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As you’re probably well aware by now, the “Flu Game” edition of the Air Jordan XII will be making its second go-around as a Retro model. Much to the dismay of some collectors, in addition to the new Flu Game graphics that have been included on the new version, the material of the upper has also been switched to suede. While this isn’t as big an issue to some as to others, the change is still very noticeable. Although the switch does give sneakerheads something to complain about, a look at the two previous versions shows that even the 2003 Retro featured some slight differences from the 1997 OG model.
As you can see through these comparison shots, the OG upper was a smooth leather, while the the 2003 Retro model sported a more full-grain pebbled leather look. Aside from the upper material and the special “Flu Game” touches, the only other major change is on the heel. The Jordan branding was Red on the two previous versions, but the new edition uses white Jordan text and a Red “23″ shout-out instead of the Black look of the others. If you’d like to analyze further, you can look through a ton of pics after the jump to see the three different variations, including some looks at even the GS and baby sizes of the OGs. Via HoopChina.
30 Responses to “Air Jordan 12 Flu Game – 1997 OG – 2003 Retro – 2009 Retro – Comparison”
November 16th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
The past of the years is getting better and better.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
The good: Love the flu games. Thats a solid collection of the “flu game” and I personally cop OG’s retros for my son. So to see a full collection down to the kids sizes real that. Lol Respect.
The bad: There is a real decline in materials. JB look at this shit! That is huge difference.
Im still coppin.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
i remember dem jordan face boxes
November 16th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
F I R E
November 16th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
the 03 retros look the best, they should have stuck to the leather. they just look so much better and less cheap.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
this is just a heads up to all you guys, the red sole on the flu games is a different color red then the rest of the shoe… you can kinda tell in these pics… almost kills it for me… its gonna be a gametime decision
November 16th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I like the 09 flu games. Out with the old in with the new, the 97 version is nice but the 09 will be even more unique than the other versions.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Let’s be honest… these are hard to rock off the court. I faithfully wore my OG’s but it’s a tough kick to kick! I can appreciate all 3 models. The OG is… well, OG! Pebbled leather is a fav of mine so the retro works. The suede adds a seriously rich and much deeper color to the mix and is really nice. I could do without the white flu-face but it’s a nice model regardless!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Fuck the 09s the 03s look clean as fuck
November 16th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
great pics
i still got my 03s but they dont look this good
November 17th, 2009 at 1:59 am
the 09 looks UGLY!!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 3:33 am
i still prefer the pebbled leather. easier to keep clean.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:38 am
yea 03′s are the best i reckon
November 17th, 2009 at 9:49 am
damn another reason i aint getting these…..if they were the leather ones then i wouldnt be sayn nothin
November 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am
I had the OG’s in 97 and i hated them and never had any desire to get the 03 Retro’s, but the 09′s are something else. The change to suede makes all the difference, best by far.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:46 am
the flu games 12s are not even close to the colorway of the retros and the ogs. Pass 4 me!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I still rock my OG I probally won’t even get these
November 17th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
03 retros all the way DMV stand up we fuck wit them retros
November 17th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I usually prefer OGs and retros like eeryone else, but in this case, I take all three. The re-retro release of the “Flu Games” are pretty good. Yea, there’s the nubuck on them instead of the leather, but the overall design is the same and they still look amazing. I’m definitely coppin.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I still got my ’03 retros. I ain’t purchasin them suedey flu shots….. I mean flu games
November 17th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
PASS!!! Keep it Original JB!! Quit messing up Grails!!!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
DISRESPECT REALLYYOU PUT LEATHER ON THE FLYPSIDE INSPIRED BY THE 12′S BUT THE THE ACTUAL RETRO 12′S THAT CAME OUT YOU PUT SUEDE OR NUBUCK IUNNO BUT YA’LLL ARE MESSS’T UP GIVE ALL OFF US AREASON WHY??? WHY DID YOU CHANGE IT? WHY?
WHY? EVEN THE INFERED 6 THE SUEDE INTEAD OF NUBUCK WHY?
November 17th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
The OG’s leather is so smooth compare to the 03 retro and definitely much better than the suede, I’m just wondering why JB decided to change the materials used on them…
November 17th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
The orignals and the ’03 retro look the best in this pic. The ’09 Blk/red XII is a waste of production imo, but no matter what I say about the ’09 re-retro it will still sell out.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
2009 the best
November 18th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I can tell u why dey changed da leather 2 suede its like being married 4 12 yrs ur bored and want something new in bad economy ya kno I’m coppin
November 21st, 2009 at 2:34 pm
the suede make dem hoes look way better im mean tha lether straight but tha suede make dem look real fresh gotta get em
November 26th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
gettin them in 5mins
November 27th, 2009 at 10:11 am
i got them, but im highly disappointed in them. they need to stop messing with these shoes, if they’re gonna re release them, keep them og. i’m still looking for a pair of ds or near ds in a size 12 of the 2003′s…cause these just arent that great.
February 17th, 2010 at 5:01 am
I was really excited to hear Jordan Brand was going to put the black/red AJXII’s out again. BUT,when I heard Jordan brand decide to change the leather to nubuck/suede,I decided to pass on these. They change soo much on this shoe,they ruined a classic. What they should have done was keep the material the same like the OG’s or 2003 retros and put the year,points he scored,and the sick face on a label inside the tongue of the shoe just like what reebok did with Allen Iverson’s “Answer I”.The reason why I dislike the 2009 flu game shoe soo much. Nubuck is cheap material(look at the sells of the Carolina Nubucks).SOOO many different shades of red? The 23 on the heel is a different shade of red? WHY PUT a sick cartoon face on the tongue? The black foam part near the heel is different shade of black. And the jumpman eyelets(accents/laceholders) look cheap as hell.The OG and the 2003 retros are a million times better than this cheap piece of s**t. It’s not worth $150.lol
Only thing Jordan brand did right,was the CandyCane XII’s(White/red).Its 97% identical to the OGs.