Jordan Brand Air Jordan XXI Basketball Shoes
Whether it was posters, in-store advertising, or commercials with the likes of Spike Lee and Marvin the Martian, the Air Jordan sneaker was one of the easiest products in basketball to market. Not only was it a stylish shoe which produced different colorways than the normal two-toned sneakers, but it had the best form of advertising that was possible. Everytime Jordan would score a juper, or take it strong to the hole, the shoes were in the spotlight. Kids wanted the shoes that he was wearing because they wanted to emulate him in every way possible.
The latest edition, the Air Jordan XXI, had been released earlier in the year and I was finally able to get my hands (and feet) on a pair of these shoes, not only tto play in but to wear fashionably around.
The Basics
The newest Jordans, when released, came in a single color scheme, white/black/red. As with most Air Jordans, the Bulls team colors reign supreme. This newest generation of the Air Jordan caught my attention in looks in many ways. This was a departure from some of the more recent shoes which took into effect some suede and pure leather construction and went back to a sneaker form. There is still some suede on the shoe, but it’s more of a perfect accent as opposed to the full construction of the shoe. The body is seamless, which makes it look a lot smoother and in turn more fashionable, allowing for the shoe to look more like a simple shoe while still having it’s technological effect.
The full-grain leather uppers make for a soft shoe that also is durable and contours to the movement you make. The tongue is a bit higher than some of the previous models, but it is a good look and does not clutter the appearance of the shoe in general, which is usually the concern for sneakers that are also considered to be high fashion. Able to be worn with jeans or pants as well as with basketball or athletic shorts or apparel.
Performance
I tried these on the basketball court at my gym and was immediately impressed with the support. A knock I’ve had with Air Jordans in the past has been a lack of durability with the support, as the shoe would tend to have an abundance of one of those qualities without compensation for the other. This is not the case with the newest Air Jordans. There is incredible ankle support that allowed for quick movements without the feeling of being too loose or not on. The inside is more comfortable as well, as the padding is softer and makes movement easy and the contact with my feet comfortable. There is less of a slamming against the foot as the shoe absorbs more of a blow.
One big key of the Jordan line is the development of a technology called Independent Podular Suspension (I.P.S.) which focuses on that aspect of absorbing the blows of the jumping and the court on the foot. It allows for the balence of the foot inside the shoe and lessens some chances of ackward landings and misplaced foorwork. It also gives the shoe added traction in some of the most notoriously weak parts of a foot.
Conclusions
All in all, this is one of the better shoes that I have had to play basketball in. Besides And 1, a brand which has shown a consistent knowledge of shoe construction, it’s been hard for me to like a Jordan brand shoe for actual basketball play. This shoe does a lot to change that. It is also a lot more durable than most, but still strikes me as being made for indoor play instead of outdoor. Thats the main thing about Air Jordans, they aren’t really durable for the outdoor courts. Some of the other Jordan brand shoes are good for outdoor play, but you’d expect the main shoe to have outdoor durability as well.
Fashionwise, I think the shoe is one of the elite. Not flashy, very simple, but pulls off the simple elegance that a lot of the recent Jordans have been missing. Not too extravagent, just a good looking shoe that can go with any outfit. You have to give this shoe a try because it’s worth it.
