WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Considered by the Ancient Greeks to be the ‘perfect number’, six has been significant throughout history. And for sneakerheads, the power of six became apparent in 1991 with the release of the Air Jordan 6: a game-changer in the sneakerverse.
Originally designed by Tinker Hatfield (the man behind the almighty Air Max 1); the AJ6s’ dynamic aesthetic was shockingly different from previous Air Jordan sneakers. Earlier this year, the sneaker returned in its OG Infrared colourway, which was shortly followed by an Air Jordan 6 x PSG collab as well as a reflective take on the kick. And now, we ready ourselves for Travis Scott’s very-utilitarian take on the sneaker — guaranteed to catalyse the hype.
Albeit, Jordan brand are renowned for updating their retro sneakers with every release, which makes it impossible to know which size Air Jordan 6 will fit you best. Hence, with the help of four illustrious sneaker experts, we've created The Ultimate Air Jordan 6 Sizing and Fit Guide.
The Ultimate Air Jordan 6 Sizing and Fit Guide
Sneaker Instagrammer from London, United Kingdom
I love the Air Jordan 6 silhouette simply because it looks so damn good! My first pair of Jordan 6 was a pair of 2010 Black/Varsity Reds. However, the oldest pair that I own is an original pair of ‘Infrareds’ from 1991.
They have a sharper look than earlier Jordans and I believe that the ‘pointy’ shape of the sneaker is what makes them aesthetically pleasing. I also love the fact the toe box isn’t too bulky, making these a sneaker that is easy to style.
The Travis Scott x Air Jordan 6 is an absolute cop for me – I hope I get that W! I’m a big fan of the Travis x Jordan collab — and these 6s are a must. I love the details like the side pocket and the glow in the dark soles and it comes in such a clean colourway.
Comfort:
However, I honestly believe that the Jordan 6 is up there with the least comfortable Jordan shoes because of the minimal cushioning and the little padding that comes with the sneaker. But really, who cares? They’re easily one of the most iconic and best-looking Jordan silhouettes. You can easily swap the insoles for thicker ones that have added cushioning if you really find them that uncomfortable.
Fit:
As for the fit of the shoe, I believe that it has always stayed the same. There has always been a lot of space inside of the shoe due to minimal padding and I’d, therefore, recommend that you choose to go half a size down if you’re happy with a snug fit.
Care:
They’re quite hard to look after because of the clear soles that can easily stain, so it's difficult to maintain freshness. Albeit, I always take care of the uppers like for suede I spray waterproofer upon them, and for leather, I use a soft brush or simply wipe them clean when they get dirty.
The Ultimate Air Jordan 6 Sizing and Fit Guide
Mike the Compass (A Sneaker Life)
Sneaker Youtuber from Colorado, USA
The Air Jordan 6 is a true classic. Thinking about the history of the sneaker makes me feel nostalgic and reminds me why I’m so passionate about sneakers. I’m pretty specific when it comes to the Jordan 6s and I like to only pick up the classic pairs that Michael Jordan wore himself.
My first pair of Jordan 6s was the ‘Carmines’. The aesthetic, especially the combination of colours, make them the ultimate sneaker. Ever since I could remember that was the one and only Jordan 6 I needed in my collection.
Like I said earlier I’m pretty specific on which 6s I select, but I’ve got to say that the Travis 6’s are pretty dope. I love how much creative freedom Jordan brand are giving to Travis as the results of their on-going collaboration are effective. I’m excited to see them in person but I already know it’s going to be a tough one to grab.
Comfort:
The Air Jordan 6 is among the least comfortable Jordan silhouettes that Jordan brand has to offer. My tip for those of you who really love the model is to simply replace the insoles for a better fit and to make them a lot more bearable throughout the day. They’re a very classic model and they have a lot of history behind their design which makes them timeless and a must-have for any serious sneaker collector.
Fit:
In my opinion, The Air Jordan 6 fits about a half a size big; and I, therefore, suggest that you go half a size down, or even a full size down depending on how you want them to fit. The Air Jordan 6 has always run big as my pair from the early 2000s and my pair from this year fit exactly the same. It wouldn’t be right if they changed up the sizing on these as it would possibly ruin the aesthetic.
Care:
Most of my Jordan 6s are created with nubuck or suede; so caring for them is pretty easy. Before I decide to wear them, I usually spray them with a water and stain repellent. I have a deadstock pair of the Jordan 6 Carmines and I got so far as to keep them in a protective bag.
The history behind the Air Jordan 6 is the reason why I love it so much. To me, the shoe will always be iconic as it was worn by Michael Jordan himself en route to his first NBA title.
My first Air Jordan 6 was from the 2006 ‘Defining Moments’ Pack. Honestly, I was much more of a fan of the 11s at the time but the 6s ended up growing on me!
I like how the upcoming Travis Scott Air Jordan 6 is such a different take on the sneaker; I love the intricate details and the materials of the shoe. Hopefully, I'll be able to check them out in person and land a pair when they release.
Comfort:
The Air Jordan 6 may be one of the more uncomfortable retros in the Air Jordan line, I’ve always found them to be very firm underfoot, but the biggest pro of the silhouette is that they’re wide-foot friendly — something that I appreciate.
Fit:
Sizing wise, they fit relatively true to size. Some will get away with going half a size down because the sneaker has a roomy toe box.
Care:
Depending on the materials of the shoe, I care for my Air Jordan 6 sneakers the same way I would care for any other shoe. For suede or nubuck uppers, I use suede brushes and scrub the midsoles and outsoles with a standard shoe cleaning product.
The Ultimate Air Jordan 6 Sizing and Fit Guide
Sneaker Instagrammer from Perth, Australia
One of the first pairs of kicks I remember wanting as a kid was the Jordan 6 in its Infrared colourway. Growing up playing ball in the 90s, they were such an iconic pair of sneakers. Unfortunately, I was too young to cop them when they first released but when I started getting into collecting kicks they were at the top of my list.
The combination of an amazing Tinker design (inspired by the Porsche 911) and its NBA history is what makes the Jordan 6 one of the greatest Jordan silhouettes of all time. The rubber tongue, heel tab, lace locks and heel pads all help in making the Jordan 6 a unique shoe. The great thing about the OG Infrared 6s is that the simple colourways compliment the intricate design. Also, let’s not forget that this was the kick that Jordan won his first ring in.
Comfort:
To me, there is a big difference in terms of the comfort levels of the 6s. When Jordan Brand uses the OG polyurethane insoles, as they did with the 2019 Infrareds, they are extremely comfortable. When they skimp on the insoles, they tend to pretty hard underfoot.
Also, the leather and upper materials Jordan has used on the 6s have greatly improved since the ‘Remastered’ pack. The leather on the 2014 models was pretty ordinary and quite stiff. Personally, I’m happy with the price increase as there is certainly an improvement in quality.
Fit:
There’s always been a bit of debate around the fit of 6s. I think they fit a tad bigger than most other Js; 6s tend to be roomier in the toe box than most other Js.
Recent Jordan 6s fit closer to your true to size than the older 6s. For example, the 2019 Infrareds are true to size. The 2014 releases had an especially wide toe box and therefore you, with those could get away with opting for a half a size down.
Care:
I get a little paranoid when it comes to keeping my Jordan 6 soles looking icy and fresh so I always make sure to scrub them with some sneaker cleaner after use. Like all of my other kicks, I also clean the upper regularly.