Jordan Two Trey South Africa: Was this hybrid the Sneaker of the Year 2023? We unpack the Two Trey hype, why it sold out in hours in Mzansi stores, and the Jordan sneakers that inspired its iconic design (AJ6, AJ11).
SNEAKER OF THE YEAR 2023?
The Jordan Two Trey: A South African Streetwear Phenomenon of 2023
Howzit, my china! If you lived in Mzansi during 2023 and you say you didn’t see the lines, the hype, and the sheer pandemonium surrounding the Jordan Two Trey drops, you must have been living under a rock!
This wasn’t just a popular shoe; it became a symbol of street credibility and, weirdly, a bit of a local drama.
The rumour is true: this sneaker, in certain colourways, was selling out in mere hours after hitting floors at local retailers like Sportscene and Shelflife. Resellers went crazy, marking up prices faster than you could say “Jumpman.” On the street, rocking a fresh pair wasn’t just a flex; it was a total head-turner.
The Hybrid Hype: Where the Two Trey Came From
To understand why this shoe hit so hard, you need to know its family tree. The Jordan Two Trey is not an original retro like the AJ1 or AJ4. It’s a hybrid design—a concept shoe that pays homage to Michael Jordan’s six championship rings.
The name “Two Trey” is a direct nod to Michael Jordan’s famous jersey number, 23.
The Blueprint: MJ’s Championship DNA
The Two Trey is a Frankenstein of greatness, blending design elements from the six signature sneakers Michael Jordan wore during his championship seasons:
- Air Jordan 6: Visible elements on the quarter panels.
- Air Jordan 7: Design language near the collar and tongue.
- Air Jordan 8: Borrowing the tongue badge style.
- Air Jordan 11: The clean, striking patent leather mudguard (especially on the “Concord” or “Bred” inspired colourways).
- Air Jordan 12: The overall shape and toe box.
- Air Jordan 14: Features on the heel and outsole.
It’s a mash-up created for the lifestyle market, offering fans a piece of history from multiple grails without the hefty price tag of a single, highly limited retro. It was designed to be worn, seen, and appreciated.
The Mzansi Madness: The Real Coup
Why did the Two Trey explode specifically in South Africa in 2023?
- The Look: The shoe is inherently bold. With the patent leather of the AJ11 and the high, bulky profile, it screams luxury and attention. In a culture that values clean lines and noticeable footwear, the Two Trey was perfect.
- Affordable Status Symbol: Compared to a legit retro AJ4 or AJ1, the Two Trey offered the Jordan status at a more accessible price point. This made the hype accessible to a wider audience, turning it into the unofficial “people’s champion” of the Jordan brand in 2023.
- The ‘Sham Sneaker’ Effect: You mentioned the term “sham sneaker.” Globally, some purists called it a low-effort hybrid. But in South Africa, we didn’t care about the internet noise! We saw a fly, comfortable, stylish Jordan that looked dope with our drip. The sheer hype and chaos of securing a pair elevated its local status from a hybrid to a bona fide cultural icon.
The queues, the resale frenzy, the desperate calls to your plug—it all made the Two Trey the undisputed, most-talked-about, most-desired shoe of the year. It became a piece of Mzansi street folklore.
