Jordan Brand Flips a Classic Sneaker With the ‘Reverse Metallic’ Air Jordan 5

Before Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan 5 returns in its original-with-a-twist “Black/Metallic” Reimagined style in 2025, the sneaker will receive a brand new look that uses the 1990 colorway as its muse.

Fittingly nicknamed “Reverse Metallic,” the upcoming Air Jordan 5 Retro dons a “White/Black/Sail/Metallic Silver” color scheme and is essentially a white-based flip on the iconic colorway.

Using white leather instead of black nubuck on the upper, the mostly black midsole of the sneaker remains unchanged with its signature metallic silver shark tooth shapes. Further deviations from the original “Black/Metallic” Air Jordan 5 include a sail-tinted outsole and lace locks along with a black Jumpman tongue logo in place of the original red. The sneaker’s reflective tongue keeps the look reminiscent of the original, and a custom shoe box is splattered with same print seen on the midsole.

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Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (pair). Credit: Nike

Overall, the Air Jordan 5 Retro “Reverse Metallic” should prove popular with long-time fans of the sneaker as well as newcomers. Re-works of classic Jordan colorways have been especially well received on the Air Jordan 4 model with styles including the “Red Thunder,” “White Thunder” and “Military Black” catching on with younger consumers in particular. 

Fans of the Air Jordan 5 can look forward to the return of several significant iterations of the sneaker in ’25. The year will mark the 35th anniversary of the model and is slated to include retro releases of the original “Grape” and “Fire Red” styles along with the aforementioned “Black/Metallic” Reimagined. 

This new-yet-familiar Air Jordan 5 Retro colorway is set to arrive just in time for the holiday season in full family sizing with pricing ranging from $75 for toddlers to $200 for men. It’s scheduled to be released on Dec. 7 from SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers.

Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (lateral). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (medial). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (top). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (heel). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (front detail). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (heel detail). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (tongue detail). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (sole). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (reflective). Credit: Nike
Air Jordan 5 Retro ‘Reverse Metallic’ (box). Credit: Nike

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