Although a touch on the pricey side the 17s were an impressive shoe and the Air Jordan XVIII hoped to keep pushing the design and performance envelope as much as it could. The AJ XVIII is the last Jordan to be worn by his Royal Airness himself and it does send MJ out in style. Inspired by the Lamborghini Murcielago it has a slender, stylish body shaping that’s reminiscent of an exotic, modern sports car. The side flaps and the hood/lace cover really do make you feel you’ve got a high performance European race car inside you garage or in this case locker; the high quality leather and suede uppers with sophisticated Jumpman adornment intimate Italian design through and through. Technology wise the 18s are innovative and advanced yet on the protective (of MJ) side and a touch bulky.
The combination of double-stacked Zoom Air with the unique Jordan Carbon Comfort Control Plate among other features contributes to leading edge responsiveness in terms of cushioning, comfort, traction and ankle support. Sure the last shoe Michael wore as a pro player isn’t perfect although it does offer something a little special; the opportunity to experience guard-like feel yet giving ample protection for large forwards.
While the 18s weren’t perfect they weren’t as loved or in equal turns hated as the Air Jordan XIXs were to be. The AJ XIX defines the term ‘love it or hate it’ Jordan. It really pushes the borders of design and taste so if you’re into experimental design and unusual looking shoes this may be for you. What gives it a unique flavour is the Tech-Flex material that covers the top of the foot in combination with the patent leather toe. Now on to the undeniable centrepiece of this shoe, the Tech-Flex hood: it’s dynamic and it stretches as well as breathes and not only does it lend support it also catches your eye whether you want it to or not. Support and comfort-wise the tech-flex material wraps around the foot keeping it snug then it locks the heel in place from the back with a Velcro strap that also provides enhanced ankle support; all the usual suspects are on board too as in the carbon fibre shank plate, double stacked Zoom Air heel and full length Z.A. If you don’t mind a bit of controversy and find the 19s pleasing, aesthetically speaking, you may want to give them a try. Although they didn’t quite make laces obsolete, as was the plan, when you slip them on they’re bound to provide instant and excellent comfort, clean lines and more than enough under the ‘hood’ to keep you satisfied.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Air Jordan, the AJ XX is intended to reflect on twenty great years of Michael Jordan basketball and footwear memories while looking forward with fresh innovation in terms of technology and design. From all accounts the 20s signalled mission accomplished and lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon a shoe for such a momentous occasion. The pearl white reflective material on the upper adds a lustre and shine like MJ at his glorious best while the red strap seems to hover above the shoe like Michael floating effortlessly above the rim in his prime. The groundbreaking laser graphics, that are becoming a staple design on Jordans nowadays, nostalgically and artistically celebrate the legacy of MJ and AJ like no shoe before it. The AJ20s possess a collection of graphics that tell more stories than a retrospective television review of basketball and culture from the mid 80s, 90s and early part of the new millennium; just remember trying to decipher the meaning behind the shapes, patterns and symbols is paramount to uncovering the secret to guarding Money at his unstoppable best. The newest technical advancement, a cushioning system called I.P.S. (Independent Pod System), pushes the technological frontier at a fitting time while a mixture of materials such as suede, nubuck, Cobec and leather keep the shoe classic yet forward thinking.
The Air Jordan XXI brought not only an innovative new shoe but also an innovative new shoe designer. The AJXXI was designed by Wayne Edwards and this simple yet elegant and classic design drew its inspiration directly from the Bentley Continental GT coupe (the front of the shoe is supposed to look like this Bentley’s grill) after previously drawing inspiration from exotic sports cars such as the Lamborghini and Ferrari. Although Michael had long since retired the parallels between the Bentley (the ghost in the machine) and the soul(sole)/d.n.a. of Champion make an analogy between the way Michael performed at the highest level while making it all look so effortless and the performance of a smooth, elegant classic automobile. As for the makeup of the AJ 21s, the first sign of quality is the luxurious Italian suede combined with full grain leather on its upper. In order to match style with performance the 21s lead the way in terms of materials for both aesthetic and pragmatic reasons. Newly engineered fabrics provide not only breathe-ability yet also durability and support in critical performance regions; breathable mesh allows the tongue to release heat while the flexible tongue cover either flips up to show the new feature or flips down for a more refined appearance. The outsole integrated with the I.P.S technology by way of elevated herringbone pods allows for multidirectional traction regarding zones/matters of key performance.
Andy has been a sneaker aficionado for many years. Check out more great sneaker write ups at http://www.chicksnkicks.com
Click to buy Michael Jordan Sneakers [http://www.chicksnkicks.com/category/buy-air-jordan-sneakers/] for sale in the CIK sneaker store.
