Classic Sneakers

[classicsneakers]

First Glimpse at the Aleali May x Air Jordan 14 Low

Aleali May, Jordan Brand‘s leading lady is taking no time off in 2021: after her Air Jordan 1 High Zoom CMFT “Califa” released in April, she’s now gearing up to launch an Air Jordan 14 Low collaboration. Though Jordan Brand has yet to announce the shoe’s official backstory, May’s keen eye for elevated sportswear is on full display, as her low-cut Air Jordan 14 features plenty of luxe details and premium materials.

Uppers are constructed of soft, shaggy suede — all light stone gray except for the tongue and throat, which opt for black — while signature details are supplied by the rich marbled jade patterns on the midsole and tongue tab plus a gray rubberized heel badge. Metallic gold is added on the midfoot shank, and the upper’s jeweled badge branding/forefoot Jumpman logo bring more black into the mix. From a packaging standpoint, the shoe’s box is done up in a special minty green hue and embellished with May’s signature. The shoes themselves are wrapped in metallic gold paper that matches the midsole.

At the time of writing, a release date for the Aleali May x Air Jordan 14 Low has yet to be revealed. However, the leaked images come from a Memphis, TN-based sneakerhead — an indication that the style may be releasing this summer, as the vast majority of Nike‘s US shipping operations are conducted out of Memphis. For those who don’t feel like waiting for an annoucement, pairs are also available via GOAT.

[classicsneakers]

Thoughts On This Air Jordan 14 Alternate Thunder Looksee Sample?

A new looksee sample colorway of the Air Jordan 14 has surfaced courtesy of @englishsole with this “Alternate Thunder” colorway. Inspired by NBA Hall-of-Famer Reggie Miller, this Indiana Pacers-esque colorway of the Air Jordan 14 draws inspiration from some of the 14s Reggie wore throughout his career. 

One of the shining differences from the Thunder 14s is the golden yellow plating on the outsole, with it being silver on the pair we saw hit shelves in 2014. In addition, this sample sports a solid white outsole, a yellow jumpman on the heel and toe box, and also received the blackout treatment on the midsole. 

Do you prefer this “Alternate Thunder” pair over the original that released in 2014?

[classicsneakers]

Official Images Of The Air Jordan 1 Low LV8D “White/Tan”

Since the late 1990s, Michael Jordan’s signature sneaker line has paid attention to its female audience. And while not all women have been receptive of every women-specific offering that’s dropped, a noticeably larger segment has been open to the brand’s efforts from the last decade. The Air Jordan 1 Low LV8D, a modified version of #23’s first signature model, is the latest proposition to gain some praise among its intended consumer base.

Akin to some of the most iconic Air Jordan 1 Low colorways, the newly-surfaced pair arrives with “White” smooth leather bases that allow for any contrasting tone to revel that much more in the spotlight. A spring-ready tan, then, lands around the forefoot, along the tongue and across the heel to create a compelling two-tone style that offers versatility. The style’s most significant detail, however, is the platform – or “LV8D” (read: elevated) – sole unit underfoot. While not NIKE, Inc.’s first time increasing the tooling on one of its classic silhouettes (the Nike Air Force 1 has experienced this), the update is rather historic for the Air Jordan line, which has long protected much of its DNA. Most of the model’s changes arrive via the midsole, but closer inspection of the tread also reveals a new layout, further blending sport heritage and fashion sensibility.

Enjoy official images of the modified low-top Jordan 1 here below, and anticipate a Nike SNKRS launch come springtime.

Air Jordan 1 Low LV8D Release Date: 2022 Color: N/A Womens: $145 Style Code: DH7004-102

[classicsneakers]

An Alternate Sample Of The Air Jordan 14 “Ferrari” Is Revealed

Tinker Hatfield’s ability to pull design inspiration from outside sources laid the groundwork for storytelling within design. For the Air Jordan 14, the legendary architect looked toward one of the cars in MJ’s fleet – specifically the Ferrari 550 M. In 2014, the concept came full circle with an all-red iteration of the Air Jordan 14, an unofficial nod to the Italian supercar.

While the silhouette of the AJ14 remained, Jordan Brand swapped out the upper for a seamless suede upper and a carbon fiber decorative overlay on the midsole. This achieved that high horsepower look – one that was first established with the Air Jordan 21 “Red Suede. However, things could’ve gotten differently based on this newly revealed images of a Look-See sample by englishsole. Instead of the seamless, unstitched upper, this sample maintains the same car-seat style embroidery ini the original version, but keeps the midsole a solid asphalt grey.

[classicsneakers]

Air Jordan 1 Mid Appears in White and Yellow

Jordan Brand will be expanding its Air Jordan 1 Mid lineup heading into the Spring/Summer season.

One of the pairs that will be releasing is this two-tone White and Yellow makeup. This offering of the mid-top Air Jordan 1 features full leather build with White nylon tongues, laces, and midsole. Yellow Wings, Swooshes, tongue branding and rubber outsole completes the design.

Check out the photo below, and look for the Air Jordan 1 Mid “White/Yellow” to release in the coming months at select retailers and Nike.com.

Air Jordan 1 Mid Color: White/Yellow Style Code: TBA Release Date: 2022 Price: TBA

[classicsneakers]

Winter-Ready Fleece And Suede Goes Greyscale On The Air Jordan 1 Mid

As spring-ready tones begin to take over handfuls of propositions under the NIKE, Inc. banner, fan-favorites like the Air Jordan 1 Mid continue to dress up in ensembles appropriate for the current cold weather found in cities like New York.

Synthetic smooth leather bases set the stage for a plethora of suede overlays across the forefoot, throughout the mid-foot and around the heel. Varying shades of grey claim “real estate” throughout the mid-top Air Jordan 1, with some panels seemingly nodding to the “Neutral Grey” release of the high-top trim from February 2021 (originally 1985). The fleece inner-lining, however, helps the offering create its own identity as the winter-ready design cue deviates drastically from what’s historically been done by the Air Jordan line. Lastly, the Nike Dunk-reminiscent sole unit opts for a white midsole and grey outsole that further contributes to the sneaker’s clean look.

Air Jordan 1 Mid "Particle Grey" Release Date: 2022 Color: N/A Womens: N/A Style Code: N/A

[classicsneakers]

A “Blue Mint” Makeover Appears On The Next Kid’s Air Jordan 1 Mid

Ahead of Spring 2022, Jordan Brand unveiled over a dozen retros, with many of them donning warm weather-appropriate colors. Recently, a kid’s Air Jordan 1 Mid appeared in yet another arrangement perfect for the springtime.

Unofficially dubbed the “Blue Mint” colorway, the newly-surfaced pair features a white smooth leather base as with some of the Air Jordan 1‘s most iconic styles. Overlays around the toe, along the tongue and near the collar, however, indulge in a navy blue makeover that complements the fresh mint hue that animates ankle flaps and lower heel panels. The upcoming sneakers seem appropriate of a Miami-exclusive launch, though it’s rather unlikely the shoes will follow any ultra-limited roll-out given their kid-exclusivity and mid-top trim. Nevertheless, the Nike Dunk-reminiscent pair is likely to join several wish-lists whenever it drops given its refreshing and cool makeup.

Official Nike.com release details haven’t been disclosed by the brand yet, but that’s likely to change as spring inches closer. In the meantime, enjoy detailed images of the shoes ahead.

[classicsneakers]

The Complete Guide to the Air Jordan 2

Debuting during the 1986-87 NBA Season, the Air Jordan 2 arrived as the anticipated sequel to 1985’s trailblazing Air Jordan 1.

Designed by Bruce Kilgore of Nike Air Force 1 fame, with assistance from Nike creative director and Air Jordan 1 designer Peter Moore, the Air Jordan 2 leaned into luxury and elevated cushioning. Original pairs of the Air Jordan 2 were made in Italy and retailed for $100 — a significant jump from the $65 starting price of the red-hot Air Jordan 1. While the Air Jordan 2 did not have the NBA banning buzz or Rookie of the Year newness that were tied to its pioneering predecessor, the Air Jordan 2 did coincide with a pair of firsts for Michael Jordan: winning the Slam Dunk contest and NBA scoring title.

The Air Jordan 2 released in four original takes: a “White/Black” scheme and “White/Red” rendition, both launched in high and low cuts. Each of the four styles was worn by Jordan in NBA action or public appearances over the course of their retail run, adding appeal and visibility to the second signature silhouette for the game’s greatest rising star. Aside from the four original colorways that were released at retail, MJ also appeared in player-exclusive pairs of the Air Jordan 2 and Air Jordan 2 Low when playing in alumni games for the University of North Carolina.

From a technical standpoint, the Air Jordan 2 was a major step up from the seminal Air Jordan 1. TPU heel counters, padded Italian leather and upgraded Air soles all provided a plusher performance ride for fans and players alike. By sourcing materials from overseas and adding a lizard aesthetic to the leather upper, the Air Jordan 2 attempted to appeal to a more aspirational audience than the line’s rebellious debut. At $100, the Air Jordan 2 served as a status symbol though it sold slower because of its heavier price tag.

To celebrate Jordan’s 10 years in the NBA and decade with Nike, the Air Jordan 2 Retro released for the first time in 1994. At this point in time, MJ was retired from basketball and Nike was putting most of its Air Jordan energy into the design and release of the Air Jordan 9 and Air Jordan 10. The Air Jordan 2 Retro released in the original “White/Black” colorway in commemorative packaging in both high- and low-top form. At the time of arrival, the Air Jordan 2 Retro was not incredibly popular, as the market was yet to warm up to the idea of re-issuing archival models from the Air Jordan collection. Rather, fans were more excited about the novelty of newness and innovative performance technology.

In 2004, the Air Jordan 2 Retro returned to stores in both high- and low-top form. By this point in time, retro releases from Jordan Brand were much more popular than that of their arrival in 1994. In 2004 alone, the Air Jordan 2 Retro returned the original “White/Black” colorway, while also introducing various new color palettes in both high and low cuts. A high-top “Chrome” pair introduced the first black-based Air Jordan 2 release, while a limited “Melo” launch paid tribute to Jordan Brand’s newest marquee athlete, Carmelo Anthony.

Through the 2000s, the Air Jordan 2 Retro lived in both basketball and lifestyle worlds. Jordan Brand athletes such as Carmelo Anthony, Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, Rip Hamilton, Chris Paul, Joe Johnson and others were given player exclusive Air Jordan 2 Retros in correspondence with their NBA team colorways. On the lifestyle front, the Air Jordan 2 Retro rolled out in creative color palettes made specifically with a female audience in mind, as well as a collaborative colorway for rap superstar Eminem.

Despite its 1986 arrival, the Air Jordan 2 remained relevant as a retro release in the 2010s and into the 2020s. Historically, the Air Jordan 2 has not proven as popular as the Air Jordan 1 or Air Jordan 3 in original or retro form. However, highly coveted collaborations with Vashtie Kola, Don C, Virgil Abloh’s Off-White label and California-based boutique Union LA have all added cache to MJ’s second signature model.

Like other silhouettes from the Jordan Brand archive, the Air Jordan 2 is now available in retro form in all shades and sizes. The luxury roots, streamlined design and nostalgic use of the Wings logo make the Air Jordan 2 a cult classic to fans of footwear in both hemispheres.