The History of Air Jordan Retro Series – 1985-2014

So, this is where it all started. It was the year 1984 and Michael Jordan’s career was about to take off, having just snagged a national title with the University of North Carolina and also won Olympic Gold with the national team. When the NBA Draft came around, MJ was not only 3^rd selected by the Chicago Bulls, he was also signed by Nike in what was a lucrative deal at the time. In addition to millions of dollars, the player also got a shoe made in his honor. Modeled off previous Nike basketball shoes, the Air Jordan I came with Nike’s well-known air unit, a redesigned logo and clean lines that set it apart from the rest. Needless to say, not many people felt he deserved it due to his rookie status.

Not too long after, however, the basketball legend went on to prove his doubters wrong, doing so in his own pair of kicks. He also broke a few rules when he took the court in his first pair of AJs. Colored sneakers were not allowed in the NBA at the time, but the Air Jordan I was red and black, violating the rule before he even came onto the court. MJ was fined $5,000 for every game he played in that season but Nike gladly footed the bill because the shoe was a smash hit and helped MJ to a swell season.

Air Jordan II – 1985

Emulating the success of the Air Jordan 1 was a hard act to follow but shoe designer, Bruce Kilgore, managed to pull off another masterpiece. He went for simpler lines than the AJ I and included a number of upgrades that later served MJ well while he recovered from a broken foot. The shoe featured a high-top cut with ankle support, full length air unit, faux lizard skin upper and a molded heel counter made of plastic, all of which provided enhanced comfort and stability. There was something else different about the Air Jordan II Retro sneaker, the Swoosh was not prominent on the upper.

In addition to the multitude of changes that set it apart, the Air Jordan II became special for one of MJ’s firsts; he won his first ever slam dunk title while decked out in a pair.

Air Jordan III – 1988

Possibly one of the most popular shoe in the line, the Air Jordan III marked another milestone in the sneaker industry. In addition to introducing the Jumpman logo, the shoe also introduced revolutionary materials and design elements which caused quite a stir in the footwear industry when it came out in 1988.

Quite a lot of thought went into the AJ III, which was designed by Tinker Hatfield. To begin with, newer advanced materials, such as luxurious tumbled leather, sculpted polyurethane and faux elephant skin, helped to give the sneaker a distinct look and feel. It was also the first in the line to have a visible air unit and the first mid-cut sneaker to be recognized as a basketball shoe. Michael Jordan’s career went to another level while wearing these shoes. He won season MVP, his second successive Slam Dunk title, and the league scoring title. His success and consequently, the success of the Air Jordan III, was further amplified by Nike partnering with Spike Lee for a TV commercial.

Air Jordan IV – 1989

The fourth instalment of Air Jordan Retro sneakers in 1989 continued some of the design elements of its predecessor but was upgraded with little detail changes and the addition of nubuck. It was the first time the material was being used on a sneaker, adding to the revolutionary reputation of the line. Mesh was added to its upper for the first time, in addition to multiple plastic attachments that helped make the AJ IV more breathable and lighter than those that came before. Also, the now famous Jumpman logo had the word “Flight” added below it which may have been in reference to the Wings logo that adorned the first two AJs.

Once again, MJ was unstoppable on the courts in his technologically-advanced shoe that was as stylish as it was durable. The player won the league scoring title again and placed an exclamation mark on the season when he scored “The Shot”, which was a hanging jump shot over Craig Elho to win the first round of the playoffs for the Bulls.

Air Jordan V – 1990

In an attempt to outdo himself, Tinker Hatfield took a different approach to designing the Air Jordan V. He carried over some of the standout elements from the AJ III and IV such as the visible air unit in the heel, sculpted midsole and breathable mesh but added translucent rubber to the mix. The shoe also featured an asymmetrical collar and reinforced heel that provided superior ankle support, a higher cut and a new pattern that took its design from a World War II fighter plane. If that was not enough, the Air Jordan V Retro Sneakers introduced a new colorway to basketball footwear in the form of grape purple/ emerald.

Other features that set the Air Jordan V apart from its predecessors include a raised tongue, reflective 3M material on some colorways, the words “Air Jordan” stitched onto the interior of the tongue, and lace locks for additional lockdown protection. MJ’s greatness continued to flourish while he wore the AJ V as he appeared in his sixth consecutive All Star Game, won another league scoring title, and made the All-NBA first team.

[phpbay keywords=”jordan retro”  num=”5″ siteid=”1″ category=”93427″ sortorder=”BestMatch” templatename=”columns” columns=”5″ itemsperpage=”5″ paging=”true” condition=”1000″]

Air Jordan VI – 1991

Another much-loved shoe in the AJ line, the Air Jordan VI came with a number of modifications that set it apart from its predecessors while maintaining some of the basics. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the sneaker being created was that it helped Michael Jordan win his first NBA title and Championship ring with the Bulls in 1991. He also continued to rack up a number of titles and awards, which made him the most influential player at the time. However, the shoe also gained further fame when it graced the feet of Jerry Seinfeld in his hit TV series and was later custom-built in the form of a boot for Michael Keaton’s Batman in 1992’s Batman Returns.

Several bells and whistles helped the AJ VI become one of the most visually-appealing sneakers at the time. They included a clean toe cap, lace locks, molded plastic heel tabs and a rubber tongue built with creative loops for the fingers. Additionally, the shoes used different materials on different colorways, with the most popular being leather and the eye-catching infrared/black colorway sporting suede.

Air Jordan VII – 1992

With Michael Jordan becoming his own brand, it was only natural that the Air Jordan VII of 1992 finally dropped Nike branding marks. The prominent swoosh was notably absent but that only gave space for Jordan’s famous #23 and the continued use of the Jumpman logo. It borrowed a number of design elements from the AJ VI, such as the upper and toe cap, but came with its own identity that was inspired by Nike’s Huarache basketball shoe series and the tribal culture of West Africa. The shoe was even lighter than previous designs with a thinner leather upper, but had hard plastic parts and an inner sock liner, which helped to comfortably wrap the shoe around the feet.

The Air Jordan VII also saw changes in marketing, pulling away from MJ’s collaborations with Spike Lee’s Mars Blackmon character to being seen with Bugs Bunny. On the courts, Jordan was now in full stride to becoming a hard court legend. In addition to winning his second Championship ring with the Bulls, Jordan also led the USA “Dream Team” to Olympic Gold at the 1992 Barcelona games. He also won his sixth consecutive scoring title, was named MVP, and made the All-star team once more, among other accolades, all while wearing the Air Jordan VII Retro Sneaker.

Air Jordan VIII – 1993

The Air Jordan VIII presented another pivotal period in His ‘Airness’ rich legacy with the Chicago Bulls. Not only did the sneakers provide another distinct design from the brain of Tinker Hatfield, they were built for high performance and saw MJ pulling off another brilliant season by leading the team to a third victory. It drew a lot of attention both on and off the courts and is remembered for being the first ‘three-peat’ AJ. It could well have been the last in the line of AJs as well since MJ left basketball the following year.

Regarded by sneaker fans as one of the most visually-stunning in the line, the original AJ VIII was available in three colorways, the black and white variations of the Bulls colors and the beloved Aqua version. Jordan helped to build hype around the sneaker by wearing the colors at different points in the season, with the Aqua being donned only once when he played in the NBA All-Star game. Other design elements that stand out on the sneaker include its unique lockdown strap, ‘bunny ears’ side straps and the super-imposed Jumpman symbol on the tongue which had now fully replaced the Nike Swoosh.

Air Jordan IX – 1994

While the world waited excitedly for the release of the Air Jordan IX in the latter part of 1993, Michael Jordan dropped an unexpected bomb when he announced that he was leaving the game of basketball. Perhaps symbolically, Tinker Hatfield’s inspiration for the shoe was the baseball cleats Jordan wore when he decided to venture into minor league baseball, a childhood dream. They also had inscriptions of languages from around the world to pay homage to Jordan’s global status as a sporting icon. Nonetheless, the AJ IX was never worn on the court by the player they were named after, but by other NBA stars who had been inspired by the great.

The Air Jordan IX was another masterpiece addition to the line as far as design went. Its outer minimalistic features belied the technology that was packed beneath its insoles and within its unique upper construction. A classic high-top, it featured Nike’s signature Air technology in the heel and forefoot, the Jumpman logo on the lower heel, form fitting inner bootie, and single pull lace system. In honor of MJ, the shoe was chosen to adorn the player’s likeness, which stands outsides the Bulls’ home turf in Chicago.

Air Jordan X – 1994-1995

With His ‘Airness’ seemingly retired from the hard court for good, the Air Jordan X was built by Tinker Hatfield as a commemorative sneaker featuring a number of his achievements in previous years. However, the sneakers would turn out to be the comeback shoe for Michael Jordan as he made a glorious return to the game on the backend of the 94-95 NBA season. Although he lost his beloved number 23, he was still lethal on the courts in the AJ X.

The Air Jordan X was another well-built classic, with premium leather uppers, an advanced lacing system, full-length air cushioned sole and Huarache inner sleeve which had become the new standard for AJs. After a minor adjustment to the model, which saw the removal of the toe strap on subsequent releases of the very first Air Jordan X (a feature which MJ hated by the way), Michael Jordan announced that he was back and went on to pick up from right where he had left off.

Air Jordan XI – 1995

In the argument for most iconic Air Jordan sneaker, the Air Jordan XI, also known by sneaker lovers as the ‘Concord’, is one that will always come up for mention. The two main reasons for this are: just like the first AJ, it caused court controversy and got Michael Jordan fined; secondly, it revolutionized the way people wore and viewed sneakers. To be more specific, Jordan was fined $5,000 for two games for wearing all-white samples of the sneaker, which featured patent leather for the first time, before they were launched. That didn’t matter much, though, because when the shoes were eventually released to the public, the hype had built up to such a fever pitch that they sold out in no time.

As history will recall, the Air Jordan XI helped MJ and his team to a record-breaking season, ending with another hold on the NBA title. As it relates to design, the shoe’s main calling card was the patent leather on the upper which provides a better fit and a classy edge to the shoe. As a result, the sneaker redefined how people wore sneakers, ending up on the feet of patrons at unlikely events such as weddings and award ceremonies.

Air Jordan XII – 1996

The first Air Jordan to feature Nike’s Zoom Air technology, the XII is also considered by many to be the most durable of the AJ line. It went back to an all-leather upper construction and, like many of its predecessors, had several symbols embedded into its architecture and quirky design elements that only true sneaker heads would understand or know about. They included a rising sun pattern, reminiscent of the Japanese, design inspiration from an old women’s shoe line, and the phrase ‘Two 3’ on the shoe’s tongue, which represents Michael Jordan’s player number.

Sleek, stylish and comfortable, the Air Jordan XII was a major hit on the courts, with not only MJ wearing them but his team mates as well. In fact, Scottie Pippen is said to have abandoned his very own signature sneaker for a pair of AJ XII during the 96-97 season. Outside the courts, the shoe was well loved by fans as well; so much so that when they were ‘retroed’ in 2003 and sold online, the Nike website crashed due to the level of increased traffic.

Air Jordan XIII – 1997

With Michael Jordan nearing the end of a highly-decorated career, the Air Jordan XIII was created by Tinker Hatfield to reflect his predatory persona on the court. As a result, the shoe’s design mimicked the Black Panther and came with a cat-eye hologram representing MJ’s fierceness on the courts. Although considered by many AJ lovers as one of the most underrated of the pack, the XIII still commands its place in history. It’s the sneaker Michael wore the most during another record-setting season as the team completed their second three-peat and was also the first to be sold under the Jordan name instead of Nike.

Featuring some of the design elements from the XI and XII, the Air Jordan XIII was also packed with technological features that placed it among the most lightweight and sturdy sneakers in its class. It came with an advanced carbon fiber spring plate, Zoom Air technology, recessed lacing system, and the unique Jumpman hologram. Worn for most of MJ’s last season with the Bulls, the original AJ XIII provided a fitting end to his career.

[phpbay keywords=”jordan retro V”  num=”5″ siteid=”1″ category=”93427″ sortorder=”BestMatch” templatename=”columns” columns=”5″ itemsperpage=”5″ paging=”true” condition=”1000″]

Air Jordan XIV – 1998

Inspired by Michael Jordan’s blazing Ferrari 550 M, the Air Jordan XIV just snuck in to be listed among the most iconic sneakers from the player’s illustrious career. In fact, although the XIII was supposed to be the shoe that closed out MJ’s time with the Bulls, the XIV stole its shine when it was debuted prematurely during the finals against Utah in 1998. Michael took what became famously known as the ‘Last Shot’ to win the series and the rest, as they say, is history…the XIV became legend and has seen numerous sellouts every time it has been ‘retroed’ since.

As mentioned earlier, the Air Jordan XIV takes much of its design cues from the Ferrari 550 M and has a ferocious look as a result. Underneath all that ferocity, however, the shoe is a hotbed of comfort and durability, featuring Zoom Air in the soles, full-grain leather upper with well-placed air vents, and a Jumpman logo which mimics the Ferrari shield.

Air Jordan XV – 1999

After Jordan retired from the NBA for the second time, many wondered if that was a signal for the end of his signature shoe line as well. With the Air Jordan XV already set to release, fans and sneaker lovers would have to wait to see if that was the case. One thing was for sure, however, this was the last AJ sneaker to be designed by Tinker Hatfield, ending a successful partnership that impacted the basketball game and fashion culture at the same time. While the shoe has held its own since its initial release, it is considered one of the least favored of the AJ kicks, probably due to its unconventional design or the fact that it signified life without MJ on the hard court.

Whatever the case, the shoe had a distinct, albeit stoic identity, hewn out of a design inspiration from the speedy X-15 aircraft, which was a NASA creation from the 1950s. It had a woven-pattern upper made from Kevlar, Zoom Air in the sole, concealed quick lacing, and an odd-looking tongue that many say is reminiscent of MJ sticking out his tongue when he played. More than anything, they represented Jordan as a full-fledged brand that had broken ties with the court.

Air Jordan XVI – 2001

Although odd looking, the Air Jordan XVI turned out to be a hit, despite Michael’s noticeable absence from the basketball court and Tinker Hatfield no longer designing AJs. The shoe was the creation of Wilson Smith, who was a senior Nike Footwear Designer, and was composed of design elements taken from a number of other Air Jordan sneakers. Some of the most striking borrowed elements are the unique, removable shroud – also called a gaiter – which mimics the upper of the XIV; transparent rubber soles, borrowed from the V, VI and XI; and the patent leather toe box, which is the main calling card of the XI.

The Air Jordan XVI was released on a significant date, February 17^th, which is Michael’s birthday, and is probably one reason why so much was put into its distinct design. Apart from the obvious parts, the XVI was also a technologically advanced shoe, with Zoom Air in the front and a molded Air unit in the heel, along with a special, breathable mesh material on the upper that helped the sneaker remain lightweight. Additionally, the patent leather front gave the XVI the same kind of fashion forwardness as the XI, meaning that it was paired with all kinds of clothing, including formal wear. However, it didn’t reach the level of popularity as the XI and had a few drawbacks, such as the shroud falling off and the shoe itself having a rigid feel.

Air Jordan XVII – 2002

One of the most expensive Air Jordans at the time, the XVII signified the final return of Michael Jordan to the hard court in 2002; except this time, it was in the colors of the club he part-owned, the Washington Wizards. Nonetheless, the shoe was an appropriate welcome back symbol, sporting a number of bells and whistles that were befitting of a boss. Among them were a metal briefcase that the shoe was shipped in and a special compact disk in the lid of the case. The sneaker itself was quite eye-catching and drew inspiration from jazz music notes, the fine lines of a classic car (Aston Martin), and a golf course MJ had played on. Altogether, the design, which was another Wilson Smith creation, resulted in a sleek, unique shoe that featured a removable midfoot cover that was similar to the shroud of the XVI, full Zoom Air soles, leather uppers, and a sheath made from carbon fiber.

While the sneakers didn’t help MJ win the NBA and achieve accolades as with many of his previous signature shoes, they quickly became a collector’s item, thanks to the brief case presentation and the significant details of its design.

Air Jordan XVIII – 2003

After the XVI and XVII, Wilson Smith was replaced by Tate Kuerbis, who had been part of the Nike setup since 1995 and worked with the AJ line since 1999. His design for the XVIII not only gave a fresh, modern look to the sneaker, it also incorporated one of Michael Jordan’s passions, race cars. In fact, the shoe was built to mimic those used by race car drivers and its all-in-one construction was based on carbon fiber, which represented the body of a formula 1 racing car. However, not all the design elements were from speeding cars, it also had bold stitching which borrowed from high fashion Italian dress shoes. Other features which enriched the XVIII were its Zoom Air sole, air vents, its hidden speed-lace system and its suede leather uppers. Additionally, while they didn’t come in a boss-like briefcase like the XVII, they were sold in a specially designed, slide-out box that also contained a brush, a towel and a mock driving manual for the AJ XVIII.

The XVIII would be the sneaker in which Michael Jordan closed the curtains on his career for the final time. He didn’t play out the entire 2002-2003 season with the Wizards due to injuries but still gave a good account of himself. As a result, the shoe became highly sought-after as it was the final shoe that the legend wore while playing professional basketball. One of the most coveted was a black and blue colorway which MJ sported on court.

Air Jordan XIX – 2004

Michael Jordan’s career was now truly over but that didn’t stop him from being represented on the hard court in the likeness of his signature shoe line. When the XIX was released in 2004, a number of top players in the game at the time, including Gary Payton, Jason Kidd and Ray Allen, received exclusive versions of the shoe in order to help promote it. Another Tate Kuerbis led creation, the sneaker is regarded as one of the most technologically advanced, supportive and lightweight shoe in the entire line of AJs. It is also highly unique in that it is the first original Air Jordan to not come with laces. Instead, it is constructed with a specially-made sleeve, made from a high tech material and has a braided design that locks the shoe onto the feet.

The shoe’s advanced comfort is supported by dual air units in the heel and a full length Zoom Air casing. On the outside, the Air Jordan XIX is all sophistication and class, centered around the flexible braided sleeve. Its aesthetics were inspired by a notoriously dangerous snake, the Black Mamba, and like a few of its predecessors that have been paired with formal wear, has patent leather on the front.

Air Jordan XX – 2005

One of the most symbolic in the line, the Air Jordan XX is a delectable mix of state of the art technologies and historical ties to Michael’s long list of achievements as a basketball player and businessman. Tinker Hatfield came back in the driver’s seat for this special AJ sneaker and he pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable shoe. To begin with, the AJ XX drew inspiration from cycling, namely the shoes and tires. The shoes main feature, however, is a midfoot lace cover, which has a number of symbols related to MJ’s career, laser-etched onto it. Only MJ fanatics can actually decipher all the symbols.

A unique ankle strap also set the Air Jordan XX apart from the others, in addition to the fact that it was the first AJ to feature Independent Podular Suspension (IPS) technology, which focused on providing support for the different areas of the foot. The outside of the shoe, depending on the colorway, is composed of a mix of full grain leather, nubuck, and patent leather. One of the most famous colorway from the AJ XX is the ‘Stealth’, which is predominantly black and grey.

Air Jordan XXI – 2006

Michael Jordan’s love for flashy cars would once again be demonstrated in the design of another of his signature shoes, as the AJ XXI took cues from the Bentley Continental GT Coupe. It was created by D’Wayne Edwards and featured a more simplistic design than the previous five AJs. That does not mean the Air Jordan XXI is a simple shoe; it is bold and brash, on the contrary, and is said to represent the champion DNA of MJ himself.

Released a day after Michael’s birthday in 2006, the shoe incorporated a number of technological advancements that represented the future of high performance footwear. The IPS tech that was introduced in the XX was now supported by other advanced features, including a customizable Zoom Air pillar in the heel, breathable textile material on the forefoot, quilted collar backed with foam for ultimate comfort and cushioning, along with carbon fiber midfoot and arch supports.

Air Jordan XXII – 2007

Inspired by another technologically breathtaking piece of machinery, the Air Jordan XXII was modeled off the F22-Raptor fighter jet and was launched on MJ’s 44^th birthday. Not only did it capture some of the design features of the aircraft, it was also built to emulate the indomitable spirit of Michael Jordan when he ruled the courts. Its cutting edge design includes titanium parts (the chemical formula for titanium is 22 by the way), air vents which help to cool the feet, and a podular outsole that offers enhanced traction and control on the court.

The Air Jordan XXII is also listed among the most comfortably cushioned sneakers in the line. This reputation is backed by the IPS system that featured prominently in the XX and XXI, along with an ankle support apparatus that many regard as the best of all the AJs. Other standout features that have placed the shoe on must-have lists for Air Jordan enthusiasts include an extended heel counter for added stability, intelligent lacing, and a high quality, stitched leather upper with strategic markings to give it the MJ edge and distinction.

Air Jordan XXIII – 2008

The number 23 will forever be associated with Michael Jordan due to his prowess on the basketball court. As a result, when the time came to make the 23^rd edition of his Air Jordan line, it had to be something special. Tinker Hatfield, the man who had been behind most of the standout designs, was also the architect of this shoe. Based on the results, he failed to disappointment once more.

One of the most technologically-advanced sneakers of its time, the Air Jordan XXIII was the first in the line to be based on the Nike Considered Design system, which focused on reducing waste during product development. The shoe turned out to be as stunning in design as it was in comfort and durability.

From the specially spray-painted TPU midsole to the 3-D stitched upper, a lot of time was spent ensuring that the Air Jordan XXIII was different from anything else available. Additionally, it had MJ’s personal touches strategically placed, such as his signature on the toe cap and the pattern of his thumbprint on the outsole. A full-length Zoom Air unit and innovative Independent Podular Suspension (IPS) also ensured superior cushioning for the wearer. Overall, the shoe reflected MJ’s love of performance shoes which could also be dressy.

Air Jordan 2009

Referred to as the Air Jordan 2009, the first Jordan Brand shoe to adopt the year as a model, the AJ XXIV was designed to be a basketball kick that was more original than other sneakers that were in existence at the time. It is said to be inspired by Michael Jordan’s undying spirit and will to achieve. Like many before, it debuted another innovation in shoe design in the form of Articulated Propulsion Technology. This new platform involved a game-changing heel system and design elements that promote comfort while encouraging explosive speed and agility on the court.

Also like its predecessor, the Air Jordan XXIV was based on the Nike Considered Design system which was geared at protecting the environment without affecting athletic performance. It featured a contoured construction to match the athlete’s foot and provide unmatched support. TPU in the midsole provides needed rigidity while foam inserts promote cushioning and impact protection. In addition, polished leather on the outer shell of the shoe allows wearers to easily transition from casual to formal. With all its features, the AJ XXIV was well-received by Air Jordan lovers and basketball players.

Air Jordan 2010

The 2010 edition of the Air Jordan represented the 25^th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s signature shoe and carried on his legacy of high quality, technologically-advanced basketball kicks. To signify the quarter century mark, a lot of thought went into the sneaker, like many of the milestone shoes in the line, and Tinker Hatfield was brought in to work his magic once more. This time, however, he received help from Mark Smith and the result was a futuristic sneaker from the Jordan Brand that was highly anticipated by sneaker lovers everywhere.

One of the standout design features of the Air Jordan XXV is a transparent window around the ankle area, which is made from TPU. This, along with its numerous high performance components ensured that the shoe made its mark and stood testament to the evolution of the Air Jordan line. Other notable features of its simple but compact design included a detachable overlay, a memory foam sock liner for enhanced comfort, and heel guards to help keep the shoe’s shape. In addition to that, the new loaded zoom midsole provided cushioning like none before. Available initially in black/white/red colorways, the sneaker was also a hit on the streets as well as on the courts with players such as Dwayne Wade.

Air Jordan 2011

Highly rated as one of the best Air Jordans to have been made in recent times, the AJ XXVI (Air Jordan 2011) was another shoe that was all about on-court performance but had strong style elements at the same time. Like its predecessor from the Jordan Brand, the shoe was introduced to the world on the feet of basketball superstar, Dwayne Wade. Among its many standout features included interchangeable insoles to provide different types of cushioning to match the feet and style of play, along with a one-piece hand-crafted leather band that added character and form to the overall girth of the shoe. This type of leather actually ensured uniqueness – so no two pairs of shoes were exactly alike.

With several of its outer features mimicking that of the famous Air Jordan XI, which was nicknamed the Concord, the sneaker was seen as the perfect balance between performance and style. Its sock liner provided a great amount of cushioning, which was further enhanced by the Zoom Air in the midsoles and sturdy outsoles. In fact, the elephant pattern on the outsoles provided superior traction, finishing off the performance package.

Air Jordan 2012

The fourth shoe in the line to adopt the year it was released rather than the traditional number (XXVII), the Air Jordan 2012 came with a number of bells and whistles intended to shake up the basketball shoe community once more. It was another technological masterpiece from the mind of Tinker Hatfield, along with help from Tom Luedecke, and also featured a modular design similar to the 2011 Air Jordan. It was also the first Air Jordan to actually let the wearer ‘Choose your flight’ due to its interchangeable insoles and midsoles.

Strong and lightweight was the name of the game, resulting in Flywire making up the shoe’s upper, along with lightweight, premium suede and leather overlays. The whole shoe was breathable and its raised tongue added an air of sophistication. These, along with its carbon base ensured quickness and performance on the courts like never before and made the Air Jordan XXVII a favorite among the modern crop of Jordan Brand kicks.

Air Jordan XX8 – 2013

After the AJ 2012, the Jordan Brand went back to its traditional numbering system with the Air Jordan XXVIII. The shoe also adopted a more rugged look compared to its last four predecessors but that did not take away from its technologically-packed construction and the fact that it was another shoe built for hard court performance. One of the design elements of the shoe which ensured that it was a head turner was a zippered shroud-like attachment which, when removed, revealed a quick lace system.

Regarded as the lightest Air Jordan up to that point, the AJ XXVIII was also designed to be among the most durable. It included breathable carbon heel counters, zoom air mesh, zoom air in the front and heels, a high traction, translucent rubber outsole, and Flight Plate tech to add the kind of support needed during competition. Like the previous shoe in the line, the AJ XXVIII had an extended tongue which gave it a look of a stylish boot.

Air Jordan XX9 – 2014

The release of the Air Jordan XXIX ended the reign of its predecessor as the lightest AJ ever as it was built to be a lightweight super shoe. Incorporating advanced technologies, such as an enhanced Flight Plate and Flyweave material, the sneaker gave players freedom to move on the hard court while providing seamless cushioning.

Like most of the shoes in the Jordan Brand line, the Air Jordan XXIX was designed by Tinker Hatfield and captured Michael Jordan’s character and fighting spirit. The elephant pattern, which had been used on other AJs, was a standout feature of this particular shoe, as well as its innovative Flight Web system for added support, along with breathable mesh upper. In addition, the sneaker offered a high traction, patterned outsole and web-like straps to provide a snug and superior fit. With more than a year since the release of this shoe, the AJ XXIX continues to keep fans happy as Jordan sneaker fanatics watch and wait for the next edition.