The Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” sneaker will soon make its first appearance as a low-top.
The Air Jordan 11 Low “Space Jam” is set to release next week as a new take on the iconic sneaker made famous by the movie of the same name. The regular high-top version of the AJ11 “Space Jam” has released three times in a total including its launch in 2000, and the Air Jordan 11 Low IE, a different low-top version of the sneaker that Michael Jordan wore twice in 1996, also got the treatment in 2019.
Black patent leather and mesh form the upper of the AJ11 Low “Space Jam,” while a white midsole sits above a translucent blue outsole. The truncated heel then features a smaller but familiar “23” logo, as well as a tiny blue Jumpman.
Because the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” didn’t release until four years after the movie came out in 1996, it’s enjoyed a special lore among sneakerheads. Only a handful of pairs were made initially for Jordan himself, and those actually featured a more purple Jumpman logo. Someone once traded a car for an original pair in the more nascent days of sneaker collecting, and a pair with a custom box sold at auction in 2021 for $176,000.
The 2016 retro release for the Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” was more true to the original with its Jumpman logo, although it also swapped “23” for “45” on the heel and featured a blue-tinted outsole to help prevent aging. The only other reissue of the sneaker was in 2009, and that version featured a clear outsole prone to yellowing.
Although also a low-top, the Air Jordan 11 Low IE stands out because of its upper was almost entirely redesigned rather than merely cut shorter with the same lines. Jordan played in the sneaker during a regular season game and a lone playoff game in 1996, and the “Space Jam” edition made its debut five years ago.
The Air Jordan 11 Low “Space Jam” will release May 18 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
