When Jordan Brand first released the Six Rings hybrid, the goal was to commemorate each of MJ’s NBA titles by incorporating elements of each winning year’s Air Jordan models (including the XIV, which was only worn in “The Last Shot” game to clinch the 1998 championship against Utah). This then, is the coup de grace — the model that most perfectly realizes JB’s intent.
Not only does this model blend together each shoe His Airness wore to capture the Larry O’Brien trophy, but it features a smooth blend of colours taken from the uniforms of each of the five vanquished foes (Jordan’s Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in 1997 & ’98). Sounds even crazier than mixing seven sneakers together, but there’s a bunch of overlap between the losing squads. Instead of a huge box of crayons, it looks like a free pack from Denny’s.
Purple, red, green, orange and yellow are skillfully mixed and laid over a black leather upper. An interesting effect, these look somewhat like a wax etching. Add the laser etchings on the side panels, and it’s reminiscent of school days of yore — and since most sneakerheads were still in school when Jordan was dominating the Association, this shoe emerges with a certain “feeling” that we lost to some extent with the over-saturation of retro releases.
They’re not subtle, but set to release on January 24 at Foot Locker and other retailers, these are sure to brighten up your spring attire.
More photos below…