Quick Facts
- Starting with a shiny metallic silver base, the toebox is a smooth mirrored silver, while the sheath, heel, and lower underneath side panel add a wrinkled foil texture to the silver color
- The sheath adds hits of orange to the heel, but underneath, a black structure gives way to multi-colored paneling behind black mesh
- The Free The Youth x Air Jordan 16 Retro will be released August 1 via freetheyouthxjordan.net
- A global release will take place on August 15
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The first half of 2026 has seen some strong collaborative work across the sneaker industry, focusing primarily on the World Cup, but also on plenty of skate partnerships, fragment design features, and an endless running industry hype cycle. For Jordan Brand’s latest out-of-office collab, the Jumpman is giving us something to look forward to for the second half of the year, teaming back up with Ghana’s Free The Youth for a metallic silver Air Jordan 16 Retro.
Sheathed In Silver
The Free The Youth x Air Jordan 16 Retro is the second Jordan collab from the Ghanaian streetwear brand, following an extremely limited friends and family Air Jordan 1 Mid late last year. On the Air Jordan 16, FTY will get its first retail-ready release, bringing some of the same winged themes from last year’s shoe to a chromed-out Air Jordan 16.
Starting with a shiny metallic silver base, the toebox is a smooth mirrored silver, while the sheath, heel, and lower underneath side panel add a wrinkled foil texture to the silver color. The sheath adds hits of orange to the heel, but underneath, a black structure gives way to multi-colored paneling behind black mesh. Another image in the preview shows a second removable upper sheath with a sky blue graphic complete with clouds and large bird wings spread on either side, but it’s not clear if that panel will come with the retail pair.
Free The Youth x Air Jordan 16 Retro Release Details
The Free The Youth x Air Jordan 16 Retro will be released August 1, 2026 through freetheyouthxjordan.net. A wider release via select retailers will take place on August 15. As of now, there is no Nike SNKRS drop confirmed for the US. Available in unisex sizing, the retail price is set at $255. For all the latest Jordan collab news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
