Air Jordan is about to release another Hornets-inspired colorway.
Dubbed Air Jordan V Retro "Hornets," the basketball shoe is set to be released on Saturday, May 2. The colorway is inspired by the team that Michael Jordan owns. The pair will retail at $190 and will be available at selected Jordan Brand retail shops. According to Sole Collector, a sample pair is already being sold on eBay.
The sneaker features a lot of purple and teal, similar to the Charlotte Hornets' own team colors, writes Slam Online.
According to photos presented on the Nike blog, the Jordan 5 "Hornets" model features a bluish-purple premium leather upper. The aqua accents make it a great summer shoe. The 3M detailing is on the tongue, which is similar to the original Jordan V model. The shoe also has a silver tongue, a crystal lacelock, an Air Max unit for cushioning and icy blue outsoles.
Sole Collector described the pair as having stitched aqua Jumpman logo on the tongue. The tongue lining and shark teeth on the midsole are also aqua. The plastic mesh on the sides and tongue are white and are built to provide good ventilation. The shoelaces and insoles are bluish-purple and there is another Jumpman logo with a "30" background printed, signifying the brand's 30 years in the business, according to Sneaker Bar Detroit. The stitching throughout the shoe is bluish-purple and there is another stitched white Jumpman logo on the back.
The rest of the midsole is bluish-purple, so it actually pays tribute to the Hornets and Duke, Jordan's rival college during his younger years, Boombox reported. The white Air Max unit is visible through the air bubble at the rear portion of the sneaker. The front and back portions of the outsole is icy blue and features a herringbone pattern. This is separated by a bluish-purple section in the middle. A third aqua Jumpman logo can be seen through the icy outsole.
As a "remastered" version, the Air Jordan V Retro "Hornets" model is expected to be tougher, as it is made of quality materials that are close to the original version. The Air Jordan V was worn by Michael Jordan in 1990 and made waves among basketball fans because of its technology, offering comfort, responsiveness and aesthetics on and off the court. The 3M tongue, in particular, is one of the most distinct characteristics of the Jordan 5. The Air Max unit, heavy-duty construction and great design made it one of the most popular and well-loved Jordans even up to the present.