Key Details
Price: $180Style Code: 313495-002Release Date: June 3, 2006
- The Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” released June 3, 2006 for $180.
- D’Wayne Edwards designed the Air Jordan 21, taking shape cues from the Bentley Continental GT.
- The shoe's build includes a carbon fiber shank plate and I.P.S. cushioning pods.
The Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” arrived in June 2006 at $180, hitting shelves right as Jordan Brand adjusted to running its signature line without Michael Jordan active on an NBA court. D’Wayne Edwards designed the shoe with a cleaner, more restrained shape than earlier Jordans, even though the materials and performance setup underneath stayed dense with detail.
By 2006, nobody realistically expected another Jordan comeback. He had retired and returned once before, but this exit read as permanent, leaving Air Jordan to carry the signature line on design and performance alone. The Air Jordan 21 became one of the first models built for that new reality. Edwards pulled the shape from the Bentley Continental GT, matching the more upscale direction the brand was chasing at the time. The model never turned into one of the most talked about entries in the line, but it kept a loyal following among collectors who still recall how much it stood apart from the rest of the catalog. Readers tracking new arrivals can follow JustFreshKicks’ Sneaker Release Dates hub for the latest Jordan drops.
The Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” Design
The “Light Graphite” pair covered the upper in suede and added tonal “23” branding along the lateral heel. The build stacks a shank plate cut from carbon fiber, cushioning pods using I.P.S. technology, a reworked rubber outsole, and a Phylon midsole finished with a double overlast process, backing up the simple look with a loaded performance package.
What Inspired the Air Jordan 21’s Design?
D’Wayne Edwards shaped the Air Jordan 21 after the Bentley Continental GT, giving it a cleaner, more upscale look than the Jordans that came before it.
Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” Release Information
The Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” originally released on June 3, 2006 for $180. It is no longer sold at retail, but pairs still turn up periodically on resale marketplaces like StockX for collectors chasing an original copy.
Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite”
Color: Light Graphite/Metallic Silver White University Blue
Style Code: 313495-002
Release Date: June 3, 2006
Price: $180
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” release?
It released on June 3, 2006 for $180.
Where can you find the Air Jordan 21 “Light Graphite” now?
It’s no longer available at retail, but pairs occasionally surface on resale sites such as StockX.
For more sneaker news, follow JustFreshKicks on X, Instagram, and Facebook, and check the release calendar for everything dropping next.
Product details via Jordan Brand.
