The return of the Air Jordan 10 'Steel' in 2025 signals Jordan Brand’s ongoing commitment to true OG construction, restoring details absent from retros for decades. Originally designed by Tinker Hatfield and released in 1994 during Michael Jordan’s first retirement, the 'Steel' stood out for its crisp white leather build, black eyestays and tongue, and the signature steel-grey striped outsole listing MJ’s career milestones to date.

What makes this year’s edition special — and instantly pushes it into collector territory — is the return of the stitched black leather toe cap, a feature that only appeared on the original release. The detail was removed after MJ himself voiced his dislike for it, making this reissue the first since ’94 to faithfully replicate it. Equally notable is the comeback of the light blue Jumpman outsole branding, replacing the Varsity Red used on all prior retros.

The pair arrives in special hardwood collage packaging, nodding to early Jordan Brand retro presentation. Historically, the 'Steel' was worn by MJ at Scottie Pippen’s All-Star Classic in 1994, months before his celebrated NBA return in 1995. Its reappearance this August marks not just another retro, but a restoration of one of the silhouette’s most authentic forms — a must for purists and a rare chance to own a piece of untouched Jordan history.

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