The Ultra-Rare Air Jordan 3 RTNA Sample Was Decades in the Making

At its core, Nike, Inc. is a company committed to innovation. Although most of its plans for the rest of 2025 and beyond remain under wraps, the institution delivers behind-the-scenes looks every so often. In 2021, it revealed a special Air Jordan 3 RTNA ('Retna'/Retina) concept rooted in the future of color.

Showcased to the public at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art outside of London, the retro was developed over several years via collaboration between the Swoosh's Explore team and zoologist Andrew Parker's company Lifescaped.

What made the pair so special at the time it was first previewed (and to this day) is the RTNA coating used across the Air Jordan model's different zones. The coating is applied to its surface without mixing in any other materials. Once its cut and sewn to the pattern, it delivers an iridescent finish reminiscent of butterfly wings. As reported by Wired four years ago, "Nike’s RTNA coating uses Lifescaped’s Pure Structural Colour technique. Based on the process found in nature on everything from grasses to marine worms, it’s an incredibly thin, transparent silicon dioxide coating made up of microscopic structures, which Parker compares to tiny prisms or holograms. These can be designed and sculpted to selectively reflect only certain wavelengths of light, and thus produce specific [colors] to the eye of the viewer – no pigments or dyes whatsoever."

While similar to some of Nike Sportswear's inline offerings replete with color-shifting panels, the RTNA retro introduces a process unlike anything found across the Swoosh conglomerate's entire catalog of products. Parker's research and development for the Pure Structural Colour technique took him over 20 years to figure out.

Instagram user @englishsole recently got his hands on a sample pair of the special project, and took to social media to share detailed shots of the shoe. Jordan Brand has no intention of releasing the style to the public, but the sample delivers a glimpse of what the Nike, Inc. team is working on.

Enjoy photos of the Jordan 3 RTNA below, and check out the Nigel Sylvester Jordan 4 if you're looking for a retro you can cop at retail soon.