The Air Jordan 6 carried Michael Jordan through the playoffs and into his first championship, setting the foundation for six rings and a legacy that reshaped the game forever. Now, during the AJ6’s 35th anniversary year, Jordan Brand unlocks a version that was never meant to leave the sample room.

First seen in a 1999 preview catalog, the Infrared “Salesman” was quietly pulled from production and kept under wraps for almost 30 years. What made it different was impossible to miss. Infrared extended boldly across the midsole, rather than being limited to the heel and toe, giving the shoe a more aggressive and expressive look.

For the first time on a non-collaboration AJ6, the silhouette has also been reshaped to mirror the original 1991 form. The toe box has been refined through a modified internal bootie and the tongue height has been raised by 2mm to match the pairs MJ wore on court.

Even the details tell the story. Sample text printed on the inner collar, factory-style hangtags and packaging inspired by early review samples pay homage to its sales room origins.