Air Jordan 17 Retro ‘Doernbecher’ Release Date IO7684-921

Following an initial unveiling in October, Nike’s 21st Doernbecher Freestyle collection is just days away from being released. The six-sneaker group is packed with highlights, but it’s the automobile-inspired Air Jordan 17 that’s drumming up the most interest ahead of the launch.

The Doernbecher Air Jordan 17 was designed by 18-year-old Zach Rumbaugh, an Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital patient diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. With its horsepower-themed design, Rumbaugh’s Air Jordan 17 is a love letter to his interest in bikes and cars. The pair also has a double meaning, nodding to Michael Jordan’s own motorcycle and his former Motorsports team.

Like many of the shoes featured in the Doernbecher collection, Rumbaugh’s Air Jordan 17 is loaded with unique details referencing the aspiring mechanic’s various interests and brave battle at the hospital. The Salem, Ore., native spent 38 days at the Doernbecher hospital after a sudden cardiac arrest, and that number is represented through various logos including a heart-adorned lace lock, removable hangtag and on the heel’s carbon fiber. 

Nearly every component of the Air Jordan 17 has been reimagined through an automotive lens including a quilted interior lining, suede collar and an iridescent heel clip which mimics the look of burnt titanium exhaust tips. Glow-in-the-dark outsoles represent glowing engine headers, and the shoe’s color-shifting eggplant purple upper takes a page from custom car wraps.

Rumbaugh’s highly detailed Air Jordan 17 doesn’t stop at his love for vehicles. The pair includes nods to his love of cats, which manifests with a stamped graphic on the toe. 

In recent years, the Air Jordan 17 has become one of the most coveted of Jordan’s post-Chicago Bulls sneakers. This is due in large part to Nike, Inc.’s strategic rollout of the shoe, which has included highly limited-edition low-top releases and collaborations with the likes of Infinite Archives.

Since 2004, Nike’s yearly Doernbecher Freestyle releases have raised over $40 million for the OHSU Foundation.

While many of the limited-edition styles in the upcoming Doernbecher Freestyle range may be hard to track down, this Air Jordan 17 heads into the launch with the most hype of them all. Readers can expect the pair — and the rest of the Doernbecher collection — to arrive on Jan. 17 from Nike’s Snkrs app and select retailers. Pricing for the Air Jordan 17 is set at $230 and the sneaker has a style code of IO7684-921. All proceeds from purchases will benefit the hospital.