The Fire Red Black Tongue Is Back! A Sneakerhead’s Dream Returns in 2025

You know that feeling when a sneaker you’ve been waiting for finally gets confirmed? That little flutter in your chest, the immediate mental calculation of how much money you need to save, and the calendar-marking urgency? Well, I just experienced all three after hearing about the upcoming Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red Black Tongue” release. And trust me, after covering sneaker drops for over a decade, it takes something special to still give me that rush.

I still remember wearing my original pair back in the day until they practically disintegrated. The white leather cracked like the desert floor, and the midsole yellowed to the point where my friends started calling them the “Butter 5s.” Good times.

Mark Your Calendars: September 13, 2025

Let’s cut to the chase – Jordan Brand is bringing back the iconic Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red Black Tongue” on September 13, 2025, just in time for the silhouette’s 35th anniversary. Yes, you read that right – the Air Jordan 5 is turning 35! I can almost hear my knees creaking in solidarity.

The price tag? A cool $210. Not cheap by any means, but honestly, when has loving sneakers ever been kind to our wallets? I’ve already started my “Fire Red Fund” – basically just eating ramen twice a week and pretending I’m saving money. Whatever works, right?

What Makes This Release So Special?

For those who might be newer to the Jordan world (welcome, by the way!), the black-tongued version of the Fire Red 5 holds a special place in sneaker history. The last time we saw this exact configuration was back in 2013, and before that, you’d have to go all the way back to the 1990 original.

I got to see some early images, and let me tell you – they nailed it this time. The crisp white leather upper looks premium enough to make you afraid to wear them outside (though who am I kidding, these beauties deserve to see daylight). The Fire Red accents pop against the white base in a way that still turns heads after three decades. And that black tongue? Absolute perfection.

The Devil’s in the Details

What really gets my heart racing is the “Nike Air” branding on the heel. For years, Jordan Brand replaced this with the Jumpman logo on retro releases, but they’ve been giving us more original-styled releases lately. There’s something about seeing that vintage Nike Air branding that just feels… right. It’s like running into an old friend you haven’t seen in years and picking up exactly where you left off.

The shark-tooth midsole design with its fire red speckles against the black paint still looks ahead of its time. Tinker Hatfield wasn’t playing around when he designed these back in 1990. The man was living in 2090 while the rest of the design world was stuck in the present.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I remember watching old Chicago games just to catch glimpses of these on MJ’s feet. Back then, we didn’t have Instagram or Twitter to see detailed photos of upcoming releases. You just saw them on TV, maybe in a magazine if you were lucky, and that was it until they hit stores.

The first time I held a pair of Fire Red 5s, I was struck by how substantial they felt. The Air Jordan 5 isn’t a lightweight, minimalist sneaker – it’s a chunk of basketball history with visible Air cushioning and that fighter jet-inspired design that somehow still works in 2025.

Will They Be Hard to Get?

Let’s be real for a second – this is going to be a tough cop. Anniversary releases of original colorways don’t sit on shelves, and the black tongue version has an almost mythical status among collectors. I’ve already warned my wife that I might be glued to multiple devices on release day, possibly while mumbling curses at whatever SNKRS app equivalent we’re using in 2025.

I’ve struck out on releases I’ve written about before – there’s nothing quite like authoritatively explaining how to secure a pair and then completely failing to get them yourself. It’s humbling, to say the least. But that’s part of the sneaker game we all keep playing.

Worth the Wait?

We’ve still got some time before these hit stores, but based on everything I’ve seen and the historical significance of this colorway, the Air Jordan 5 “Fire Red Black Tongue” will be one of 2025’s most important releases.

Whether you’re an OG collector looking to replace your worn pair, a Jordan enthusiast filling gaps in your collection, or someone just getting into the sneaker world, this release deserves your attention. There’s something special about wearing a design that’s essentially unchanged for 35 years and still looks fresh.

I’ll be updating with more detailed photos when they surface, but for now, start planning your strategy (and budget). September 2025 might seem far away, but when it comes to sneakers this iconic, it’s never too early to prepare.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go explain to my significant other why we “need” to set aside money for shoes that are releasing in… *checks calendar*… almost two years. Wish me luck!