Jumpman historians and long-time sneakerheads might prefer to call the upcoming Jordan retro release something different to the brand’s “official” nickname for it.
In fact, they’ll probably insist on it.
The Air Jordan 11 Retro Low ‘Legend Blue’ is a low-cut version of the iconic colorway that Michael Jordan famously wore in the 1996 All-Star Game in San Antonio, his first appearance in the midseason showcase since his dalliance with baseball.
Featuring a blinding white upper constructed from patent leather and ballistic mesh with pale blue accents atop an icy outsole, the original colorway was called “Columbia.”
According to this 2014 deep dive from Nice Kicks, Nike may have run into legal trouble over the nickname from either the New York-based university or the outdoors gear brand that shared the same moniker.
So when the sneaker reappeared for a 2001 retro release, it had been renamed after what the Swoosh was calling the shade: ‘Legend Blue.’
And so it was again in 2014, and now in 2021, a quarter-century after its first arrival, and it looks as good as ever.
Featuring that same combination of gleaming white patent leather, white mesh and ‘Legend Blue’ detailing on the tongue tags and Jumpman logos, the low-top 2021 edition is the perfect successor to the colorway’s lineage.
UPDATE, 4/30: Get iced out when the Air Jordan 11 Retro Low ‘Legend Blue’ releases in Men’s and Kids’ sizing on 5/7 at jdsports.com and in stores via mobile app reservation.
How to Purchase
– Available at jdsports.com or in select stores via mobile app reservation on 5/7.
– To enter for a reservation of the Air Jordan 11 Retro Low ‘Legend Blue’ in Men’s sizing, head to our mobile app on Friday, April 30 at 3pm EST. Reservations will close on Monday, May 3 at 2pm EST.
– Reserved pairs can be picked up in store.
– STATUS members, redeem your points for more entries.
– No pairs will be sold in stores on 5/7, only at jdsports.com
