Although Jordan Brand has been pumping energy into other silhouettes in Michael Jordan’s historic roster of signature sneakers, it can’t quit churning out Air Jordan 1 colorways. Reportedly high-profile collaborators like Travis Scott will move on from the 37-year-old design in 2023, but the NIKE, Inc. subsidiary won’t – at least not until it releases the model in a “Black Toe Reimagined” version.

While currently only a rumor from reliable sneaker leaker @jfgrails, it’d be naive to believe the Swoosh conglomerate isn’t trying to capitalize on the highly successful “Lost & Found” retro from mid-November; a similarly-“aged” Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” has already been confirmed as part of Jordan Brand’s Spring 2023 Retro Collection. A proper “Black Toe” reissue last took place in 2016, but handfuls of non-High iterations of number 23’s first signature basketball sneaker have saturated the market with a similar color-blocking since.

If rumors of an Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe Reimagined” are true, the pair is expected to boast the same “cracked” leather throughout the upper, with the most visible “wear” arriving at the collar. Midsoles will also likely don a slightly-yellowed finish to recreate a vintage aesthetic. It’s important to note that whatever ends up dropping (if anything at all) may follow a completely different concept given that the “Reimagined” series meant something different before the “Lost & Found” 1s. Nevertheless, a “Black Toe” retro will surely be warmly welcomed by the sneaker community-at-large.

No firm Nike SNKRS launch details have been disclosed by the Air Jordan team, but if the rumors are true, that’s likely to change as the new year’s holiday season inches closer.

For more from the NIKE, Inc. family, check out the “Jarritos” SB Dunk set to drop before 2023 ends.

UPDATE Dec. 29th, 2022:
The original story was updated to include a mock-up of the rumored retro’s side angle, courtesy of Instagram user @glitchedgarbage.