Air Jordan 12: the sneaker that stood up to the flu in the NBA Finals

The Air Jordan 12 is the signature sneaker launched by Nike in 1996, etched into sports history for being worn by Michael Jordan during the infamous "Flu Game" in 1997, an NBA Finals game played while he was weakened by illness. Recognizable by its fan-shaped stitching reminiscent of sun rays and a silhouette inspired by a samurai's clog, the Air Jordan 12 holds a unique place in the Jordan lineup thanks to a design that breaks radically from previous models. At MTHOR, every Air Jordan 12 pair offered for sale — whether Taxi, Flu Game, or French Blue — is selected and then authenticated before shipping, without exception. Whether you're looking for your first pair of sneakers or a cult piece to round out your collection, here you'll find the model's history, its iconic colorways, and the MTHOR guarantees that come with every Air Jordan 12. Thirty years after its launch, the model continues to circulate on the secondhand market as well as on resell platforms, worn by collectors chasing an original 1997 colorway and by newcomers only recently discovering the story of the Flu Game.

The story of an icon: 1996, Tinker Hatfield, the Flu Game

The Air Jordan 12 was launched in 1996 by Nike, designed by Tinker Hatfield, already behind several major silhouettes in the Jordan lineup. For this twelfth iteration, Hatfield moved away from typical sporting references and drew inspiration from two radically different objects: a Japanese samurai clog, whose enveloping structure inspired the model's shape, and a 19th-century work boot, which influenced the high lacing and sturdy construction of the upper. This dual inspiration, unusual for a basketball shoe, gives the Air Jordan 12 an instantly identifiable silhouette, far removed from the more classic lines of earlier Air Jordans.

It was, however, a sporting moment that permanently cemented the Air Jordan 12 in legend: the "Flu Game," played during Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. Visibly weakened and feverish, Michael Jordan laced up his Air Jordan 12s anyway and delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career, leading the Chicago Bulls to victory. This scene, widely documented and discussed ever since, turned the Air Jordan 12 into a symbol of resilience and permanently tied the model — particularly its black and red colorway — to that exact moment in NBA history. Nearly thirty years later, this story continues to fuel interest in the Air Jordan 12 among collectors and enthusiasts of basketball history, in France and elsewhere. This context also explains why the colorway worn that night, which became known as the "Flu Game" colorway, remains one of the most talked-about and sought-after in the entire Air Jordan line, well beyond NBA followers alone.

The signature design: sun rays and Nike Air technology

The most recognizable detail of the Air Jordan 12 is its fan-shaped stitching on the lateral quarter, arranged like sun rays that evoke the Japanese flag — a direct nod to the model's samurai inspiration. This aesthetic signature, absent from every other Jordan silhouette, makes an Air Jordan 12 identifiable at a glance, regardless of colorway.

Beneath this carefully crafted exterior, the Air Jordan 12 carries Nike Air technology at the heel, delivering responsive cushioning built for the impact of indoor play. The shoe rests on a carbon fiber plate, added to reinforce torsional stability and support the foot during lateral movement — an innovative technical choice for a basketball sneaker at the time. The high lacing, inherited from the 19th-century work boot that inspired Hatfield, completes reinforced ankle support. Altogether, this gives a silhouette that is both massive and structured, built for on-court performance as much as visual impact, which explains why the Air Jordan 12 remains just as widely worn off the court today. This strong visual identity — padded tongue, leather vamp, wide outsole — also makes it possible to spot a genuine pair among the reproductions in circulation, provided you know the exact checkpoints the MTHOR team relies on to authenticate every Air Jordan 12.

The collection's iconic colorways

The Air Jordan 12 collection has been built around several colorways that have become references in their own right for sneaker enthusiasts.

• Air Jordan 12 Taxi — black, white, and yellow, one of the very first colorways of the model released in 1997, nicknamed "Taxi" after the bright yellow that dominates the vamp.
• Air Jordan 12 Flu Game — black and red, the colorway Michael Jordan wore during the Flu Game in 1997, now one of the most sought-after colorways in the entire Jordan line.
• Air Jordan 12 French Blue — white and blue with red touches, another original colorway from 1997 valued for its softer contrast compared to the Taxi or Flu Game.
• Air Jordan 12 Playoffs — black, white, and red, a colorway worn in playoff configuration and regularly re-released.
• Air Jordan 12 The Master — black and gold, released as a tribute to Michael Jordan's ten NBA championship titles.
• Air Jordan 12 Wings — black and gold, part of the "Wings" series celebrating the Jordan brand's legacy.
• Air Jordan 12 Cherry — white and red, a more recent colorway that revisits the model's historic color codes.
• Air Jordan 12 University Blue — dominated by light blue, a more contemporary release valued for its versatility off the court.
• Air Jordan 12 Reverse Flu Game — white and red, a reinterpretation of the historic colorway that flips the dominant color of the original Flu Game.
• Air Jordan 12 Twist — a dark colorway with reflective panels, a more contemporary variant that revisits the model's codes.

At MTHOR, the availability of these colorways varies by arrival: every Air Jordan 12 listed, from the historic Taxi to the highly sought-after Flu Game, goes through the same authenticity check before shipping. The colorways born in 1997 — Taxi, Flu Game, and French Blue — remain the most requested by French buyers, both for their rarity and for the historic weight tied to the model's early days.

Why buy your Air Jordan 12 at MTHOR

At MTHOR, every pair of Air Jordan 12 goes through a rigorous inspection before shipping: box, label, materials, and stitching quality verification, inspection under UV lamp and microscope to detect any flaw invisible to the naked eye, then a security seal applied once the pair is validated. This methodology draws on our team's expertise and is detailed on our authenticity page, available to review before any purchase.

Beyond quality control, MTHOR ships your orders worldwide within 2 to 8 days, with real-time tracking available by email and WhatsApp. Installment payment is available via Klarna or Scalapay in 4 interest-free installments, letting you spread the cost of an Air Jordan 12 without paying the full amount upfront. Our customer service team, based in France, remains available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, to answer any question before or after your order, whether about a colorway's availability, a size, or delivery tracking. Every purchase also comes with a 14-day return window after receiving the pair.

FAQ — Air Jordan 12 at MTHOR

Are the Air Jordan 12 pairs sold on MTHOR authenticated?

Every Air Jordan 12 sold on MTHOR is authenticated before shipping, through a check that includes verifying the box, label, materials, and stitching, along with an inspection under UV lamp and microscope, before being sealed. The full methodology is presented on our authenticity page.

How do I choose my size in Air Jordan 12?

The Air Jordan 12 generally fits close to standard Nike/Jordan sneaker sizing, but its high lacing and structured upper can feel snugger around the ankle. If you're torn between two sizes on an Air Jordan 12, our customer service team is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, to advise you before purchase.

Which Air Jordan 12 colorway should I choose: Taxi or Flu Game?

The Air Jordan 12 Taxi (black, white, yellow) stands out for its bold contrast and its status as an original 1997 colorway, while the Air Jordan 12 Flu Game (black and red) stands out for its historic weight, tied to the flu-stricken game Michael Jordan played during the 1997 NBA Finals. The choice therefore comes down more to your connection to the model's history than to any difference in comfort or technology, since both colorways share the same construction.

What is the delivery time for an Air Jordan 12?

We ship worldwide, with signature-required home delivery within 2 to 8 days. You get real-time tracking by email and WhatsApp.

Will I pay customs fees on my Air Jordan 12 order?

No, you won't pay any customs fees. MTHOR covers all customs fees and duties related to shipping your Air Jordan 12. The price shown is the final price.

Can I return an Air Jordan 12 after receiving it?

Yes, you have 14 days after receipt to return your Air Jordan 12, provided it has never been worn, with its box intact and seal unbroken. Refunds are processed within 24 hours after our team receives the return.

Go further

Discover the entire Air Jordan collection at MTHOR, or explore other iconic silhouettes such as the Air Jordan 13, the Air Jordan 7, and the Air Jordan 8. To learn more about our verification method, check out our authenticity page and our guide on how to spot a genuine pair of sneakers.