[Update 20 Apr 2023] Weeks ahead of its 4 May release, official images have surfaced. They offer an isolated, more focused look at the “UNC” palette of the pair dressing the smooth finishing of the upper. Whether these win you over or not, the pair will be available on SNKRS with an RRP of US$175.

[Update 19 Jan 2023] On-feet photos have been delivered by none other than reliable sneaker leaker @yankeekicks! Stay tuned as we wait for official images from the Jumpman.

Perhaps the Nike Air Jordan 2 has finally found its footing, finally broken through its curse. Heretofore, the silhouette has been overshadowed by its predecessor and successors. The Air Jordan 1 has never needed to share its airspace, while the rest in the Jordan-worn series has had the boost of milestone narratives. One the AJ 2 has suffered from, stones thrown at its direction after its namesake was injured wearing the pair earlier in the ’86 season.

But thanks to the late Virgil Abloh and many collaborators since, the silhouette has amassed momentum in 2022, with enough inertia to last through 2023. Now it seems that the Jumpman is recalibrating its strategy, pushing the 2s towards a female demographic. Many women’s exclusives have been announced in the past month such as the “Muslin“ and “Soft Pink” colorways. And the titular “Cool Grey” walks right behind them.

The iteration is derivative of one of the 11’s most popular offerings. Grey outfits most of the upper, singularly regaled by the signature “UNC” blue accents. The uniformity is broken on the hallmark TPU heel mold, the laces, as well as the Jordan Wings and Nike branding on the tongue and heel counter. All of the above sits atop a white midsole and a tonal outsole underfoot.

There are no official images yet but the Air Jordan 2 “Cool Grey” is expected to drop on SNKRS on 4 May with an RRP of US$175.

Elsewhere under the Swoosh’s umbrella, have a look at the Nike Air Max Scorpion “Air Max Day 2023”.