Tinker Hatfield, the brainfather of the Air Max 1, was enlisted by the Jordan team in the late Eighties to devise the third silhouette in their basketball sneaker line. The shoe had to be lighter and more aerodynamic than its predecessors, and handsome enough to covet, to save Michael from signing with a competitor.
The Oregon native understood the assignment: delivering a comfy, lightweight and desirable kick instantly beloved by MJ, complete with a new logo (the Jumpman), a new pattern (elephant print) and a new bit of tech (the Air Window), initially developed in a bright, fresh colourway christened ‘white cement’.
To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 3, Jordan Brand is dropping the ‘white cement’ for the first time since 2013 (or 2018, if you’re willing to count the icy-soled Free Throw Line pairs loathed by staunch collectors). And since this is a ‘reimagined’ release – inspired by the success of 2022’s Air Jordan 1 Lost and Found ‘Chicago’ – the silhouette has been restored to its earliest shape and is trimmed with retro details and references.
For starters, hits of a vintage cream shade replace the bright white hue that traditionally coats the midsole, eyelets and backtab of the colourway, taking inspiration from the yellowing process of Jordan sneakers. This welcomed detail is complemented by the ‘Nike Air’ branding that’s reinstated upon the heel (once replaced by the Jumpman logo, which is already discoverable at the tongue), that matches the orange 'Nike Air' hang tag that comes affixed to the shoe.
On closer inspection, a trained eye will notice that the fabrics that form the upper have been elected to replicate those used in the Eighties as closely as possible. The white tumbled leather boasts just the right texture, the elephant print overlays hark back to the original pattern, and the tongue and sockliner cushioning has been reconfigured to provide a true-to-original look and feel.
And then there’s the box, which resembles the traditional Air Jordan 3 packaging but has been artificially aged to add to the retro feel of the 'reimagined' experience. It comes filled with elephant print tissue, and a copy of a diagram booklet that came bundled with pairs released back in 1988.
When is the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ dropping?
The Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ is dropping on Saturday 11 March in full-family sizing.
Albeit, the shoe is already available via sneaker marketplaces, including StockX, GOAT and Stadium Goods via Farfetch.
Where is the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ dropping?
The Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement reimagined’ will drop on the Nike SNKRS app at 8 am.
You can also enter the raffles live over on END, BSTN and the SNS app.
How much will the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ cost?
The Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement reimagined’ is priced between £49.85-£189.95. Here is the full price breakdown.
- Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ Toddlers’ (1.5-9.5) – £49.95
- Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ Younger Kids’ (10-2.5) – £64.95
- Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ Older Kids’ (3-6) – £107.95
- Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ (3-17) – £189.95
How does the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ fit?
The Air Jordan 3 'white cement reimagined' is designed to fit true to size.
What sizes does the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ come in?
The Air Jordan 3 ‘white cement re-imagined’ comes in full-family sizing, meaning toddler sizes, younger kid sizes, older kid sizes and adult sizes will be available from Saturday 11 March. The toddler sizes begin at 1.5 and the adult sizes go up to 17.
What laces come with the Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’?
The Air Jordan 3 ‘White Cement Re-Imagined’ comes with just one pair of laces: the standard flat white laces that completed each pair released in 1988.
