Jordan 5 Retro

The vibrant graphics found on this Jordan 5 Retro are inspired by the 90s sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, paying homage to the fact that Will Smith would often wear Jordans during the show. Its nickname – Alternate Bel-Air – stems from this fact and also shows that it is the follow-up to an earlier release that was also based on the popular TV programme. Bright colours can be seen on many parts of the sneaker, beginning with the outsole, where a pale shade of yellowy green known as Ghost Green covers the front of the toe and the solid rubber part that lies at an angle through the middle of the feature. The word “Jordan” has been debossed through this latter part, and the rest of the outsole is made of a translucent white rubber with herringbone tread formations etched across it to give maximum grip. Then, behind the partially see-through forefoot, a large dark-coloured Jumpman is visible.

Layered over this strong foundation is a Court Purple midsole made of sturdy polyurethane. This feature itself comes in two layers, with a separate toe cap also in this grand shade of purple. Visible Air has been placed in the heel, its quadrilateral-shaped window creating an intriguing geometric effect on its flanks as its pocket of air gently supports the foot. Just behind the forefoot on the lateral side is a series of shark teeth in bold blue that have been filled with multi-coloured specks. More of this design appears on the medial side, though here just in a single triangle.

The powerful use of colour on the shoe’s sole unit is counterbalanced on the upper by the application of elegant white leather panels from heel to toe. There are overlays on the toe, quarter and heel, while the underlayer shows up across the forefoot and around the collar. This last feature is bolstered by extra padding that bulges out over each ankle, the medial side rising slightly higher than the lateral one. Below this, in the centre of the heel, is an embroidered Jumpman that displays a different tone on each foot. The left is Ghost Green with a light blue shadow, and the right is Racer Pink with a bright yellow shadow. The number 23 has been woven into the lateral heel on each shoe, its colours mimicking those of the respective heel logos.

Inside, the lining has been coated with a multi-coloured graphic that incorporates several vibrant hues taken from the rest of the design. The background blends two vivid blues, and the lively images printed over the top are either Ghost Green or Racer Pink, delivering a vintage 90s aesthetic that the Fresh Prince was so famous for. Its insole, meanwhile, has a more straightforward colour scheme, with a black surface and white Jumpman. The underside of the tongue switches back to the striking colours of the inner lining, and an Air Jordan patch has been sewn into it, Racer Pink text woven through the one on the right shoe, and Ghost Green on the left.

Back on the outer, translucent white mesh panels aerate the quarter panels and the lower part of the tongue. The moulded TPU eyelets set into the quarter and the collar provide a bold contrast in black, while also holding the similar-coloured laces in place. A clear plastic lace lock complete with Nike branding and a blue toggle in the centre helps to secure the shoe even more. This sits over the padded black surface of the tongue, which sports a final Jumpman logo with mismatched colours from the right shoe to the left. While the former comes in the radiant tone of Racer Pink, the latter shines out in the equally vibrant Ghost Green, thus concluding this dynamic pair of Air Jordans.