By the time the Air Jordan V hit sneaker shelfs in 1990, the legacy of the Air Jordan line was known as a powerhouse in the industry. Five styles into the franchise, and the franchise was already an icon. The V pushed the line into new and exciting directions.
The Air Jordan 5 ‘Grape’ releases on June 21 on shoepalace.com and at Shoe Palace stores.
Grape
The Air Jordan 5 ‘Grape’ was a groundbreaking colorway when it released in 1990. Air Jordan sneaker colors up to then were standard and basic. White, Red, and Black were the usual for the series. The Grape has a smooth white leather upper and Grape Ice and New Emerald accents. The colorway is still remembered today as an icon. The Grape colorway is possibly the 5’s most famous iteration. The 2025 version includes the Nike Air branding. The shoe will come in special packaging that will resemble the OG box.
The V
The great Tinker Hatfield designed the Jordan V. The sneaker is considered another classic on the resume of Tinker. You can make the argument that the V was the biggest departure for the line at that time. There are similarities that the Jordan 1-4 share. The V featured a much higher cut than the previous two Jordan models. A World War II plane reportedly inspired the design. The V was a huge stylistic departure for the series.
The Legacy of The Air Jordan V
By 1990 the Air Jordan line of sneakers was considered luxury basketball shoes. A status the brand still holds today in 2022. Every kid in America wanted a pair of the Jordan V sneakers. The V proved that the Jordan models were not losing momentum by 1990. The III and IV are two of the most beloved and memorable Air Jordan models. The V had a lot to live up to, and for the most part it lived up to the hype. The V might not be held in the same high regards as the III and IV, but it is still a widely popular addition to the franchise.
The Life of Michael Jordan
Icons do not get any bigger or more mythical than Michael Jordan. He is more than a basketball player, more than a sneaker promoter, more than a world renowned icon. Read on as we look at the extraordinary life of Michael Jordan.
Michael Jefferey Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in North Carolina. MJ attended Laney High School in Wilmington, North
Carolina. The story has been told a billion times, but MJ was cut from his varsity basketball team. That story has been used as a form of inspiration ever since MJ debuted in the NBA. Mike experienced a growth spurt the summer before his junior year of high school. Jordan has expressed in the past that he felt like he willed himself to grow. His height and talent grew, and he would never have to worry again about being cut from a team.
Shoe Palace
The Air Jordan 5 ‘Grape’ releases on June 21 on shoepalace.com and at Shoe Palace stores.
- Adam C. Better
Back to All