RESTOCK: Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”

Last seen in 2009.

Sneaker News January 19th, 2024 (updated)

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Update Jan 19, 2024: The Air Jordan 12 Cherry has restocked on Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Cherry 12s are back, here’s everything you need to know about the pair – including: history, differences between retros, release date, and price. If you’re in a hurry, Check out the extensive “Where to Buy” section below.

Cherry 12s: Release Date & Price

The Cherry 12s release for the whole family on October 28th via the Nike SNKRS and a wide range of sneaker retailers, typically beginning at 10am EST.

Prior to the retro’s widespread return, the Swoosh offered the shoe via SNKRS Shock Drop on October 12th at 12pm EST. Adult sizing is priced at $210 USD. By comparison, MSRP for kids’ sizes are as follows: $160 for Big Kids (SKU: 153265-116), $100 for Little Kids (SKU: 151186-116), $85 for Toddler (SKU: 850000-116). (Pricing may vary by country and currency conversions.)

WHERE TO BUY

Mens Air Jordan 12 "Cherry"

SKU: CT8013-116

RETAIL PRICE: $210

RELEASE DATE: Apr 26, 2024

US 04/26/2024 Friday

Retailer	Release type	Status
Nikestore US	Standard	Check Site

Get on the Where to Buy list

When did the Cherry 12s Debut?

Michael Jordan’s iconic “White/Varsity Red/Black” sneaker first released to the public in 1997.

The Air Jordan 12 was designed by Tinker Hatfield, his 10th design for the Air Jordan line. The silhouette debuted a year earlier in late 1996, launching in a “White/Black/Taxi” color scheme coloquially referred to as the Taxi 12s. The “Cherry” option was one of four styles that followed the inaugural pair, and makes the most direct nod to Hatfield’s inspiration for the shoe: Japan’s flag. Known as Misshoki, the “Rising Sun” emblem on the Far East country’s flag was subtly recreated on the “Varsity Red”-accented sneaker. Unique stitching patterns across the upper resembled the sun’s rays while reptilian-textured mudguards brought bold ruby-colored flair to the forefront. Gold-plated eyelets and new branding hits – “T W O 3” on the tongue, “Jordan” patches on the spine – also marked a special occasion: the AJ12 marked the first sneaker to arrive without Nike logos anywhere – including the insoles – and the last to come packaged in swoosh-branded boxes.

Performance-wise, the Jordan 12 was also special as it employed full-length Zoom Air cushioning for the first time in Michael Jordan’s signature footwear line. Typically associated with Nike Running, Zoom Air delivered a different underfoot-feel to the sneaker. A fan of tech that helped his game, M.J. wore the Cherry 12s throughout the 1996-97 NBA season, and important one to his legacy. The shoes were on-feet when Jordan reached 25,000 career points on Nov. 11th, 1996 against the San Antonio Spurs.

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2009 vs. 2023

The popular Air Jordan is one of 14 pairs in the Jordan Brand Retro Collection: Holiday 2023. Other offerings have enjoyed widespread fanfare, but few match the excitement of the Cherry 12s as they’re associated with Michael Jordan’s fifth NBA title. Furthermore, Nike, Inc. teased fans longing for a proper reissue by releasing an Air Jordan 12 Low Golf in the exact color scheme last December.

Prior to this year’s retro, the “Cherry” style was last seen in 2009. While still reminiscent of the Chicago Bulls’ glory days, the sneaker’s first-time reissue was widely criticized by collectors for its differences from the original AJ12s. “Varsity Red” found on the 2009 pair was duller than that used on Hatfield’s original run. The 2023 Cherry 12s, however, revert to a much more vibrant finish. Additionally, Hatfield’s exact specifications were followed for the mudguards’ updated scale pattern and shoe’s overall shape.