Remembering the 2000 Air Jordan 5 “White Metallic”

Another former colorway has been “re-mastered” from Jordan Brand and will be available for all that want them. The Air Jordan 5 “White Metallic” is returning 15 years after its initial release. The year 2000 was the first wave of retroes for the Air Jordan 5 after the model’s original introduction back in 1990. The “White Metallic” colorway was one of two Retro+ colorways, the other being the famed “Laney” colorway.

Just like the Air Jordan 4 “Oreo” released the previous year the Air Jordan 5 Retro+ indication meant the colorway was not an original one. But being one of only four AJ5’s released that year meant if you wanted the model you had little to choose from. It was obvious the original “Black Metallic” was the inspiration for these. Jordan Brand pretty much swapped the black for white on the new colorway. From the upper, liner, midsole, laces, they went with the inverse. With the color change came a material swap too as nubuck was out and replaced with tumbled leather. Other small details that differed from the “Black Metallic” was losing the speckling on the midsole and swapping out the red on the tongue “Jumpman” and lacelock. With the 2000 release, Jordan brand also went with rounded laces and the addition of a retro card to complete the packaging.

15 years later, they are returning and seem to be very close to the original besides the flat laces and missing retro card. But many purists still believe the 2000’s are superior even if the outsoles and netting are yellowing on most. Regardless if you love the 2000 or 2015 version you can expect to see a lot more “White Metallic” Air Jordan 5’s being worn this year.