Index Portland, a sneaker boutique renowned for uncovering rare and unreleased Nike and Jordan Brand samples, has revealed an extremely rare Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” Black Tongue Sample. Originally produced in 2010 as a Wear Test sample, this unique version was designed for durability and performance testing but never made it to retail.
The sample features a white leather upper with a black reptile-textured mudguard, similar to the original Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” that debuted in 1996. However, key differences set it apart, including a fully black tongue, black midsole heel, black laces, and silver metallic eyelets, giving it a bolder contrast than the standard release.
According to Index Portland co-founder Terrance Ricketts, only two pairs of this sample exist. The other pair, a fully black version, remains in Ricketts’ personal collection. This discovery has sparked speculation among sneakerheads about whether Jordan Brand might eventually release a similar black-tongued Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” as a retail pair.
For fans of the original, the Air Jordan 12 “Taxi” is officially returning in November 2025, staying true to its classic white and black leather construction with gold accents.
Until then, this unreleased Wear Test sample remains a collector’s gem, giving sneaker enthusiasts a glimpse at what could have been.
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