Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Cobalt” 1996

The Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Cobalt” 1996 was released on June 1, 1996, and retailed for $115. Tinker Hatfield, the designer of the shoes, striped down the Jordan 11 and made them lighter and with more ventilation for the warmer months. 

Air Jordan 11 Low IE Cobalt 1996 History

The “Cobalt” Air Jordan 11 Low IE differs from the traditional Air Jordan 11. Not just by the look but the materials used. For example, the sneakers no longer have patent leather but leather with mesh. In addition, they feature elephant print on the mudguard, a print first seen on the Jordan 3. Built for Summer, the IE Air Jordan 11 Low was Nike’s low-top iteration of the Jordan 11.

For many years, everyone wondered what “IE” stood for. While people guessed what the abbreviation was for, it wasn’t until 2011 that Nike confirmed the meaning. Posting on Twitter, the brand announced that IE stands for “International Exclusive.” They were able to confirm the meaning thanks to legendary designer Gentry Humphrey.

Unlike previous releases, this pair uses a different color scheme: White, Light Grey, and Cobalt. Utilizing a Grey elephant print across the mudguard with triangular mesh vents allows breathability. The upper consists of White leather with verticle stitch patterns and tumbled leather on the toe box. Cobalt, a shade of Blue, fills in the Jumpman logo on the tongues and pods on the outsole. Other details include a White midsole and a translucent rubber outsole.

Due to aging, the outsole of the “Cobalt” Jordan 11 Low IE has yellowed. In its original state, they are not wearable. You must reglue the outsole to the midsole and the midsole to the upper.

Air Jordan 11 Low IE Cobalt 1996 Release Info

The Air Jordan 11 Low IE “Cobalt” was released on June 1, 1996. The retail price was $115. This pair isn’t difficult to find in today’s market, and you can buy it for a good price. Since this pair is overlooked, you can buy it at the aftermarket starting around $200 and going up to $350, depending on the size and condition.

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