The iconic Air Jordan 17 is making a glorious comeback in 2024, with all our favourite colourways in tow. Excitingly for fans, there’s not only the chance to snag the “Lightning” and “Varsity Blue” renditions of the design, but the striking “Varsity Red” model, lovingly known as the “Cherry” Air Jordan 17, will be up for grabs too. As thrilling as this news might be, there’s a bit of a sting in the tail – the cost of these sought-after sneakers has surged to a rather breathtaking $300 USD. This amount is drastically up from the sneaker’s original $200 USD and presents a $50 increase from the 2016 Air Jordan 17 Retro “Copper” release. Understandably, this raises the question: Does this steep price point include the metal briefcase that accompanied the Air Jordan 17s for their debut? Well, let’s consider this for a moment, but not before taking some time to appreciate the artistry of these kicks.
The Intricacies of the Air Jordan 17 Model
The Air Jordan 17 shoes designed by Wilson Smith lll are more than just basketball footwear. These sneakers draw inspiration from jazz music and are designed to catch the eye of not just basketball fans but also lovers of music. With its sleek lines, high-quality leather construction, and a musical note detailing on the lace caps,this silhouette is certainly a thing of beauty.
When the Air Jordan 17 first hit the stores, it wasn’t just the shoes that got people talking. The selling point was the unusual metallic briefcase housing the pair and the accompanying CD-ROM. This wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment choice. Smith was striving for an incisive mix of prestige, sophistication, and dynamic allure in the packaging that resembled a musician’s instrument case, further hitting home the sneaker’s jazz theme.
Unveiling the Upcoming Colourways and their Release Dates
Air Jordan 17 “Lightning”
Who can forget the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, where the Air Jordan 17 “Lightning” made its stunning appearance? Michael Jordan himself sported these “White”, “Lightning”, “Black”, and “Chrome” sneakers, causing quite a stir among spectators. It may be almost two decades since their debut, but you can expect these vibrant kicks to return on May 30th, 2024, at $300 USD.
Air Jordan 17 “Varsity Blue”
The “Varsity Blue” colourway, often referred to as the “Carolina” or “UNC”, is a nod to Michael Jordan’s university days at the University of North Carolina. Sporting a remarkable blend of “White” leather, “University Blue”, and “Black” embellishments with the distinctive “Chrome” detail at the heel, these kicks are rumoured to be back by August 28th, 2024, for $300 USD.
Air Jordan 17 “Varsity Red”
The “Varsity Red”, or the “Cherry” as it’s often referred to, stands out with its sharp contrast of white leather upper and bold red accents. While release specifics regarding this particular pair remain a close-kept secret, they too will carry the same $300 USD price tag.
So, Will The AJ 17’s Come With A Briefcase and a CD?
I know, $300 USD for any Jordan sneaker is quite the investment. This heavy price tag could certainly suggest that the Air Jordan 17 Retro releases will include the original, iconic briefcase packaging. However, inflation has caused a rise in sneaker prices. This makes us wonder if this hefty sum results from increased production costs and demand for these OG colourways, especially when considering the $250 USD price tag of the “Copper” release in 2016 -which dropped without a briefcase might I add.
Insider sources like Sneaker Files and @zsneakerheadz have confirmed that the Jordan 17 Low will indeed feature the stylish briefcase. However, neither Nike nor Jordan Brand has made an official statement about the Air Jordan 17 Retro packaging.
The way we see it, Jordan Brand could consider two options. One is to release a special-edition version for sneakerheads who love everything in OG form. While the other might be a more affordable option without all the gimmicks for those who just want to wear the beautiful kicks.
That said, Jordan Brand knows the exclusivity of the briefcase and CD will drive up demand and create a sense of nostalgia for collectors. So, they will likely go with the limited edition release. But I would like to point out that sneakerheads can purchase the original briefcase and CD on after-sales platforms like eBay. That means the very stunning briefcase is more accessible to obtain than a fresh pair of these AJ 17 colourways at a reasonable price point.
For true sneaker enthusiasts, the OG form of the Air Jordan 17 is a must-have, regardless of the extra accessories. We will just have to wait for the official announcement from the brand to see what to expect from these kicks, but for now, you can follow us for more in the world of sneakers.
What do you think? Should the 2024 Air Jordan 17 releases also come with a briefcase and a CD, or should Jordan Brand stick to just the shoes to reduce costs and make them more accessible to a broader audience?
