Of all the headlines to emerge from Nike, Inc.’s first-quarter 2027 earnings call, one of the biggest pieces of news was that the sportswear company would scale back availability of its Jordan Brand line. Nike president and chief executive officer Elliott Hill stated the brand had been “oversupplying its iconic retro product” and that it would reduce the volume and frequency of certain Air Jordan models.

A quality-over-quantity approach could very well benefit the brand, but there’s another strategy to consider: tapping into Jordan Brand’s vast cache of unreleased styles. The label has, in recent years, unearthed sought-after pairs from the “vault” by reissuing once-mythical sneakers such as the Undefeated x Air Jordan 4 and the Tokyo Air Jordan 5. But what about those shoes that were never released in the first place?

One such style, an unreleased “Khaki” Air Jordan 3 which first surfaced in 2011, is reportedly set to arrive at retail in 2027. This got us thinking: What other elusive sneakers should the brand release?

FN took a look back through Jordan Brand’s sprawling archive of unreleased Air Jordans to highlight some of the top styles that Nike should consider bringing to retail.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High ’85 OG Set

In 2025, Nike Inc. created one of its most meticulously detailed Air Jordan reissues ever with the Air Jordan 1 Retro High ’85 OG Bred. Every inch of the sneaker was considered, from the barely visible rubber texture and profile of the shoe to the cut and color shade of leather, in order to closely match the model’s original 1985 form. The results were well received by purists and yet, for some reason, Jordan Brand abandoned the concept just as quickly as it was introduced, despite sampling an entire run of original colorways that’s currently on display at Nike’s Beaverton, Ore., headquarters. October’s Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Royal features a typical Air Jordan 1 build — not the reworked ’85 mold — which will likely be enough to satisfy casual fans, but why go through all the trouble of R&D’ing a whole new version only to never release more styles?

Off-White x Air Jordan 1 Retro High Canary Yellow

Months before Virgil Abloh’s untimely passing, the designer’s Public Domain website showcased the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 and other unreleased styles, labeling them as “actually pending.” The wording seemed to suggest that the sneakers, after years of various teasers, would finally arrive at retail. 10 months later, Abloh would pass away from a rare form of cancer, leaving his unreleased work in limbo.

Now, with the Off-White x Nike relationship dissolved and Abloh’s designs rebranded as Virgil Abloh Archive x Nike, it could be the perfect time to deliver the Canary Yellow look.

There is perhaps no unreleased Virgil Abloh work as coveted as the late designer’s spin on the black-and-red Air Jordan 4. First seen at Abloh’s “Figures of Speech” exhibit at MCA Chicago, the designer’s interpretation of Michael Jordan’s original Air Jordan 4 is among his best. With its signature Abloh translucent paneling, true-to-original color blocking and bold “AIR” detailing, the Bred colorway has been rumored to be released on multiple occasions, but a launch has never come to fruition. A retail release for the museum-worthy design could go down as one of the greatest Abloh x Nike sneakers of all time.

Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 Purple

There’s been a growing consensus as of late that Travis Scott’s Air Jordan collaborations have lost some of their magic, that the Cactus Jack rapper’s Air Jordan 1 Lows have become more corporate than culture. A move that could potentially reinvigorate the partnership would be to give fans what they really want and drop the artist’s buttery purple suede Air Jordan 4.

Kobe Bryant Air Jordan 3 & Air Jordan 8 Pack

One of the highlights of Kobe Bryant’s sneaker legacy was a brief period of footwear free agency in between his Adidas and Nike deals. To court the superstar, Jordan Brand laced him in several Los Angeles Lakers-colored player exclusive Air Jordans. And in 2016, to celebrate Bryant’s legendary career and retirement, Nike gifted a two-pack of the Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 8 to friends and family of the brand. Releasing the set to the public would not only be a fitting way to honor Bryant, but would give fans a chance at something they’ve been clamoring for.

Air Jordan 3 RTNA

One of the most ambitious Air Jordan designs of all time, the Air Jordan 3 RTNA was unveiled in 2021 at London’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art outside. The butterfly-inspired concept sneaker features a thin, transparent coating which refracts light and produces a one-of-a-kind color-shifting appearance. Given the complexity of the technology used, it’s unlikely that the exact same sneaker will be released at retail, but it never hurts to dream.

Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake’s 2013 “Legends of Summer” tour was a special moment that called for some equally special sneakers. For the 14-show stadium tour, Nike created several special styles including multiple Air Jordan 1s, an Air Jordan 2 and Air Jordan 3. And although all-red sneakers don’t have quite the same appeal in 2026 as they did 13 years ago, these are statement pieces which represent a moment in time that many fans would surely appreciate the opportunity to relive — or experience the first time.

Nike SB Air Jordan 4 Varsity Red

Nike SB’s retooled spin on the Air Jordan 4 was so well received, the reshaped mold became the standard for the model’s in-line releases going forward. And while fans have had a chance at the original Pine Green colorway and a follow-up Navy style, the third Varsity Red makeup has been confined to friends-and-family exclusive territory. With the Air Jordan 4’s buzz still at a peak, now could be the perfect time to complete the trio with a retail release.

Air Jordan 28 Days of Flight Pack

To mark the arrival of the Air Jordan 28 in 2013, Nike created a full “XX8 Days of Flight” collection of every Air Jordan model leading up to it, each in a matching black-and-green color palette. Intentionally limited, the shoes were given away through a social media contest and have been largely unseen in the decade-plus since. Given the popularity of the brand’s recent “Black Pack,” it’s hard to imagine that there wouldn’t be interest in this similarly premium range.