The Air Jordan 9 Retro 'Olive' is a distinctive colorway that combines a black leather upper with Light Olive suede overlays, complemented by Varsity Red accents on the branding and heel tab. This design offers a rugged yet stylish aesthetic, making it a standout in the Air Jordan lineup.
Originally released in 1993, the 'Olive' colorway has seen several retros over the years. It was first re-released in 2002, followed by another retro in 2012.
The Air Jordan 9 holds a unique place in sneaker history, as it was the first model released after Michael Jordan's initial retirement from basketball to pursue a baseball career. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the shoe symbolizes Jordan's global influence, featuring words in various languages on the outsole that represent his attributes:
Right Shoe:
- French: "DÉDIÉ" – Dedicated
- Spanish: "FUERZA" – Force
- Italian: "INTENSO" – Intense
- French: "LIBERTÉ" – Freedom
- German: "ANMUTIG" – Graceful
Left Shoe:
- Russian: "СПОРТ" – Sport
- Swahili: "UHURU" – Independence
- Russian: "СВОБОДА" – Freedom
- German: "ATHLETISCH" – Athletic
- Swahili: "MUUNDAJI" – Hope
Despite Jordan not wearing the 'Olive' colorway on the court, it has become a favorite among sneaker enthusiasts for its distinctive look and the rich history associated with the Air Jordan 9 silhouette.