Jordan Brand is Bringing Back the MJ Face Box for Upcoming Retro Releases

Nostalgia drives so much of sneaker culture. Silhouettes designed in the last few years will sit on shelves far longer than a sneaker worn by Michael Jordan in the late ‘80s, even if they’re nowhere near as comfortable. Even when brands attempt to reach back and use archival or vintage designs to inform new products, the public sees past the ruse and rejects it. What always works is a bring-back, and that’s not just limited to the actual sneaker itself. For Jordan Brand, their latest pull from the vault is the iconic Michael Jordan face box.

Unless you bought a pair of retro J’s between 2001 and 2005, or copped a pair from this era after the fact, you might not be familiar with the face box. While we’re accustomed to plain cardboard boxes with Jumpman logos, or, if we’re lucky, a special-colored box, retros from this era would come in a box that featured MJ’s face on the lid. The packaging was also used on releases of the Air Jordan 16 in 2001, and most recently, was included on the release of the Air Jordan 4 Retro Rare Air. The Rare Air 4s used the picture in blacked-out fashion, but releases in 2026 will use the chrome color from the early 2000s.

The first sneaker to use the retro-style MJ face packaging will be the upcoming Air Jordan 4 Retro Lakers. We can expect most, if not all, Jordan retro releases to include this packaging. One thing that hasn’t yet been confirmed is whether Jordan will reintroduce the retro cards in these releases. Like the face box, retro cards would be included in the packaging for older retros, explaining the lore and history of the specific model.

Even if the 40th anniversary celebrations for Jordan Brand are technically over once we ring in the new year, the reintroduction of the MJ face box shows that Jordan Brand will continue to celebrate its heritage throughout 2026. More specifically, the late 2000s and early 2010s retros are of focus as multiple sneakers from this era are coming back next year, including the Wolf Grey Jordan 5, Black University Blue Jordan 5, Oreo Jordan 6, Tour Yellow Jordan 4, and more. To stay updated on release info for all upcoming Jordan retro releases and more in the sneaker and streetwear world, download the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food. Email: nick@soleretriever.com