Jalen Hurts is making headlines again, and this time, it’s not for throwing touchdowns. The Super Bowl MVP showed up to the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp rocking a never-before-seen all-red colorway of Michael Jordan’s upcoming dad shoe, the Jordan Trunner O/S. Forget leaks from sneaker insiders, Jordan Brand is clearly controlling this rollout, and Hurts, their top NFL signee, is front and center.
“Hurts to be the ONE bringing back the Trunner O/S,” the Eagles’ official Instagram teased, confirming what we already suspected: this wasn’t just any pair of kicks. It’s a deliberate play by Jordan Brand to hype the return of the Trunner line, first launched in 1999. Back then, the Trunner was marketed as a hybrid, part training shoe, part running shoe. The most popular model, the Trunner LX, is also set to be re-released this year. But the new Trunner O/S takes a different approach, leaning into the bulky dad shoe trend that has dominated sneaker fashion thanks to brands like New Balance and Asics.
The Infrared colorway Hurts wore is the fourth confirmed version of the Trunner O/S, following “Cave Stone,” “Brown/Blue,” and “Pink/Black” styles. Drenched in a monochromatic red with black detailing, the sneaker pays tribute to Jordan’s Chicago Bulls legacy. Fans are already calling them “the new red Octobers” on X, which should tell you how fast these will sell out when they hit shelves.
Jordan Brand hasn’t officially dropped a release date for the Infrareds, but the Trunner O/S line is expected to launch globally in October for $115. Early pairs have already been spotted in multiple colorways, suggesting Nike has big plans for this revived franchise. The timing makes sense. Retro Jordans in red have historically been bestsellers, and dad shoes have proven they’re not just a passing fad.
The Trunner O/S’s chunky Y2K-inspired build features a thick tech-runner midsole, a large forefoot strap, and breathable mesh designed for all-day comfort. The look screams Michael Jordan’s off-season style, which isn’t surprising since the name itself is a mash-up of “training” and “runner.” Styling them might be tricky for some, but Hurts pulled it off effortlessly, proving that you can make dad shoes cool.
Hurts has been a walking billboard for Jordan Brand since officially signing with them before the 2023 NFL season. Over the past two seasons, he’s worn everything from player-exclusive Jordan 11s to the “Never Satisfied” Jordan 3s with his own custom logo. Late last year, he even broke NFL uniform rules with mismatched cleats, prompting Jordan Brand to pay his fine and post, “You can’t ban greatness,” kicking off their “40 Years of Greatness” campaign. After the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, Hurts starred in a Jumpman ad set to Teddy Pendergrass and later surprised employees at Nike’s Oregon headquarters.
Now, with football season about to kick off, Hurts is once again setting the tone for Jordan Brand’s marketing strategy. Instead of leaked images, Jordan is placing their newest sneaker directly on the feet of high-profile athletes and collectors like @sneakerdenn and Vashti Aliyah Usry. Hurts’ tunnel-walk debut is just the latest step in a carefully orchestrated rollout.
RELATED: You’ve Never Seen An Air Jordan 3 That Looks Like This
