Before the Air Jordan 5 “Laney” arrived in 2000, Jordan Brand considered a slightly different look for the high school-inspired colorway. Newly surfaced images reveal an early sample that includes two noticeable changes from the pair that eventually reached stores.
The sample keeps the familiar white leather upper along with blue and yellow accents tied to Emsley A. Laney High School, where Michael Jordan played before college. However, the embroidered “23” is missing from the side, leaving the panel much cleaner than the final design.
Nike Air branding also appears across the heel instead of the Jumpman logo used on the retail release. Together, those details give the sample a stronger connection to original Air Jordan 5 styles, particularly the “Grape” colorway from 1990.
Jordan Brand ultimately added the number 23 and replaced the Nike Air logo with a Jumpman before launching the “Laney” in 2000. The same general design returned for its only retro release in 2013.
With Jordan Brand recently revisiting samples, unreleased concepts, and older Nike Air branding, this early version offers an interesting look at how the “Laney” changed during development. Whether the alternate design ever inspires a future release remains unknown, but the sample provides a rare glimpse into the colorway’s history.
Stay up to date with all upcoming Air Jordan releases from our Air Jordan Release Dates page. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Photos: lucosemembrane
