Triple black sneakers usually feel like a safe bet, but the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' is anything but safe. It’s aggressive. It’s moody. It basically swallowed the light in the room when it first hit shelves back in 2007. While the sneaker world was obsessed with the classic "Cement" prints and "Fire Red" accents, Tinker Hatfield’s third masterpiece went completely dark. No elephant print in a different color. No white midsole to break it up. Just raw, monochromatic attitude.
Honestly, the "Black Cat" moniker is more than just a cool nickname. It’s a direct nod to Michael Jordan’s "Black Cat" persona on the court—that stealthy, predatory way he’d move before ruining a defender's night. When Gentry Humphrey and the Jordan Brand team decided to port that vibe over to the AJ3, they weren't just making another colorway. They were testing the limits of how much "cool" a single silhouette could hold without any flashy colors to lean on.
The 2007 Original vs. The 2024 Rumors
If you’ve been in the game a while, you remember the 2007 drop. It was a weird time for Jordan Brand. We were seeing a lot of "Lifestyle" (LS) releases that didn't always land. But the Black Cat 3 was different. It used a mix of nubuck and elephant print that felt premium, almost like a luxury car. The laces were thick, round, and looked like something you’d see on a hiking boot, which gave the shoe this rugged, "don't mess with me" aesthetic.
Fast forward to the present day. The hype for a retro of the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' has reached a fever pitch. Why? Because the original pairs are currently unwearable. If you find a 2007 pair on eBay or GOAT, the midsoles are likely crumbly dust by now. Polyurethane has a shelf life, and unfortunately, that life has expired for the OGs.
Sneaker insiders like @zsneakerheadz have been teasing a return for the holiday 2024 or early 2025 season. This isn't just a simple re-release, though. The word is that Jordan Brand is using the "Remastered" shape. That means a closer look at the 1988 specs—slimmer toe boxes and a heel height that actually looks right. People are picky about the AJ3 shape, and for good reason. If the "Black Cat" comes back with a chunky, squared-off toe, the purists will riot.
Materials That Actually Matter
Let’s talk about why this shoe feels different on feet. Most 3s rely on heavy leather. The men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' uses a heavy-duty nubuck. It’s matte. It’s soft. It catches the light in a way that makes the shoe look charcoal in some angles and deep obsidian in others.
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Then there’s the elephant print. On a "White Cement," the print is the star. Here, it’s a ghost. It’s embossed into the suede at the toe and heel, creating a texture-on-texture look. It’s subtle. If you know, you know. If you don't, it just looks like a sleek black boot. That’s the brilliance of it. You’re getting the DNA of the Jordan 3 without the loud "look at my sneakers" branding.
- The Midsole: Glossy black. It stays shiny while the rest of the shoe stays matte.
- The Outsole: Solid rubber. No translucent bits here to turn yellow over time.
- The Branding: The Jumpman on the heel is usually a point of contention (Nike Air vs. Jumpman), but on the Black Cat, the Jumpman just fits the era.
Why "Triple Black" Is Harder Than It Looks
You’d think making an all-black shoe is easy. Just dip it in paint, right? Wrong. When you remove color, you have to lean entirely on materials and silhouette. If the materials are cheap, the shoe looks like a plastic school shoe.
The men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' avoids this by playing with sheen. The contrast between the dull nubuck, the oily-looking elephant print, and the shiny midsole creates "layers" of black. It’s a masterclass in monochrome design. Designers like Peter Moore and Tinker Hatfield always understood that the Jordan 3 was a "complex" shoe, and the Black Cat proves that complexity doesn't need a rainbow palette to be effective.
Compare this to the Jordan 4 "Black Cat." The 4 is arguably more popular right now, mostly because Travis Scott and various influencers turned it into a "must-have" uniform piece. But the 3 has a different soul. It feels a bit more sophisticated. You can wear a pair of 3s with black jeans and a leather jacket and look like you're heading to a high-end dinner. The 4 always feels a bit more "varsity."
Real Talk: The Comfort Factor
Let’s be real for a second. Jordan 3s aren't the most comfortable shoes in the world compared to modern tech like New Balance Fresh Foam or Nike Invincible. You’re walking on a 1988 air unit. It’s firm.
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However, the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' has a "broken-in" feel right out of the box because of the nubuck. Unlike the stiff corrected-grain leather you find on some Jordan 1s, this stuff moves with your foot. The collar padding is usually plush, and because it’s all black, you don't have to worry about the "sock lint" ruining the look of the inner lining. It’s the ultimate "beater" that doesn't look like a beater.
The Resale Trap and Market Value
If you're looking to buy an original 2007 pair today, expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on the condition. But honestly? Don't. Unless you plan on doing a full sole swap, you're buying a display piece. The internal foam in those midsoles has oxidized. You take ten steps, and you’re walking on the floor.
The smart move is waiting for the retro. When the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' finally hits the SNKRS app again, the retail price will likely be around $200 or $210. Given the current market, these will sell out instantly. The "Black Cat" 4s are currently sitting at $800+ in some sizes. The 3s will likely follow a similar trajectory once people realize how versatile they are.
How to Style Them Without Looking Boring
The danger of an all-black shoe is that it can disappear into your outfit. You don't want your feet to look like two black blobs.
- Texture Contrast: Wear them with light-wash denim. The contrast between the rough blue denim and the smooth black nubuck makes the shoes pop.
- The "All-Black" Uniform: If you're going full ninja, mix your fabrics. Wear a cotton hoodie, nylon cargos, and the nubuck 3s. The different "blacks" create depth.
- Shorts Season: These look surprisingly good with white crew socks and mesh shorts. It’s a very 90s aesthetic that still works today.
Technical Details You Might Overlook
Check the eyelets. On the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat', the lower eyelets often feature a slight gloss, while the "TPU" hits near the ankle stay flat. Even the "Air" branding on the sole is blacked out. It’s a total commitment to the theme.
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Interestingly, some of the newer samples spotted in Beaverton suggest that Jordan Brand might be experimenting with different "fuzz" levels on the suede for the upcoming release. A "hairy" suede would be a departure from the 2007 version but could add a cool, modern twist. Personally, I hope they stick to the short-hair nubuck. It’s cleaner. It’s more "stealth."
What Most People Get Wrong
People often confuse the "Black Cat" with the "Cyber Monday" Jordan 3. They are not the same. The Cyber Monday 3 has a white sole. It’s a great shoe, sure, but it doesn't have the "murdered out" soul of the Black Cat.
Another misconception is that these were a flop in 2007. They weren't a flop, but they weren't a "hype" shoe. You could actually walk into a Foot Locker and buy them. They sat on shelves for a few weeks. It took a decade for the culture to catch up to the idea that an all-black Jordan could be a centerpiece of a collection. Now, we're all paying the price for not doubling up back then.
Your Move: How to Secure a Pair
If you're serious about grabbing the men's air jordan 3 retro 'black cat' when they finally drop, you need a game plan. The days of "easy cops" are mostly over for high-demand retros.
- Follow the Right Channels: Turn on notifications for accounts like @solelinks or @sneakernews. They usually get the raffle links up 3-5 days before the drop.
- Check Local Boutiques: Don't just rely on the SNKRS app. Tier 0 accounts like A Ma Maniére, Social Status, and KITH usually have their own raffle systems.
- Size Up? Jordan 3s generally run true to size (TTS). If you have a wide foot, you might want to go up half a size, as the pinky toe rub in 3s is a real thing during the break-in period.
- Inspect the Nubuck: When you get your pair, check for "ashing." Sometimes black nubuck can look a bit grey if it gets dry. A simple soft-bristle brush can bring the nap back to life and make them look deep black again.
Don't sleep on this release. History tends to repeat itself, and just like the 2007 pair, people will realize two years too late that this is one of the most wearable Jordans ever made. Grab them at retail while you can, or prepare to pay the tax on the secondary market later.