Red sneakers usually scream for attention in a way that feels a bit desperate, but the Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 is different. It’s loud, sure. It’s bright. Yet, there’s this weirdly sophisticated vibe to it that most "triple red" shoes just can't catch. Maybe it’s the patent leather. Honestly, it's probably the history.
Released in December 2017, this shoe wasn't just another colorway dropped to fill a holiday slot. It was a specific nod to the 1996 Chicago Bulls—a team that basically treated the NBA like a local playground. They went 72-10. They won the chip. They looked cool doing it. Jordan Brand decided to bottle that "unbeatable" feeling and pour it into a gym red mold.
Why this specific red hits differently
Most people forget that the AJ11 was actually inspired by a lawnmower and a tuxedo. Tinker Hatfield, the genius behind the curtain, wanted something rugged but classy. When you take that silhouette and coat it in "Gym Red," you're walking a fine line.
The Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 uses a translucent "icy" outsole to balance the heat of the upper. If that sole had been red or solid rubber, the shoe would’ve looked like a brick. Instead, that blue-tinted bottom creates a visual break. It’s the contrast that makes the patent leather pop. You’ve got the ballistic mesh on the top half, which holds the color in a matte way, and then that high-gloss mudguard that reflects everything in the room. It’s a texture game.
Sneakerheads often argue about which "Win Like" pack member was better—the 82 or the 96. The 82 honored MJ’s college days at UNC with that classic "University Blue." It was safe. It was pretty. But the 96? That was the pro move. It felt more aggressive. It felt like the 90s.
The Tech and Build of the Win Like 96
Let’s get into the weeds for a second because how a shoe is built matters as much as how it looks. The Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 features a full-length Air-Sole unit. Now, by 2026 standards, this isn't exactly "walking on clouds" compared to modern foam, but for a 90s design, it’s surprisingly stable.
The carbon fiber shank plate is the real hero here. If you flip the shoe over, you can see that checkerboard pattern through the translucent sole. That’s not just for aesthetics; it provides torsional rigidity. It keeps the shoe from twisting in ways your foot isn't supposed to twist.
- Upper Materials: High-grade ballistic mesh that doesn't fray easily.
- The Mudguard: Thick patent leather with a high-cut finish, staying true to the original '96 specs that fans obsessed over.
- The Branding: A black Jumpman logo stitched into the heel. It’s small, but it provides the only real break from the red-on-red theme.
Interestingly, the "23" on the heel is printed, not stitched. Some purists hate this because it can peel over time if you’re actually out here playing ball in them. But let’s be real—most people are wearing these to brunch or a stadium, not a pickup game at the park.
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The "High-Cut" Controversy
For years, Jordan Brand was putting out Retro 11s with a "low-cut" patent leather mudguard. It looked... off. Slimmer. Cheaper.
With the Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96, they kept the high-cut mudguard that mirrors the original 1996 pairs. It’s a tiny detail that only nerds care about, but it changes the entire profile of the shoe. It makes it look substantial. Beefy. When you look at the shoe from the side, that red leather reaches up higher toward the mesh, giving it that authentic "OG" shape that collectors hunt for.
Authentication and What to Watch For
The market is flooded with fakes. Since this was a massive general release, the "super fakes" are everywhere. If you’re buying a pair today, you have to look at the "peak" on the back of the patent leather. On a real pair, there’s a tiny, subtle point where the leather meets at the heel. Most fakes are either too rounded or too sharp.
Also, check the smell. Seriously.
Retail pairs have a specific, chemically-sweet glue smell. Fakes often smell like industrial spray paint. And look at the box. The "Win Like 96" came in the classic sliding box with the plastic internal cover. If the box feels flimsy or the font is slightly too bold, walk away.
The Cultural Weight of 72-10
You can't talk about this shoe without talking about the Bulls' 1995-1996 season. They didn't just win; they humiliated people. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were a terrifying trio.
This shoe is basically a trophy you can wear on your feet. While the "Bred" 11 (Black/Red) is the most famous version from that era, the Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 flips the script by making red the primary color. It’s an "alternate history" shoe. It’s what the Bulls would have worn if they wanted to be even flashier than they already were.
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Styling a "Triple Red" Monster
How do you even wear these without looking like a fire hydrant?
Honestly, keep the rest of the outfit dead simple. All black. Raw denim. Maybe a grey hoodie. The moment you try to match your shirt, your hat, and your socks to this specific shade of "Gym Red," you've lost the plot. You end up looking like a background character in a music video from 2005. Let the shoes do the heavy lifting. They’re loud enough to carry a whole room.
Performance vs. Lifestyle
Can you play in them? Yes. Should you? Probably not.
The traction on the Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 is decent, thanks to those herringbone pods on the outsole. However, patent leather doesn't breathe. At all. Your feet will turn into a swamp within twenty minutes of hard cardio.
Plus, the patent leather creases. Once those deep lines set in across the toe box, they’re there forever. For a lifestyle sneaker, that’s a tragedy. For a performance sneaker, it’s a badge of honor. You have to decide which camp you’re in before you lace them up.
Real World Value and Resale
When these dropped, they were $220.
For a long time, you could find them for near retail because Jordan Brand produced a lot of them. But as the "deadstock" (unworn) supply has dwindled, prices have climbed. You’re likely looking at $350 to $450 depending on the size and the condition of the "ice" on the sole.
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The biggest enemy of the Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 isn't wear and tear—it’s oxygen. That beautiful clear sole eventually turns a murky yellow. It’s inevitable. You can slow it down with silica packs and shrink wrap, but time wins every fight. Some people actually prefer the "aged" look, saying it gives the shoe character. I think they're just trying to cope with the fact that their $400 shoes are changing colors.
The Legacy of the Holiday 11
The December Jordan 11 release is a ritual. It’s the Super Bowl of the sneaker world. The "Win Like 96" holds a special place in that timeline because it was one of the first times Jordan Brand moved away from the "OG" colors (like the Concords or Space Jams) and successfully created a brand-new classic.
It proved that people didn't just want nostalgia; they wanted bold, new expressions of that nostalgia.
How to Keep Your Pair Fresh
If you’ve managed to snag a pair of Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96, don't just throw them in the closet. Patent leather is a magnet for fingerprints and dust.
- Wipe after every wear: A simple microfiber cloth does wonders. No chemicals needed, just a bit of breath and a buff.
- Avoid the rain: Water won't hurt the leather, but it will accelerate the yellowing of the translucent sole.
- Use shoe trees: The 11 has a lot of structural volume. Without something inside to hold the shape, the mesh can start to sag over time.
- Rotate your stash: Don't wear these three days in a row. The foam needs time to decompress, and the materials need to air out.
The Air Jordan Retro 11 Win Like 96 isn't just a sneaker; it’s a time capsule of a year when basketball was at its absolute peak. Whether you’re a die-hard Bulls fan or just someone who appreciates a damn good red shoe, these are foundational. They represent a bridge between the gritty 90s court tech and the high-fashion streetwear world we live in now.
To get the most out of your pair, check the production date on the inner tag. Pairs kept in climate-controlled environments will have much better sole integrity than those sat in a garage. If you’re buying used, always ask for photos of the carbon fiber plate to ensure it isn't cracked, as that's a common "hidden" flaw in older 11s. Stay away from "restoration" kits that use harsh bleaches on the soles, as they can actually weaken the rubber over time. Keep it simple, keep it authentic, and let the red do the talking.