Air Jordan
XIX (2004)
Head Designer: Tate Kuerbis
As Michael had retired Jordan Brand turned
to players such as Jason Kidd, Gary Payton,
Carmelo Anthony and of course Ray Allen,
to promote the new Air Jordan. The lightest
and most supportive Air Jordan sneaker
to date featured an ultimate combination
of sport and style.
The Black Mamba
The design of the Air Jordan XIX was inspired
by Inspired by the most dangerous snake
on earth, the Black Mamba. Again Tate
Kuerbis (Jordan Senior Footwear Designer)
was the driving force of the model but
he was highly supported by persons such
as Jason Mayden, Wilson Smith, Josh Heard
and Suzette Henri, so maybe one could
say that this was the largest joint effort
within Air Jordan design ever.
High-tech flex
The joint effort was needed. In Air Jordan
XIX a material was used that had never
been associated with shoewear design ever
before. The industrial braided sleeving
(also called tech-flex) that was the main
ingredient of the design is a material
used in the automotive industry. A superb
material that stretches comfortably but
has enormous support capabilities.
Double stack air
The XIX's were equipped with a double
stack Air Sole unit in the heel combined
with a full length zoom air bag. This
made the shoe one of the most comfortable
AJ's ever released. As the shoe was also
put together in a very unique way very
few seems were felt on the inside - another
feature that made them extremely comfortable.
Divided box
The XIX bx was not nearly as nice as the
one for the XVIII, but the cool feature
was that it was divided into two slots.
In the slots you found your shoes neatly
packaged in net shoe-bags.
SE
As XVI and XVII had the +'s and the XVIII
had the .5, the XIX would also have a
modified version released on the market.
Again a simplier design, but just as high
a price tag. |
