After something of a slower start to the year, February is STACKED! That’s unsurprising, as the NBA All-Star Weekend usually elicits standout sneaker releases, and this year is no exception.
Here’s your playbook for the top sneakers dropping this month.
Top Sneaker Drop of February 2026: Air Jordan 3 x Levi’s Indigo and Gym Red
Release Date: February 25 ($230)
With the confirmation of the Air Jordan 3 x Levi’s collab, I’m adding that here in addition to the original pick of the Air Jordan 6 “Infrared Salesman” below.
I’ve said it before, but the Air Jordan 3 is the shoe that helped save not only the Jordan line but Nike as a whole. Tinker Hatfield took over the Air Jordan line and incorporated MJ’s input in a way that not only kept His Airness with Nike, but delivered one of the most iconic sneaker designs of all-time. It was the start of a beautiful (and lucrative) friendship and birthed a sneaker that changed the game, on and off the court.
The Air Jordan 3 is a shoe that looks good right out of the box or in its 1,000th wear, one of those shoes that somehow looks almost as good cooked as it does brand new. But you know how you can take it to the next level? By collaborating with the iconic jeans maker Levi’s. After an outstanding collaboration on the Air Max 95 in 2025, Levi’s is back in the sneaker game with this fresh take on the Air Jordan 3. SNKRS breaks down the design like this:
Premium Indigo denim panels with tonal black elephant print on the upper for a sleek dark wash look. Levi’s®’ signature dollar bill graphic pairs with a Red Tab at the eyelets and matching detailing on the outsole and sockliner.
After an in-store pickup only release in Levi’s home base of San Francisco to celebrate Super Bowl 60, this sure to be popular collab drops on February 21. The Levi’s x Air Max 95 was a top 10 sneaker of the year pick on many lists at the end of 2025 and something tells me this drop is likely to find it’s way into the 2026 sneaker of the year discussion as well.
Air Jordan 6 ‘Infrared Salesman’
Release Date: February 14 ($215)
Now, if you strike out on Air Jordan 3 collab with Levi’s (in any of the rumored colors) gets a rock solid confirmed release, the Air Jordan 6 Retro ‘Infrared Salesman’ is no consolation prize — it’s a different spin on a classic model and colorway that I think will be quite popular.
The Air Jordan 6 is the shoe Michael Jordan won his first title in (and my No. 5 favorite Air Jordan of all-time), so it will always hold a special place in the Jordan pantheon. This edition of the Air Jordan 6 plays off the story of its first retro release in 1999:
This colorway, once known as the “Infrared Salesman Sample” from a ’99 sample catalogue, flips a Jordan classic on its head with reversed accents on the midsole and bright Light Crimson branding on the heel. A sample tag and “Not For Resale” stamp on the inner collar complete the story.
Now, at the time people would have likely lamented the changes made in this infamous sample had it actually gone into production, so it’s good that the first Air Jordan 6 retro stayed true to the original. But now? People actually seem pretty excited by the changes, especially the Nike Air branding appearing in infrared as opposed to the traditional black matching the black upper. This release has the potential to be this year’s Air Jordan 5 Black Metallic Reimagined, a GR model that exceeded all expectations.
If you have questions or just want to talk sneakers, hit me up on X — my username is @byAndySilva — and on BlueSky — my username is @byandysilva.bsky.social. And make sure to check out some of my other recent articles, including:
- Air Jordan 11 Turns 30: Jordan Brand to Release 9 Colorways — But No OGs
- Josh Allen Joins New Balance Ahead of NFL Season: Is a Signature Sneaker Next?
- Nike makes it official: Caitlin Clark will have a signature sneaker in 2026
- Does Kobe Bryant Own the #2 Sneaker Line of All Time?
- Can Angel Reese Put Reebok Back in the Game?
- My ranking of the top 5 Air Jordans of all time
Good luck if you’re going after any of these sure-to-be-popular releases!
