Jordan Brand's holiday 2026 lineup keeps growing, this time with a darker twist. The Air Jordan 3 "Not Nice" is set to release on November 21st for $215, carrying the style code IF4396-001.
A crackled black and tan leather covers the upper, giving the shoe a worn-in, almost scorched look. Red and black elephant print wraps the toe and heel, while a brown mudguard and grey suede panels break up the design further.
Embroidered Nike Air branding on the heels adds a premium touch not often seen on standard retros. The insoles carry "checked it twice" lettering, a playful nod to Santa's naughty list that ties directly into the shoe's name.
A green detail hidden on the outsole adds one more subtle seasonal touch, easy to miss unless you're really looking closely at the shoe.
This pair serves as a darker look to the' "Santa" colorway also releasing this season. Together, both shoes reference a 1985 Nike Christmas ad that famously showed Santa coming down a chimney in Air Jordan 1 "Chicago" sneakers.
Air Jordan 3 “Not Nice”
Holiday-themed Jordans have become a real tradition over the past few years, growing more elaborate with each release. "Not Nice" joins the red "Santa" Air Jordan 3 and "Fireside" Air Jordan 12 as part of this year's seasonal rollout.
Leaning into a burnt, coal-like aesthetic gives this pair a distinct identity compared to typical Christmas colorways. Rather than bright reds and greens, Jordan Brand went with a darker look to match the theme.
It also builds on last year's "Krampus" SB Dunk, continuing Nike's pattern of darker, mischief-themed holiday releases across different silhouettes. That approach gives sneakerheads something a little different to chase beyond the usual cheerful holiday drops.
Choosing the Air Jordan 3 for this reference is a bit of an unusual pick too, given the original 1985 ad actually featured the Air Jordan 1. Still, the Jordan 3 has had a strong year overall, making it a fitting canvas for a release like this one.
