This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The Air Jordan 3 is arguably the most iconic basketball shoe ever made. Winning over wearers from almost all style camps, the elephant-printed pair was enough to keep Mike with the Swoosh and helped launch Tinker Hatfield into a league of his own.
Like most beloved basketball models, a strong sense of originality makes new takes tougher to take to. For the past 13 years, the Air Jordan 3 has seen an array of new colorways. Some have been loved upon launch, others neglected, but over time, most have become sought after. As we approach the drop of the “Wolf Grey” Air Jordan 3, we once again take a look back at all the non-OG AJ3 drops, focusing specifically on men’s colorways that launched at retail.
“Mocha”
Released: 2001
The first non-OG AJ3 drop was a risk, and not necessarily a hit. The “Mocha” 3s were a general release and the first AJ3 drop since the ’94 wave. A very L’Style oriented colorway missed the mark with Day 1 fans and came way before the retro rush we see today. The “Mocha” makeup didn’t take well to the NBA hardwood, but Fab managed to hook them up with a Browns jersey in the “Young’n (Holla Back)” video. Over time, the oddity that made these a miss in ’01 combined with their current rarity have made them a favorite among modern day fans and current artists like Macklemore and A$AP Twelvy.
“Cool Grey”
Released: 2007
Despite the eternal popularity of the AJ3, fans had to wait six years before they saw another new colorway. The “Cool Grey” installment played off the successful scheme seen on the AJ9 and AJ11, opting for citrus accents over icy or smokey soles. This colorway was better received than that of the “Mochas” but not a campout classic upon launch. Absence has made the heart grow fonder on the “Cool Grey” 3s, with this pair a favorite among the Flight Club crowd, Nick Young and even Drizzy Drake.
