{"id":513849,"date":"2016-10-20T18:54:15","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T22:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=513849"},"modified":"2020-10-01T10:31:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T14:31:57","slug":"throwback-thursday-air-jordan-6-road-first-ring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/throwback-thursday-air-jordan-6-road-first-ring\/","title":{"rendered":"Throwback Thursday \/\/ Air Jordan 6 “Road to the First Ring”"},"content":{"rendered":"

This weekend Jordan Brand will release a budding edition of the Air Jordan 6<\/a> Pinnacle, a striking metallic gold ode to Michael Jordan’s initial championship during the 1990-91 NBA season.<\/p>\n

Following numerous championship attempts foiled by the likes of the Boston Celtics and the “Bad Boys” in Detroit, Jordan reached the top of the mountain while wearing the Air Jordan 6. Now, 25 years later, a new Air Jordan 6 marks the “Pinnacle” of his achievements at the time and the ongoing modernizing of his signature footwear collection.<\/p>\n

For today’s edition of Snkrs Day Throwback Thursday<\/a>, we travel back to that fateful season when the greatest player of all time tasted championship gold for the first time, and the footwear companion on his feet during his second MVP season.<\/p>\n

OG Colorways<\/h2>\n

The Air Jordan 6 released in five original colorways in 1991. Three of those five, by in large, were outfitted in Bulls coloring – Black\/Infrared, White\/Infrared and the “Carmine.” The remaining two pairs strayed greatly from traditional white, red and black shades in “Sport Blue” and “Maroon.” All have since retroed starting at the turn of the century in 2000, with the “Maroon” being the latest to retro with “Nike Air” branding in 2015. The Air Jordan 6 also represents the end of an era where Air Jordan’s were scored with “Nike Air” at the heel.<\/p>\n

\"Air
Air Jordan 6 Black\/Infrared<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Air
Air Jordan 6 White\/Infrared<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Air
Air Jordan 6 Carmine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Air
Air Jordan 6 Sport Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Air
Air Jordan 6 Maroon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Design Concepts<\/h2>\n

With Tinker Hatfield at the helm, the Air Jordan 6 was poised to surpass its highly touted predecessor – the Air Jordan 5 that released in 1990. Hatfield approached the shoe with automotive inspiration, looking to classic Porsche design concepts that would ultimately help shape the shoe’s heel tab. Jordan, at the time, was having a difficult time getting in and out of his sneakers. The innovative pull tabs were beneficial to that end.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the Air Jordan 6 was also the first of its kind to feature an inner bootie. This critical addition provided Jordan with the comfort and cushioning he requested Nike implement into the shoe. A molded heel was also put into place so Michael wouldn’t hit his achilles while wearing his sixth signature shoe.<\/p>\n

\"Michael
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 Maroon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Michael
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 Carmine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Michael
Michael Jordan in the Air Jordan 6 Carmine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Advertisements\/Film Cameo<\/h2>\n

In conjunction with longtime partners Wieden+Kennedy, Nike released a series of ads surrounding the Air Jordan 6. Fueled by appearances from Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon, Little Richard, Chris Mullin, John Salley and Brian Shaw, the clips brought great visibility to the shoe when Jordan was having the best year of his then seven-year career. The shoe also appeared in the film White Men Can’t Jump<\/em>, where Kadeem Harrison laced up the Black\/Infrared pair while also wearing Jordan’s Bulls jersey.<\/p>\n

In the years that would follow, other pop culture icons like Jerry Seinfeld would wear the shoe. Michael Keaton in his film portrayal of Batman<\/em> would wear a boot-like version of the shoe as Gotham’s capped crusader.<\/p>\n