But not just basketball shoes, but also attitude and cultural symbols. In this article, we will explore the historical background, design, technical and cultural value of the Air Jordan, giving you a deeper understanding of the essence of this classic shoe.
01
History background
Air Jordan debuted in 1984 and was designed by Knicks star Bernard King’s sneaker designer Peter Moore.The shoe was Jordan’s signature shoe when he joined the NBA as a rookie with the Chicago Bulls. Launched in 1985, the Air Jordan 1 was the first basketball shoe to feature a Nike Air sole, with a design inspired by soccer shoes, featuring the Nike Swoosh logo and wings on the ankle. However, the shoe quickly came to the league’s attention for violating the NBA’s dress code. The league believes players should wear shoes that are usually white, but the Air Jordan 1 is black and red. As a result, Jordan was fined every time he wore the Air Jordan 1 on the court.
02
design
The design style of Air Jordan shoes is as unique as that of Michael Jordan. The design of the Air Jordan 1 was inspired by football shoes and was the first shoe to use Nike Air in basketball shoes.Air Jordan 2 was designed by Bruce Kilgore. It was the first basketball shoe made with advanced materials. The fish scale pattern reflects the image of the shark.Michael Jordan’s favorite sneaker, the Air Jordan 3, was designed by designer Tinker Hatfield and featured the first visible Air Sole cushioning system and the first Air Jordan sneaker with a leather and rubber sole.
03
science and technology
Air Jordan technology continues to innovate to provide the ultimate basketball experience.Air Jordan 4 adopts shock absorber technology for the first time, which provides better stability and support through lightweight flying wire material and thick foam material.Air Jordan 11 is the first shoe to adopt full-length ZoomAir technology, which reduces the weight of the shoe while providing better cushioning performance, making athletes more relaxed during the game.
In addition to technological innovation, Air Jordan’s design has always been at the forefront of fashion. For example, Air Jordan 3 is the first shoe designed with elephant pattern, which is one of the classic elements of Air Jordan.Air Jordan 5 was inspired by fighter jet suits, and designer Tinker Hatfield made the details of the toe cap into the shape of a fighter mask. Air Jordan 11 is decorated with dazzling leather and beads, which can be called a classic in the Air Jordan series.
In addition, Air Jordan is also actively cooperating with brands and artists in various fields to launch joint shoes and limited edition shoes.For example, the Air Jordan 1 Mid “Mickey Mouse” in collaboration with Disney features Mickey Mouse’s signature colors and patterns and has become a favorite among Disney and Air Jordan fans. Air Jordan also teamed up with the well-known street artist KAWS to launch limited edition shoes, injecting fashion and artistic elements into the Air Jordan series.
In short, Air Jordan is not just a basketball shoe, it shows the attitude, the pursuit of sports and fashion.