Detailed Looks at the Air Jordan 11 “Alternate Gamma” Sample

Outside of the legendary “Cool Grey” colorway, there isn’t a more in-demand non-OG colorway of the Air Jordan 11 than 2013’s “Gamma Blue” Holiday release. With the former returning recently and the rumors of the latter returning every year (no, they’re not coming in 2023) — the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” is always at the front of mind. Today it’s front and center once more, with rare sneaker collector English Sole giving us a detailed look at one of the retail release’s look-see samples.

Inspired by Chris Paul’s Air Jordan 12 PE, this is the alternate version of the 11 that was never to be. Though it boasts a familiar look, there are a few subtle differences between sample and retail pairs. This version substitutes the retail’s yellow for the more customary Hornets’ purple. More pops of purple make their way to the insoles, embroidered Jumpmen, and tongue tags, while areas such as the inside tongue, the screen printed 23, and the small Jumpman on the tongue get geared up in Gamma Blue. An additional (yet somewhat unexpected) difference on this pair comes with the laces and lace straps which receive a charcoal finish as opposed to the tonal black-on-black of the retail release.

See for yourself below, and with a release for these unlikely — and with the rumored release of the Gamma 11s for holiday 2023 quashed — the closest you’ll get for now is aftermarket pairs of the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma Blue” on sites like StockX and GOAT.

Air Jordan 11 “Alternate Gamma” Looksee Sample