The Air Jordan 6 holds a special place among collectors because the model was worn by Michael Jordan during his first championship season. Within its original colorways, two stand above the rest — and one is set to release in a little over a week.
Official images are just now surfacing for the Air Jordan 6 White Infrared, coming long after reports of the shoe’s return first began circulating and later than leaks usually allow. Most crucial of all the details is the use of “Nike Air” branding on the heel, the first such appearance since the shoe’s original launch in 1991.
Crisp white leather runs through the upper uninterruted, while the lining and dual pulls on the tongue and heel come in black. Chicago Bulls red is used for the tongue’s Jumpman and lace toggle, as well as the maajority of the midsole. Rounding out the shoe is an outsole in black and a faintly blue translucent rubber.
Earlier this year brought an alternative version of the White/Infrared’s chief rival in popularity, as a small change to the midsole blocking of the Black Infrared was christened as the Salesman. The moniker nods to the sneaker’s origin as a salesman’s sample shown to retailers but never having actually released prior.
During the 1991-92 regular season, Jordan played in two white-forward versions of the Air Jordan 6: White Infrared and Carmine. Come playoff time, he then switched to the Black Infrared version that would become synonymous with the NBA Finals victory over Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Apart from the championship connection, the Air Jordan 6 is also known for being the last Air Jordan model to feature external “Nike Air” branding. And like the models the preceded it, its retro releases were long revised to feature the Jumpman in its place before a recent streak of restoring the original marks.
The Air Jordan 6 White Infrared will release Nov. 7 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $215.