The 1996-1997 Chicago Bulls is widely considered the greatest basketball team of all-time, as Michael Jordan led the team to a then-record 72 regular season wins before capturing his fifth NBA title. Along with Jordan for the ride was the Air Jordan 12, which will soon return in one of his go-to colorways from the regular season.
The Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” is set to release this fall for the first time in a dozen years. A clean white and black colorway defines the sneaker, as black forms the majority of the leather upper. The shoe’s prominent toecap is then rendered in black, as is the outsole and the majority of the midsole. Gold-tone metal eyelets pop at the top two rungs of the lacing system, and a red Jumpman and number 23 can be found on the heel, the former of which is contained in a square yellow badge on the pull tab.
During the regular season, Jordan favored the “Taxi” and “Chicago” (or “Cherry”) colorways of the Air Jordan 12. For the postseason, he switched it up with the “Playoffs” colorway, inverting the look of “Taxi,” as well as the black and red “Bred” edition known best for his iconic “Flu Game” performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Continuing a streak of Tinker Hatfield designs, the Air Jordan 12 is modeled after Japan’s Rising Sun flag and women’s derby heels. On the tech front, it was the first Air Jordan to feature Zoom Air cushioning and continued to use a carbon fiber shank after its introduction on the Air Jordan 11.
The “Taxi” Air Jordan 12s last released in 2013 and were also reissued in 2008 alongside the Air Jordan 11 “Bred” for a “Countdown” pack.
The Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” will release on Nov. 8 through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Full family sizing will be available, with men’s pricing set at $210.
Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” (lateral)
Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” (above)
Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” (heel)