1.
One of the key elements of signature shoes, and part of what makes them “signature” is the chance to include personal details and storytelling about the athlete into the shoe itself. Sometimes these elements are told through direct inspiration, like incorporating Michael Jordan’s Ferrari into the design language of the Air Jordan 14. But sometimes things aren’t so obvious, and are only told through subtle details. Here, Sole Collector's Decoded series features five more signature details in Air Jordans that you may have missed over the years.
Air Jordan 12
2.
Year: 1996
Decoded: Following in the footsteps of the Air Jordan 11, the AJ12 also showcased its then-still-new stability technology in the form of a carbon fiber shank. It actually gave you 12 looks at it, a nod to the model number, in the form of six "windows" per sole.
Air Jordan 16
4.
Year: 2001
Decoded: The Air Jordan 16's shroud contains a hidden message that could actually be easily read by those who can't see at all. The word "Jordan" in written vertically in Braille.
Air Jordan 17
6.
Year: 2002
Decoded: One of the few non-athletes ever with a Jordan Brand sponsorship was saxophonist Mike Phillips. The music notes found on the shroud of the Air Jordan 17 correspond to his song “The Greatest,” heard on the CD-ROM which accompanied the sneaker in its brief case packaging.
Air Jordan 20
8.
Year: 2005
Decoded: Michael Jordan got highly involved with the sport of motorcycle racing in the mid-2000s, even going as far as sponsoring his own race team. The Air Jordan 20 paid tribute to this with chrome heel rings, which change color similar to the exhaust on a bike due to extreme heat. As for the number of rings – six – that’s another hidden detail: a tribute to MJ’s six championships.
Air Jordan 4 Retro
10.
Year: 2006
Decoded: Some sneakers have nicknames which may not even be accurate to their theme. The “Pure $” Jordan 4s on the other hand have their nickname embroidered directly on the shoe. In this case, it could be found on the back of its heel tab.
