Air Jordan III OG Black Cement returns Feb 2018 - Nike Air on the back

[Girl Thats Jules]

The 2018s look like lowtops too sometimes.

They have like a hunchbacked look on the back near your achilles and a curved up toe.

 

[therealest1]

Yep, they released the two main colors in 1994 and then they sat. And sat. And sat.

I vividly recall stacked box pyramids in front area of Footlocker At less than $50 clearance. Good times.

I wouldn't doubt that because the retro market wasn't huge yet.

Same thing happened with the 1's and 2's.

JB was dropping nothin but OG classics and cats took it for granted.

Now we get an OG every now and then, but we gotta suffer through a million throwaways beforehand

The hype wasn't there back then I believe.

That's their strategy with saturating the market with useless colorways, and people do buy them unfortunately to feed the hype.

Walker Wear was April Walker. Where'd you get the Jam Master Jay?

I can't believe I'm just realizing that Jam Master Jay wasn't a figurehead in Walker Wear who reaped profits after almost 30 years.

But I always knew he was involved with that short lived brand in the '90s, I just recently did research to learn he only provided creative input and ideas to April Walker because they had ties before she established the brand.

I was just confused with his type of involvement this whole time. I think my confusion stems from seeing him promote those clothes on an entertainment TV show back in 1993, so that's what made me assume it was his brand with him being an identifiable rap star and him wearing it frequently.

Further to the 1994 era, the sneakerheads were all about the 1/2/3 retros that dropped that year(ish). It still was a big deal, Jordan was a god, etc. Dudes who picked up a pair turned heads, we all geeked over them. I recall kids even rockin em in games in our state tournament.

The difference was there were just so few people paying attention to sneakers back then relative to the population. You picked up your one pair, you moved on. (I grabbed the black/red 1's which I still have and wear 28 years later). The rest of the world had no idea what they were, and no one who was interested thought to buy 6 pairs.

So this giant stock sat, much like sneakers did back then (yes a year or so later the XIs were still available for weeks in most sizes). It was normal. What goes on now is not normal.

All this makes sense.

They seemed to have a cult following among the true fans of Michael Jordan and the shoes back then with those retros in 1994. I would say the hype wasn't there yet due to the internet barely taking off at that time. And Jordan wasn't too far removed from his first retirement with it being a year in. Also, those models weren't exactly 10 years old yet, so the nostalgia factor didn't quite kick in based on that.

I recall the XI sure did sit in stores for a month after they received them. That's how I got the Black/Red XI back in April 1996. I even got them for lower than the retail price by manipulating a now defunct company's low price guarantee! Perhaps I'll divulge that another time.

For some reason it hit hard in 1999 and I have no idea why.

You could say it felt like MJ retiring was for real this time but I don't think that was it. I was seeing people who weren't really into sneakers and MJ buying the 1999 4s.

Maybe retro was coming back slowly overall, I know at that time there were more Air force ones and then eventually Dunks in stores. Also a few people were dabbling in Mitchell and Ness, you could even see some rappers wearing it in videos around 1998.

Like you said, it was a gradual buildup with the retro market with the progression of time.

I would say internet hype, nostalgia by default predicated on particular shoes enduring time and younger generations getting into bygone era shoes have compounded the retro market behemoth we're dealing with today.

Speaking strictly to the last retro, to me the EP height is one (giant) thing - as well as the entire mold of the shoe overall. Again, these retros are steel toe boots. We are going to clown this. We have to.
Kids now do not care (why would they?) and buyers certainly don't - Buy em, wear em, enjoy what you can get. I get it. I've done it.
But to the actual definition of what the Air Jordan 3 is - this is not it. This is a takedown replica. Done poorly against the standards that Jordan Brand claims to be.

Recent non OG colors are getting better ...we're watching.

Perhaps it's a good thing I didn't even contemplate getting the 2018 Black/Cement III 4 years ago despite feeling regretful the last couple of years, especially since I got the 1988 NBA All-Star Game jersey in 2020, based on all the negative feedback about them. And these pictures really make them look a little bit like a swap meet bootleg compared to the original.

 

[forest hills]

You know it's bad when people are ironing the toe box to get these looking somewhat decent. I was one of those people but it's important to note that there's no telling when JB will loop back around to these and finally give them the High '85 treatment in terms of details. Might not be until 2028 during the 40th anniversary of the Jordan 3. That's a long time to go without a wearable, decent pair of Nike Air Black Cements, especially if you're someone that's been waiting for a NA retro since the '94s. (Not me though, wasn't alive for that release lol.) Those who remain true to their values to the point that they passed on these, I understand and I commend you. I too love the '88 shape and cuts in all its sleek, aerodynamic glory, but life isn't promised. While I would have preferred the Red Cement mold start with this release, I'm still happy to own these. They're definitely my go-to sneaker in any weather because of how tanky and versatile they are. In 2028 (or sooner hopefully) when these are done proper, I'll be buying 2 pairs without hesitation.

 

[Kierris]

You know it's bad when people are ironing the toe box to get these looking somewhat decent. I was one of those people but it's important to note that there's no telling when JB will loop back around to these and finally give them the High '85 treatment in terms of details. Might not be until 2028 during the 40th anniversary of the Jordan 3. That's a long time to go without a wearable, decent pair of Nike Air Black Cements, especially if you're someone that's been waiting for a NA retro since the '94s. (Not me though, wasn't alive for that release lol.) Those who remain true to their values to the point that they passed on these, I understand and I commend you. I too love the '88 shape and cuts in all its sleek, aerodynamic glory, but life isn't promised. While I would have preferred the Red Cement mold start with this release, I'm still happy to own these. They're definitely my go-to sneaker in any weather because of how tanky and versatile they are. In 2028 (or sooner hopefully) when these are done proper, I'll be buying 2 pairs without hesitation.

I'll be 35 in 2028. I'll still be able to pull them off.

 

[JRepp23]

I'll be 35 in 2028. I'll still be able to pull them off.

I bet you would pull them off at 55 as well. No rules against it.

 

[Davey Magoo]

Anyone who’s “disgusted“ by the shape of their DS size 11.5 can sell it to me for retail.

…I will happily wear them.

 

[jazzy]

Honestly I love the 18 retro regardless of the new mold being way, way better (which it definitely is lol). Tanks. Have beaten mine and aside from a little bit of paint flaking and glitter they're still in great shape. Glitter is par for the course and wipes off easy anyway.

 

[Davey Magoo]

I'll be 35 in 2028. I'll still be able to pull them off.

I'll be 53.

I've often wondered if I'll still be as into sneakers in my mid-50s as I have been in my 30s and 40s.

Can you still rock Jordan 1s at the age of 65 without looking ridiculous?

...can I still listen to DMX when I'm living in a nursing home?

 

[pwguy]

I'll be 53.

I've often wondered if I'll still be as into sneakers in my mid-50s as I have been in my 30s and 40s.

Can you still rock Jordan 1s at the age of 65 without looking ridiculous?

...can I still listen to DMX when I'm living in a nursing home?

You can do whatever makes you happy. Why should anyone dictate what kind of shoes you want to wear?!

 

[forest hills]

You can do whatever makes you happy. Why should anyone dictate what kind of shoes you want to wear?!

This. If your love for sneakers is still going strong late into your life, there is no reason to get rid of them or stop wearing them. There's an odd preconceived notion that at a certain age you must wear Air Monarchs and ugly New Balance models, "old people shoes" as some would say, and there's no reason to adhere to that. Wear what you like, no matter your age.

 

[EXSonSon]

01 Blk Cements for the day. Gone through allot with these. Back tab swap, midsole swap but everything else is still holding up.

 

[headdetective]

01's dont get talked about enough

 

[KanyIZZY]

Couldn’t find the TBIII thread and this is like the new unofficial III thread to me so..

Shape and all is poo but I REALLY f with TB’s

 

[2396bullz]

01 Blk Cements for the day. Gone through allot with these. Back tab swap, midsole swap but everything else is still holding up.

That quality floater leather!! Dam shame we cant get leather like this anymore

 

[swaynomics930]

Why don't we have a 3 appreciation thread??? I tried to make one last year and it got shut down this is an icon and yet we gotta make a thread for each CW. Methodical Management

 

[Kierris]

Why don't we have a 3 appreciation thread??? I tried to make one last year and it got shut down this is an icon and yet we gotta make a thread for each CW. Methodical Management

3s, 6s, and 12s are my favorite models yet surprisingly out of those 3 the Xiis are the only ones with an appreciation thread lol

 

[sneak king]

01 Blk Cements for the day. Gone through allot with these. Back tab swap, midsole swap but everything else is still holding up.

I'm in the process of having my '01's midsole swapped, heel tabs replaced, and also habi g the toes lowered and the tongues rolled back a bit...all in an effort to mimick an '88 pair.

I've seen one other customer receive his 94 pair that got the same treatment...and man did they come out amazing!!

But when I finally get mine back, I'll share pics and the full story of the ungodly amount of time I've had to wait...it's absurd. I won't name names...cause he does good work. But man am I tired of waiting...

Oh....So these look nice is what I mean to say.

 

[headdetective]

Man called the feds

 

[SlamShut]

I'll be 53.

I've often wondered if I'll still be as into sneakers in my mid-50s as I have been in my 30s and 40s.

Can you still rock Jordan 1s at the age of 65 without looking ridiculous?

...can I still listen to DMX when I'm living in a nursing home?

The question for me at 45 is will I be able to purchase the sneakers I love. I’m over jumping through hoops to spend my money. Buying a shoe for retail gets more ridiculous.

 

[EXSonSon]

I'm in the process of having my '01's midsole swapped, heel tabs replaced, and also habi g the toes lowered and the tongues rolled back a bit...all in an effort to mimick an '88 pair.

I've seen one other customer receive his 94 pair that got the same treatment...and man did they come out amazing!!

But when I finally get mine back, I'll share pics and the full story of the ungodly amount of time I've had to wait...it's absurd. I won't name names...cause he does good work. But man am I tired of waiting...

Oh....So these look nice is what I mean to say.

Thanks,

Doing everything you described you wanted can take a good amount of time to do, especially if your in line waiting for it to even begin.

Prep for a midsole swap properly takes forever.

 

[85ROY]

I'll be 53.

I've often wondered if I'll still be as into sneakers in my mid-50s as I have been in my 30s and 40s.

Can you still rock Jordan 1s at the age of 65 without looking ridiculous?

...can I still listen to DMX when I'm living in a nursing home?

I know I will be.

 

[PremioBinSoleFlyUnion]

3s, 6s, and 12s are my favorite models yet surprisingly out of those 3 the Xiis are the only ones with an appreciation thread lol

We could use a 5,8, and 20 thread too. Some of this weeks anniversaries were those models.
V Raging Bull (Retro) (1 Year)

I High Blue Void Turf Orange (W) (3 Years)

I Mid Wolf Grey Black White (4 Years)

II PremioBin (12 Years)

 

[Davey Magoo]

The question for me at 45 is will I be able to purchase the sneakers I love. I’m over jumping through hoops to spend my money. Buying a shoe for retail gets more ridiculous.

Well said.

 

[wombat]

We could use a 5,8, and 20 thread too. Some of this weeks anniversaries were those models.
V Raging Bull (Retro) (1 Year)

Thanks for the reminder. I need to go back and get me a pair of Raging Bulls

 

[swaynomics930]

My 2011 BC tabs broke off time for some new ones
Guna need NA replacements