Jordan Brand unveils the Air Jordan 40, a fusion of past and present

Forty years ago, Michael Jordan first laced up his Air Jordan 1s as a rookie with the Chicago Bulls. Now, four decades later, the next generation of athletes will take to the court in the all-new Air Jordan 40, a performance-driven sneaker that pays homage to the legacy of models past while looking firmly toward the future.

Jordan Brand offered a first look at the milestone sneaker on Wednesday. Priced at $200, “The Classic” launch colorway of the AJ40 will be available on July 12 at Jordan.com and select retailers.

Designed with performance in mind, the Air Jordan 40 features a mid-cut silhouette crafted from premium leather, 360-degree webbing containment for support, and a groundbreaking combination of full-length Nike ZoomX foam and Zoom Air Strobel—marking the first time both technologies appear together in a Jordan sneaker.

“This is the definitive performance basketball shoe on the market,” Jordan Brand’s chief design officer Jason Mayden said. “For the first time, we’ve combined two landmark Nike, Inc. innovations to create the Air Jordan of the future. And we wouldn’t be Jordan Brand if we weren’t also obsessing over the intersection of style and performance.”

True to tradition, the AJ40 includes subtle design references to earlier models in the line. The tongue is inspired by the Jordan 5, while the heel and lace eyelets echo the design of the Jordan 3. The Jumpman logo on the toe pays homage to the Jordan 12, and Jordan’s signature appears on the shoe, inspired by the Jordan 15.

“This is an incredible moment for our brand as we define the next era of greatness alongside the next generation of hoopers,” said Jordan Brand president Sarah Mensah. “The Air Jordan 40 represents the future. Built for today’s player and the specifics of today’s game, it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our storied legacy.”

Jordan Brand

The Air Jordan 40's heel clip and eyelets reference the Air Jordan 3.

Jordan Brand

The herringbone traction pattern of the Air Jordan 40.

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is one of the Jordan Brand athletes expected to wear the AJ40 next season.

“I can’t wait to take the court in the Air Jordan 40,” Banchero said. “It’s truly a shoe built for today’s style of basketball, with the innovative edge that comes from being a member of the Jordan Family. That attention to performance will take my game to the next level as I continue to proudly represent the Jumpman, the ultimate symbol of greatness.”

Following its July 12 debut, additional colorways of the Air Jordan 40 are set to release. The “Blue Suede” edition is scheduled to drop on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and the “Dusty Rose” arrives on Saturday, Sept. 20.