Air Jordan XX3 – Going Green

Written by Ian “I-Can” Callender

Let’s consider January 8, 2008 to be a holiday; a holiday not recognized by our government, yet it’s recognized by all Jordan Brand aficionados around the globe. For this day marked the introduction of the next in an iconic lineup of basketball shoes, the Jordan XX3.

The Jordan XX3, formulated in part by Nike Vice President of Innovative Design Tinker Hatfield provides “sneakerheads” alike something to “sneak ahead” of the rest. For the first time in Nike basketball shoe history, the Jordan XX3 is designed, built, and crafted specifically with both the athlete and the environment in mind. When you have the option to use materials that are environmentally sound and reduce waste on all levels, it gives the consumer an opportunity to purchase an item and still indirectly give back to the planet - in other words, why not just go for the green!

For years, Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand within Nike presented classic after classic when it came to footwear & fashion. Since 1985, Nike has dropped a newly design Air Jordan basketball shoe every year to coincide with Jordan’s time in the NBA and during his retirement. With the iconic Chicago Bulls black & red colorway that complimented the Chicago Bulls Jordan 23 black & red jersey donned by MJ himself, it only made sense for Nike to push a different iteration of the shoe every year. It shows how versatile the brand is by adapting to new technologies, new materials, new trends, and even new colorways outside the original black & red.

Over 600 pairs of hands worked on the Air Jordan XX3 from start to finish. With a strategic blueprint for the shoe, the Jordan Brand hopes the XX3 is their best performance shoe to date. Automotive Rhythms’ publisher Kimatni Rawlins loves the XX3 when he’s behind the wheel of a performance vehicle such as his experience with the Aston Martin DBS. “The shoe is light and conforms to my feet exactly. For quick shifts of a manual transmission you need light and flexible kicks like the XX3,” he stated.

Let’s go inside this hi-tech shoe. The midsole area hosts a “Thermal Plastic Urethane” cage allowing a low profile for the feet to remain grounded over the “Zoom” Air” inflated bags within. This allows a swift response time when cutting and slashing down the lane for the score. As your foot slips into a sleek quilted bootie, complete with a plush form-fitting collar, lined tongue, and molded dual-density sock-liner, you are instantly introduced to extreme optimal comfort. A responsive “Zoom Air” and tuned “Independent Podular Suspension” pillars all tie back into the midsole cage completing the overall formula for a successful supportive shoe via five footwear focal points: comfort, traction, support, fit, and performance.

With the Jordan Brand minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, reducing waste, and incorporating materials that are more environmentally friendly, it’s the first sustainable basketball shoe providing stability and protection in the heel and forefoot when on the court.

The Jordan XX3 retails for $185.