As it stands now, though, the Air Jordan 3s are firmly planted at the top of my list of favourite Air Jordans, followed closely by the Air Jordan 1s. These sneakers have character and energy, but they’re mature, too. To pay tribute to one of the most celebrated silhouettes in the iconic shoe line, we present our list of the best-ever Air Jordan 3 sneakers.
Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement”
The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cement” remains a steadfast pillar of sneaker culture. It is a forceful mix of black, cement gray, and fire red accents. Here, you have a tumbled leather upper, and the signature elephant print—which looks even more formidable than on any other colorway of the AJ3.
Air Jordan 3 “Black Cat”
Michael Jordan sported this sneaker during his 2001-02 NBA return, and it’s pure beauty. If anything, it proves the point that every silhouette needs an all-black colorway in its arsenal. But this isn’t just a black version of a sneaker. This is the “Black Cat.” And, as we all learnt, there was more to that name than just a play on nighttime visibility.
Air Jordan 3 “Fire Red”
This sneaker includes the contrasting colors of the Chicago Bulls. The upper is made from a base of white leather, which is as clean as a blank canvas, allowing the design details to stand out. Constructed of much more than just simple leather, this shoe is far more texturally interesting than your everyday leather silhouette.
Air Jordan 3 “True Blue”
The “True Blue” 3s have an upper that is made mostly of white leather, which gives it a clean and timeless look. Like the other classic colorways, this one has elephant print overlays on the toe cap and heel. Some prominent “True Blue” accents are found on the eyelets, tongue lining, and Jumpman logo.
Air Jordan 3 “Seoul”
Launched in 2018 and whipped up as a special celebration in the Nike Innovation Kitchen, this colorway pays homage to the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea. Created by Tinker Hatfield and Dan Sunwoo, now the Senior Director of Virtual Creation & Curation at Nike Virtual Studios, this limited-edition version takes design cues from the Taegukgi, the Korean flag.
Air Jordan 3 Retro “Doernbecher”
This color combination has a truly touching backstory. It is a partnership product from Nike and the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and it was conceived by 14-year-old Hugo ‘Juice’ Covarrubias Molina. Hugo has the Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, which causes one side of his body to grow larger than the other. The shoes’ colorway honors his love for his favorite football team, the Seattle Seahawks.
Air Jordan 3 “Cool Grey”
Starting in 2007 and then coming back in 2021, the Air Jordan 3 “Cool Grey” set itself up as an example of understated elegance, much like the “Mocha” we just discussed. Unlike most iterations of the 3, which are usually pretty vibrant and colorful, this colorway was more about sophisticated minimalism—basically a more refined and adult version of the Jordan 3.
Air Jordan 3 “Rare Air”
The Air Jordan 3 “Rare Air” sports a vibrant palette similar to its Air Jordan 4 counterpart but opts for unique shades of “Black,” “Chile Red,” “Neutral Grey,” “Military Blue,” and “Coconut Milk” to complete its look. The Air Jordan 3 OG “Rare Air” is set to make its debut in Summer 2025. You can secure your pair from Nike.com and select Jordan Brand retailers for a retail price of $200 USD in men’s sizes.
Air Jordan 3 “White Cement”
This is the genuine OG, the holy grail, the root from which all others sprang. We came to love and appreciate the 3’s signature elephant print, clean lines, and historical weight. On this colorway, these elements were bolder, and we beheld the true beauty of the sneaker. It was fresh and looked fresh as MJ wore it while flying from the free throw line to the rim in the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest.
Air Jordan 3 RTNA
These truly incredible sneakers were the result of a years-long collaboration between research firm Lifescaped, Jordan Brand, and legendary Tinker Hatfield. In addition to its revolutionary RTNA coating, the sneaker also has a sleek and futuristic look that reminds us of something out of a sci-fi movie, more specifically, Robocop.
