Update: Oct. 20, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. ET:
It’s been nearly a full month since reports of a 2025 “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro first surfaced and now, a first look at the upcoming sneaker release has hit the internet.
As expected, the ’25 release features a “Washed Coral/Gym Red/Sail” colorway which translates to a faded pink aesthetic on the shoe. The leather upper is colored in Washed Coral while a matching satin material fills in the eyelet panel. The shoe’s signature elephant print overlays are treated to an etched metallic look, while the outsole is finished in a translucent Washed Coral rubber.
However, the highlight of the shoe is arguably its Gym Red color, which manifests on both the lower and upper eyelets and in the form of actual gems attached to the shoes. Keychain-like red trinkets come arranged on the laces in diamond and ruby shapes giving the shoe a proper V-Day look.
While images of this “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro have emerged months early, the sneaker is likely only a sampling of what Nike, Inc. has planned for the romantic holiday. Much like the soon-to-be-released Halloween styles, the brand regularly issues Valentine’s Day-themed footwear collections.
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Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to lace up this pair. The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Valentine’s Day” is a women’s-exclusive colorway expected to release in advance of the holiday on Feb. 5. It will reportedly retail for $215. This story will be updated if anything changes. In the meantime, readers can peruse the details below.
What We Originally Reported on Sept. 26, 2024
Like many holidays, Valentine’s Day has offered a trove of themed sneakers over the years, a trend that will continue in 2025 with a new-look Air Jordan 3 Retro.
First rumored in April, a new mock-up of the “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 has surfaced which is reportedly an accurate depiction of what’s headed to retail come February. Using a “Washed Coral/Gym Red/Sail” palette, this Air Jordan 3 is covered nearly entirely in a faded pink shade which even fills in the shoe’s signature elephant print overlays.
Red is expected to be used conservatively, appearing only on the bottom and top eyelets, the tongue Jumpman branding and perhaps the heel — although the last detail is not visible in the latest mock-up image. The midsole, sole and middle eyelets of this Air Jordan 3 are colored in an off-white sail shade.
For years, various athletic footwear brands have marketed Valentine’s Day-themed sneakers around the holiday. Nike has arguably had some of the most memorable, with highlights including the Strangelove x SB Dunk Lows and various Air Force 1s.
In 2018, Jordan Brand went all-in on the heartwarming holiday with an all-red Air Jordan 8 Retro which featured “loves me” and “loves me not” text scribed underneath its distinctive support straps. And in 2013, the Air Jordan 5 received a shimmery “Gym Red/Ion Pink” makeover which was adorned with heart-shaped basketball embroidery.
Another holiday ripe with themed sneaker releases is Halloween. This year alone, Nike and Jordan Brand have lined up several buzzworthy styles including the “X-ray” Kobe 5 Protro, special colorways of the Book 1 and Ja 2, Air Force 1s and Dunks and glow-in-the-dark Air Jordan 1 Lows.
With an expected release date of Feb. 5, there will be enough lead time for readers to pick up a pair of the “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro for the special someone in their life. The women’s-exclusive colorway has a SKU of HJ0178-600 and will come at a retail price of $215. This story will be updated with more details as they’re confirmed.
