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Update: Dec. 28 at 12:50 p.m. ET:
It’s been nearly two decades since the “Black Cat” Air Jordan 3 Retro made its debut and soon, the sneaker will rerelease for the very first time.
The anticipated sneaker was added Saturday to Nike’s SNKRS launch calendar for an early January release. According to the official product description, the 2025 reissue of the sneaker features a black and Dark Charcoal color combination in a material mix of nubuck, leather and polished patent leather. And like the original 2007 version, the upcoming retro features unique shoelaces covered in elephant print to match the shoe’s toe and heel overlays.
One small discrepancy that may disappoint purists is the lack of hidden “Black Cat” embroidery behind the heel tab, a feature which was included on the original ’07 iteration.
Fans of the stealthy “Black Cat” line have several pairs to look forward to in the new year. In addition to the return of the Air Jordan 3, the fan-favorite Air Jordan 4 Retro “Black Cat” is also reportedly returning. The latter style debuted in 2006 and was last seen in 2020. It’s currently expected to be released during the holiday season, but specific drop details have not been confirmed.
And along with this upcoming “Black Cat” rerelease, the iconic Air Jordan 3 recently returned in its original “Black Cement” colorway from 1988. The “Black Cement” sneaker, which is considered to be one of the greatest of all time, was released in November for the first time since 2018.
Readers interested in picking up the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cat” can mark their calendars for Jan. 11. The pair retails for $200 in adult sizing and will launch from SNKRS at 10 a.m. ET with further availability from select Jordan Brand retailers. It will also be available in big kids, little kids and toddler sizes.
Update: Oct. 9, 2024 at 12:20 p.m. ET:
When it comes to retro sneakers, sometimes there’s no telling how long it will be before a brand decides to reissue a certain pair. There are styles like the “Columbia Blue” Air Jordan 11, which returns in December for the first time in 10 years. Others, like the “Black Cement” Air Jordan 3, are brought back even more frequently, as the sneaker is set to be released in November after last appearing in 2018. Then there are other pairs, like the upcoming “Black Cat” Air Jordan 3, which has managed to go nearly two decades without a retro.
After reports of a 2025 “Black Cat” Air Jordan 3 Retro surfaced earlier this year, the style is now all but confirmed as first-look images have hit social media. Those who have been eagerly waiting for the sneaker to reappear will be glad to see that the ’25 version retains all of the signature details of the original 2007 version.
Aside from its obvious all-black aesthetic, features unique to this specific Air Jordan 3 style include a glossy patent leather mudguard, glossy midsole, and shoelaces printed with the sneaker’s signature elephant print pattern. Based on the first-look image, all of these details will be accurately represented on the ’25 release.
And for the serious Air Jordan purists, it could be argued that this ’25 “Black Cat” has an even more accurate build than the ’07 pair. The Air Jordan 3 model is one that the brand has paid special care to in recent years, dialing in the details to achieve a shape that closely matches the original 1988 version. That attention to detail is carried over to the new “Black Cat” release, which features a sleek sloped design reminiscent of the 2023 “White Cement Reimagined” style.
Along with the early look, an updated release date for the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cat” has also been shared. According to @zsneakerheadz, the colorway will arrive at retailers on Jan. 11 with a SKU of CT8532-001.
What We Originally Reported on Aug. 12, 2024
A fan-favorite Michael Jordan sneaker is expected to return at the beginning of 2025.
According to early reports, the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cat” is coming back in January. There was initially some speculation around whether or not the release would materialize, but now it appears to be only a few seasons away from hitting shelves.
Having been released only in June 2007, the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cat” applies one of the brand’s most popular colorway themes to an equally celebrated model. Inspired by Jordan’s “Black Cat” nickname on the court — which was also Tinker Hatfield’s inspiration for the Air Jordan 13 sneaker — the series of shoes typically don all-black uppers in various materials.
The 2007 iteration of the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cat,” pictured here, used a black nubuck upper with a glossy patent leather mudguard and outfitted the shoe’s signature elephant print in a Dark Charcoal shade. Elephant print-patterned shoelaces were also included, giving the style a unique twist compared to the other crop of Air Jordan 3 Retros from the 2000s era. It hasn’t yet been confirmed if all of these details will be replicated on the ’25 “Black Cat” Air Jordan 3, but readers can expect a similar look on the upcoming release.
The most coveted sneaker in Jordan Brand’s full “Black Cat” spread is the Air Jordan 4, which was first released in 2006 and again in 2020. The latter pair retailed at $190 has become one of the model’s most expensive styles, regularly reselling for around $1,000.
Other upcoming drops expected to use the “Black Cat” theme include the Air Jordan 4 RM, a remixed version of the retro sneaker whose launch was spearheaded by BMX pro Nigel Sylvester. Meanwhile, the Air Jordan 3 is due to rerelease in its original “Black Cement” style in November.
As of publishing, the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Black Cat” is set to be released on January 25 in full family sizing with an official colorway of “Black/Dark Charcoal/White.” Men’s sizes are expected to retail at $200.
