Today was an important day for the Jordan Brand with the unveiling of the highly anticipated Air Jordan XX9 that took place in New York. Each year, with every release the Jordan Brand tries to surpass the consumers’ expectations by introducing an on-court basketball shoe that is better than the previous release. Whether it be a minor adjustment to the insole or a complete makeover to the entire sneaker, the Jordan Brand continues to push the envelope. For example the Visible Air in the Air Jordan III, the carbon-fiber used in the Air Jordan XI and most recently the Flight Plate technology in the Air Jordan XX8.
The Air Jordan XX9 is no different – featuring two revolutionary technologies: an evolved Flight Plate coupled with the first-ever performance-woven upper. This design creates a shoe that feels and plays as if it were tailored specifically to each athlete’s foot.
In a break from revealing the shoe in February in recent years, Jordan Brand introduces the Air Jordan XX9 this April to more closely align with the beginning of basketball season, says the brand’s President, Larry Miller,
“Our mission is laser-focused: We want to provide the absolute best performance products to our athletes, from elite high school athletes to professional players competing for championships,” said Miller. “By shifting to a fall launch, we ensure players around the world will have the very best in performance and style available as they prepare for the season.”
What makes the Air Jordan XX9 unique from the other Jordan silhouettes is the world’s first performance-woven upper. The upper was created to provide structure, support, comfort and resistance while balling on the court. State-of-the-art weaving machines were used to accomplish the four elements that make up the shoe.
The performance-woven upper delivers superior abrasion resistance, along with an entirely new look on the outside of the shoe. The structure and fit of the shoe are engineered through Flight Web tunnels, and strategic panels of stiffer and softer flex to enhance natural motion. The absence of numerous layers and adhesion technologies creates an incredibly comfortable, sock-like interior lining with superior breathability. Using webbed straps that wrap the foot and integrate with the laces, the Flight Web fit system offers superior mid-foot lockdown that moves with the athlete. Woven channels in the upper enhance the Flight Web fit system, while a double-lasted heel helps dampen the impact on hard landings. Articulated padding in the collar adds to the premium, signature feel of the shoe and helps prevent the heel from slipping.
The Air Jordan XX9 also features the newest iteration of Flight Plate. Harnessing the energy of every step for explosive liftoff and optimal energy return, the evolved Flight Plate maximizes the responsiveness of the Nike Zoom Air units in the forefoot through the use of a Pebax® moderator plate. The plate provides managed compression and deflection of the Nike Zoom Air cushioning units, creating a larger sweet spot for optimal performance. In this year’s shoe, the forefoot and heel are linked by a tendril – a small bridge of outsole – providing a smoother heel-to-toe transition.
The Air Jordan XX9 is scheduled to release this Fall (sometime in September) in two different colorways – Black/White-Gym Red and Black/Team Orange-Dark Grey. Check back with Sneakerfiles for more information and pictures of the Air Jordan XX9. Let us know what you think. Are you excited about the latest addition to the Jordan Brand? Do you prefer one colorway over the other?
Photos via Nike, Inc.