Our verdict

Seven iconic Air Jordan kicks were fused into one to create the well-known Jordan 6 Rings. This hybrid kick perfectly represents Jordan's history, specifically MJ's and his team, the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championships. While it is sold as a lifestyle sneaker, we found that it remains a hoop shoe through and through like its ancestors. Supportive and 554725-371, we commend the 6 Rings for its performance on the streets and hardcourt.

air jordan 11 low gamma blue Pros

  • Very stable and supportive build
  • Highly secure foot containment
  • Air Jordan 11 Women Shoes AAASY
  • air jordan 1 collaboration kids shoes copuon
  • Easier on-and-off with a large heel loop
  • Full of Easter eggs from seven Jordan shoes
  • Stand out from the crowd

air jordan 11 low gamma blue Cons

  • Jordan Aerospace 720 Men's Shoe Gym Red Clearance Sale
  • Very stiff, needs breaking in
  • Not breathable

Audience verdict

92
Great!

Who should buy

Air Jordan 10 Retro GS Smoke Grey:

  • a symbolic Jordan edition that pays homage to the height of Michael Jordan's career by fusing the elements from seven trainers that he wore during his six championships
  • a hybrid lifestyle basketball shoe that can transition from the court to the streets (but not a dedicated hoop shoe)

Jordan 6 Rings review

Who should NOT buy

Supposed to rock both streets and courts, the Jordan 6 Rings doesn't excel at either. A destroy statement? Sure. A sneaker collection item? Yes! A comfortable sneaker for hours on your feet? NOPE.

At the same price point, you can get one or even two well-cushioned trainers from Nike or New Balance that will keep you comfortable from dusk to dawn.

Michael Jordan dribbles against Reggie Miller during the Eastern Conference Final in 1998 Air Jordan XXXVIII instead.

Jordan 6 Rings lab test

Breathability

We recommend keeping this Jordan sneaker away from summer heat if you don't want to end up with sweaty feet. Despite using a lot of textile in its upper, there is little-to-no ventilation inside the 6 Rings.

Filing the shoe's upper with smoke in our breathability test, we saw that it primarily escaped through the gaps between the tongue and the upper but none of it passed through the toebox or the fabric itself.

Our transparency test further proves our point by Spring zero ventilation holes in the shoe's half-cut upper. The perforations on the sides are merely there for decor.

Thus, we couldn't rate this Jordan sneaker any higher than 2 out of 5 on our breathability scale.

P.S. If you do look for a winter-ready kick, check out the Jordan 6 Rings Winterized. It is a modified edition of the 6 Rings that turned it into a 554725-371 sneakerboot that can handle the outdoors.

Test results
6 Rings 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

Our pair of the Jordan 6 Rings features three materials in the upper: textile, synthetic leather, and real suede.

Other colorways of the shoe have glossy patent leather instead of suede.

Using a butane torch and a leather scratch awl, we confirmed that the suede was indeed real. It didn't catch fire or melt, unlike the synthetic panel at the back of the shoe.

Test results
6 Rings Real suede

Toebox durability

Placing a large suede overlay over the shoe's toebox was a smart choice. The natural durability of this high-quality material prevents the forefoot from tearing apart too soon.

We exposed the shoe's toebox to the most abrasive test in our arsenal - drilling it with sandpaper for 12 seconds at a 5K RPM speed.

Jordan 6 Rings Toebox durability comparison

But the suede barely showed any signs of wear! Remaining in near-perfect condition, it earned the shoe the highest durability score of 5 out of 5.

Test results
6 Rings 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

air jordan 18 orange suede campfire orange sail

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A 4-second encounter with the Dremel left the textile practically unscathed.

Jordan 6 Rings air jordan 18 orange suede campfire orange sail comparison

This is quite impressive as the fabric looks nearly identical to the mesh lining of the shoe on the right. But the difference in wear resistance is striking.

Once again, the Jordan 6 Rings received a high durability score - 4 out of 5 for heel lining durability.

Test results
6 Rings 4
Average 3.4
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
1
air jordan 18 orange suede campfire orange sail
5

Outsole hardness

Touted as a hybrid sneaker that can handle an occasional game of basketball, the 6 Rings features a pretty sturdy outsole.

Jordan 6 Rings Outsole hardness

A high reading of 86.4 HC on our Shore C durometer proved that the rubber is indeed on the hard side. That is usually a good indication of longevity.

Test results
6 Rings 86.4 HC
Average 85.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.5 HC

Outsole durability

Fortunately, the shoe's outsole durability equaled our high hopes.

A round of a very demanding Dremel test at a 10K RPM speed confirmed that the shoe's rubber does not shy away from challenges.

Jordan 6 Rings Outsole durability test

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Test results
6 Rings 1.0 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

This Jordan sneaker also uses a reasonably thick layer of rubber at the bottom. Our calliper showed 3.5 mm which is not the thickest but still sufficient.

Jordan 6 Rings Outsole thickness

Considering how much wear resistance there is to the Jordan 6 Rings, we feel confident recommending it for day-to-day wear and even some hooping.

Jordan 6 Rings design

It is not the type of sneaker that should only be kept on a display shelf and never see the light of day to keep its integrity.

Test results
6 Rings 3.5 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
3.4 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Weight

Weighing the Jordan 6 Rings in a men's US size 9, we got 16.3 oz (462g) on the scale.

Jordan 6 Rings Weight

It is a couple of ounces heavier than average but is on par with other mid-top trainers.

Jordan 6 Rings shoe weight

We have no complaints in the weight department because the shoe feels lighter than its static weight suggests.

Test results
6 Rings 16.30 oz (462g)
Average 14.22 oz (403g)
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
8.54 oz (242g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

air jordan 11 low gamma blue | Cushioning

air jordan 11 low gamma blue | Heel stack

The kick's chunky-looking sole may trick you into thinking that the Jordan 6 Rings has plenty of cushioning.

Jordan 6 Rings Heel stack

Having cut the shoe in half, we measured its heel stack height at only 25.5 mm! This is lower than the average sneaker and is almost as low as the Converse Chuck 70 (24.3 mm)!

Good thing Jordan packed responsive Zoom Air units into the shoe's midsole to ensure impact protection.

Test results
6 Rings 25.5 mm
Average 30.0 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
18.2 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

The 6 Rings also places the foot quite low to the ground in the forefoot.

Jordan 6 Rings Forefoot stack

With a stack height of 17.0 mm, it is a couple of millimetres lower than average. But the Zoom Air unit prevents the ground feel from being too sensitive.

Test results
6 Rings 17.0 mm
Average 18.9 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

The Jordan 6 Rings has a gradual heel-to-toe drop of 8.5 mm. It elevates the heel slightly above the toes for a touch of support in the rearfoot. 

Jordan 6 Rings Drop
Test results
6 Rings 8.5 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
6.7 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

If you are considering the Jordan 6 Rings for regular daily wear, keep in mind that its cushioning is on the firm side.

We could feel its firmness on the foot and confirmed it in our durometer measurement. With a reading of 32.0 HA, the shoe's midsole is firmer than 60% of our lab-tested trainers.

Jordan 6 Rings Midsole softness

Zoom Air units don't make the 6 Rings any plusher but prevent it from feeling too blunt underfoot. They just add a bit of pep to the step.

Test results
6 Rings 32.0 HA
Average 29.5 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 43 trainers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Insole thickness

Completing the shoe's cushioning setup is a pretty standard insole. Our calliper shows that it is 4.1 mm thick in the heel which is slightly thinner than average.

Jordan 6 Rings Insole thickness
Test results
6 Rings 4.1 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Stability

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With a good deal of firmness in its platform and a supportive mid-top collar, the Jordan 6 Rings made us feel steady and planted.

Even though we didn't test its performance as a basketball shoe, we found that it offers enough containment for a short leisurely game.

Torsional rigidity

The exceptionally sturdy build of the 6 Rings made it nearly impossible to twist in our manual test.

On a scale from 1 to 5, the shoe easily earned the highest score for torsional rigidity.

There is very little chance of rolling your feet and ankles in this Jordan sneaker thanks to the support it provides.

Test results
6 Rings 5
Average 3.5
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The Jordan 6 Rings also boasts a highly secure heel hold courtesy of its structured heel counter.

It is tall, well-padded, and has an added lip around the ankle bone to keep the rearfoot securely in place.

There is not a lot of give to it either. We rated the heel counter stiffness as 3 out of 5 - not too stiff nor flexible.

Test results
6 Rings 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The Jordan 6 Rings features an unconventional sole shape but it has extended contact points in the areas where it's most needed for stability.

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Jordan 6 Rings Midsole width in the forefoot

Measuring it in the widest area, our calliper showed 113.6 mm which is about 5 mm wider than average.

Test results
6 Rings 113.6 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
100.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
121.0 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The sneaker also has protrusions in the heel that reach 90.8 mm in the widest part. Again, 7.5 mm wider than average!

The shoe indeed has a lot of hoop shoe features.

Jordan 6 Rings Midsole width in the heel
Test results
6 Rings 90.8 mm
Average 83.3 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
69.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The 6 Rings' incredibly stiff profile is one of the reasons why we think it won't make a perfect daily wear companion.

To show you exactly how stiff the shoe is, we used a force gauge to measure how many Newtons (N) it would take to bend it to a 90-degree angle.

Requiring as much as 46.8N, this Jordan sneaker is one of the least flexible trainers in our lab! It is a whopping 105% stiffer than average!

Jordan 6 Rings flexibility

Get ready for a loooong period of breaking the shoe in. And even after a while, it won't get as pliable as most other trainers.

Good thing the shoe has a slight rocker in its sole which helps to make heel-to-toe transitions more bearable.

Test results
6 Rings 46.8N
Average 24.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

Grip / Traction

The 6 Rings uses herringbone-patterned rubber in the targeted areas to provide traction where it's necessary.

Jordan 6 Rings outsole

However, we found that it is not the strongest grip for playing basketball.

Size and fit

Internal length

On its official website, Jordan recommends going a half size up for the 6 Rings because the shoe runs a bit small.

But in our own experience, the shoe was perfectly fitting in our regular US size 9.

Jordan 6 Rings Internal length

We also measured the shoe's internal length at 269.0 mm which corresponds to the US size 9 in the brand's size chart.

If you find yourself in between sizes or in doubt, it is safe to try a half-size larger. The shoe's upper is pretty stiff and has zero stretch. The added lip around the heel also takes a couple of millimetres away from the in-shoe space.

Test results
6 Rings 269.0 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

We also found that the 6 Rings fits as expected in the toebox. Our medium-width feet felt happy in the shoe all throughout the wear test.

Jordan 6 Rings fit

Our calliper measurements confirmed that this Jordan sneaker falls into the dimensions of a D-medium-width shoe.

It showed 100.1 mm in the widest part of the forefoot.

Jordan 6 Rings Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
6 Rings 100.1 mm
Average 99.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The shoe's toebox doesn't get critically narrow toward the front either. It has a rounded shape that never squeezed our toes.

Air Jordan 5 Retro Moonlight Oreo 2021 GS. 

Jordan 6 Rings Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
6 Rings 74.7 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 52 trainers
Number of shoes
63.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
83.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue of the Jordan 6 Rings is so large that it only makes sense to have it attached to the upper on both sides to prevent slippage.

Jordan 6 Rings Tongue: gusset type

The elastic straps help to create a very secure lockdown and keep the tongue in place.

Test results
6 Rings Both sides (semi)

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue itself has a nice amount of padding to provide instep comfort and protect it from lace pressure.

It showed 9.1 mm of thickness on our calliper which is standard for a lifestyle sneaker.

Jordan 6 Rings Tongue padding
Test results
6 Rings 9.1 mm
Average 9.1 mm
Compared to 53 trainers
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Heel tab

The Jordan 6 Rings has a very prominent heel loop. We found it super handy for a quick on-and-off action.

Jordan 6 Rings Heel tab
Test results
6 Rings Finger loop

Removable insole

Not everybody is a fan of contoured insoles like the one we found in the 6 Rings.

Jordan 6 Rings Removable insole

If you want to customise the underfoot experience, you can effortlessly remove the shoe's stock insole.

Test results
6 Rings Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

Best white Jordan basketball shoes December 2019.

But if that's an important feature to you, have a look at our catalogue of reflective trainers

Jordan 6 Rings Reflective elements
Test results
6 Rings No

The origins of the Jordan 6 Rings

The Jordan 6 Rings was first released in 2008, 20 years after Michael Jordan's retirement as a Chicago Bulls player. "6 Rings" refers to the athlete's championship triumphs in 1991-1993 and 1996-1998.

Jordan 6 Rings style

It is a hybrid sneaker that borrows details from all seven shoes His Airness wore at the peak of his career.

Air Jordan enthusiasts will detect them all in the blink of an eye but here is a cheat sheet for the rest of us: 

  • jordan superfly 2017 mens basketball shoe dsmfz

Jordan 6 Rings heel loop

  • Air Jordan 7: the perforations on the rand

Jordan 6 Rings perforations

  • Air Jordan 8: the Velcro strap and the fuzzy tongue patch

Jordan 6 Rings lacing

  • Air Jordan 11: the large leather (or suede) overlay
  • Air Jordan 12: the plastic eyelet and the "TWO3 logo" stitching on the tongue

Jordan 6 Rings topmost eyelet

  • Jordan 1 Retro Low White Ghost Green BlackDM7837-103

Jordan 6 Rings vs Air Jordan 13

  • Air Jordan 14: the toebox design with the "Jumpman" logo

Jordan 6 Rings design elements