Let’s be real for a second. When you think of the Air Jordan 3, your brain probably goes straight to the White Cements or maybe the Black Cements if you’re feeling a bit more "street." It makes sense. Those are the blueprints. But there is this one pair—the Jordan 3 Royal Blue, often officially dubbed the "Varsity Royal"—that just doesn't get the respect it actually deserves from the secondary market or the hypebeast crowd. It’s weird.
You’ve seen them. That vibrant, punchy blue leather that looks like it was ripped straight off a high school letterman jacket. It’s loud. It’s unapologetic. Yet, for some reason, people act like it’s a consolation prize for missing out on a Fragment collaboration. It isn't.
The Identity Crisis of the Jordan 3 Royal Blue
The "Varsity Royal" Jordan 3 dropped back in 2020, and the timing was kind of a disaster. The world was upside down, and sneaker culture was shifting toward these muted, earthy "Travis Scott" tones. Suddenly, wearing a shoe that looked like a blue raspberry Icee felt "too much" for some people. But that’s exactly why it’s a sleeper hit.
The color blocking is actually a clever flip of the "Black Cement." Instead of the black tumbled leather, you get that rich blue. It keeps the iconic elephant print on the toe and heel. It keeps the grey tongue. It keeps the visible Air unit. Basically, it takes a legendary silhouette and gives it a personality that isn't tied to a grainy 1988 highlights reel.
Honesty is important here: not everyone can pull these off. If you’re wearing them with neon green joggers, you’re going to look like a box of highlighters. But paired with some faded black denim and a simple white tee? That’s where the Jordan 3 Royal Blue starts to make sense. It’s a statement piece that doesn't need a $1,000 price tag to prove it’s cool.
Why the Leather Quality Actually Matters
We’ve all bought Jordans that felt like they were made of spray-painted cardboard. It’s the gamble we take with Nike. However, the 2020 Royal Blue release was surprisingly decent. The tumbled leather has a bit of "give" to it. It doesn't crack the second you take a step toward your car.
I’ve talked to collectors who swear the QC (Quality Control) on these was higher than the Fire Reds that came out around the same time. There were fewer glue stains. The elephant print heights actually matched on both shoes—which, if you’re a Jordan head, you know is a rare miracle.
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What the Jordan 3 Royal Blue Says About Current Sneaker Trends
Trends are cyclical. We’re currently seeing a massive pushback against the "beige-ification" of fashion. People are getting bored of looking like a walk-in closet at a Yeezy showroom. This is where the Jordan 3 Royal Blue finds its second life.
It represents a time when sneakers were allowed to be fun.
Think about the "Cove" or "Diamond" colorways that dominated the early 2010s. There’s a nostalgia for that era of bold primary colors. The Royal Blue 3 fits into that "New Vintage" aesthetic perfectly. It’s a shoe that looks better once it’s a little beat up. Once the white midsole gets a tiny bit of yellowing and the blue leather softens? That’s peak aesthetic.
The Resell Gap: Why Your Wallet Should Be Happy
If you look at StockX or GOAT right now, the prices for these are... surprisingly reasonable. You aren't paying a "hype tax."
For a shoe that features the Jumpman on the heel instead of the "Nike Air" (which, let's be honest, is why the purists stayed away), it’s a steal. Does the Jumpman logo really ruin the shoe? Probably not for 99% of people on the street. Only the guy sweating in the corner of a sneaker convention cares about the logo on the heel. To everyone else, you’re just the person with the incredibly clean blue Jordans.
How to Tell if Your Pair is Legitimate
Because these didn't hit $500 on the resale market, the "super-fakes" aren't as prevalent as they are for the Travis Scott 1s. But they still exist.
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Check the elephant print first. It should be a cement grey, not a muddy brown. The lines should be crisp, not looking like they were drawn on with a Sharpie. Then look at the tongue. Jordan 3 tongues are notorious for being "choppy" on the edges if they're fake. The Jordan 3 Royal Blue should have a smooth, perforated grey leather tongue that feels substantial, not flimsy.
The "heave" of the shoe is another giveaway. Retail 3s have a specific weight because of the polyurethane midsole. If it feels like a feather, something is wrong.
Styling Tips That Won't Make You Look Like a Mascot
- The Neutral Ground: Grey hoodies are your best friend here. The grey on the shoe’s tongue and elephant print loves to be matched with a heather grey fleece.
- The "No-Go" Zone: Avoid matching your shirt perfectly to the blue of the shoe. It’s too "matchy-matchy." It looks like you're trying too hard.
- Pants Matter: Stick to slim-straight cuts. The Jordan 3 is a chunky basketball shoe; skinny jeans make them look like clown shoes, and ultra-baggy pants swallow them whole.
The Elephant (Print) in the Room
We have to talk about the elephant print. On the Jordan 3 Royal Blue, the contrast between the royal blue leather and the grey crackle pattern is sharp. On the original White Cements, the print blends in. Here, it pops.
Some people hate this. They think it’s too busy. But if you’re buying a Jordan 3, you’re buying it for the elephant print. It was the first shoe Tinker Hatfield designed for MJ, and it changed everything. Embracing the contrast is part of the appeal.
A Note on Longevity and Care
Blue leather is notoriously difficult if you scuff it. Unlike white leather, where you can just use a bit of touch-up paint, matching this specific "Varsity Royal" shade is a nightmare.
You need to protect these. Use a water-repellent spray before you wear them out. If you get a mark on that blue tumbled leather, use a damp microfiber cloth immediately. Do not—I repeat, do not—use harsh chemicals. You’ll strip the dye and end up with a weird, faded patch that looks like a bruise.
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Why You’ll Regret Not Picking Them Up Now
History tells us that "non-OG" colorways of Jordan 3s eventually become cult classics. Look at the "Cool Grey" 3s or the "Fear Pack." They sat on shelves. People complained. Then, five years later, everyone was scrambling to find a deadstock pair.
The Jordan 3 Royal Blue is currently in that sweet spot. It’s old enough to be "cool" but new enough that you can still find them in good condition without the midsoles crumbling.
It’s a foundational shoe. It’s comfortable enough to wear all day because of that big Air unit in the back. It’s durable enough to survive a rainy day if you’re careful. And most importantly, it isn't what everyone else is wearing.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you’re looking to add the Jordan 3 Royal Blue to your rotation, follow this checklist to ensure you get the best experience:
- Size Up Half a Point if You Have Wide Feet: Jordan 3s can be notoriously tight around the pinky toe due to the reinforced toe cap.
- Check the Midsole Paint: On the Royal Blue pair, the white paint on the midsole can sometimes flake if the shoes were stored in a humid environment. Ask for "squeeze test" photos if buying used.
- Swap the Laces: They usually come with blue or black laces. Try swapping in a pair of sail or "off-white" laces to give them a slightly more vintage, sophisticated look. It tones down the "loudness" of the blue significantly.
- Monitor the Outsole: The stars on the toe of the outsole are the first thing to go. If you're buying "VNDS" (Very Near Deadstock), make sure those stars are still visible. If they're flat, the shoe has been walked in way more than the seller is admitting.
The reality is that sneakers are meant to be worn. The Jordan 3 Royal Blue is a workhorse masquerading as a showpiece. It’s time to stop waiting for the next "hyped" drop and start appreciating the heat that's already sitting right in front of you. Go find a pair, lace them up, and actually walk in them. That’s what Tinker intended anyway.
Technical Specs for the Nerds:
- Release Date: October 2020
- Style Code: CT8532-400
- Colorway: Varsity Royal/Varsity Royal-Cement Grey
- Original Retail: $190