Air Jordan 40 (“The Classic”)
Released (2025)
Jordan Brand marked 40 years of Flight with a brand-new game shoe purpose-built for today’s pace-and-space hoops. The Air Jordan 40 debuted in the “The Classic” colorway (White/Black/Vast Grey, style code HM9931-100) with a $205 MSRP. Jordan’s own announcement set availability for July 12, 2025, and retailers tracked a restock window in early August as inventory widened. NikeSneaker Bar DetroitSneaker News
What it is (and why it matters)
Flagship Air Jordans after the XIV aren’t MJ game-worn, but they’ve evolved into the brand’s tech showpiece for active Jordan athletes and everyday hoopers. The AJ40’s pitch is simple: premium feel, marathon-level cushioning, and sharper stop/start control—without leaning on loud nostalgia or a mash-up look. Nike positions it as a line-in-the-sand update for the fifth decade of the franchise. Nike
Cushioning & Ride
For the first time across NIKE, Inc., the AJ40 stacks full-length ZoomX foam with a full-length Zoom Strobel. ZoomX is Nike’s lightest, softest, most responsive foam and is cited at ~85% energy return, while the Zoom Strobel sits directly underfoot for a lively, springboard feel. The combo aims to deliver explosive pop for drives and pull-ups with enough underfoot comfort to keep legs fresh late. Nike
Lockdown, Support & Traction
Containment is handled by six internal webbing straps that cinch as you lace, creating 360° lockdown. That six-strap layout doubles as a subtle nod to MJ’s six championships. Underfoot, the outsole uses a custom herringbone built from 40-degree angles—a visual cue to the anniversary and a functional pattern that emphasizes sudden plants, hesitations, and changes of direction. Nike.comNike
Design Language & Materials
Jordan calls the AJ40 a clean, modern silhouette with “heritage whispers” instead of overt callbacks. The brand even redesigned the logo with 40-degree geometry to match the traction story. Across the first-year rollout, uppers rotate materials—premium leather, patent leather, and suede—so each colorway arrives with its own texture and mood while the base tooling stays performance-first. NikeNike.com
Colorways, Style Codes & Price
• “The Classic” — White/Black/Vast Grey — HM9931-100 — $205 — launch July 12, 2025; widely visible again in early August merchant calendars. Sneaker Bar DetroitSneaker News
• “Blue Suede” — Light Armory Blue/Anthracite-Black — HM9931-400 — $205 — scheduled August 20, 2025. Sole RetrieverSneaker Files
• “Dusty Rose” — Light Arctic Pink/Anthracite-Black — HM9931-600 — $205 — slated September 20, 2025. HypebeastSole Retriever
Jordan signals nine colorways in year one, with material swaps to keep the line feeling fresh on and off court. Nike
On-Court Debut & Who’s Wearing It
Early pro sightings popped up fast—especially in the WNBA. Napheesa Collier broke the seal in late June, and Gabby Williams logged multiple games in “The Classic” through late July into August. Tracking sites also log additional AJ40 minutes as pairs filter to athletes around the league. Expect broader adoption as colorways roll out and sizes stabilize at retail. InstagramThreadskixstats.com
How it Feels (early read)
Testers and media keyed in on the ZoomX + Zoom Strobel stack as the headline: bouncy but cushioned, more “runner-level foam meets elite hoop chassis” than past Jordans. The 40-degree herringbone gets consistent praise for bite on hard plants, and the webbing-strap system helps the shoe feel secure without over-tightening the forefoot. If you play a lot of straight-line bursts into sudden stops (wings, guards, and forwards who live on strong plants), the setup leans your way. Nike.com
Marketing & Cultural Notes
Jordan’s 40th-anniversary campaign put the AJ40 at center stage, complete with a musical-style spot and athlete cameos. Coverage across sneaker media ranges from “future-classic, performance-first” takes to critiques that the design plays it conservative for such a milestone—healthy debate that usually follows big-number Jordans. Either way, the shoe’s tech story is the loudest thing about it, and that’s by design. Sports Business JournalReel360Sneaker News
Specs Snapshot (for shoppers)
• Cushioning: Full-length ZoomX + full-length Zoom Strobel (first-ever pairing in NIKE, Inc.).
• Traction: Herringbone built from 40-degree angles; designed for quick stops/starts.
• Lockdown: Six internal webbing straps; lace-activated 360° containment.
• Upper: Premium mixes by colorway—leather, patent, suede—plus elevated textiles.
• MSRP: $205 at launch. NikeNike.com
Legacy (early)
The AJ40 reads like a blueprint for the next run of flagship Jordans: premium, grown-up materials; a quiet silhouette; and a maxed-out ride that actually moves the needle. If the brand follows through on the nine-colorway year-one plan and on-court adoption keeps stacking up, this model has real staying power as the “new era” template—one that celebrates the 40th without leaning entirely on it.