Sneaker holidays and anniversaries are always memorable and heavily celebrated. From Air Max Day (03.26) to Banned Day (10.18) and even those where were you when the Nike Air Yeezy II “Red October” dropped in 2014?-type beats have been engrained into the unofficial-official calendar for sneakerheads all over the world.
But if there’s one annual event that always brings the sneaker community together beyond the hype and the product, it’s the Doernbecher Freestyle.
Since 2004, Nike, Inc. has partnered with the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. The Freestyle campaign we’re now familiar with stemmed from a conversation with former Nike Global Creative Presentation Director Michael Doherty with his son about a way to raise awareness and funds for the children’s hospital. Doherty serves on the Board of Directors of the Doernbecher Foundation.
With over 100 OHSU patients bringing their creativity and stories to life, the Doernbecher Freestyle initiative has raised more than $30 million for the children’s hospital. The one-of-a-kind partnership between OHSU Doernbecher and Nike has helped cover the cost of care for families in need, expand pioneering research that benefits kids worldwide, and support specialized care unavailable anywhere else in the region.
As the presenting sponsor for the 2022 Doernbecher Freestyle collection, we look at some of the most memorable Doernbecher shoes and the inspiration behind each one.
Be sure to purchase tickets for the virtual 2022 Doernbecher Freestyle event here, streaming on February 25.
2004
Amid the Nike SB “Pink Box” era, Krystal Salsky cooked up a memorable Nike Zoom Air FC iteration.
As a part of the inaugural Doernbecher Freestyle collection, Salsky utilized pink (her favorite color) on the toe box, heel counter, and midsole. A pop of blue on the collar & Swoosh with the shoe’s white base, heel, & eyestay was executed well. And, of course, the gum bottom bringing together the Zoom Air FC’s skateboard roots to the fold.
2006
With the early stages of the Doernbecher collections being released in limited quantities and a lack of established sneaker media sites, the 2006 Doernbecher Freestyle collection is a relic. However, in 2015, a pair of the Nike Huarache 2K5 designed by Kenny Clegg surfaced on eBay. Limited to just 650 units, the Huarache 2k5 is hard to come by.
The Eric Avar-designed Huarache 2k5, a performance beast by any measure, was worn heavily by the game’s greats, so it’s only right that the shoe headlined the Doernbecher Freestyle collection.
Dressed in a glossy green upper with metallic silver overlays, a red Swoosh, and split blue & white midsole, the Nike Huarache 2k5 “Doernbecher” is a true gem.
(Image via Sneaker News)
2007
The 2007 Doernbecher Freestyle collection added the Air Jordan line to the mix for the first time.
Designed by Sheridan Brenton, the Air Jordan 2 “Doernbecher” acquired the “Peacock” nickname due to the shoe’s use of green and black. Additionally, the shoe included hits of red and yellow, with a dollar sign front and center on the shoe’s tongue tag. The shoe’s two-toned outsole and swirl pattern on the upper added dimension to the first-ever Air Jordan Doernbecher.
2008
Tony Taylor Jr. was a visionary when he took on the Air Jordan 1 for the 2008 Doernbecher Freestyle collection. While the AJ1 was prominent in the early 2000s, the silhouette’s current dominance is almost unfathomable — unless you’re Tony Taylor Jr., of course.
For the second straight year, an Air Jordan model made its way to the DB collection.
The Air Jordan 1 “Doernbecher” sported a black, white, and blue upper with palm tree prints, exposed yellow stitching, and a vibrant yellow outsole.
Doernbecher trees is the perfect place for shade
2009
As veteran sneaker journalist Ian Stonebrook put it, the Air Jordan 6 “Doernbecher” was “a pair so nice they’ve released it twice.”
Designed by Jordan Dark, the Air Jordan 6 “Doernbecher” first released in 2009 and then again in 2019 for the shoe’s 10th anniversary. The “Doernbecher” AJ6 was built with a blue suede upper with red details. The shoe included inspiration messages such as “What time is it? Game time,” aligning with Nike and Doernbecher Freestyle’s commitment to combining purpose through product.
2010
For many, the Air Jordan 3 signaled a pivotal moment for Jordan Brand and Nike history. Tinker Hatfield’s first design for his Airness birthed a new era. It’s only fitting that the shoe would make its way into the Doernbecher lineup.
Entering the new decade, Cole Johanson cooked up a firey AJ3. The Air Jordan 3 “Doernbecher” featured reflective 3M details and an icy outsole — a crossover interpretation of the Air Jordan 5 and its design language. The “Doernbecher” AJ3 was all about the Jumpman, whether intentional or not, thanks to Johanson.
Much like the Air Jordan 6 “Doernbecher” rollout, the “Doernbecher” AJ3 would get a second release, though it would arrive in three years rather than the 10 for the AJ6 mentioned above.
2011
The Air Jordan 4 “Doernbecher” is revered as one of the best Doernbecher (and Air Jordan 4) releases of all time. And for a good reason.
Isaiah Scott tapped his superpowers to create the Air Jordan 4. Filled with details, the “Doernbecher” AJ4 combined a black upper with laser engravings, vibrant green on the Wings & midsole, blue netting & exposed stitching, and its signature Superman logo on the tongue replacing the Jumpman tag.
Scott’s interpretation of the Air Jordan 4 elevated the model to new heights, added to the AJ4 legacy, and expanded its rich heritage.
2012
Although the 2012 Doernbecher Freestyle collection had many memorable silhouettes, the Air Jordan 9 “Doernbecher” by Oswaldo Jimenez stands out the most from that year’s collection.
Jimenez, whose nickname is Pollito (Spanish for Little Chicken), took pride in not only his Mexican heritage and family but embraced his nickname with feather details.
While the Air Jordan 9 doesn’t get all the flowers it should, Jimenez hatched a perfect colorway to the model.
2013
The 2013 Doernbecher Freestyle collection included three of the most iconic DB Jordans ever. On the one hand, Daniel Peña hit a home run with the Air Jordan 10 “Doernbecher” colorway, tying in his love for baseball. Simultaneously, Isaac Arzate played no games with his video game-inspired Air Jordan 5 “Doernbecher” iteration. Not to mention Cole Johanson’s AJ3 return.
With the Air Jordan 10 and Air Jordan 5 appearing in the Doernbecher lineage, Arzate and Pena let their creativity shine — especially with both utilizing a glossy finish on the uppers.
2014
While the Doernbecher collection always attracts attention, all eyes were on the 2014 collection — a decade after the first Doernbecher release.
And to no one’s surprise, it delivered.
Caden Lampert took on the Air Jordan 8 and truly made it his own. The Air Jordan 8 “Doernbecher” sported a blue suede upper with white speckles on the overlays, a translucent outsole, and a cartoon snake patch on the tongue. But there’s more. Glow-in-the-dark details, its 2012 “Galaxy”-esque vibes, and “Brave” & “Rock On” messaging embody everything that the Doernbecher Freestyle collection lives up to be.
2015
The 2015 Doernbecher Freestyle collection included the Air Jordan 13 for the first time in the Freestyle collection’s existence. Designed by John Charles and inspired by his passions in wrestling, gymnastics, and soccer, the Air Jordan 13 “Doernbecher” was detail-heavy.
An iridescent-like finish on the green patent leather panels, reptile-like scales that go from the tongue down to the toe box & wrap around the shoe, and hints of a fluorescent pink on the collar & outsole took the Air Jordan 13 to a whole new level.
The lime green details on the laces & Jumpman tongue logo alongside the “JC” lettering on the 13’s signature hologram “eye” equated to an absolute head-turner of a colorway.
2016
In 2016, the Doernbecher Freestyle captured the evolution of performance basketball with Damien Phillips’ Air Jordan 7 “Doernbecher” and Andy Grass’ Nike Kyrie 2 “Doernbecher” respective creations.
The “Doernbecher” AJ7 was a modern take on fire and ice with its volcano inspiration color scheme and icy outsole. Gold details and guitar riffing heel tabs added to Phillips’ rockstar status.
On the other hand, the “Doernbecher” Nike Kyrie 2 by Andy Grass was a testament to his support group as “LOVE MOM” found inside of the Kyrie 2’s straps, and “GRASS” & “STRONG” lettering on the front of the straps alongside the bottom of the insoles.
Whether a fan of the classics or new-age performance, the 2016 Doernbecher creations were hardwood classics in their own right.
2017
In 2017, Carissa Navarro recreated the Air Jordan 12. Aligned with the AJ12’s 20th anniversary, Navarro and her youth flair energized the Air Jordan 12 “Doernbecher” colorway.
The “Doernbecher” Air Jordan 12 incorporates a black and pink color combination with details inspired by her love for pizza, basketball, and her dog.
2018
All gold everything was the motif for the 2018 Doernbecher Freestyle collection. Both Donovan Dinneen and Joey Bates embedded elegance into their creations. Dinneen’s Air Jordan 15 “Doernbecher” and Bates’ Nike SB Dunk Low “Doernbecher” easily became two of the most memorable DBs to date.
The “Doernbecher” 15 took inspiration from Dinneen’s love for anime as a dragon scale-like upper coated the AJ15.
Bates celebrated then Green Bay Packers’ player Clay Matthews with his 52 jersey number included and the Packers’ color scheme. The American flag on both tongues, a quilted liner, and a chicken on both the insole and heel counter brought it all together.
2019
The 15th anniversary of the Doernbecher Freestyle collection included a slate of past and present releases. The return of the AJ6, SB Dunk High, and Air Foamposite One easily ranked high on everyone’s wish list.
Additionally, Ethan Ellis created an Air Jordan 14 that shined — literally.
Inspired by his Pacific Northwest roots and love for Texas Christian University’s Horn Frogs, Ellis added some purple swag to the Air Jordan 14 “Doernbecher” with glistening gold details. The addition of Seattle’s Space Needle tied it all together as Ellis’ heart transplant took place in Seattle.
2020/2021
After the postponement of the 2020 Doernbecher Freestyle unveiling due to COVID-19, Nike took the event virtual and unveiled its Air Jordan 1 High “What The Doernbecher” colorway.
Combining the designs and stories from all 14 previous Air Jordan DB releases, the Air Jordan High “What The Doernbecher” celebrated the Freestyle’s 17th capsule with only 17 pairs made.
The first AJ1 “What The Doernbecher,” packaged in a custom-lasered box, was auctioned off during the Virtually Freestyle event on February 25, 2021. The remaining 16 pairs were auctioned, with all proceeds going back to OHSU patients and staff.
2022
The official 2022 Doernbecher Freestyle collection has yet to be announced. But given the previous collections led by the creativity of the OHSU patients, we know the shoes will be life-changing at the very least.
The 2022 Doernbecher Freestyle collection will be unveiled via a virtual stream on February 25. You can purchase tickets here.
Stay tuned to SoleSavy for more sneaker-related news, including Doernbecher, Jordan Brand, and Nike.
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