words by Nick DePaula
Every summer we’re hit with a new batch of releases from Jordan Brand, and this season you’ll have your choice between indoor or outdoor hoops shoes, a fresh new turf inspired trainer and a performance update to the Air Jordan X to commemorate the 2008 Beijing Olympics. There’s even a new hybrid Jordan, this time celebrating Michael’s six championships.
The Jordan Six Rings, releasing in mid-August, combines the Air Jordan VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII, XIII and XIV all into one shoe set to retail for $150. Those models, of course, were worn by Michael during his six championship runs throughout the 1990s. The recognizable XIII tooling makes up the midsole and outsole, and the iconic XI upper can be seen in the black patent leather rand and black cordura mesh panel. The top two eyelets are inspired by the VIII and XII, with a portion of the VIII strap and XII lace clip providing a snug fit along the collar. The XII’s tongue text also is seen, as ‘TWO3′ is spelled vertically along the Six Rings’ tongue. There’s perforations from the VII along the patent overlay, and the VI can be seen in the rubberized heel pull tab and removable lace lock along the tongue. While subtle, the XIV actually inspired the toe’s shape, as at the bottom of the lacing set-up, the shape of the Six Rings draws from the XIV’s toe cap. Designed by Octavio Lubrano, the Six Rings is yet another hybrid concept building upon the success of the Dub Zero and Spiz’ike. Love it or hate it, the hybrid models appear to be here to stay.
In keeping with this year’s Italian design and craftsmanship theme that helped inspire the intricate stitch patterns found on the Air Jordan XX3, the Dentro and Esterno, both designed by Justin Taylor, will be released as a way of creating two opposite shoes that share a similar design language and inspiration. The Dentro, Italian for “inside,” is meant for hardwood use, while the Esterno, Italian for “outer,” is geared towards the blacktop. Both shoes incorporate a full-length dot-welled Air Sole unit, herringbone outsole, TPU midfoot shank and a performance mesh inner lining. The lining features an “MJ” graphic that gives a similar feel to Nike’s Sphere lining in that it raises parts of the mesh against the foot to allow for breathability. Along the heel of the Dentro, you’ll notice a series of Roman numerals reading XXIX.II, XI.VI and X.I, which are actually Michael’s game stats from his days as a Senior at Laney High School when he averaged 29.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 10.1 assists. The two shoes will release with several material combinations available at retail, ranging from nubuck, full grain leather and synthetic leather to patent leather, perforated leather and a texturized synthetic.
The Jordan JAQ, first releasing in July and priced at $100, is a football trainer designed to look like a football trainer, after Jordan Brand employees continually began to see people wearing trainers on the basketball court. Designed by Justin Taylor, it features a nubbed traction outsole, sharp outrigger, several mesh insets and also shares the same performance liner seen in the Dentro and Esterno. Along the medial side, the strap can be adjusted per the wearer’s taste for a variably tight fit. For cushioning, the JAQ offers DHIP, short for Dual Hardness Injected Phylon, at the heel and forefoot.
The Olympian, designed by Jason Mayden, will release in August for $125 and is also inspired by Italian craftsmanship and features detailed stitch patterns along the toe and at the ankle. The toe stitch pattern was first incorporated onto the Olympian, and then was carried over to the Olympic Retro 6 set to launch in the coming weeks. Just as the Jordan B’Loyal was inspired by the Jordan VI, the Olympian shares some familar design cues with the Jordan X, such as the striped outsole and large support overlay along the upper. While the Jordan X featured a full-length Air Sole unit, the Olympian improves upon comfort with the use of heel and forefoot Zoom Air for cushioning. Traction is also improved by the use of herringbone insets and a honey-comb like pattern also shared by the Dentro, Esterno and JAQ. For improved fit, a 3/4 length inner sleeve is incorporated along the inner of the shoe.
As the Air Jordan XX3 has enjoyed tremendous success thus far this year, there are three colorways of the XX3 Low scheduled to release this summer, priced at $150. The Low, designed by Jordan Brand Design Director D’Wayne Edwards and based on Tinker Hatfield’s XX3 Mid, features a modified tooling, as the TPU cradle seen on the Mid is only incorporated along the heel. It also showcases its Considered nature by featuring thick stitching along the upper as well as an environmentally preferred mesh along the collar. The Black/Dark Charcoal/Metallic Silver colorway is most daring, as the toe overlay features patent leather and the outsole is made of transculent rubber.
Below you’ll find pictures and release info on the aforementioned key releases for this summer season. For the full release calendar of this summer’s scheduled releases, check Jumpman23.com.
Jordan Six Rings 8.16.08 Black/Varsity Red/White $150
Jordan Dentro 7.1.08 White/Metallic Silver/Black $110
Jordan Dentro 7.1.08 Black/Metallic Silver/White $110
Jordan Dentro 7.1.08 Black/Metallic Silver/University Blue $110
Jordan Dentro 7.1.08 Black/Metallic Silver/Varsity Red $110
Jordan Dentro 8.1.08 Midnight Navy/Metallic Silver/White $110
Jordan Dentro 9.1.08 White/Metallic Silver/Black/Varsity Red $110
Jordan Dentro 9.1.08 White/Metallic Silver/Black/Varsity Maize $110
Jordan Esterno 6.28.08 Black/University Blue $115
Jordan Esterno 6.28.08 White/Varsity Red/Metallic Silver $115
Jordan Esterno 6.28.08 Black/Varisty Red $115
Jordan Esterno 9.1.08 White/Varsity Red/Black $115
Jordan Esterno 9.1.08 White/Metallic Gold/Midnight Navy $115
Jordan Esterno 9.1.08 Black/Metallic Silver/Varsity Maize $115
Jordan JAQ 7.1.08 White/Black $100
Jordan JAQ 8.1.08 Black/Varsity Red/White/Metallic Silver $100
Jordan JAQ 9.1.08 White/Metallic Silver/Obsidian $100
Jordan JAQ 9.1.08 Black/Varsity Maize/White $100
Jordan JAQ 9.1.08 Light Graphite/Varsity Maize/White $100
Jordan Olympian 8.9.08 White/Varsity Red/Black/Metallic Gold $125
Jordan Olympian 8.9.08 White/Metallic Gold/Varsity Red $125
Jordan Olympian 8.9.08 White/Metallic Silver/Midnight Navy/Metallic Gold $125 
Jordan Olympian 8.9.08 Black/Metallic Silver/Dark Charcoal $125
Jordan Olympian 8.30.08 White/Varsity Red/Black $125
Jordan Olympian 8.30.08 White/Varsity Maize/Light Graphite/Stealth $125
Jordan XX3 Low 7.12.08 White/Varsity Red $135
Jordan XX3 Low 7.12.08 White/Midnight Navy/Silver $135
Jordan XX3 Low 8.30.08 Black/Dark Charcoal/Silver $135
(All Images Courtesy Jumpman23.com)
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