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The
Nike Air Jordan Evolution Continues
Air Jordan XVI - XVII
Air Jordan
XVI (2001)
Former Air Jordan designer Tinker Hatfield
had moved on by the time of the Jordan XVI.
The Air Jordan XVI was designed by Hatfield
replacement, Nike Senior Footwear Designer,
Wilson Smith.
With a little fresh blood in the design
process, the Jordan XVI was perhaps the
first truly fresh design since the Jordan
III, despite the fact that Smith decided
to recycle a few of the design elements
of earlier releases, such as the clear soles
and patent leather. What made the
Jordan XVI new was a removable gaiter/shroud,
giving the shoe two looks for the price
of one.
Not only a stylish addition, this feature
helped to control temperature and comfort
for the wearer. Like all new things,
this design had a few bugs to be worked
out. The overall feel of the shoe
was a little stiff and the shroud easily
came off during very active wear and the
patent leather didnt wear as well as other
materials. Even with these problems,
the overall concept and design of the Air
Jordan XVI was excellent and Wilson Smith
certainly lived up to the example of his
predecessor.
>>
Air
Jordan XVI
Air Jordan XVII (2002)
According to jumpman23.com, the Air
Jordan XVII design was inspired by; "the
fine details from an Aston Martin, the smooth
lines and flow of a jazz solo and the long
Air Jordan history of innovations in style."
Like the Jordan XVIs, the Jordan XVII came
equipped with a removable midfoot cover,
giving the wearer two looks for this model.
This Jordan model came in an embossed metal
carrying case with a cd rom. One of
the most expensive models from the Jordan
Brand of shoes, their original retail price
was $200. While this may seem overpriced,
the shoe seems to have been fairly popular.
>>
Air
Jordan XVII
Air Jordan XVIII (2003)
The Jordan XVIII is the brainchild of new
Senior Jordan Footwear Designer, Tate Kuebis.
The inspiration for this model is said to
be a number of things, but primarily a design
based on the sleek lines of the racing world
and the quality of Italian dress shoes.
Mostly, the Air Jordan XVIII is known for
its unique accessories, a pull-out opening
box and a brush and towel for cleaning the
shoes.
>>
Air
Jordan XVIII
Air Jordan 18.5
 While
both the Jordan XVI and the Jordan XVII
were later released with modified models
called the "+" model, the Jordan
XVIII design was so radically altered that
Nike released a whole new shoe. The
basic design was similar, but the
Jordan 18.5 lacked a lace cover and came
with a plastic pant-leg stopper and a more
prominent Jumpman logo.
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