The history behind the inspirations of the Air Jordan 5 are among some of the most glamorized and beloved chapters in the 40 year old lore of Jordan Brand.
The sneaker, of course, was designed by the incomparable Tinker Hatfield. Tinker, as he would, drew inspiration from Jordan’s on court personality and linked his hobbies and interest into the design process. The result was one of the most popular Air Jordans of all time.
Through it’s popularity, the fighter-jet inspired shark teeth have became one of the most recognizable pieces of sneaker detailing ever. The Air Jordan 5 arrived at an important time of sneaker history. A time when sneakers began peaking the interest of pop culture. A time when popular colorways, like the Grape 5s, went on to become pop culture phenomenons.
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When one thinks of their favorite details on the Air Jordan 5, though, the shoe laces do not come up when discussion. Despite this, efforts across different releases and retelling of stories have changed that. Thanks to the power of nostalgia, and sneaker heads love for the preservation of history, the white lace swap have become a prominent part of the Metallic Air Jordan 5 lore.
During the 1990 NBA Playoffs, in the opening series against the Bucks, Jordan hit the floor with a pair of lace-swapped Metallic 5s. By that time in the season- Jordan had already put plenty of miles in his Player Exclusive Metallics. This different look with the white laces, though, would forever be engraved within young sneaker heads minds.
That season, the Bulls came just short of an NBA Finals appearance. Despite Jordan leading the 1990 NBA Playoffs in points, the Bulls fell to the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Though that summer is more likely remembered for the changing of the guard that was to come in the NBA, the stylistic choice made by Jordan would cause a ripple effect with sneaker heads that would be felt for decades to come.
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In 2010 Jordan Brand announced the BIN 23 Line. The goal of the line, according to JB, was to celebrate “lost stories” that were “finally ready to be whispered again”. The campaigns decision to focus on lesser-known stories paid off, as the Bin 23 line found much success among diehard Jordan heads.
The openness from Jordan Brand to allow these stories to come to life lead to the Bin 23 Air Jordan 5. Though the use of materials was different, it was clear that the canvas for this sneaker was the Metallic 5. That change of materials, and the Bin 23 Logo were key details, but so was the intentional change to give the shoes white laces. This change came from feedback of Jordan fans who wanted the story of the 5 to be told through Jordan’s infamous lace-swap. This was the first time that a Metallic, or in this case adjacent colorway, released with white laces.
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Ten years after the Bin 23s came one of the most significant Air Jordan 5 releases of all time.
Virgil Abloh’s Off-White imprint had become of of the driving forces in streetwear by the time the designer linked up with Nike in 2017. The success of their initial campaign, The Ten, helped usher in one of the biggest booms in sneaker history.
When the NBA’s returned to Chicago for the 2020 All Star Weekend, Abloh, a Chicago native, had the perfect platform to release his next Air Jordan Collaboration. The result of this effort came to be the Off White x Air Jordan 5 “Muslin”. Despite the material and name change, it was clear what the inspiration was for the Off White 5 was the Metallic Air Jordan 5. As the sneaker exploded in popularity ahead of it’s release in February of 2020, so did the frequency “Early Looks” featuring the sneaker dressed in white laces.
The Air Jordan 5 always held a special place in Abloh’s heart- as it was the first Air Jordan he ever owned. When presented the opportunity to work on the sneaker, Abloh’s twist on the Metallic 5 perfectly celebrated the legacy of the sneaker while still introducing it to the sometimes polarizing Off White motifs.
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Now in 2025, the Metallic Air Jordan 5 will return as part of the Reimagined line. This will mark the sixth time the sneaker releases, as Jordan Brand is promising the closest look to the OG yet.
Additionally, the pair will feature reflective pipping throughout the edges of the upper to give the sneaker the retro look. Finally, for the first time ever on an inline Metallic 5, the sneaker will be equipped with primary white laces. The same white laces that helped Jordan achieve greatness on the court. The same white laces that helped the Metallic 5 have the illustrious run it has had since it debuted in 1990.
The Air Jordan 5 is one of the most impactful Air Jordan sneakers ever. It’s details were instrumental to the popularity of Jordan Brand in the early 1990s. Though the reflective tongue and the shark tooth designs have achieved a run of popularity, it was about time the infamous white lace swap had a victory lap, too.
The Air Jordan 5 Metallic Reimagined release on SNKRS in full family sizes on February 8th.
Stay up to date on this release and more via the SoleSavy DROPS app. There you can find the latest news details as well as release info and raffle management.
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