Jordan 3 Retro

This Jordan 3 Retro has applied the iconic Infrared 23 tone to create vivid accents across various parts of its dapper outer. Beginning on the outsole, this colour decorates the curved pod that sits below the forefoot and the Jordan lettering embossed underneath the heel. The former is lined with ringed grip patterns that emanate out across its surface to offer a different form of traction to that provided by the star-shaped nodes on the toe and the more blocky structures making up the tread over the rest of the feature. These other parts are mostly black except for an area of white beneath the heel and medial edge, which serves to bolster the scarlet-coloured branding found there. Meanwhile, the midsole moves from a white toe with a line of stitching set into it to dual-layered polyurethane which is white along the lower part and the medial length of the upper section, and black around the heel and lateral side. Its lightweight but durable construction is supported by a visible Air window in the heel, so the wearer can see the comfortable cushioning held within.

The upper then switches to fine tumbled leather in an elegant shade of white that covers both the mudguard and the main overlay. This latter piece loops downwards away from the top of the collar to uncover a second layer of leather in black. While its colouration brings a strong tonal contrast to the sneaker, its surface has been marked with a series of mini perforations to deliver ventilation around the ankle. Further down the shoe, more of this black leather can be seen as it forms the upper section of the eyestay. Moulded Cement Grey half-circles have been placed in a row along its centre, each one forming an eyelet for the laces to pass through. Above this, in the front of the tongue, there are pairs of Infrared 23 TPU eyelets, while metal ringlets in the same bright tone secure the laces in the lower part of the eyestay, which is shaped from the white leather overlay as it cuts back in towards the tongue.

The white laces bring about more strong contrasts as they lie across a tongue that is black from tip to toe, its lower half filled with more breathable perforations, its upper half sleek and smooth with a white Jumpman logo woven into it. On the reverse, the tongue features a soft black padding that then continues inside the shoe, completely coating the inner walls. The insole is also black and has an Infrared 23 Jumpman adorning it. Back on the outer, an extra overlay encircles the rear of the foot, Cement Grey and black combining upon its surface to forge the memorable elephant-print graphic that the AJ3 is renowned for. Another overlay with the same exotic pattern caps the toe, before a large white heel panel loops up over the back of the shoe. The curved top part of this latter component is embossed with ridges that can be used to pull the shoe on more easily. Below this, in the centre of its lower half, a Jumpman leaps above the word “Air”, both elements clearly defined in black against the white of the heel tab, thus creating a fittingly bold conclusion to this eye-catching Air Jordan 3.