The Air Jordan 5 'Halloween' (style code HQ7978-001) is set to release in the US on Saturday 17 October 2026 through SNKRS and select Jordan Brand stockists, with the New Zealand launch timing still TBC. It is a black suede AJ5 with glow-in-the-dark green branding, a glowing translucent outsole and Picante Red shark teeth, and it comes in full family sizing.

Jordan 5 Halloween key facts

Release timeline

August 2026: first look

The Halloween 5 first surfaced through early mock-ups in August, which showed a full-black shoe with orange on the shark teeth and an icy outsole. Those mock-ups had the overall mood right, but the final pair arrived with a cleaner, more deliberate glow-in-the-dark story than the early renders suggested. That is common with Jordan Brand seasonal pairs: the leaked versions set expectations, and the official images fill in the detail.

October 2026: official images and the date

Official images landed in early October, and the major release calendars now list Saturday 17 October 2026 for the US drop on SNKRS. A couple of outlets have also printed 24 October in their copy, so treat 17 October as the firm US date and the NZ timing as TBC until Nike confirms it locally. We will update this guide if anything moves. For everything else landing this month, see our October 2026 sneaker release dates.

Design details: why it works at night

This is not a pumpkin-orange costume shoe. Black suede wraps nearly the whole upper, from the toe and side panels to the collar, and the laces, eyelets, netting, tongue and midsole all stay black too. The trick is in the lighting. The Jumpman on each tongue, the "23" on the lateral heel and the Nike Air hit on the back are done in glow-in-the-dark green, and the translucent outsole glows as well.

The only real colour in daylight is Picante Red on the shark teeth, broken up with black speckles, plus red "XXIII" stitching behind the tongue. In the light it reads like a clean blackout 5. In the dark, it turns into something else entirely, which is exactly the point of a Halloween pair.

A quick bit of Jordan 5 history

The Air Jordan 5 first released in 1990, designed by Tinker Hatfield. The shark-tooth midsole graphic comes from fighter planes, the reflective tongue was a first for the line, and the translucent "icy" outsole has been part of the shoe's DNA from the start. That history matters here: a glowing outsole only works because the 5 was built around a see-through sole in the first place.

Blacked-out 5s have always had a following too. The original Jordan 5 'Black Metallic' was one of the launch colourways, and its 'Reimagined' version is still one of the easiest black 5s to wear every day. If you like the Halloween pair's mood but want something less seasonal, start there.

Sizing: how the Jordan 5 fits

The Jordan 5 has a roomier toe box than a Jordan 4 or Jordan 1, and most wearers stick with their usual size. If you have narrow feet or sit between sizes, a half size down can give a snugger lockdown, but most people are happy true to size. Suede uppers like this one soften quickly and don't need much breaking in.

Because the Halloween 5 comes in full family sizing, it is also an easy pick for matching pairs. Kids' and toddler style codes are still TBC on our end, so check the listing details before you buy for little ones. Browse our Jordan 5 collection to compare fits across colourways.

How hard will it be to get?

A general SNKRS release in full family sizing is usually more attainable than a limited collaboration, but black suede 5s with a seasonal hook tend to move quickly in popular sizes. Expect US 8 to 11 to be the hardest to land. In New Zealand the bigger issue is access: local allocation and launch timing are TBC, and NZ stockists often get small runs of pairs like this, if any. If you miss the launch, the safest option is buying from a store that checks every pair before it ships.

Dark Jordan 5s you can buy now

If you want a black-based 5 on foot before Halloween, these are in stock with multiple sizes available:

• Jordan 5 Retro OG Black Metallic Reimagined: the original black 5, silver tongue and all.
• SoleFly x Jordan 5 Black Aurora Green: black base with green hits, the closest in spirit to the Halloween pair.
• Awake NY x Jordan 5 Black: a moody collaboration with plenty of texture.
• Jordan 5 Black Carolina UNC (2026): black with a sky-blue twist.
• Jordan 5 Raging Bull (2021): red suede if you want the opposite end of the spectrum.
• Jordan 5 Shattered Backboard: the orange-and-black option for full spooky-season energy.

Want a Halloween colourway that has already released? The Nike Dunk Low SE Halloween (2022) is in stock now, alongside the rest of our Dunk Low collection.

Where to buy the Jordan 5 Halloween in NZ

Im Your Wardrobe is a New Zealand store, and every pair we sell is authentic and inspected before it leaves us. Shipping is free on every NZ order, delivery is tracked NZ-wide, and you can split your payment with Afterpay. Keep an eye on What's New for fresh arrivals, and browse the full Jordan collection for every model we stock.

Jordan 5 Halloween FAQ

When does the Jordan 5 Halloween release?

The US release is Saturday 17 October 2026 via SNKRS and select Jordan Brand stockists. The New Zealand release date is TBC.

What is the Jordan 5 Halloween style code?

The adult style code is HQ7978-001. Kids' and toddler codes are TBC.

Does the Jordan 5 Halloween glow in the dark?

Yes. The tongue Jumpman, the "23" on the heel, the Nike Air branding on the back and the translucent outsole all glow.

Do Jordan 5s fit true to size?

Most people wear their usual size. The toe box is roomier than a Jordan 4 or 1, so narrow feet may prefer a half size down.