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Air Jordan XVI

Wilson Smith III was the head designer of the Air Jordan 16. Wilsons plan with the XVI was to add all of the main elements from the past Air Jordan models into one. Notice the patent leather on the toe box (Air Jordan XI), ribbed leather gaiter (Air Jordan XIV), 3/4 mid cut (Air Jordan III), mesh uppers (Air Jordan V) and clear rubber soles (Air Jordan V, VI, XI).

The return of the patent leather gave the Air Jordan 16 a dress look, which people wore with tuxedos (same on the Air Jordan XI), but of course the AJ XVI was not as popular as the AJ XI.

The Air Jordan XVI is the first model in the line to have a gaiter or shroud. The gaiter is removable, which made them look like a brand new shoe. A downfall about the gaiter is that when worn during a basketball game, they could fall off. Also the AJ XVI is a tight fit with the gaiters on. The Air Jordan 16 is very lightweight, but was stiff.

When the Air Jordan 16 first hit shelves in 2001, retail was $160.00, and a total of four color ways were released. Also two low models released at $135.00. A lot of Samples and Player Exclusive were also issued as well.

Air Jordan XVI Original (2001)
Black/Varsity Red
White/Midnight Navy
Whisper/Cherrywood-Light Graphite
Light Ginger/Dark Charcoal-White
White/Black-Varsity Red (low)
Black/Black-Metallic Silver (low)

Air Jordan XVI Samples
Black/Dark Pine Sample
Black/Varsity Yellow Sample
Black/Varsity Blue Sample
White/Midnight Navy-Royal Sample
White/Midnight Navy-White Sample
White/Midnight Navy-Yellow Sample
White/Black-Green Sample
Black/Brown Sample
Black/White-Metallic Silver (low) Sample
Black/Varsity Red (low) Sample

Air Jordan XVII

Michael Jordan was President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards. When the 2001-2002 season came, Michael resigned his position as President of Basketball Operations, but signed a player contract. Guess whos back?

Wilson Smith III designed the Air Jordan 17. Around the time sketching was started, Michael signed Michael Phillips the musician. So one key element to the AJ XVII was from Jazz music. If you look on them you will notice molded in jazz notes. Also, inspirations for the shoe once again came from a car, this time being an Aston Martin. The soles were said to come from a golf course Michael played at.

The Air Jordan XVII were nicely made, and they came equipped with a removable mid-foot strap, Zoom Air sole, dynamic-fit sleeve, hidden quick lace system, lace-locks, leather uppers and carbon-fiber sheath.

When you purchased the Air Jordan 17, you got a nice metal carrying case and a CD. The price tag on the AJ XVII had most people in shock, $200.00! The highest ever for a pair of Air Jordans.

Air Jordan XVII Original (2002)
White/College Blue-Black
Black/Metallic Silver
White/Varsity Red-Charcoal
White/Black-Metallic Copper-Sport Royal
White/University Blue/Black-Chrome (low)
White/Lightning-Black-Chrome (low)
Black/Chrome (low)
Black/Metallic Silver (mule)
White/Red (mule)
White/Black (mule)

Air Jordan XVIII

Tate Kuerbis was head designer of the Air Jordan 18. Tate was a part of Nike since 1995 and Jordan Brand since 1999. So designing shoes was nothing new to Tate.

Inspirations can be seen from different places on the AJ XVIII, for example the rubber heel wrap idea came from race car driving shoes, the Carbon fiber-based monocoque (F1 race cars), and the bold stitching came from Italian dress shoes, but the overall outlook was from the automobile world (one of Michaels adorations).

The Air Jordan 18 did not come with a fancy carrying case, or CD (which many of us enjoyed), but they did come with a nice slide out box, towel, brush, and an Air Jordan XVIII Drivers Manual pamphlet.

Like always with the newest Air Jordan to release, Jordan Brand wanted to bring out the latest in technology. The Air Jordan XVIII contained air vents, carbon comfort plate, hidden quick lace system, suede leather uppers and zoom air sole. Since the uppers were made out of suede, they did attract a lot of dust, dirt marks and scuffs. Also the soles and mid sole were made of rubber, and just like the Air Jordan V they collect dust, which can make someone slip and fall. If you played in an indoor gym, you were OK.

On the Air Jordan XVI and XVII, Jordan Brand would use the + for a modified model. The Air Jordan XVIII used a XVIII.5 or 18.5, which ever way you wanted to write them. Pretty much nothing changed except the removal of the cover, and the jumpman was now on the side of the shoe, also the date 1985-2003 was put on.

In 2003 when the Air Jordan 18 released, three models released, and retail for them was $175.00. Two low models released with a retail of $150.00. Later in 2003 the Air Jordan XVIII.5 released in two color ways and retail was set at $175.00.

Air Jordan XVIII Original (2003)
Black/Sport Royal
White/Black-Sport Royal
White/Varsity Red
Black/Metallic Silver-Chrome (low)
White/Chrome-University Blue-Met Silver (low)

Air Jordan XVIII.5 Original (2003)
White/Black-Chrome
Black/Chrome-University Blue

Air Jordan XIX

Tate Kuerbis is back to design the Air Jordan 19, but he is not alone. With Tate is Jason Mayden, Wilson Smith, Josh Heard, and Suzette Henri. The new steps taken in the design of the Air Jordan XIX would need them all.

Inspiration for the Air Jordan 19 came from the deadliest snake in the world, the black mamba. When the black mamba feels threatened, it raises its body up in the air, shows its fangs, and makes a loud hissing sound. That alone intimidated many, does that sound like a familiar someone?Never before seen on a basketball shoe was a material called tech-flex. This material is used in the automobile industry. Tech-flex is a material which can stretch, and since it is used on the Air Jordan XIX it gave your foot the comfort you need.

Some great qualities of the Air Jordan XIX is a carbon fiber shank plate, phylon midsole, full-length zoom air unit, patent leather toe box, tech-flex upper, Velcro heel strap and plastic lace-locks.

The Air Jordan 19 box was unique, and when you opened the box, it kind of broke from the middle, instead of the normal open from the top or side. Each shoe is in a Air Jordan net bag.

On the Air Jordan XVI XVII, modified models came as +, and on the Air Jordan XVIII modified models came as XVIII.5 or 18.5. Now on the Air Jordan XIX modified models came as SE (which stands for Special Edition).

In 2004 when the Air Jordan XIX released, five colorways released, and three were in a Regional Pack, with retail set at $165.00. Four Low models were released ($115.00) and four SE models as well ($165.00).

Air Jordan XIX Original (2004)
White/Chrome/Flint Grey-Black
Black/Varsity Red
Black/White-Metallic Silver
White/Varsity Red-Metallic Silver
White/Midnight Navy-Varsity Red
White/White-Black-Cement Grey (low)
Black/Metallic Silver-Varsity Red (low)
Neutral Grey/Black-Light Graphite (low)
Obsidian/Vapor (low)
Cinder/British Khaki (low)

Air Jordan XIX Original SE (2004)
White/Metallic Gold-Midnight Navy
Black/Metallic Gold
White/Flint Grey-Deep Red
White/Metallic Gold-Varsity Purple

Air Jordan XX

The Air Jordan 20 would launch in 2005, which means it was Nike and Jordan Brands 20th anniversary. Tinker Hatfield had not designed for Jordan Brand since the AJ XV, but it was Gentry Humphries (Footwear Business Director) idea to have him design the Air Jordan XX. It took Tinker about five seconds before he responded with a yes.

Inspirations for the Air Jordan 20 came from custom trumpets, motorcycle tires and racing boots. David Monette, who designs custom trumpets and engraves designs (better known as lasering) was the cause of the Air Jordan XX for having the lasering on the mid foot strap. Mark Smith (Nikes laser expert) came to design the midfoot strap. Air Jordan XX 20 StealthsNow if you look close on the mid foot strap on the AJ XX you will notice symbols. Each symbol represents an experience MJ has had in his life. Here is some examples of what was on the shoe, and reasons for them:

1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo - Michael sitting in the back seat represented with his mom (Deloris), bringing him along to her office when Michael was grounded.
The Bus Driver cap with golf clubs crossed - When you played a game with Michael in golf and you lost, you had to wear a bus driver cap on the walk back from the clubhouse.
Toolbox with the word POPs - This symbol was for the late and great James Jordan (Michaels Father R.I.P.), who could fix almost anything around the house.
44DT - For Hall of Fame David Skywalker Thompson, who Michael looked up to in the mid 1970s.

The specs on the Air Jordan XX are insane, and since its Jordan Brand, you know already they were going to have the IPS best technology. Some of the great qualities are: I.P.S.(Independent Podular Suspension) pods, internal shank plate, phylon mid sole, and a cool strap to make the shoe feel a little more secured to your foot. When the Air Jordan XX released in 2005 a total of three colorways, plus a Regional Pack, (that also contained three colorways) retail was $175.00. One pair of Lows and 3/4 model released for $125.00.

Air Jordan XX Original (2005)
White/Varsity Red-Black
Black/Stealth-Varsity Red
White/Black-Varsity Red
Chutney/White-Black
Varsity Red/White-Black
University Blue/White-Black
White/Midnight Navy-Neutral Grey (low)
Black/Chartreuse-Light Graphite (low)

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