The Air Jordan 5 Silhouette
Read more about Air Jordan 5 Grape, its features, design elements and material quality.
In February 1990, the Jordan brand released the Air Jordan 5 in four original variations. In the history of sneaker technology and development, the Air Jordan 5 was the first model to have a clear rubber sole. The legendary Tinker Hatfield designed this sneaker with inspiration from a World War II fighter jet. The aggressive appearance of the sneaker was borrowed from the fighter jet as Tinker found similarities between the jet and Michael’s performance on the court. Another iconic detail is the zig-zagging tooth-like feature on the midsole, which resembles the shark paintwork on the planes.
The Air Jordan 5 set the pace for basketball sneakers in the 90s. The four original colorways penetrated the market and left a mark of identity on the sneaker community until the first retro, a decade after. Some of the original favorites returned during the first retro run in 2000. The Air Jordan 5 was the first sneaker to embody new design features, including a clear outsole, lace lock, molded ankle collar, and 3M reflective material on the tongue. Among the first original colorways of this silhouette was the White/Grape Ice/New Emerald. The Grape 5s made a comeback during the silhouette’s thirty-year celebration.
Jordan 5 Grape
Tinker Hatfield introduced an original Air Jordan sneaker in 1990, a specialized shoe for Michael. Michael became leaner after lifting weights with Tim Grover, so this sneaker's design was more aggressive, advanced, and technical to befit the new MJ. Though it had the qualities of a performance sneaker, Michael did not wear them on the court.
The inspiration for the sneaker came from Michael's home state team, the Charlotte Hornets. The shoe wore the team’s purple and emerald colors, making a statement in the fashion world. The Grape Jordan 5 joined the vibrant hip-hop culture in the 90s, appearing on the silver screen with Will Smith.
The Air Jordan 5 Grape Retros
In 2006, fans of the Air Jordan 5 Grape received the first retro 16 years after the OG release. It was launched in the autumn of 2006 as a lifestyle sneaker. This decision meant limited production, so it was allocated only to major distributors. This model dropped the initial Nike Air branding in favor of the Jumpman logo.
The pop colors and limited supply increased the shoe's demand across the sneaker community. As the company celebrated 30 years in business, other Air Jordan Grape 5 retros dropped in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. The latest Air Jordan 5 Retro Grape (2020) featured the appropriate purple hue. The sneaker featured various design elements, including a visible Air unit on the heel.
The Zoom Air unit on the heel and the plush cushioning improved the sneaker's comfort level. Hatfield constructed the midsole from polyurethane foam rubber for durability and cushioning. Available on eBay, this shoe features an asymmetrical, heavily padded collar to support the wearer's ankles. The standard lacing structure had additional eyestays to allow customized lockdown, depending on one’s foot size. The plastic lace locks keep the laces from loosening when in action.