Air Jordan XXXIX
Every year since Michael Jordan made his debut in the NBA, Nike has released a newly designed pair of Air Jordan basketball shoes. And regardless of how far we are from the time when ‘His Airness’—or as they like to call him over there: His Airness—laced up his legendary basketball shoes, the annual arrival of the next Air Jordan model has always been eagerly anticipated in circles where getting your hands on the latest sneakers matters.
And this summer, number 39 of its kind hit the market. The 2024 edition of Air Jordan marks a new chapter in the lineup and moves away from the design language that has dominated every new silhouette since model 34, which was released five years ago in 2019. The silhouettes from that generation emphasized a lightweight construction and included (mostly) a piece called the ‘eclipse plate’ in the heel, which helped to smooth the transition from heel to foot during strides and especially during jumps.
At Nike, the story goes that they have studied footage of Michael Jordan's movements on the court in detail. How he could get into shooting range with quick side movements and dribbles between his legs. Side steps, running, and jumping have been analyzed.
The new shoe features a new midsole combination of ZoomX foam in full length and Air Zoom—also in full length—which, according to Nike, provides top-notch cushioning for the impact the player experiences during running and jumping. The upper is designed to secure the foot during explosive directional changes. Rooted in the movements and feelings of Michael Jordan's game, the shoe's design is created for the modern player dedicated to mastering basketball's most effective movements. The design is also more subdued compared to previous versions. The shoe has simply received a more ‘quiet’ design.
In the years following Michael Jordan's retirement, the new chapters of his signature series have become moments where groundbreaking footwear technology makes its debut. Although not all silhouettes or color choices have been a hit, and not every innovation has a long lifespan, Air Jordan remains the most reliable news in the sneaker calendar and has been since 1985.