Jordan Brand's bread-and-butter continues to be its Air Jordan line, but the Nike, Inc. imprint deviates every so often to experiment with its heritage.
Before retro releases bombarded retailer and sneaker media outlets' calendars, those interested in #23's footwear were treated to only a few dozens of drops per year. In September 2008, Team Jumpman treated eager fans to the Jordan 6 Rings, a concept-driven model that infused elements from all six Air Jordan model's in which His Airness won an NBA title. Beyond directly borrowing components from models like the Air Jordan 11, the mishmash shoe also indulged in color schemes from MJ's playing days. The latest pair follows suit.
Chicago Bulls colors have been a mainstay in the Jordan 6 Rings' catalog since '08. And while the newly-surfaced style isn't a one-to-one rip of the franchise's uniform, its 'Black/Anthracite/Varsity Red' trio immediately calls upon images of the six-time champion. Patent leather mudguards and ballistic nylon base layers set the stage for minimal, but noticeable contrast along the profile and at the heel–most notably the ruby-colored flair that animates hardware and branding around the tongue.
Enjoy official photos of the hybrid design ahead. A firm Nike.com launch date hasn't been revealed by the brand, but that's likely to change by June. The Jordan 6 Rings is priced at $170 USD.
For more from the Jumpman family, check out the 'Xuanwu' Jordan 1 unveiled for Chinese New Year.