Jordan 3 Retro

The mix of dusky greys found on this Jordan 3 Retro give it a refined look and the nickname Cool Grey, while the appearance of various colourful highlights bring it an added dynamism. This effect shows up on the rubber outsole, which has a dark grey tone known as Light Graphite across most of its surface, though a large oval of white lies below the forefoot, with another light-coloured section below the heel and medial edge. The first of these white sections is lined with circular grip formations, and the second is decorated with Sport Red Jordan lettering outlined in the same vivid tone for a striking splash of colour.

Small star-shaped adornments rise out of the toe, which switches to a more lightly textured rubber as it wraps up over the front of the midsole. The rest of this last feature is made from durable polyurethane in a base layer that is all white and a top layer with a white front half and a Light Graphite rear section. Air cushioning is present in the heel, where it delivers high levels of comfort, and a small window located there allows passersby to view this bouncy underfoot padding.

With such a strong foundation, the upper focuses on durability and aesthetics through a combination of high-quality leather, exotic graphics and hints of colour. Its main part is formed of a mudguard and an overlay that covers the forefoot and quarter, before stopping when it reaches the heel panel. Both of these leather pieces are silver in tone, with vibrant flashes of Orange Peel shining out on the eyelets at the front of the collar and the five ringlets formed into each flank at the bottom of the tongue.

The top part of the tongue, meanwhile, is served by three silvery grey TPU half circles rising from the Light Graphite underlayer revealed on each side where the main overlay has been cut away. These small areas are filled with tiny perforations that supply air to the sides of the foot, and white laces thread through the various eyelets over a tongue in the same gentle silver tone as the upper. The lower end of the tongue also has small ventilation holes pressed into it, while its top part hosts a lively Sport Red Jumpman.

Inside the shoe, the soft white lining gives way to a silver insole for another mellow contrast. Then, for a more vigorous variation in tone, the Jumpman logo printed onto the sockliner is Sport Red. Above this, the back of the tongue is lined with a plush Light Graphite fabric and has a white patch sewn into it. Returning to the outer, the upper part of the collar features more Light Graphite tones where the main overlay moves away from the topline, this area containing aeration holes just like those on the similar part next to the tongue. This same dark grey also coats the large heel panel that dominates the back of the foot, its peak embossed with parallel ridges so that it can be easily gripped when pulling the shoe on. Its lower section, on the other hand, displays another set of colourful branding in the form of a Sport Red Jumpman leaping over Orange Peel Air text. Just below this is a heel overlay covered in the Air Jordan 3’s trademark elephant-print graphic, with another one encompassing the toe in a distinctive concluding flourish.