Side Kicks Streetwear • Global Release Guide
Updated: 17 April 2026
About the release
The Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' is back after an eleven-year gap. Last seen in 2015, the 2026 version is the most OG-accurate take on the colourway yet. The headline change is the return of Nike Air branding on the heel, replacing the Jumpman logo used on the 2015 retro and bringing the shoe back in line with its original 1990 design language.
It is one of four original Air Jordan 5 colourways from Tinker Hatfield's 1990 debut, alongside the Black Metallic, Fire Red and Grape. The White Metallic is arguably the cleanest and most versatile of the four, and the 2026 version comes in full family sizing via Nike SNKRS and select retailers.
Style code HQ7978-103 releases on Saturday 25 April 2026 for £190 in the UK and $215 USD.
TL;DR – Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' Release Date, Price & Where to Buy
- Release date: 25 April 2026
- Model: Air Jordan 5 OG
- Colourway: White / Metallic Silver / Black
- Style code: HQ7978-103
- UK retail price: £190
- US retail price: $215
- Sizing: Full family sizing
- Where to buy: Nike SNKRS and select retailers
- Key OG detail: Nike Air heel branding restored, vintage-inspired "23" font, silver shark teeth midsole, icy blue outsole
Release date and price
The Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' releases on Saturday 25 April 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers in full family sizing.
UK retail is £190 and US retail is $215. Full family sizing across men's, grade school, pre-school and toddler makes this one of the more accessible Jordan retros of the spring window.
Design and details
The upper is built from crisp white leather with translucent plastic netting on the quarter panels covering lightweight mesh windows for breathability. The Metallic Silver tongue adds its characteristic reflective shine, while transparent lace locks sit alongside the lacing system for a snug fit. Black accents land on the Jumpman tongue logo and inner lining.
The 2026 version restores Nike Air branding on the heel in place of the Jumpman logo used on the 2015 retro, moving the shoe closer to its original 1990 DNA. The "23" embroidery on the lateral heel panel has also been updated with a more vintage-inspired font, reinforcing the OG accuracy approach throughout.
Underfoot, the white polyurethane midsole carries the iconic silver shark teeth flame detailing at the midfoot, a design reference to the WWII fighter jets that inspired Tinker Hatfield's original concept. An icy blue translucent herringbone outsole finishes the shoe, consistent with the AJ5's most beloved retro aesthetic.
Silver shark teeth and icy outsole
The shark teeth and icy outsole are the two details that define the Air Jordan 5's visual identity more than anything else. On the White Metallic, the shark teeth read particularly clearly because the silver sits against white rather than black, making the midsole graphic more visible and the contrast between the clean upper and the aggressive lower more pronounced. The icy blue outsole connects the shoe's aesthetic to the wider family of AJ5 colourways that use translucency as a design element.
Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' images
Credit: Nike
The White Metallic history: 2000, 2015 and 2026
The Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' first released in 2000, a decade after the original 1990 debut of the silhouette. It was the shoe's first retro in this colourway and established the clean white and silver palette as a fan favourite. The 2015 retro brought it back again, this time with a Jumpman logo on the heel rather than the original Nike Air branding.
The 2026 version is the third high-top retro of the colourway and the most accurate to the original since 2000. The Nike Air restoration on the heel is the defining detail for collectors who care about OG accuracy, and the vintage font on the "23" embroidery reinforces that commitment throughout the shoe.
White Metallic vs Black Metallic
The White and Black Metallic are often discussed as a pair, and rightly so. Both are original 1990 colourways, both use the same Metallic Silver tongue and shark teeth structure, and both have been retroed multiple times. The Black Metallic is the more aggressive of the two. The White Metallic is cleaner, more versatile and arguably easier to wear across seasons. If the Black Metallic is the evening shoe, the White Metallic is the all-day option. For most buyers, having both is the obvious answer.
Why this release matters
Eleven years between retros is a long gap for a colourway as popular as the White Metallic. Jordan Brand has used the time to make a meaningful upgrade rather than simply repeating the 2015 version. The Nike Air heel restoration is not cosmetic. It is an accuracy decision that brings the shoe as close to the 1990 original as possible within a modern production context.
Where to buy
The Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' releases on 25 April 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers in full family sizing. Browse the full Air Jordan 5 collection and all Jordan Brand releases on Side Kicks.
FAQ
When is the Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' release date?
The Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' releases on Saturday 25 April 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers.
How much does the Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic' cost in the UK?
UK retail price is £190. US retail is $215.
What is the style code for the Air Jordan 5 OG 'White Metallic'?
The style code is HQ7978-103.
What is different about the 2026 Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' vs the 2015 version?
The 2026 version restores Nike Air branding on the heel, replacing the Jumpman logo used on the 2015 retro. The "23" embroidery has also been updated with a more vintage-inspired font, bringing the shoe closer to the original 1990 design.
Is the Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' available in kids sizes?
Yes. The 2026 Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' releases in full family sizing across men's, grade school, pre-school and toddler.
When did the Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' first release?
The White Metallic was one of four original Air Jordan 5 colourways from 1990. Its first retro release was in 2000, followed by a second retro in 2015. The 2026 version is the third high-top retro of the colourway.
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