The Air Jordan 11 is one of the most beloved sneakers in the basketball and fashion hemispheres – and is a personal favourite silhouette of His Airness. What makes the shoe so coveted? A melting pot of new-age design, technology and the man who wore them, of course. 

Designed by none other than creative genius Tinker Hatfield for MJ during the 95-96 season, the silhouette landed after Jordan returned to the NBA following his break playing baseball. The shoe was on foot during his first full season when the Chicago Bulls won a then-record 72 games and the NBA Championship. It was a perfect combination of performance tech and progressive design. Using MJ’s unique ability to roll his foot on hard cuts when playing, Hatfield wanted to construct a shoe that aided these movements.

Even though the shoe was engineered for performance, the shape of the silhouette has surpassed its athletic purpose becoming synonymous with premium wear. This is down to its unique build and materials, like the glossy patent leather that envelopes its uppers and mudguard. These patent uppers provide durable support and are met by ballistic nylon for further reinforced sustenance. While underfoot we see more details that the Air Jordan 11 is famous for introducing, like the carbon-fibre shank. A first of its kind. 

The Air Jordan 11 Low has garnered huge popularity since its release and is loved by both Michael Jordan and trainer connoisseurs the world over. A pop culture icon featuring Jordan’s shoe of choice in the 1996 film ‘Space Jam’, the shoe has spawned many popular releases and colourways over the years including the brand’s yearly holiday releases. 

Much to the delight of collectors, some of the most sought-after colourways have been re-released. The ‘Concord’ was available as a 2018 retro and features ‘45’ on the heel tab nodding to the jersey MJ wore on his return to basketball. The 2019 ‘Bred’ that debuted in 1995 and was worn by Jordan during the 1996 NBA playoffs – a clear nod to its Chicago past and the ‘Columbia’ which reflects the colours of MJ’s University of North Carolina alma mater. Generally speaking, the AJ11 remains an idolised model that represents a pivotal moment in sports history and sneaker culture. 

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