Since the inception of the Air Jordan collection in 1985, the shoe has become a canonical Nike shoe with incredible staying power. When they were first released, the Air Jordan hype was so extreme that the first resellers in sneaker history were born -- flipping $65 Air Jordans for $100 on the street. Immense success for the shoe has solidified its position as a fashion and cultural staple.
Despite their popularity, not every color way of Air Jordans makes it to the hands of the public. While some samples are scrapped before making it to the production line, others are only made in scarce quantities for an athlete. Inevitably, these exclusive and rare sneakers make it into the hands of collectors.
We have curated a group of Air Jordans of unreleased Air Jordans designed by the illustrious Tinker Hatfield. The collection includes the Air Jordan 3 “Oregon Tinker PE” created for University of Oregon athletes, the Air Jordan 4 “Georgetown PE” designed for the Georgetown Basketball team, the Air Jordan 4 “Oklahoma PE” conceptualized for Oklahoma University basketball players, and the Jordan 5 “Tokyo T23” Yellow Toe Sample, made to commemorate the opening of the Jordan 23 store in Tokyo. The “Tokyo T23” Yellow Toe Sample was released exclusively in Japan, yet generated global demand, making the sneakers some of the most sought-after Jordan 5s ever.
Because of their scarcity and limited production, these sneakers are desirable to collectors and enthusiasts alike. These Jordans were either reserved for student athletes and faculty or reserved for those close to the Jordan Brand. Finding a pair of these shoes in deadstock condition is increasingly hard due to their initial unattainability.