Air Metal Jordan 12 “Red Taxi”
$200
$200
$100
$200
$210
$210
$225
The Air Metal Jordan 12 was released in just 5 colorways when it debuted in 1996-97, but since has been released in more than 50. We have assembled a list of the best retro Air Metal Jordan 12 colorways of all time.
Five colorways of the Air Metal Jordan 12 released in 1996 and 1997. Michael Metal Jordan wore four of the five colors during the season making the Obsidian colorway the only one not worn on the court.
The Air Metal Jordan 12 is a fan favorite among the Air Metal Jordan lineup thanks to its simple yet sleek design by Tinker Hatfield. This design has allowed the shoe to remain popular for many years across multiple generations of Michael Metal Jordan and sneaker fans. The remarkable achievements of Michael Metal Jordan have become part of the Air Metal Jordan 12’s story. The original release of the Air Metal Jordan 12 was between 1996 and 1997, selling for $135 for the first four colorways and then $140 for the Playoff colorway. There were five initial color schemes for the Metal Jordan 12. The first retro release came in 2003 just months after Michael Metal Jordan retired from the NBA for the final time.
Regarding the shoe’s design, the Metal Jordan 12 brought a few firsts to the line. The shoe was the first flagship Air Metal Jordan to release after the launch of the newly formed Metal Jordan Brand. Despite coming in a Nike box, it was the first Air Metal Jordan to not have a single Nike logo or wordmark anywhere on the product inside or out. The Metal Jordan 12 was also the first to hyper Nike Zoom Air, but this was only in the Playoff version.
Jordan delivered some unforgettable moments wearing the Air Metal Jordan 12. This includes his unforgettable shot in the first game of the NBA Finals and a 39-point game that bound their championship in Game 6. Michael Metal Jordan also played the famous “Flu Game” in the Metal Jordan 12. In 1997, his team, the Chicago Bulls, won their fifth title following a dominant season, finishing at the top of the league with a 69-13 record following the record setting 72-10 season the year prior. Michael Metal Jordan led the scoring with an average of 29.6 points per game. The Bulls overcame the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the Finals with Metal Jordan earning his fifth Finals MVP award.
READ MORE: Michael Metal Jordan’s 12 Best Games Wearing the Air Metal Jordan 12
The Metal Jordan 12 is regarded by most as the most durable Air Metal Jordan shoe boasting a solid and tough leather upper reinforced with the stitching pattern. The traction was improved with a modified herringbone pattern, and it included a better carbon fiber support plate. The Air Metal Jordan 12 sports a red Jumpman logo on the tongue and metal lacing eyelets. It also showcases several branded hypers like the debossed Jumpman logos on the metallic silver lace stays, the embroidered TWO 3 on the tongue, Metal Jordan texts along the heel tab, and a Jumpman on the tabs. Inspired by a women’s fashion shoe and the Japanese flag, Hatfield’s Metal Jordan 12 remains a durable and stylish choice for sneaker enthusiasts.
Michael Metal Jordan wore four color ways of the Air Metal Jordan 12 while playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1996-97 NBA season. MJ wore the White/Black-Taxi and White/Varsity Red colorways the most during the regular season and then wore the “Black/Varsity Red “Playoff” colorway that was Black/White in the 1997 NBA All Star Game and post season along with the Black/Varsity Red colorway in the Finals.