August 2025 delivers 14 Air Jordan releases spanning historic collaborations, long-awaited retros, and the newest signature model. The month’s crown jewel is the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 OG retro – celebrating the 20th anniversary of sneaker culture’s first boutique collaboration, originally limited to just 72 pairs in 2005. Alongside this milestone, the Air Jordan 10 “Steel” returns after 12 years, the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” marks its 10th anniversary,  and Awake NY debuts its first Jordan retro collaboration with two Air Jordan 5 colorways.  These releases represent both nostalgia and innovation, featuring everything from kids-exclusive “Pizza” themes to cutting-edge Air Jordan 40 technology. The diverse lineup includes three women’s exclusives, golf-specific models, and both accessible general releases and extremely limited collaborations that will define the resale market through year’s end.

Historic collaborations anchor the month

The Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 OG stands as August’s most significant release, retroing for the first time since its groundbreaking 2005 debut.  This Deep Green/Clementine colorway established the template for every Jordan Brand collaboration that followed, drawing inspiration from MA-1 flight jackets with its olive nubuck upper, orange accents, and signature Velcro tongue patch. The 2025 version features Nike Air heel branding instead of the original Jumpman logo, housed in special 20th anniversary silver packaging. Undefeated gets exclusive access August 2nd, followed by a wider SNKRS release August 28th at $230.

Awake NY’s Air Jordan 5 debut brings two colorways that showcase remarkable technical innovation. The “Arctic Pink” (August 16) and “Racer Blue” (August 30) versions completely rebuilt the iconic netting system to integrate Awake’s “A” logo-a manufacturing feat requiring Nike to modify their production process.Founded by former Supreme brand director Angelo Baque, Awake NY pays homage to New York with “NY” heel branding replacing the traditional “23.”  The Arctic Pink is limited to 7,000 pairs exclusively through Awake NY, while Racer Blue gets wider distribution with 13,000 pairs.

Nigel Sylvester’s “Better With Time” Air Jordan 1 Low celebrates the philosophy that things improve with age through intentional pre-distressed detailing. The collaboration features purposeful scuffing and weathered elements straight from the box, 3M reflective Swoosh details, and “Bike Air” branding that connects Sylvester’s BMX background with Jordan heritage. At $165, it represents the most accessible collaboration of the month.

Major retros return with enhanced details

The Air Jordan 10 OG “Steel” makes its first appearance since 2013, restored with the original toe cap overlay that Michael Jordan initially requested be removed for a cleaner look. This White/Black/Light Steel Grey colorway features premium white leather construction with the dark powder blue Jumpman logo on the outsole, returning to vintage-style packaging from the 1994-1995 era.  The restoration of the toe cap detail makes this particularly significant for collectors seeking original design authenticity.

The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard” celebrates its 10th anniversary with updated construction using the improved 2022 mold. The Black/Starfish/Sail colorway maintains the premium tumbled leather that made the 2015 original legendary, complete with shattered glass insole graphics and special themed packaging. As a wide “mega-GR” release at $185, it offers collectors accessibility to one of the most coveted Air Jordan 1 stories

The Air Jordan 12 “French Blue” returns for its third retro, featuring the classic White/French Blue/Metallic Silver/Varsity Red combination that gained fame when Kobe Bryant wore it during his 2003 “sneaker free agency.” The tumbled white leather upper paired with French Blue reptile-textured mudguard creates a colorway that bridges retro appeal with modern aesthetics.

Air Jordan 40 showcases next-generation technology

The newest signature model appears twice in August with revolutionary cushioning technology that combines full-length ZoomX foam with a Zoom Strobel unit – the first Nike sneaker to feature this dual-system approach.  The “Blue Suede” colorway (August 20) presents Light Armory Blue suede with black nubuck overlays and 360-degree containment webbing,while incorporating design DNA from five classic models: tongue inspiration from the Air Jordan 5, heel counter from the Air Jordan 3, and elements from the Air Jordan 12, 13, and 14.

The silhouette represents a performance-lifestyle hybrid designed for both on-court play and street wear, featuring asymmetrical collar design and a unique 40-degree herringbone traction pattern. At $205, both colorways position the Air Jordan 40 as the premium option in Jordan Brand’s current lineup.

Complete August 2025 release schedule

August 1: Air Jordan 4 “Pizza” (GS only) – $160 A kids-exclusive release featuring sesame suede upper with red and black accents mimicking pizza elements, complete with checkered tablecloth insoles and pizza box-style packaging.

August 2: Air Jordan 10 OG “Steel” ($215) and Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 OG ($230) The month’s biggest day features the restored Steel colorway alongside the historic collaboration’s return.

August 9: Air Jordan 40 “The Classic” restock ($205) and Air Jordan 4 Denim “Worn Blue” Women’s ($220) The denim version offers two-tone denim construction with gold accents, exclusively in women’s sizing.

August 15: Air Jordan 14 Golf “Hyper Royal” – $235 Golf-specific performance version featuring specialized traction and seven removable spikes in a Ferrari-inspired White/Hyper Royal colorway.

August 16: Triple release day with Air Jordan 12 “French Blue” ($205), Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 1 Low OG ($165), and Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Arctic Pink” ($230)

August 20: Air Jordan 40 “Blue Suede” – $205

August 23: Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard” – $185

August 28: Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 OG SNKRS release – $230

August 30: Air Jordan 5 “Luminous Green” Women’s ($205) and Awake NY x Air Jordan 5 “Racer Blue” ($230)

Strategic buying approaches for August releases

Nike SNKRS remains the primary battlefield for most releases, with the app’s Draw system offering 5-15% success rates on hyped releases. Nike +2 The platform’s 98% bot detection success rate means legitimate users have better odds than ever, though preparation remains crucial. Enable Face ID, complete profile information, and maintain app activity through content engagement to improve Exclusive Access chances.

Collaboration releases demand specific strategies. The Undefeated Air Jordan 4 requires entering the EQL raffle system, while Awake NY’s Arctic Pink version is exclusively available through their platform with numbering limited to 7,000 pairs.The wider Racer Blue release opens opportunities through SNKRS and select retailers.

Multiple entry points increase success odds. Major retail chains like Foot Locker, Finish Line, and JD Sports offer their own raffle systems with generally better odds than SNKRS. Boutique retailers including Sneaker Politics, Oneness, and UNDEFEATED provide additional chances, often with less competition than mainstream platforms.

Sizing considerations vary by model. Air Jordan 1s and 4s fit true to size, while Air Jordan 5s run slightly wide and may require sizing down half a size. The new Air Jordan 40 appears to fit true to size based on early reports. Women’s exclusive releases require men to size up 1.5 sizes for proper fit.

Resale market expectations reflect release scarcity and cultural significance. The Undefeated Air Jordan 4 commands the highest premiums at $400-700+ given its historic importance and limited quantities. Awake NY collaborations should settle in the $350-500 range, while the accessible Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” offers more modest resale potential at $280-350 due to its wide release strategy. Holy Ground +2

Conclusion

August 2025 represents a convergence of sneaker history and innovation, anchored by the 20th anniversary return of sneaker culture’s first boutique collaboration. The Undefeated Air Jordan 4 retro validates the enduring appeal of authentic storytelling in sneaker design, while new partnerships like Awake NY’s Air Jordan 5 debut demonstrate how technical innovation can enhance collaborative design. The month’s balance of accessible general releases and extremely limited collaborations ensures options for every collector level, from the wide Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” release to the 7,000-piece Awake NY exclusive. Most significantly, the diverse lineup showcases Jordan Brand’s evolution beyond pure nostalgia toward purposeful retro selections that honor heritage while embracing modern manufacturing capabilities and collaborative creativity.