The holidays are right around the corner, which means it’s time for the annual Air Jordan 11 holiday drop. And this holiday season, we’re getting the return of the Air Jordan 11 “Gamma,” a shoe that perhaps could be targeting Gen Z more than MJ-loving Millennials.
2025 “Gamma” Air Jordan 11 drops tomorrow (12/13) 🖤🩵🔥
WHO’S COPPING⁉️🙋♂️ pic.twitter.com/aIRcoPgCqW— zSneakerHeadz (@zSneakerHeadz) December 12, 2025
I’ve said it before, but the Air Jordan 11 is my favorite sneaker of all time (for what it’s worth, it’s the design GOAT Tinker Hatfield’s too). The Air Jordan 11 is almost universally regarded as one of the greatest shoes of all-time, one that even the most casual sneakerhead is familiar with. However, the Air Jordan 11 finds itself in a different moment where Air Jordan retros aren’t selling like they used to and may not have the same cachet with Gen Z as they did with Millennials.
Despite celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Air Jordan 11 is not returning in an OG colorway that MJ laced up on the hardwood during the Bulls’ legendary 72-10 season. No, it’s not returning in the classic Concord or Bred colorways, or even the beloved Space Jam makeup. No, Jordan Brand is dropping the Gamma Blues, an all-black colorway with gamma blue accents which debuted in 2013. SNKRS describes this colorway as the “OG silhouette with a flare” describing it like this:
The Air Jordan 11 “Gamma” rewrites the code in style. Gone full night mode, this first all-black colorway isn’t seen but felt with accents of Gamma Blue heat. The signature patent leather mudguard and translucent outsole light up the night with unmistakably high energy.
This shoe does all the classic Air Jordan 11 things — patent leather mudguard, ballistic mesh upper, Jumpman Jordan tag on the tongue, 23 on the heel and a translucent outsole with a carbon fiber plate underneath — which means that it’s got a high floor. It’s still an Air Jordan 11, so it’s still beautiful.
That said, this particular colorway does nothing for me. It’s not a colorway I feel like I HAVE to own or that has a personal connection for me. But that’s OK. In fact, that might be what Jordan Brand is going for.
They want to appeal to the youth of 2013 who are now young adults, rather than old-guard Millennials like me who remember MJ on the court in Concord and Bred 11s back in 1995-96. That makes a lot of sense, if you think about it.
It’s clear from the latest Big Facts trends report from StockX that we’re still firmly in the era of the 2000s-style mesh runner and slimmed down silhouettes. Jordan retros, including last year’s Legend Blue Air Jordan 11 holiday drop, have been sitting on shelves in a way that we haven’t seen in years.
However, StockX also reported that the Air Jordan 11 remains the eighth most “favorited” sneaker on the platform and the 2025 edition has an average price of $349 on 415 sales. This suggests that perhaps that going back to the 1990s isn’t the right move for Jordan Brand right now, and instead they should be looking back the mid- to late-2000s and into the 2010s.
Gen Z never saw Michael Jordan on the court. But they do remember the hoopla surrounding the 2013 release of the Gammas, whether they had the shoes or perhaps their older siblings had them. So, it will be interesting to see if this colorway hits harder than the last several Air Jordan 11 holiday drops and how it impacts the brand’s choices moving forward (although rumors suggest we’re finally getting a new retro of the Space Jams in 2026).
The Air Jordan 11 “Gamma” release date is December 13, 2025, with a retail price of $235 USD and full-family sizing available via Nike SNKRS and major retailers. Best of luck to all looking to pick up a pair!
Air Jordan 11 “Gamma” Release Details
- Release Date: December 13, 2025
- Retail Price: $235 USD
- Sizing: Full family sizing
- Where to Buy: Nike SNKRS, Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, StockX, GOAT
To see more of this month’s releases, check out our release date calendar.
