Side Kicks Streetwear • Global Release Guide
Updated: 5 October 2026
About the release
Jordan Brand continues one of 2026's most storytelling-driven release programmes with the Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' (style code IQ3460-010). The pair sits alongside Jordan Brand's wider Year of the Horse / CNY collection as a more accessible AJ1 Low entry point, bridging Eastern tradition and streetwear through genuinely considered symbolism rather than straight graphic overlay. The headline detail: Maneki-neko — the beckoning Lucky Cat figure traditionally associated with good fortune and wealth — embroidered in full detail on the tongue, framed by a removable gold bell lace charm that nods to the figurine's traditional collar.
The build mixes materials across a Black / Dragon Red / Yellow colourway. Vibrant Dragon Red leather lands on the forefoot panels, with deep black panelling anchoring the rest of the construction. Yellow trim frames key sections like an unfinished edge, adding a raw architectural flourish against the sleek black base. Mixed materials rework the upper with a reimagined profile Swoosh. On the tongue, embroidered Maneki-neko on tumbled leather. Golden bell lace charm atop the laces. Chinese characters representing the number '23' on the insoles — a quiet tribute to Michael Jordan's legacy filtered through the collab's cultural language.
Jordan 1 Low Neutral Grey Infrared
Another standout AJ1 Low colourway in the archive
Shop Now →TL;DR – Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' IQ3460-010 Release Date, Price & Where to Buy
- UK release date: Thursday 15 October 2026
- Model: Air Jordan 1 Low
- Colourway: Black / Dragon Red / Black / Yellow
- Style code: IQ3460-010
- UK retail price: £145
- US retail price: $130
- Sizing: Men's sizing
- Where to buy: Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers
- Theme: Jordan Brand Year of the Horse / CNY 2026 collection
- Key details: Dragon Red leather forefoot panels, black panelling base, yellow 'unfinished' trim framing key panels, mixed materials across the upper, reimagined profile Swoosh, embroidered Maneki-neko (Lucky Cat) on tumbled leather tongue, removable golden bell lace charm, Chinese characters representing '23' on the insoles
- Symbolism: Maneki-neko represents good fortune and wealth; the gold bell lace charm nods to the traditional figurine's collar bell
Release date and price
The Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' releases in the UK on Thursday 15 October 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. UK retail is £145, US retail $130. Men's sizing.
The pair sits within Jordan Brand's wider Year of the Horse CNY collection, which has grown significantly over recent years — including the Jordan 5 'Year of the Snake' as a signal of how seriously Jordan Brand now treats zodiac-tied releases. The 'Lucky Cat' AJ1 Low functions as the collection's more accessible, culturally-forward entry point rather than a high-tier numbered Retro. Expect strong move-through on the back of the embroidered Maneki-neko and gold bell detailing in particular — these are the kinds of design flourishes that photograph well and travel well on social.
Design and details
Jordan Brand's CNY releases have evolved from straight red / gold colourway swaps into properly symbolic executions in recent years. This 'Lucky Cat' AJ1 Low sits at the thoughtful end of that trajectory — every detail is loaded with intent, and the symbolism is specific enough that fans of the imagery will clock each reference while casual buyers still get a visually strong Low.
Three-tone palette with yellow trim
The Dragon Red forefoot panels are the shoe's loudest visual hit — vibrant leather lighting up the toe and vamp against the deep black panelling that handles the rest of the construction. The standout detail: yellow trim framing key sections like an 'unfinished edge'. This architectural flourish gives the shoe a raw, almost tailored energy — small specific detail that makes the pair instantly recognisable at a distance. Mixed materials run across the upper (leather, nubuck, tumbled surfaces), and the profile Swooshes are reimagined rather than straight stock placements.
The Maneki-neko tongue embroidery
The heart of the design. The Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is embroidered in full detail on the shoe's tongue, sitting on a tumbled leather tongue construction that elevates it beyond standard graphic application. The figure — Japanese in origin but widely associated with Chinese communities globally — represents good fortune and wealth, with the raised paw symbolising the welcoming of prosperity. It's one of the most instantly recognisable symbols in Eastern tradition, and executed through embroidery rather than a printed graphic reads as considered craft rather than theme-overlay.
Golden bell charm + '23' insole detail
A removable gold bell lace charm sits atop the laces like a talisman — a direct tactile nod to the bell on the Maneki-neko figurine's traditional collar. On the insoles, Chinese characters representing the number '23' extend the shoe's cultural language into a direct Michael Jordan reference. These closing details take what could have been a decorative-only pair into properly storytelling territory: every element carries intent.
Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' images
Credit: Nike / Jordan Brand
Jordan 1 Retro Low OG SP Travis Scott 'Velvet Brown'
A premium AJ1 Low SP collab execution
Shop Now →Jordan Brand's growing CNY footprint
Jordan Brand's commitment to the Chinese New Year / Lunar Zodiac calendar has grown dramatically in recent years. What started as straightforward red / gold colourway swaps has evolved into properly symbolic storytelling drops — including the Jordan 5 'Year of the Snake' given its own commemorative treatment and now the wider Year of the Horse 2026 collection this release sits within. The Lucky Cat charm sits comfortably across both Chinese and Japanese cultural traditions, making this AJ1 Low function as a more pan-Eastern tribute rather than a direct zodiac-year execution.
For context, Jordan's broader 2026 CNY roster also includes the Kobe 8 EXT 'Year of the Horse' and various other equestrian-themed executions. The 'Lucky Cat' AJ1 Low works as the collection's accessible entry — not a high-tier numbered Retro, not a limited-release SP, but a properly story-driven pair that treats the symbolism with real craft (embroidery over print, bell charm, mixed materials) rather than token graphic overlays. One of the better-executed CNY-adjacent AJ1 Lows in recent memory.
Where to buy
The Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' releases on Thursday 15 October 2026 for £145 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. Men's sizing. Browse the full Air Jordan 1 Low collection and the wider Jordan archive on Side Kicks.
FAQ
When is the Air Jordan 1 Low 'Lucky Cat' release date?
Thursday 15 October 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. Men's sizing.
How much does the Lucky Cat AJ1 Low cost?
UK retail is £145. US retail is $130.
What's the Maneki-neko on the tongue?
Maneki-neko (the 'beckoning cat') is a traditional Japanese figurine that has become widely associated with Chinese communities and establishments globally. The raised paw symbolises welcoming good fortune and wealth. On this AJ1 Low, Maneki-neko is embroidered in full detail on the tongue (atop tumbled leather), with a removable gold bell lace charm atop the laces that references the figurine's traditional collar bell. The insoles also feature Chinese characters representing the number '23' as a tribute to MJ.
Is this part of Jordan's CNY collection?
Yes. The 'Lucky Cat' AJ1 Low sits within Jordan Brand's wider Year of the Horse / Chinese New Year 2026 collection. It functions as the collection's more accessible, culturally-forward entry point alongside higher-tier releases like the Kobe 8 EXT 'Year of the Horse' and various other equestrian-themed executions.
Discover more from Side Kicks
