Sneakers You Need to Know: Air Jordan 6

Air Jordan 6

Sneakers You Need to Know: Air Jordan 6

Everything to know about the classic model, including Air Jordan 6 sizing, history, key colorways and more.

Matt DeSciora

Air Jordan sneakers are some of the most iconic pieces of footwear in the world. They have appeared in commercials and movies, been used in boundary-pushing collaborations, and been sold as art through auctions. But of all the Air Jordans ever made, only one can lay claim to being Michael Jordan’s first “championship shoe,” and that’s the Air Jordan 6.

Originally released by Nike in 1991, the Air Jordan 6 was forged into sneaker lore when Jordan wore the model as the Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the ‘91 NBA Finals, which was Michael and the Bulls’ first league crown. No other shoe in the collection can hold that distinction.

In the next installment of our Sneakers You Need to Know series, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of the legendary Jordan 6, including what makes the retro basketball model a favorite among the collectors who swear by its original (and non-original) colorways, the collaborators who have lined up to modify its timeless design, and much more.

This is everything you need to know about the Air Jordan 6.

Air Jordan 6 “Black/Infrared”

Basic Information: Who Designed the Jordan 6, Original Colorways, and More

Let’s first talk about some essential information for the sixth Air Jordan. The Air Jordan 6 was originally released by Nike in 1991 and was designed by legendary sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield. The Jordan 6’s original colorways were the “White/Infrared,” “Black/Infrared,” “Carmine,” “Sport Blue,” and “Maroon.” Of the five, Michael only wore the “White/Infrared,” “Black/Infrared,” and “Carmine” on court with the Bulls. He did, however, wear the “Maroon” in a Nike photoshoot around the time of the Jordan 6’s release.

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 6 “Cactus Jack”

Other Notable Air Jordan 6 Colorways

While on the topic of Air Jordan 6 colorways, let’s talk about a few more that are an essential part of the model’s legacy. In the last few years, Travis Scott has taken a liking to the shoe. His two military-inspired colorways, the green “Cactus Jack” and tan “British Khaki” are among the more creative Jordan 6s ever made.

Air Jordan 6 “DMP”

Other colorways you should be familiar with are the “UNC,” which draws inspiration from Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina; the “Hare,” a colorway that nods to the Air Jordan 7’s “Hare” makeup; the women’s “Gold Hoops” with added accoutrements; and the “Defining Moments Pack.” The “DMP,” as it's commonly known as, is considered one of the best non-original Air Jordan 6 colorways and was originally released in 2006 as an homage to Michael’s first NBA championship.

The Air Jordan 6 in Popular Culture

Like some of its predecessors, the Air Jordan 6’s release was accompanied by a series of now-classic commercials starring Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon, and Jordan himself. In one memorable spot, Mars, who is wearing the Jordan 6 “Black/Infrared,” rubs on a genie (played by Little Richard), and wishes to fly like Mike. Another commercial finds Mars attending an NBA Finals game to find out what makes Michael the best basketball player in the world.

More recently, a series of commercials were made for Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 6 collaboration. One particular ad features former NFL great Randy Moss “fishing” for the Jordan 6 “Cactus Jack.” Another commercial finds former Jordan Brand athlete Richard “Rip” Hamilton shooting a free throw in an eerie desert wearing Travis’s Jordan 6 “British Khaki.”

The Jordan 6 also makes an appearance in perhaps the most iconic Michael Jordan commercial of all time. Watch closely and you’ll see MJ on the playground wearing the “Carmine” colorway.

Air Jordan 6 Sizing: How Does the Jordan 6 Fit?

Does the Air Jordan 6 fit big or small? Neither! In general the Jordan 6 fits true to size (that’s TTS in sneaker parlance). If you have a narrow foot, and I’m talking about a really narrow foot, you may want to size down half a size from your standard shoe size. Otherwise, take your usual Air Jordan sneaker size when purchasing the Jordan 6 and you should be good to go.

The Air Jordan 6’s On-Court Legacy

Many remember the Air Jordan 6 for its presence in the ‘91 NBA Finals. But the shoe was also a part of other classic on-court moments, including its debut at the ‘91 NBA All-Star Game. Jordan may not have won All-Star Game MVP honors that day (he was edged out by Eastern Conference teammate Charles Barkley), but he did score a game-high 26 points in the “Black/Infrared” colorway.

The Air Jordan 6 “White/Infrared” was the version of the shoe that Michael wore most often after All-Star Weekend, which means it was front-and-center on “His Airness” during the Bulls’ Playoff push that season.

After winning the ‘91 NBA Finals in the “Black/Infrared” Jordan 6, Michael switched to the model’s “Carmine” colorway beginning on the Bulls’ Opening Night ring ceremony to start the ‘91-92 season. The “Carmine” was in heavy rotation all the way until Jordan debuted the Air Jordan 7 at the ‘92 NBA All-Star Game.

Air Jordan 6 “Carmine”

The Air Jordan 6: An Iconic Shoe On and Off the Court

Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with six different Air Jordan sneakers on his feet. But only the Air Jordan 6 can lay claim to having been the first championship Jordan shoe. That alone makes the shoe iconic. When you consider the impressive list of Jordan 6 collaborations in recent years, including Travis Scott and Aleali May’s renditions, it’s pretty clear that the shoe is one of the greatest sneakers in the world. Apart from all that, just look at it, it’s amazing.

Air Jordan 6 “Chrome”

Shop All Air Jordan 6s at Stadium Goods