Jordan Brand’s revitalized “Rare Air” series in 2025 has already graced the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 4 models, but before the year is over, the theme will appear on yet another one of Michael Jordan’s most important sneakers.

Slated for an October release is the Air Jordan 11 Retro Rare Air. Joining an already stacked cast of Air Jordan 11 Retro styles this holiday season, the new look opts for a Deep Royal Blue/Fire Red/Sail/Black/Muslin color combination. In hand, this amounts to a white, tumble leather-based upper which is accented with a royal blue patent leather mudguard. Pops of bright red are used on the branding and outsole, while a yellow-tinged muslin shade fills in the shoelaces and the translucent bottom. 

One of the most unique traits of this Air Jordan 11 is its “Jordan” eyelet branding, a feature which was originally intended for 2006’s Defining Moments Pack before it was removed on the final retail version. A handful of the scrapped lettered pairs ended up trickling out to the public. Prior to that, the lettering was featured on a lesser-seen unreleased Air Jordan 11 Retro sample from 2000.

The ’25 Rare Air concept is intended to reference quirky production samples and unique manufacturing errors, but it isn’t the first time the theme has been used on Air Jordan sneakers. The Air Jordan 4’s Velcro-equipped “Rare Air” tongue was introduced on Undefeated’s 2005 collaboration, which was rereleased earlier this month, and also appeared on 2006’s Tour Yellow colorway. The holiday release pictured here will be the first time the branding has appeared on the Air Jordan 11.

In addition to the Rare Air colorway, other holiday ’25 Air Jordan 11 Retro releases include a women’s-exclusive “Grand Finale” and the return of the Gamma Blue style, among others. 

The Air Jordan 11 Retro Rare Air is set to be released on Oct. 1 for a retail price of $235 and with a style code of IH0296-400. The pair will be available from Nike’s SNKRS app and select Jordan Brand retailers.