: Air Jordan 12 'Obsidian' - The Colorway MJ Ostracized is Returning: Release Date and Where to Buy

The Air Jordan 12 "Obsidian" is one of the smoothest colorways to ever land on the silhouette. The deep obsidian blue upper paired with that white leather mudguard gives it a crisp, nautical feel that works year-round. It's got that dress-shoe energy the 12 is known for, but the blue keeps it casual enough to rock with anything. If you want a 12 that balances clean and versatile without being boring, this is the one. Let's dive in.

Where Can You Buy the Air Jordan 12 'Obsidian' on Release Day?

Nike SNKRS and retailer apps need to be set up before January 23, 2027 - a 30th anniversary OG-accurate AJ12 at $215 retail will move fast. The 2027 retro is expected to be the most OG-faithful Obsidian since the 2012 retro, and that combination of anniversary significance, OG-spec accuracy, and the Obsidian's long-standing reputation in the AJ12 collector community means demand will be high from the moment the drop goes live.

Have all accounts loaded, payment info ready, and style code CT8013-401 locked into your SNKRS alerts before January. Full family sizing means multiple retailer accounts are worth having prepared alongside SNKRS. Missing retail on a 30th anniversary OG-accurate AJ12 means facing resale pricing that the 2012 retro's current $300–$371 average tells you exactly what to expect.

What Makes the Air Jordan 12 'Obsidian' Stand Out?

The obsidian upper against the white mudguard is what makes it the cleanest OG 12 - navy and white on the Rising Sun silhouette is a combination that looks better with age than any Bulls colorway in the lineup. The Flu Game, Taxi, and Playoff 12s all earn their status through on-court history. The Obsidian earned its through design alone - it's the only original AJ12 colorway MJ never wore in an NBA game, which means its legend was built entirely on how it looks, not what it did on the court.

Deep obsidian leather with pronounced Rising Sun stitching, a white leather mudguard wrapping from toe to heel, metallic silver eyelets, and University and French Blue hits on the 'TWO 3' tongue text, Jumpman, and heel tab branding - those UNC-leaning blue accents on a navy base give it a sophistication that no Bulls-colored 12 can replicate. A white outsole with obsidian traction pods, a carbon-fiber shank, and full-length Zoom Air complete a shoe that has spent 30 years quietly being one of the most respected OG 12s in the lineup.

Is the Air Jordan 12 'Obsidian' Worth Buying?

Get it at retail no matter what - the 2012 retro now trades around $300–$371 on average, and the 2027 version will follow a similar appreciation curve. A 2012 pair that retailed for $160 now averaging $371 on resale is the market's clearest statement on what the Obsidian 12 means to collectors, and StockX listings ranging $225–$2,500 depending on size and condition show how wide that premium can run.

The 2027 retro at $215 is the most accessible entry point this colorway has had in 15 years. OG-accurate specs, 30th anniversary framing, and a collector base that has been waiting since 2012 for another shot at retail - all of it points to a release that appreciates steadily over time. If you can get a pair on January 23, you're getting in at the floor before the curve that the 2012 data already mapped out.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 3:57 PM.