History of Black Cat Air Jordan Sneakers
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Michael Jordan has forever changed the NBA and the footwear industry, but these fields have intertwined on MJ’s Jordan Brand sneakers over the last four decades. In an homage to Michael Jordan’s stealthy, powerful, and graceful presence on the NBA court, Jordan Brand ensured his Black Cat nickname lived on through his signature sneakers. Over the years, there have been dozens of all-black Air Jordan releases that play into this theme.
Most recently, we’ve been blessed with a retro of the Air Jordan 3 Retro Black Cat, which has impacted the Air Jordan lineage even as a non-OG colorway that debuted in 2007. These all-black sneakers have recently garnered a much more intense following, as evidenced by the skyrocketing resale price of the Air Jordan 4 Retro Black Cat, which we’ll touch on later.
While these all-black kicks commemorate the nickname quite literally, famed Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, who designed the Air Jordan 3 through Air Jordan 15, Air Jordan 20, and Air Jordan 23, specifically crafted the Air Jordan 13 around a panther. We can see the influence of this predator through the “paw print” outsole design and the cat-eye on the lateral heel and outsole.
Below, we’ve gone over nearly 20 different examples of Black Cat-themed Air Jordan releases. However, we want to note that some of the pairs below are not traditional Black Cat releases, as a handful of what purists would consider a “Black Cat” come with specific details, like the black cat name written out somewhere on the sneaker.
Air Jordan 10 Blackout - 2005
Though the Air Jordan 10 Retro Blackout is not an official Black Cat, it is one of the earliest examples of a (primarily) all-black Air Jordan. The pair opts for a mixture of nubuck and tumbled leather but diverts from the blacked-out color palette on the Jumpman logo on the back heel and bottom of the outsole.
Air Jordan 4 Black Cat - 2006 (OG); 2020 (Retro)
What truly started the “Black Cat” color scheme was the Air Jordan 4 Retro Black Cat. When released in 2006, the pair didn’t necessarily have the impact it does today, with the sneaker launching alongside another non-OG-turned-classic in the form of the AJ 4 Pure Money. However, after a retro release in 2020 that initially sat on shelves and even hit outlets, resale prices crept up to eventually becoming one of the most expensive GR Air Jordans in recent memory.
Air Jordan 3 Black Cat - 2007 (OG); 2025 (Retro)
Out of all the Black Cat releases on this list, the Air Jordan 3 Black Cat had the most recent retro release on January 11, 2025. It was initially released a year after the Black Cat 4s in 2007, with the black silhouette accented by dark charcoal elephant print details on the heel, toe, and lace set. In ‘07, the pair had “Black Cat” embroidered behind the heel tab, a feature sorely missed on the 2025 retro.
Air Jordan 20 Countdown Pack - 2008
We all hope that Jordan Brand will bring pack releases back like the Countdown Packs from the late 2000s. In this collection of kicks that combined two Air Jordan releases, the Air Jordan 20 received an all-black look across its upper. Of course, it featured laser engravings across its suede paneling and came with the infamous collar strap in all-black.
Air Jordan 2009 S23 - 2009
The Air Jordan 2009 may not have much of an impact on the current landscape of sneakers (it even ended up at #1 in our list of ugliest Air Jordan designs ever), but it does enter the all-black Air Jordan list with the S23 colorway. This all-black rendition was made famous for its exclusivity, as only 2009 pairs were made across the globe. 1,005 pairs were launched in the US and 1,004 internationally.
Air Jordan 29 MTM - 2015
The Jordan MTM Pack was created in 2015 to pay homage to three iconic figures in Jordan Brand’s history: Mark Parker, Tinker Hatfield, and Michael Jordan. After then-President Obama received his pairs of the Air Jordan 1 and Air Jordan 29, the public had a shot at the two-pack of kicks in June. The two pairs swapped materials, with the black Air Jordan 29 (sans the transparent rubber outsole) removing its Flyweave upper for a premium smooth leather finish.
Air Jordan 30 Black Cat - 2016
Jordan Brand hit the Air Jordan 30 with the Black Cat theme during its original release in 2016. Unlike most sneakers under this moniker, the silhouette has several non-black hits. This look includes the woven white pattern on the upper, the Jumpman logo on the toe, and the orange hue on the globe logo atop the tongue. There are also hits of galactic print on the sole unit and an icy blue rubber outsole.
Air Jordan 6 Black Cat - 2016
The same year as the Jordan 30 Black Cat, Jordan Brand gave the Air Jordan 6 an all-black leather makeover under the Black Cat moniker. Perforated leather is the base, with smooth leather details covering various overlays. However, even with the official Black Cat name attached, the pair comes with hits of white on the lace lock and midsole.
Air Jordan 13 Black Cat - 2017
Considering Tinker Hatfield took inspiration from a panther for the design of the Air Jordan 13, it’s surprising that the sneaker did not officially join the Black Cat family until its 20th Anniversary. This took place in 2017 when the model was coated entirely in black aside from the cat-eye detail on the collar, coming in an iridescent green finish to mimic the eyes of one of nature’s most ferocious predators.
Air Jordan 31 Black Cat - 2017
Another example of Jordan Brand marketing the sneaker under the Black Cat moniker, the Air Jordan 31’s black-based rendition evokes MJ’s powerful style of play. The Flyweave upper is black, with a light grey finish applied to the embroidered Jumpman on the lateral side and white on the nylon lace loops. A direct nod to the Black Cat moniker is placed inside the tongue tag, with a panther graphic embroidered into the leather patch.
Air Jordan 5 Premium Triple Black - 2017
In the 2010s, Jordan Brand decided to elevate the Air Jordan series through premium and pinnacle releases, with the Triple Black AJ 5 joining the ultra-expensive premium collection. Priced at $400, the murdered-out model replaces some key features from the original, like the transparent TPU netting on the side cage and the 3M-laden tongue, in favor of a pleated finish. However, no references to MJ’s nickname are directly found on the model.
Air Jordan 2 Decon Black - 2017
We saw how ill-received the latest Jordan 2 retro run was, but before this small wave of AJ 2s, Jordan Brand experimented with the MJ’s second signature sneaker. Taking the once-luxury basketball shoe constructed initially in Italy, they stripped it down to a bare minimum, inspired by the thought of “everyday Js.” Unlike the AJ 1 Decon, the AJ 2 Decon saw a premium suede upper applied to the model and stripped-down padding and paneling for a more versatile sneaker. This Black rendition lines up with other Black Cat models, but like the AJ 5 Premium, it also lacks any direct references to MJ’s panther alter ego.
Air Jordan 1 High OG Triple Black - 2017
This year, the Air Jordan 1 is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, but even before this monumental birthday, Jordan Brand knew how to take care of the model. In 2017, the model received an all-black treatment with tumbled leather details, tonal stitching, and black laces for an (almost) murdered-out look. However, breaking up the monochromatic color palette is a lone hit of red found along the Nike Air branding on the tongue tag.
Air Jordan 32 Black Cat - 2018
Continuing with new performance-based models, Jordan Brand had a run of Black Cat sneakers when they first introduced the then-latest Air Jordan sneaker in 2018. On the AJ 32, MJ and Jordan Brand brought the nickname to life without directly adding any panther references or black cat text. Instead, they relied on the all-black upper and green iridescent Jordan Wings logo on the tongue, referencing the look of a cat's eye.
Air Jordan 11 Cap & Gown - 2018
While some may call it a stretch to associate the Jordan 11 Cap & Gown with the Black Cat family (especially considering the theme is right there in the name), the all-black look of this Jordan 11 is not too far off from other entries on this list. It's also included as the first all-black iteration of the AJ 11, featuring a premium construction that helps elevate the dress shoe inspiration Tinker Hatfield instilled into the sneaker when designing it in the '90s.
Air Jordan 12 Winterized - 2018
The harsh winter months usually mean leaving behind your sneakers for more utilitarian footwear options. However, Jordan Brand solves this problem with winterized versions of retro Js, seen here with the blacked-out Air Jordan 12 Winterized. Added lining to the interior helps with warmth in the colder months, while the ballistic nylon and nubuck help protect against the elements. The entire sneaker is coated in a mixture of black and anthracite hues sans the outsole, which features the carbon fiber shank plate in white and black.
Air Jordan 33 Black Cat - 2018
Jordan Brand continued to give new Air Jordans the Black Cat look with the Air Jordan 33 in 2018. Infused with some design inspiration from the Air Jordan 3, the model in its black-based color scheme was officially dubbed Utility Blackout but draws comparisons to MJ’s alter ego. The laceless silo comes primarily in black and dark grey, with the AJ3-inspired heel panel taking on a cracked leather finish. Branding sticks to the dark grey color palette, while the outsole below comes finished in a clear icy blue.
Air Jordan 13 Cap & Gown - 2019
Working off the success and popularity of 2018’s Air Jordan 11 Cap & Gown, Jordan Brand decided the class of 2019 deserved an elevated Jordan Retro to celebrate their success in school. This time, the Air Jordan 13 was chosen as the model for graduates. The nubuck and patent leather upper come murdered out in black hues, with a key feature from the Air Jordan 13 changed to reflect this all-black finish — the iridescent cat eye on the collar. Even still, the fact that the model’s design infuses some panther-like qualities (as seen in the print of the outsoles) will keep the collegiate-inspired colorway in the realm of Black Cat.
Air Jordan 34 Black Cat - 2020
Finally, the last time Jordan Brand officially launched a new sneaker under the Black Cat moniker came with the Air Jordan 34 in 2020. It’s fitting that Jordan Brand decided to retro the Air Jordan 4 Black Cat in 2020 alongside the launch of the Air Jordan 34, as each model in the Air Jordan 3X line draws inspiration from the Air Jordan released 30 years prior—making the 34 a modern tribute to the iconic Air Jordan 4. Aside from the black finish applied to the sneaker, we can see pops of volt green, which pay homage to the green look of a cat eye.
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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
