The Air Jordan 12 first hit courts in 1996, crafted by Tinker Hatfield during Michael Jordan’s historic 1996-97 season. Remember the “Flu Game”? Jordan dropped 38 points with a 39°C fever, leading the Bulls past the Jazz. That performance set the stage for the AJ12, a sneaker with panels that mimic sun rays and a lizard-skin mudguard that still turns heads today. Retro releases in 2003, 2009, 2016, and now in 2025 prove its staying power. With Zoom Air cushioning and carbon fiber support, the 12 blends style and performance in a way few sneakers can. In this list, we’ll look back at some of the best Air Jordan 12 releases of all time.
1. Air Jordan 12 “Taxi”
The Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” first hit courts in November 1996, designed by Tinker Hatfield. White leather panels mimic sun rays, while black stingray accents and gold eyelets give it a sharp edge. The name? A nod to the yellow on the sole and red Jumpman, like a NYC cab in motion. Michael Jordan rocked these through the Bulls’ 72-win 1996–97 season, including the infamous “Flu Game,” before switching to his “Playoffs” 12s. Returning on November 8, 2025, at $210 in full family sizing, the “Taxi” keeps the original vibe alive—clean, bold, and unmistakably Jordan.
2. Eastside Golf x Air Jordan 12 Retro Muslin / Burnt Sunrise
Michael Jordan loves golf, so it was only a matter of time before the sport hit Jordan Brand. Enter the Eastside Golf x Air Jordan 12 Retro Muslin / Burnt Sunrise, part of the Out of the Mud collection. Detroit’s Eastside Golf, founded by golfers Earl and Olajuwon, teamed up with JB to craft this standout release from 2022/2023. The leather, colorway, and details all demand attention, yet somehow it flew under the radar. If you’re hunting for a pair that mixes golf heritage with Jordan performance, this Muslin/Burnt Sunrise 12 deserves a serious spot in your rotation.
3. Air Jordan 12 “Michigan” PE
2024 gave Michigan fans something to cheer about: their first CFP National Championship since 1997. Jordan Brand marked the occasion with a player-exclusive Air Jordan 12 “Michigan” PE, limited to 240 pairs. Navy pebbled leather forms the base, with yellow accents on the heel tab, tongue, and insoles, plus gold eyelets and midfoot detailing. White soles keep it classic. Each sneaker celebrates the Wolverines’ 15-0 2023–24 season and 1,000 all-time wins, noted on the inner tongue. Sneakerheads got a closer look thanks to English Sole, but for now, these numbered PEs remain rare collectibles designed for players and faculty.
4. Air Jordan 12 Retro “Flu Game”
The Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” immortalises Michael Jordan’s 1997 NBA Finals Game 5 against the Utah Jazz. Jordan dropped 38 points despite a sudden virus, wearing black tumbled leather with Varsity Red overlays and red branding on the tongue and heel. The sole matches perfectly. The first quarter saw him looking lost, then 17 points in the second, struggling in the third, before a seven-point fourth-quarter surge erased Utah’s 77-69 lead. “Probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done,” Jordan said. Bulls coach Phil Jackson added, “This was a heroic effort, one to add to the collection of efforts that make up his legend.”
5. PSNY x Air Jordan XII
In December 2015, Public School New York (PSNY) teamed up with Jordan Brand to drop the PSNY x Air Jordan 12 Retro. The all-grey suede kicks ditch the usual stingray leather and accent colours, leaving a minimal, sophisticated design that stands out without shouting. “Their minimalism gives them a sophistication that sets the pair above the rest,” and the leather-aligned insoles and grey hangtags seal the deal. PSNY followed up with ‘Wheat,’ ‘Olive,’ and ‘Bordeaux’ in 2017, each dedicated to New York, Milan, and Paris. To cop one, you’ll need a travel plan, because each pair drops only in its city.
6. Air Jordan 12 “White OVO”
Drake’s Air Jordan 12 “White OVO” dropped on October 1, 2016, tying perfectly to his October’s Very Own brand and birthday month. Fans might remember spotting him rocking the kicks back in May 2014 during Game 6 between Toronto and the Brooklyn Nets. The sneaker sticks to an all-white high-top design but elevates the look with gold lace buckles and branded accents across the shoe.
7. Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs”
Michael Jordan made the 1997 NBA Playoffs unforgettable in the Air Jordan 12 “Playoffs,” and now you can relive that history. The black tumbled leather upper pairs with white mudguards and a white sole, while metallic silver eyelets and side logos add a touch of flair. Red Jumpman logos on the tongue and heel complete the look. MJ’s iconic shots, like his Game 1 Finals winner and 39 points in Game 6, happened in these kicks, and the heel tab reads: “Quality Inspired By The Greatest Player Ever.” First released in 1997, reissued in 2004, 2012 and 2022.
8. Air Jordan 12 “Cherry”
The AJ12 “Cherry” dropped in January 1997, serving up a crisp white leather upper with a bold cherry-red mudguard and accents. This two-tone design is instantly recognizable and remains a staple in the AJ12 lineup. Fun fact: Biggie wasn’t much of a sneakerhead, but he did rock these Cherry Reds the year they released, the same year he tragically passed. Who knows, maybe the Notorious B.I.G. would’ve turned into a full-on Jordan Brand fanatic if he’d had more time. Either way, these white-and-red classics still grab attention today, whether you’re on the court or off.
9. Air Jordan 12 “Wings”
The Air Jordan 12 “Wings” landed on April 2, 2016, and instantly set itself apart. At first glance, it’s a sleek black AJ12 with a white mudguard, looking a lot like the ‘Playoffs’ colourway. Rub or scratch the upper, though, and a gold wingspan graphic emerges, revealing “Wings” across the premium leather. Jordan Brand even swapped the usual Jumpman on the side panel for the word ‘Wings,’ while the heel nods to MJ’s 1989 poster. Limited to 12,000 pairs worldwide at $225, this release combines collectible appeal with subtle spectacle, showing that sometimes, the details make the legend.
10. SoleFly x Air Jordan 12
The SoleFly x Air Jordan 12 brings Miami’s streets and café culture straight to your feet. This AJ12 blends White and Baroque Brown across the upper, highlighted by Sail accents, with stitch lines inspired by sunrise over the Everglades. Carlos Prieto, Michael Jordan’s brother-in-law and co-owner of SoleFly with Danny Hidalgo, first linked the retailer to Jordan Brand in 2014, producing exclusives like the “Lotto” Air Jordan 3. “We wanted a design that reflects our city,” SoleFly said. Premium leather, a custom woven label, and a special box complete the package. Every detail screams Miami elegance without leaving your sneaker game behind.
RELATED: Relive MJ’s 72-Win Season With The Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” Dropping November 8
