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Fire Red—the Hottest Hue in Air Jordan History

While Michael Jordan was breaking records in basketball, Nike was intent on leveraging Pantone from every angle.

WRITER: IAN STONEBROOK Updated On: May 4, 2023
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Photo: Getty Images

You don’t reinvent the wheel when you’re flying a fighter jet. Such was the case for Nike and the Air Jordan line. Only three shoes in, it was clear that their main man Michael Jordan was different than his peers and his predecessors, possessing a flair, edge and athleticism never before seen in a single player.

In effect, Jordan’s game was more vivid and vicious than anything the basketball world had ever known and his shoes needed to reflect that. Signature branding, unorthodox inspiration and top-notch tech all spoke to his uniqueness, but how would Nike wow consumers once fans became accustomed to the unbelievable?

After daring the league's dress code on the Air Jordan 1 only to go conservative and classy on the Air Jordan 2, playing it safe was all the way out on the Air Jordan 3, 4 and 5. As Michael Jordan was breaking records in basketball, Nike was intent on leveraging Pantone from every angle.

Introducing 'Fire Red,' the heated hue would rewrite the rules on matching and show opponents Mike wanted all the smoke. The Air Jordan 3 and 4 would each end their runs in a blaze of glory by enlisting the smoldering shade, while the Air Jordan 5 would open and close its campaign in the famous colorway.

In 'Fire Red' Air Jordans, MJ played his first season under Phil Jackson, burned Cleveland for a career-high 69 points and kicked off the campaign for his first championship. Off the court, 'Fire Red' 3s covered Sports Illustrated; Ice-T was outfitted in 'Fire Red' 4s for the single art of “What Ya Wanna Do?” while 'Fire Red' 5s saw screen time on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and White Men Can’t Jump in silver and black tongue variations, respectively.

From the fall of 1988 to the winter of 1991, 'Fire Red' Jordans were worn early and often by MJ on the NBA hardwood, blazing the trail from league MVP to league champion. After six titles and two retirements, 'Fire Red' would finally return in Retro form on that of the silver tongue 2000 Air Jordan 5. Over time, absence would make the heart grow fonder on the 'Fire Red' 3s, 4s and black tongue 5s, finally returning over the course of the 2000s and 2010s with the likes of laser etching, Mars Blackmon (of She’s Gotta Have It) embellishment and Jumpman branding.

Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon.   Photo: Courtesy of Nike

To this day in both OG and Retro hierarchy, Fire Red Jordans possess an edge and elusiveness that other themes can't hold a candle to. Mike’s motivated play, heated up by Nike’s novel designs created a flame that still burns bright.

Since debuting in 1988, 'Fire Red' has maintained an intensity that’s unmatched even amongst the Air Jordan archive. With the first true-to-form return of the Air Jordan 4 'Fire Red' in 2020, check out all the 'Fire Red' heat GOAT has to offer below.

Here, some of the most iconic Fire Red sneakers of all time:

Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Fire Red' 2013   

Air Jordan 3 OG 'Fire Red' 1988

The true fire starter, MJ began his first season as the reigning NBA MVP in the 'Fire Red' Air Jordan 3. Boasting a brighter shade than Chicago red and a darker elephant print than previous pairs, the closeout colorway for the OG AJ3 lineup was truly another animal. In the OG 'Fire Red' 3s, MJ would put up multiple 50-point performances, record a triple-double and hand out Ls to both Bird and Magic.

Photo: Getty Images

Air Jordan 4 OG 'Fire Red' 1989

The Air Jordan 4 'Fire Red' was the first sneaker MJ wore when playing under head coach Phil Jackson. In his first game under Phil, MJ foreshadowed a ferocious future, dropping 54 points in the 'Fire Red' 4s in the Chicago season opening win. Still scorching, a game-worn pair of OG 'Fire Red' 4s sold earlier this year for over $27,000.

Photo: Courtesy of Nike

Air Jordan 5 OG 'Fire Red' 1990

The Air Jordan 5 'Fire Red' was worn by MJ when he hit the Cleveland Cavaliers for a career-high 69 points. Debuted by Michael Jordan in his first and only appearance in the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest, the OG 'Fire Red' 5s featured more edge and innovation than any Air Jordan before. Fighter jet inspiration paired with the introduction of translucent sole tech and a 3M metallic tongue took MJ's game and line to new heights.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Fire Red Laser' 2005

Tinker Hatfield’s classic saw storytelling embellishment from the legendary Mark Smith on the online exclusive 'Fire Red Laser' Air Jordan 4. This updated homage to the OG Air Jordan 4 'Fire Red' featured all-over laser etching, exemplifying Michael Jordan's accomplished career as also seen on the Air Jordan XX.

Photo: Courtesy of Virgil Abloh

Off-White x Air Jordan 5 Retro 'Sail' 2020

Virgil Abloh aged and dissected the OG 'Fire Red' 5s for a new-school take on the 1990 favorite. MJ's superhero stature inspired Abloh's homage to the original Air Jordan 5, with a slimmed down silhouette and cut-out customization adding a fashion-forward flair.

Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Fire Red' 2020

Finally back with Nike Air branding, the 2020 Air Jordan 4 'Fire Red' is a direct homage to the heated OG. Rubber detailing and iconic packaging return on this true-to-form Retro release, with the smoldering shade burning just as bright as it did in 1989.

Air Jordan 3 Retro OG 'Fire Red' 2022

The 2022 iteration of the era-defining AJ3 'Fire Red' maintains the silhouette's most iconic elements while updating a few key details. The sneaker features a white leather upper with elephant-print overlays—produced in a lighter shade of grey than the original—at the forefoot and heel. Fire Red accents appear throughout, including on the "Nike Air" branding in place of the Jumpman logo on the heel.


‘Fire Red’ Colorway FAQs

Are there any new ‘Fire Red’ releases?'

'Fire Red’ has been used as a colorway on other releases across Air Jordan and Nike silhouettes. Recent and upcoming releases in a similar color include the: