Air Jordan 5
The Air Jordan 5 (V) is the fifth sneaker in the Air Jordan signature line. It debuted in February 1990 during the All-Star Game and was released throughout the rest of the year in four different original colorways — the “Black/Metallic”, “White/Fire Red”, “Fire Red”, and “Grape”.
An occasion that Jordan Brand has already celebrated with the models that came before it, 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the Jordan 5, leading to reissues of many of those aforementioned OG pairs. The “Black Metallic Reimagined” was one of the first significant Jumpman drops of the year, with the “Fire Red” and “Grape” touching down closer to Fall.
Always a reliable way to drum up support, some notable collaborations have also taken place for the anniversary: the radical redesign birthed by the Awake NY x Jordan 5 and the ever-tasteful touch of retailer A Ma Maniere.
Check out some frequently asked questions about the Jordan 5 below, followed by the latest news, “Where to Buy” guides, and features. You can also find more Jordan Brand content by following @jordansdaily on Instagram.
As of Fall 2025, pricing for the retro is as follows:
- • Men’s $215
- • Women’s: $215
- • Big Kids: $160
- • Little Kids: $100
- • Toddler: $85
- • Crib: $65
When the sneaker first hit the shelves in 1990, it retailed for $125.
Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the architect behind many of the numbered Air Jordans and most iconic Nike products, the Air Jordan 5 takes inspiration from WWII fighter jets. That narrative notably inspires the AJ5’s timeless “sharktooth” midsole detailing.
Additional trademarks of the shoe are the puffy tongue design, reflective material often seen in that same spot, the synthetic netting on the quarter panel, and the lace-locks, spring-loaded plastic pieces that helps the wearer keep their kicks secure.
As with all Retro Jordans, Michael Jordan’s on-court excellence, celebrity, and genuinely ubiquitous cultural status have propelled his sneakers to become legendary. Tinker Hatfield’s hallowed design touch on the silhouette doesn’t hurt, either.
Ironically, much the same way that the Air Jordan 4 partially came to prominence by being on-feet for “The Shot,” the Air Jordan 5 cemented itself in many fans’ minds as His Airness poured 69 points on those same Cleveland Cavaliers a year later.
In case it needed any additional notoriety, the AJ5 would go on to become a staple of 90s streetwear. A commercial with Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon character (titled “Is It The Shoes”) helped bring attention to the silhouette before it even hit stores. Once it did, there was no bigger media spotlight than becoming a signature of Will Smith and his character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Jordan Brand would eventually pay homage to the actor with two “Bel-Air” colorways and a laceless version of the “Grape” in 2018.
The 35th anniversary of the Air Jordan 5 means that the model is a spotlighted model throughout the year. OG fans have been treated to the “Black Metallic Reimagined,” foregrounding the 3M textures of the 1990 classic, and more faithful re-runs with the “Grape” and “Fire Red.”
The shoe will get in on the “opening the vault” style retro movement with the Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo,” and may have minted a new grail in the AWAKE NY x Jordan 5. Finally, those who love a clean colorway without the heightened narrative or collab partner have had a ton to choose from; the “Luminous Green” “Golden Ticket,” and “Year of the Snake” head up some of the more widely accessible pairs.
Fans can look forward to that “Tokyo” colorway as well as the “Wings” and “35th Anniversary” colorways as we close out 2025.
Your best source to pick up a pair of Air Jordan 5s will vary widely for different colorways. More or less every Retro release will have some sort of launch via Nike’s SNKRS platform and often via boutique retail partners. Collaborative pairs typically launch via the collab partner’s site. Widely produced pairs (or “GRs”) will usually end up at big box retailers like:
- • Foot Locker
- • Finish Line
- • DICK’S
