Air Jordan 5 Retro Hops an International Flight in 2018
The Air Jordan 5's design was inspired by American World War II fighter planes and is visible through the shark-tooth shaped design on the trainer’s midsole. Other creative elements of the Air Jordan 5 include a translucent icy outsole, adjustable lace lock, visible Nike Air unit, moulded-ankle collar and reflective tongue. The first variations of the trainer came in leather and nubuck. "Nike Air" branding was featured on the back of the shoe's original run, while later retros displayed a Jumpman logo.
History and Timeline of the Air Jordan 5
The Air Jordan 5 is Michael Jordan's fifth signature trainer under the Nike brand. This model was first released in 1990 and designed by Tinker Hatfield, who also created shoes in the company's archive such as the Nike Air Max, Air Trainer and Mag. Hatfield is also credited with designing every signature trainer Michael Jordan played in during his professional career in the NBA since the Air Jordan 3.
The Air Jordan 5 was originally released in four colourways:
- Black-black/metallic silver
- White-grape/emerald
- White-fire red/black
- Black/fire red with Jordan's number 23 stitched on the heel (a player exclusive for the NBA star that never got released in the '90s)
The Air Jordan 5 Retro went global in 2018 with the International Flight colourway. A Sail tumbled leather coats the majority of this upper from the toe top, front mudguard and overlays to the laces, tongue, ankle cuff, and heel. Hyper Royal and Orange Peel geometric patterns are revealed in the breathable mesh side panels as well as inside the sock liner. A shark tooth-style Orange Peel pattern coats the side of the midsole, and an icy blue translucent outsole covers the bottom of this sneaker. A Hyper Royal Jordan Jumpman emblem sits on the shoe's 3M Metallic tongue, and Hyper Royal also covers the lateral side's No. 23.
