The sneakerhead favorite Air Jordan 5 in the classic “Grape” colorway is back. The coveted kicks are set to return in an official release on Saturday (June 21) after 12 years off the retail market.
First released in 1990, the Air Jordan 5 broke away from traditional Jordan colorways by debuting the now-classic “Grape” look, described as a crisp white leather upper accented with Grape Ice and New Emerald tones. The design was originally a subtle homage to Michael Jordan’s home-state NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, and quickly became a cultural staple.
According to House of Heat, the Tinker Hatfield-designed shoes were made popular off court with the Jordan brand’s popularity emphasized by the star power of Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Will famously rocked the brightly colored sneakers, lace-free, in character for the classic sitcom. Jordan also wore the colorway when he appeared on the Wheaties cereal box; however, the NBA legend never wore them in a game. The first reissue came in 2006, and then again in 2013. In 2018, the Jordan brand released a special edition to pay tribute to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Smith’s legacy.
The 2025 release is nostalgic for sneakerheads, as it is mostly similar to the original drop 35 years ago. As noted in a statement, subtle upgrades include a sharper silhouette: a streamlined collar and slightly more slanted toe shape bring it closer to Tinker Hatfield’s original vision and heightening the retro feel. The sneaker also features translucent netting on the tongue and quarter panels, a matching icy outsole, clear lace locks, and packaging inspired by the original box.
Customers interested in purchasing the Air Jordan 5 “Grape” can find the shoes on Saturday, June 21, at Foot Locker and Champs Sports. Men’s sizing ($220)will be available at Foot Locker & Champs Sports via online launch reservation, with Grade School ($160), Pre-School ($100), and Toddler ($75) will be available at Foot Locker via online reservation.
Take a closer look at the Air Jordan 5 “Grape” below.
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