Air Jordan 3 'Desert Elephant' Release June 29th

Air Jordan 3 'Desert Elephant' Release June 29th

Haven Neiman

All starting with the legendary Michael Jordan signing with Nike in 1994, the Jordan Brand has since grown into a full-fledged signature shoe and apparel brand. The young rookie was still making his way as a player but was one of the first to sign with a brand as an athlete. Michael Jordan has worn a variety of Jordan sneakers throughout his career, and even though the athlete has been retired since 2003, his iconic sneaker line lives on.


The Air Jordan 3 was the third sneaker model of the iconic line and is considered to still be one of the most popular Air Jordan models existing to this day. The basketball sneaker set a new standard for fashion and technology paired with a mixture of elevation and style. In contrast to the other Air Jordan sneakers, the Air Jordan 3 doesn’t feature a large Swoosh at the side panels, only a Nike AIr logo at the rear and a signature Jumpman logo at the tongue. The iconic elephant-like print is seen at the upper, while the visible Air unit underneath the heel is another continuous component of the silhouette. Designed by legendary sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield, who also designed the Air Max 1 and Air Trainer 1, spoke with Michael Jordan before the creation of the Air Jordan 3. He asked the basketball player what he was looking for in a basketball shoe. Michael requested something with a mid-cut height instead of a super high-top shoe. He wanted it to be comfortable and can be broken in quickly, all while taking on a sophisticated aesthetic.


Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan 3 for the first time during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game and Slam Dunk Contest held during the All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Wearing the iconic ‘Black Cement’ colorway, there were also three popular commercials where a young Spike Lee was sporting the sneaker. Since its introduction, some of the Air Jordan 3’s most popular silhouettes included White Cement, Black Cement, Fire Red, True Blue, and more. With that, the Jordan Brand introduces the latest colorway of the Air Jordan 3—Desert Elephant. Releasing in men’s and grade school sizing, the silhouette features a blend of tumbled leather that also showcases the signature elephant-print overlays. The sneaker also provides additional materials and color blocking that stay true to its original release. A contrasting embroidered Jumpman makes an appearance at the tongue, while the durable polyurethane midsole offers a durable touch. A visible Air-sole unit at the heel is impressionable, and the rubber outsole protects the design.


FEATURE Release - Friday, July 29th


Air Jordan 3 ‘Desert Elephant’ - CT8532-008

Air Jordan 3 ‘Desert Elephant’ (GS) - DM0967-008


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Our FEATURE Release Draw ends Thursday, 7/28, at 4 p.m. PST. All winners will receive notice within 24 hours of the release date if they have won.

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