Isaac Arzate was a talented athlete. He played baseball and basketball, a kid with a ton of energy and a massive heart. In January 2012, while at basketball practice, Isaac suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Most people don't know that he actually survived that initial event, but the road to recovery led him to OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. While he was there, he was invited to participate in the Doernbecher Freestyle program, a legendary partnership between Nike and the hospital that lets young patients design their own sneakers.
Isaac started his sketches for the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher, but he tragically passed away following a second heart attack in April 2012. He was only 12.
His family decided to finish what he started. They worked with the Nike design team to ensure every single detail Isaac wanted was included on the shoe. When the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher finally hit the market in 2013, it wasn't just a sneaker. It was a memorial. It was a story of a kid who loved sports and left a legacy that still resonates in the sneaker community today. Honestly, looking at these shoes now, years later, the weight of that story hasn't faded at all.
The Details You Might Have Missed on the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher
If you just glance at the shoe, you see a polished, black leather upper with some cool blue and white accents. But look closer. The entire upper is covered in a faint, embossed pattern. Those aren't just random shapes. It's actually a poem written by Isaac just a day before he passed away. It’s written in black-on-black text, so it catches the light in a way that feels subtle yet powerful.
The numbers on the heels are another deep dive into his life. On the left shoe, you’ll find the number 9, which was his baseball jersey number. On the right, the number 31, his basketball number. It’s a literal representation of his dual-sport passion.
The colorway itself—polished black, New Emerald, and White—is striking. It glowed in the dark. Not just a little bit, either. The outsole, the side panels, and the laces all reacted to light. When you turn the lights off, the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher transforms into something else entirely, which many collectors believe represented Isaac’s bright spirit.
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- The tongue features a custom "Isaac" tag instead of the standard Jordan branding.
- Inside the tongue, there are references to his initials and his birth/death dates.
- The translucent outsole reveals "May 14, 2012," the date he would have turned 13.
- The insoles are detailed with imagery from his life.
Why This Release Changed the Freestyle Program Forever
Before 2013, the Doernbecher Freestyle program was already a big deal. Since 2004, it has raised millions for the hospital. But the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher changed the emotional stakes. It proved that these shoes could be a vessel for a family's grief and a celebration of a life cut short.
People often argue about which DB (Doernbecher) Jordan is the "best." The DB 4 is iconic for its Superman theme. The DB 6 is incredibly unique with its navy suede. But the 5? It feels different. It feels more personal. Most enthusiasts agree that while the 4 might be more "hype," the 5 is more "heart."
The resale market for these is, frankly, insane. You’ll see them listed for $1,000, $2,000, or even more depending on the size and condition. It’s a weird dynamic. On one hand, the "sneakerhead" culture thrives on scarcity and value. On the other hand, there’s a sense of reverence for this specific pair. Selling a pair of these feels different than flipping a random pair of Yeezys or Dunks.
The Design Process and the Arzate Family
Nike’s design team, including veterans like Michael Cherry, worked closely with the Arzates. They didn't just take his drawings and print them. They spent hours understanding what Isaac liked. They wanted to capture his "game face."
There’s a specific flashlight that came with the original release. Why? Because the glow-in-the-dark features were so intricate that Nike wanted owners to be able to "charge" the phosphorescent materials and see the hidden text of the poem. That kind of attention to detail is rare, even for high-end collaborations.
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You’ve got to realize that the Air Jordan 5 silhouette was the perfect canvas for this. The "teeth" on the midsole, the large tongue, the side mesh—it all provided enough surface area to pack in Isaac's entire world.
Common Misconceptions About the 2013 Release
A lot of people think these were mass-produced. They weren't. Like all Doernbecher releases, they were extremely limited and dropped primarily through Nike’s "Twitter Link Only" system (back when that was the high-tech way to release shoes) and at select Niketown locations.
Another mistake? Thinking there was a wide re-release. While Nike has occasionally "restocked" certain DB models for special anniversaries or charity auctions, the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher remains one of the harder pairs to track down in deadstock condition. If you find a pair today with yellowed soles, that’s just the natural oxidation of the translucent rubber. Some people try to "ice" them back to blue, but many collectors prefer the "aged" look as it shows the shoe has been preserved since that 2013 drop.
How to Verify an Authentic Pair
Because the value is so high, fakes are everywhere. And some of the "UA" (Unauthorized Authentic) pairs are scary good. But they almost always mess up the poem.
- The Poem Clarity: On authentic pairs, the embossed text is sharp. On fakes, it often looks "mushy" or the font is slightly off.
- The Glow: The "New Emerald" glow should be consistent. Fakes often have a patchier glow or use a cheaper material that fades in seconds.
- The 9 and 31: Check the embroidery. It should be tight and perfectly aligned.
- The Box: These came in a special Doernbecher box with a glossy finish and Isaac's story printed on the inside. If the box looks like a standard Jordan box, walk away.
The Impact on OHSU Doernbecher
Let’s talk numbers. This isn't just about cool shoes. The Freestyle program has raised over $30 million for the OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital since its inception. Money from the sale of the Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher went directly to clinical care, research, and state-of-the-art equipment.
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When you buy a pair—even on the secondary market—you’re participating in a legacy that funded surgeries and saved lives. It’s one of the few areas in the sneaker world where the "corporate" side of Nike actually feels human.
The Arzate family has remained involved in the community. They use the platform Isaac’s shoe created to raise awareness about heart health in young athletes. It’s a heavy topic for a shoe blog, but you can’t talk about this sneaker without talking about the reality of why it exists.
Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you're looking to add this piece of history to your collection, don't rush. This isn't a "buy the first one you see" situation.
- Check the provenance: Ask the seller where they got them. Original receipts from Niketown or 2013-era invoices are gold.
- Invest in a UV light: It's the only way to truly see if the poem and the glow features are functioning as Isaac intended.
- Condition over price: These shoes are over a decade old. The midsoles on Jordan 5s can eventually crumble if not stored correctly. Look for pairs that have been kept in climate-controlled environments.
- Understand the "B-Grade" phenomenon: Sometimes you'll see pairs with a "B" stamp on the inner tag. These were pairs with minor factory defects sold at Nike outlets. They are still authentic but carry a lower market value.
The Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher represents the pinnacle of what a collaboration can be. It’s not just two brands mashing their logos together for a quick buck. It’s a story, a memorial, and a massive contribution to children's healthcare. Whether you're a "hypebeast" or a casual fan, there's no denying that Isaac Arzate's vision created one of the most important pieces of footwear ever made.
To truly honor the history of this sneaker, start by researching the OHSU Doernbecher Freestyle program's current year designs. Every year, a new group of kids gets the chance to tell their story, and supporting the program directly through Nike's official annual releases or by donating to the OHSU Foundation ensures that Isaac's legacy—and the legacy of all the Freestyle designers—continues to fund life-saving medical care. Check the OHSU website for their annual auction details if you want to contribute to the cause without navigating the complexities of the resale market.