:
- 1988 OG: Thick, padded Jumpman with a wider stance.
- Modern retros: Slimmer, less pronounced stitching.
2. THE “CURSED” AIR JORDAN 3s: FLAWS & CONTROVERSIES
- “Pink Tongue” Gate (2018 White Cement Reissue):
- Some pairs had a pinkish tint on the white leather due to glue chemical reactions.
- Nike denied it, but collectors proved it with UV light tests.
Elephant Print Thickness Wars:
- 2011 “Black Cement”: Print was too thick and glossy (fans hated it).
- 2018 “BC3”: Fixed with a thinner, matte finish—closer to OG.
- The “Janky Jump man” QC Issue:
3. CUSTOMIZING YOUR AJ3s: PRO HACKS
- Dyeing the Elephant Print: Use Angelus leather dye + a fine brush to recolor cracks (e.g., black print → red for a “Bred” custom).
- Midsole Restoration: Fix yellowing with Salon Care 40 + sunlight in a saran-wrap “UV dome.”
- Deconstructing the AJ3: Some customizers remove the elephant print entirely for a clean, minimalist look (sacrilege or art?).
4. NBA PLAYER EXCLUSIVES (PEs) YOU’LL NEVER OWN
- MJ’s “Player Sample” AJ3s:
- 1988 All-Star Game: Rumored to have a gold-trimmed Jumpman (never confirmed).
- 1989 “Storm Blue” PE: Only 2 pairs exist; one sold for $50K+ in 2020.
- Jayson Tatum’s “Lucky Green” (2023) – Celtics-inspired with no public release.
- Luka DONCIC’s “Slovenia” AJ3 – Features national team colors (1-of-1).
5. THE AJ3 RESALE MARKET: WORTH IT?
- Most Valuable AJ3s:
- “Do The Right Thing” PE ($100K+ if real)
- 1988 OG “Black Cement” DS ($30K+)
- “A Ma Maniére” (Resells for600−600−1,000).
Best “Under Retail” Pickups:
- “Rust Pink” (2017) – Sat on shelves, now a cult women’s grail.
- “Bio Beige” (2022) – Hated on release, now a stealth flex.
6. MIND-BLOWING AJ3 FACTS
- The AJ3 Almost Had a Different Name: Early prototypes were called “Air Revolution III” (found in Nike archives).
- The First “Tinker Sketch” AJ3s Were Rejected: MJ hated the initial high-top version (later reworked into the mid-top).
- A Japanese Designer Made a 24K Gold AJ3: Customizer Mister Cartoon dipped a pair in gold for a music video.
BOLD PREDICTIONS
- “Reimagined” Treatment: A distressed, aged AJ3 (like the AJ1 “Lost & Found”) is inevitable.
- Eco-Friendly AJ3: Rumors of a recycled elephant print version (Nike’s sustainability push).
- Digital AJ3s: A NFT sneaker tied to the Jordan Brand metaverse (likely 2025).
FINAL VERDICT: SHOULD YOU COP?
- FOR COLLECTORS: Grab OG retros (2011/2018) or A Ma MANIERE for investment.
- FOR HYPEBEASTS: Wait for the “Reimagined” drop or a surprise COLLAB.
Want MORE? Hit me with:
- “Compare AJ3 to AJ4” – Which is better?
- “Best AJ3 for wide feet” – Sizing hacks.
- “How to spot fake AJ3s” – Detailed legit-check guide.
THE LOST FILES (WHAT NIKE DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW)
The “Vanishing” Prototype (1987)
- The first AJ3 sample had no elephant print—just smooth leather. MJ rejected it, calling it “too plain.” A factory worker in Taiwan kept the sample, and it surfaced in a 2019 private auction (sale price: undisclosed, but rumored $75K+).
The “Banned” AJ3 That Never Existed
- In 1992, a fake rumor spread that MJ wore a red-and-black AJ3 in a playoff game (violating NBA uniform rules). Conspiracy theorists still hunt for this “lost” pair.
……….Air Jordan 3………