The Air Jordan 3 arrived in 1988 as Tinker Hatfield’s first design for Michael Jordan. Its elephant-print panels and Jumpman branding helped establish a look that remains central to the Jordan line. Nike’s Air Jordan 3 archive records the original retail price as $100.
Jordan won the 1988 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago, defeating Dominique Wilkins. The NBA’s account of the final documents his winning free-throw-line dunk.
Recognizing the Air Jordan 3
Elephant-print overlays, the visible Air window and Jumpman tongue logo are familiar details on classic AJ3 releases. Materials, heel branding and color blocking can change between editions, so compare the photos and style code for the specific pair you want.
Retros, colorways and collaborations
Browse the stories above for our coverage of Jordan 3 retros, new colorways and collaborations. An older article records what was reported at that time; its original launch date or retailer links do not establish current availability.
Price and availability
There is no single current price for every Jordan 3. Pricing varies by edition, size range, market and retailer. Check the individual release report and retailer listing for the pair you are considering.