We’ve all heard “sneakerheads” say it before: “I only mess with J’s 1-14,” or “Anything after the 14’s is a no for me fam,” and can’t forget about the old head chiming in, “If Mike ain’t wear them when he was on the Bulls then I ain’t wearin’ them!” Although the iconic history and success of the Air Jordan line from the 1’s to the 14’s can’t be ignored or compared to, people have to remember that the most recognizable signature sneaker line in history must evolve with the times and keep up with current technology. People are often quick to judge a shoe that if it can’t look good rocked casually then it’s just not a good sneaker. You must remember, Air Jordans are BASKETBALL shoes first, just like how they originally were back in the 80’s and 90’s. Higher up numbered Air Jordans often get ignored just because they don’t look the best with a pair of jeans or outfit. These more modern Air Jordans however are beasts on the court and grace the feet of some of today’s best basketball players on the planet. It’s time to show some love and appreciation for the “modern” Air Jordans, specifically when it comes to the XX8’s through the newly debuted XXXIV’s. We took a look back at the technology and aesthetics on these seven Air Jordans and just how they have impacted the game of basketball.
Air Jordan XX8
Release Date: February 16th, 2013 Retail Price: $250
The Air Jordan XX8 was the first numbered Air Jordan since the XX3 in 2008. Jordan Brand wanted to return to the Roman numerals attached to the signature Jordan line instead of just having the current year coincide to the latest Jordan silhouette (i.e. the Jordan 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012). They didn’t hold back with the Jordan XX8, which definitely had a bold appearance, sporting an elastic shroud that looked almost like a boot when zipped all the way up. The XX8 featured new technology, most notably the brand’s Flight Plate system and max volume Zoom bags. If you weren’t a fan of the shroud on the original run of XX8’s, an “SE” version was released later in 2013 and heading into 2014 without the boot-like juncture on them.
Air Jordan XX9
Release Date: September 6th, 2014 Retail Price: $225
The XX9 is regarded by many basketball players and media outlets/reviewers as the best on-court performer of the modern Jordan signature era. Released in 2014, the XX9 built on the successful iteration of the Flight Plate system and utilized it even better on the brand’s newest installment. The Air Jordan XX9 featured the world’s first-ever performance-woven upper. While wearing this shoe, each athlete should feel as if it were tailored to his/her foot. The design team learned they could construct the entire upper of the shoe using a single layer of material, while at the same time adhering to all of the player’s needs. Nike’s new Pebax moderator plate also provided managed compression and deflection of the Nike Zoom Air, creating a larger sweet spot while striking the court.
Air Jordan XXX
Release Date: February 12th, 2016 Retail Price: $200
Jordan Brand’s 30th anniversary was a big deal and they were aiming to come strong with the Air Jordan XXX. They had a tall task following the success of the XX9’s. The most notable design feature of the XXX’s is a nod to the brand’s 30 years with three big “X’s” displayed across the back heel, which also resembled a basketball net. Additionally, a large Jumpman logo was placed predominantly on the front toe guard, which acted as extra protection for when players drag their toes while playing. For the third straight model, Jordan Brand used the Flight Plate system and fine-tuned it, creating Flight Speed cushioning. The XXX was the first model to incorporate Flyknit technology and a performance woven upper combined.
Air Jordan XXX1
Release Date: September 3rd, 2016 Retail Price: $185
The Air Jordan XXX’s and XXX1’s released only seven months apart. That is a very short amount of time in between releasing highly anticipated models of a signature series. Maybe that short time span had something to do with the public’s lackluster reaction to the overall design of the XXX1. 2016 marked Jordan Brand’s 31st anniversary as well as the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1. From the XXX1’s up until the current XXX4’s, Jordan Brand has taken inspiration from whatever model coincides with the 30th anniversary of its original release. The Air Jordan XXX1’s take inspiration from the Jordan 1’s, the XXX2’s take design cues from the Jordan 2’s, and so on and so forth. The Air Jordan XXX1 used a slightly tweaked version of the newly named Flight Speed plate, and was the first model ever to use a Wings, Jumpman, and Swoosh logo.
Air Jordan XXX2
Release Date: September 23rd, 2017 Retail Price: $185
Taking cues from the Air Jordan 2, the XXX2’s were overall simple in design. For the XXX2’s, the Zoom Air was not un-locked in the forefoot like it had been in the last few models. This meant the overly “bouncy” feel was gone, however this model was much more stable than the XXX1’s. The XXX2’s feature possibly Nike’s thickest Flyknit usage to date, without the use of glues, TPU strands, or yarn. Herringbone traction is featured on the outsoles which gives you multi-directional grip on the court. A large Wings logo is seen on the tongue of the Air Jordan XXX2, giving a nod to the original Air Jordan 2. Carmelo Anthony was the first to debut the Air Jordan XXX2 on court very early on. Many outlets thought it was his next Melo signature shoe, but it was indeed the next Air Jordan signature model.
Air Jordan XXXIII
Release Date: October 18th, 2018 Retail Price: $175
Inspired by the iconic Air Jordan 3, the XXX3’s debuted a whole new feature when it came to basketball shoes. Perhaps the boldest move design wise since the shroud on the XX8’s, the Jordan XXX3’s went completely laceless and introduced the FastFit system. This system allowed the wearer to tighten their shoe with a simple pull of the forefoot strap. This created a full 360 degree lockdown on the footbed. You release the tightness of the shoe by pulling the side loops on the medial sides of the sneakers. A marketing gimmick? – probably. After only a one-year trial on the Air Jordan line, the FastFit system is absent from the new Air Jordan XXX4. In any case, who better to try something bold and new on a signature shoe than Jordan Brand?
Air Jordan XXXIV
Release Date: September 25th, 2019 Retail Price: $180
The lightest Air Jordan signature model ever, debuted by a player with the potential to blow-out a sneaker – Zion Williamson. The Air Jordan XXX4 ditched the laceless FastFit system and went for a more traditional, simplistic look. The Air Jordan 4 design cues are subtle, but they are there – with the Nike Air branding on the back heel and the Jumpman with “Flight” on the tongue. This model features a new Jordan Eclipse Plate that is formed by two Pebax pieces and a forefoot Zoom Air unit. Overall, the public’s reaction to the new Air Jordan XXX4 has been more inviting than the XXX3’s. Reviewers and media outlets are already saying this could be the best on-court performer since the XX9’s. Can the Air Jordan XXX4 be the model to bridge the gap between sneakerheads young and old?
