Carolina Dreaming: Jordan Brand Unveil New UNC Football Cleats

Jordan Brand and UNC have been joined at the hip ever since a young Mike laced up Carolina Blue in Chapel Hill. Decades later, that pipeline is still pumping out heat – this time in the form of two fresh-as-hell football cleat PEs for the Tar Heels.

First up, the Air Jordan 4 PE Cleat. Built for gridiron grind but styled like it belongs in a display case, the pair goes heavy on ‘University Blue’ suede. The twist? Navy accents hit the heel tab, wings, and eyelets, echoing rare 2012 samples that never saw daylight. It’s equal parts history lesson and flex piece – though unless you’ve got a UNC jersey on your back, you’ll never get close.

Then there’s the Air Jordan 1 Low PE Cleat, which takes a different tack. Instead of tonal simplicity, the overlays pop with a camo-leaning print in rich Obsidian shades. It’s a darker, moodier counterpoint to the AJ4’s bright blues, giving UNC players a one-two punch of options depending on their vibe that week.

Neither pair is hitting shelves. That’s the magic – and the agony – of UNC PEs. They exist in that frustratingly perfect sweet spot where sneaker lore, school pride, and pro-level exclusivity collide. Fans can drool from a distance, but only the Tar Heels get to strap these on when the lights go up.

For more on UNC’s unmissable colour palette, hit our Colourway Corral to see the all-time greats.