Nike is preparing to bring back a non-Jordan sneaker associated with Michael Jordan.
The Nike Air Max 180 “Concord” will release in early August for the first time in 11 years. Jordan wore the sneaker in a photoshoot for Team USA at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, aka the “Dream Team,” and the “Concord” colorway is also more commonly associated with an Air Jordan 11 edition of the same name.
The returning sneaker is more carefully tailored to the Air Max 180’s original design and invokes the Olympics with a metallic gold Swoosh and heel embroidery. White dresses the majority of the shoe, save for a black heel stabilizer and the namesake shade of purple on the outsole, collar and tongue.
Two of Nike’s best designers collaborated on the Air Max 180’s design, as Tinker Hatfield worked with Bruce Kilgore, the man behind the Air Force 1. They took inspiration from horseshoes in making the Air unit more visible than ever with a 180-degree sightline. Although the shoe has been regularly reissued since its initial run, this year marked the first time Nike executed the original proportions again, beginning with the launch colorway “Ultramarine.”
The sneaker Jordan actually wore while winning gold in 1992 is the Air Jordan 7, although that “Olympic” colorway isn’t making a return this year. Instead, an August rerelease is planned for the Air Jordan 6 “Olympic,” which was worn by Ray Allen and Vin Baker at the 2000 Olympics and has been reissued every four years since 2012.
The Nike Air Max 180 will release August 7 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $150.
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
