Sneaker News In case you weren’t aware, Jordan Brand is at a key juncture that can have lasting effects on the future health of the Jumpman. As Retro product continues to be the key driver of consumer interest and revenue, popular models like the Air Jordan 4 are at risk of becoming stale like the once-mighty Air Jordan 1. With the 80s leather basketball shoe trend now ice cold, Jordan Brand has finally pivoted to the post-Chicago era of Air Jordan design, aiming to establish the tech-heavy models to the younger demographic who see the 2000s as their own golden era.
The sparse releases of the Air Jordan 17 has proven that the demand is indeed there. The AJ17 Low “Lightning” and “UNC” were highly sought after as they were produced in limited quantities, although it’s hard to ignore that it was the same older Air Jordan community that chased after those drops. The opportunity to re-establish these models to the market is right there for the taking so long as the brand gets the release cadence right and partners with young, compelling creators/brands.
That all said, the Air Jordan 17 is still cooking. Infinite Archives dropped what might be a Top 10 sneaker of 2025, and the party continues into 2026 as news of an Air Jordan 17 Low “Black Patent” has the community talking again. According to @zsneakerheadz/Sneaker Files, the duo that first reported the release, the shoes are expected to hit stores in Fall of next year.
For now, they’ve shared a mock-up depiction of the shoes, which suggests a patent leather version of the original Air Jordan 17 Low “Black” (the original is pictured below). We’ll update you when firm details and photos arrive, so be sure to bookmark our Jordan Release Dates page to stay atop of all of 2026’s big drops.
