Jordan 6 Rings 'University Blue' (also known as 'UNC')
Athletic footwear; hybrid sneaker design • Nike, Inc. under the Jordan Brand; design team credited with the '6 Rings' hybrid silhouette
Style & Movement
Contemporary Product Design / Sneaker Culture; Post-modernist utilitarian sportswear
Medium & Technique
Mixed media construction utilizing synthetic nubuck, leather, Phylon foam, rubber, and embroidered textiles; manufactured via industrial assembly-line molding and stitching
Creation Period
Modern/Contemporary; specifically the 21st century (Original silhouette debuted in 2008)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 inches in length (standard men's US sizing); three-dimensional object
Subject Description
A high-top hybrid sneaker celebrating Michael Jordan's six NBA championships. The design incorporates elements from Jordan models 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14. This specific 'University Blue' colorway refers to Jordan's alma mater, the University of North Carolina.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Poor; significant visible wear, creasing, and surface abrasions
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 (Due to significant wear and lack of box/original packaging)
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 (Sold as-is in 'beater' condition)
Provenance History
Mass-produced consumer goods; likely acquired via retail distribution and subsequent secondary market use
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'hybrid' era of sneaker design which sought to commercialize legacy silhouettes by blending multiple historic designs into a single narrative product. It serves as a totem of 1990s and 2000s sports culture.
Notable Features
Distinctive '6 Rings' Velcro strap; Phylon midsole with visible University Blue and Royal blue accents; iconic panther-paw inspired outsole design borrowed from the Air Jordan 13.
Condition Issues
Notable creasing across the toe box and mid-sole; scuff marks on the light blue foam sections; visible accumulation of dust and lint on the black nubuck; potential sole separation or 'crumbling' risks typical of aged polyurethane foam
Conservation Recommendations
Thorough cleaning with specialized sneaker solution; use of shoe trees to mitigate further creasing; storage in a temperature-controlled, low-UV environment to prevent sole yellowing or foam hydrolysis