Nike is Dropping the Rigid Levi’s Air Jordan 3 On February 25 After Short Delay

Nike has a mold problem. Ok, we’re being VERY hyperbolic here, but if you were looking to buy the Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 in the Rigid colorway, you were out of luck on February 21 because Nike delayed the launch due to mold found on select pairs. This also caused retailers to have to pause the drop as Nike needs to ensure the pairs being sold pass their quality control and are free of mold. Initial reports pegged the re-release to go down sometime next month, but Nike must have sorted through the issue quicker than expected, as the Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Rigid is now dropping on February 25.

The silhouette comes covered in a raw indigo denim throughout the majority of the upper. Even with this material swap, Jordan Brand and Levi’s maintain some classic AJ 3 elements with the perforated leather panels on the eyestays and collar and elephant print details on the toe and heel. Nike Air graces the heel tab in white, with red appearing on the Levi’s tag on the right shoe and the Jumpman logo on both sneakers’ tongues. Finishing the design is the black and sail midsole and outsole.

Jordan Brand already released the other three pairs in the collection, the Year of the Horse colorway, an LA-exclusive white pair for NBA All-Star Weekend, and a more widely available Black Cement iteration. Those three all escaped the mold problem, but Nike has dealt with this in the past. There was a brief period in 2022 when multiple Nike and Jordan Brand releases were spotted with mold, including the Travis Jordan 1 Low Phantom, the A Ma Maniere Air Jordan 4 Violet Ore, and the Lost & Found Air Jordan 1 High.

The Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Retro Rigid will be released on Nike SNKRS on February 25, 2026. Expect retailers to begin to release their pairs in the following weeks once Nike gives the green light. Retail is set at $230. Find pictures of the sneaker (with no mold) below, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app for real-time alerts for all the Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Rigid releases.

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. For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com