Jordan Brand Will Release Air Jordan 3 Not Nice

The coal-themed sneaker will launch on November 21, 2026, featuring details inspired by a 1985 Nike advertisement.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Basketball

Stylized charcoal-grey athletic sneaker with brown suede accents in a dynamic painting, expressive editorial sports illustration.
Jordan Brand plans to release the Air Jordan 3 Not Nice sneaker on November 21, 2026, featuring a design inspired by holiday coal and 1985 advertising. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you pay over $200 for a pair of holiday-themed collectible sneakers?

Jordan Brand is set to release the Air Jordan 3 Not Nice sneaker on November 21, 2026. The new footwear design pulls inspiration from a 1985 Nike Christmas commercial and the naughty list concept.

Why it matters

The sneaker continues Jordan Brand's tradition of integrating narrative-driven themes into its footwear designs. By utilizing a coal-inspired aesthetic, the brand connects the product to holiday nostalgia and historical advertising imagery.

The Air Jordan 3 Not Nice will retail for $215 under style code IF4396-001. The shoe features crackled black and tan leather, accented by red and black elephant print on the toe and heel.

The players

Jordan Brand

A subsidiary of Nike, this company is a premier designer, marketer, and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories.

The details

The shoe incorporates brown mudguards, grey suede panels, and embroidered Nike Air branding on the heels. The insoles include the phrase checked it twice to reinforce the holiday-themed naughty list aesthetic.

Timeline

  1. 1985: The year of the original Nike Christmas advertisement that inspired the design.

  2. 2025: The year of the Krampus SB Dunk release.

  3. November 21, 2026: The official launch date for the Air Jordan 3 Not Nice.

Roadmap

The Air Jordan 3 Not Nice extends the holiday-themed design precedent set by the 2025 Krampus SB Dunk release. This move signals Jordan Brand's ongoing effort to lean into narrative-heavy, seasonal storytelling to maintain consumer interest against rivals.

Shoppers can expect a retail price of $215 when the sneakers become available on the launch date. Collectors should prepare for potential high demand given the thematic design and historical branding references.

The takeaway

Consumers looking to secure a pair should monitor official retail channels as the November 21 release approaches. The design serves as a reminder of the brand's pivot toward niche, holiday-inspired collections that blend modern comfort with vintage aesthetic nods.

Further reading

For more on the latest footwear trends, visit the Basketball section.

Live Poll

Would you pay over $200 for a pair of holiday-themed collectible sneakers?