1.
by Steve Jaconetta
Jordan Brand unveiled its plan to 'remaster' Air Jordan Retros back in 2014. This meant that all retros going forward would be built from the ground up, paying close attention to details as well as the quality of materials used. These were the key items that have been criticized by consumers for years now. With one quarter of 2015 now in the books, we have seen six models remastered with two more on the way. Have fans expectations been met? Check out what some of our Forum members had to say on the topic.
Mod: j_collector
I have to say that i'm not the least bit appeased. Two main factors that kill it for me, and first is the colorways they've chosen. I don't know whose idea it was to bring back some bland colorways from the retro plus series, but whoever it was needs to be pink slipped. My next gripe is the price point. Who in their right mind is paying $220+ for some 20s? Then they have to nerve to jack the price up to $250 for the laser 4s. I'm 90-percent sure that this remastered series will sit until the hares drop. From what I've seen, the materials seem to be improved, but I still have yet to purchase a pair.
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Admin: MJO23DAN
I believe the materials are there. The craftsmanship has improved a little but there are still flaws as we saw with the years prior. The $220 price point for the 20 Stealth killed it for me. Couldn't justify how a sneaker that was $175 then, is now $220 and doesn't even come with the extra goodies like the special box, bag, and coaster cards. I have to imagine if and when JB retros the 17s, the briefcase will be missing. Then again, if it came with a briefcase I wouldn't be surprised if they charged $300 for it.
User: DonMook
I have not purchased any pairs, but definitely looked and felt the 4 and 7. They are definitely a little bit better constructed. My gripe will be regarding 4s that are released later. If you look at older models, the side panel should be in two pieces, not one piece of mesh and plastic infused. The plastic netting on '99 4s and older have a different kind of material and look. The "new" infused mesh with plastic netting I think I first saw on those white and green 4s in 2004. That's the beef I will have with remastered 4s. It's a small detail but I think it's a major one if they are trying to sell us on this "remastered" hype. The beef I had with the 7 was that the Huarache was not very plush or thick. Older 7 models had a very nice feel to the Huarache. Starting with the bordeaux, I thought the Huarache was very thin. Comparing the '02 black/red and the 2012 black/red 7, the difference between the two huarache booties is like night and day. The French Blue 7 huarache liner was very thin. I recently purchased the Jordan VII baseball cleat and the Huarache padding in those was very plush and very thick. I think the word "remastered" is being thrown around the industry very loosely.
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User: kingp321
Colorway: I agree with this except the sneakers sitting. They won't get the instant sold out treatment, but I still think they will sell through. They should of started it out with a bang and went straight to OG colorways, but then again some would disagree with this as it can ruin peoples perception of value.
Price: Well it is what it is. If these were OG colorways would the price be that bad? Especially when resellers are showing they can get more for less? For me, yeah it hurts the pocket and is once again taking me away from this shoe game I once walked away from but came back because I just love it too much. As long as they keep making new 11s it will always bring me back, and then I end up buying other styles.
Craftsmanship and Materials: The materials seem pretty nice, though I question how much different it really was before they remastered it. Comparing my original French 7, verus DMP 7, versus remastered, I do not see a major difference. As far as craftsmanship, this is the area they need to focus on. The Laser 1s I received from Finishline came with wrinkled leather on one sneaker where the Swoosh is located and extremely visible. How did that pair get through? One of the two pairs of French 7s I bought (one from Nike and one from Finishline) from Nike came with extremely soft and flexible leather, but on one shoe near the ankle area, it just felt cheap. However the "Marvin the Martian" 7s came without flaws. So it's still hit or miss.
User: dwoodactennis
I'm kind of in the middle on this issue. I agreed with most that the last few years saw some serious "craftsmanship" issues on Retros. I received more than my fair share of retros with what I believed were "unacceptable" flaws/errors/poor materials. My favorite Jordan is the 4, and I'll never forget receiving my Thunder 4's back in 2012 and the utter disgust I had when they arrived, with the seams already bursting, the netting being wavy and mis-shaped, glue stains, etc. It was a clear a change was needed.
With the current "remastered" line I've definitely seen the improved materials on the leather of the 4s, 7s, and 10s. So far, manufacturing seems to be better - not as many horror stories. But the price increase still rubs me the wrong way. I think I would feel better if there was just an announcement that in efforts to rectify prior JB issues, and to seek higher quality materials, JB will have to enforce a small increase across the board to give its purchasers a better product. The whole "remastered" thing just sits funny with me, and the roughly $20-$25 dollar hike for each shoe is just too much, mentally, for me. It's not a price issue for me, it's the reasoning, and the way they have spun it. Colorways have been a major issue for me as well. The 4s and 7s released so far have done nothing for me to this point. The 10s were decent, but non-OG colorways. "Double Nickels" may be my first actual purchase, but again, the starting price point is a mental block. I think the same improvements could have been accomplished with a $5-10 dollar hike per shoe, showing some respect to their consumers.
But on the other end of the spectrum, I've received some really great retros the past five years. An example is a pair of 2013 Steel 10s I grabbed. The leather is fantastic, the craftsmanship is top notch, flawless and feel/look like a high quality pair of shoes. So there were some good ones out there before this new "remastered" revision, they were just very spread out, and very hit or miss within the line. My Green Glow 4s and Playoff 11s were very well put together as well, it was just luck of the box Nike shipped you in the past.
I'm still undecided on the improvements with these "remastered" models. Maybe the next few waves of releases will give me more to go by, and change my attitude. Right now it seems like a stretched justification for a major price gouge to the loyal fan base.
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Admin: TrueFaqs
The quality doesn't live up for the price. I personally bought a pair of Bulls over Broadway 10s. Looked at the quality and thought it was horrendous. $206 after taxes, and they are creases? Come on! I had to return it and have not regretted it one bit. Since Jordan brand "remastered" I had to pick and choose what I want to buy now.
Mod: 757solestalker
So first off, I hate to compare other brands to Nike/JB, but if brands like New Balance, ASICS, Reebok, adidas, and etc. provide better quality, craftsmanship, and price point, then why are people buying into the " remastered" branding? I remember the reverse Flip 3s and the grey pair - they sat on shelves and people were saying they were JB's best leather quality shoes, but no one was buying them at the $160 price point. Now, all of a sudden we get a price increase, and the reason is that the shoes will be "remastered." Smart on Nike's end, but if they would have never said anything about "remastered" and just had a price increase, people will still be buying the shoes regardless. I've been to the mall for all these realeses and nothing clicked in my head and said "Yup, these are worth 190 + tax". My Jordan buying days have gone to eBay looking for deals on older shoes because I can't see myself buying any of these shoes except for Aqua 8s and Laney 14s, because the resale price on older DS pairs are too high. Other than that they can keep their remastered shoes, and I'll continue to buy other Nike models.
User: jaketyler48
Other companies can do better quality at a lower price point, so I definitely pick and choose which Jordans to buy. Quality and craftsmanship are about the same from the past 2 years.
One thing I will say about the quality on the "remastered" Jordans is the leather is a little bit better than last year. Remember the Sport Blue 6s and the White/Infrared 6s? They looked more like pastileather than leather. That's the only thing I can give JB. But, a 20 dollar increase for a little better quality? No deal. I have backed off of Jordans this year, picking and choosing, and have gone to other brands. I got lucky with the Bulls Over Broadway, and my first pair had a cut in the side of the leather.
13.
I was able to get another pair off a restock. No creases in mine. I think people are getting smart, or smarter to JB, with the price to quality. That's why I believe certain pairs are still sitting in certain places in the U.S. But as long as people keep buying, JB will keep raising the price without any major changes to the quality!
User: Syke408
I've only gotten the Oreo and Columbia 4's. So far, those have lived up to the hype IMO.
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User: mjwow1999
The embroidery on these remasters is the same crappy machine stitch as last years 6 and the previous years 5s. It's little details like this that slightly better synthetic leathers don't make up for. If you tell me you're going to produce something to as close as you can to the OG (and yes I have them to compare to), you better bring it! We have dealt with a price increase every year since 2010, so no surprise, although we will finally be hitting the tested 200.00 price point very soon on all retros. Those Teal 4s aren't remastered in any way. Neither are the Retro+ series if you noticed or could compare. Epic fail so far IMO. Now the only exception I have seen is the Laser 1. That leather and tongue is on point. And even though they were taxing at 185, the improvements are noticed and appreciated. Best retro I've bought in 6 years. So, I'll be going for the Chicago 1s in May. I'm also tempted by the Aquas and Laneys, but they can keep everything else for sure.
Mod: ponyboy
For years now, I have seen people flame and bitch at collectors who would complain when comparing the quality of newer retros to OG or older retros, and stating their disappointment. I have always felt people were justified in their comparisons and critiques (as all consumers have a right), but now that Jordan Brand has upped the cost and claiming quality improvements to justify the increase with the "Remastered" line, they should even be held to higher criticism. And when they re-release models under this "Remastered" lines, of course the comparisons have to be made.
Just by quality of leather alone, it's an easy "no," they do not meet expectations. The leather on the original Retro+ 4s was insanely superior. People had varying thoughts regarding the Retro+ 4s when they originally dropped, but the one thing no one could speak against was the quality of materials and craftsmanship on them. I don't even know what to say about the Teals and other new color ways. I'm not quite sure how they call them remastered.
Admin: I RoC JaYz23
I would have no more complaints than I had in the past if they didn't make such a big deal of "remastering" the shoes.
Jordan Brand made it seem like they knew what they were doing before wasn't making consumers happy. They said they listened and wanted new retros to get back to what consumers were used to getting years and years ago. Better silhouettes, molds, materials, just overall better craftsmanship. I, just like most people were excited, but with reserve, because we knew they were going, and did raise the price.
Although, it was reported that most shoes coming out now are cheaper than they were back when they originally released, with inflation, cost, etc... it's just hard to justify continually paying $200+ for a pair of retros at retail, especially when they don't compare to the shoes that they're supposedly remastered from. Not to mention, that a new release happens just about every weekend. So over time, that $200+ adds up. If they released one pair every month or two like before, it would be easier for me to justify. But I can't do it now.
I've only purchased one pair of remastered Jordan's - the Columbia 4s - but have seen first hand a handful of others. I'm content with my purchase. It's pretty much what I expected it to be. Luckily, my pair didn't come with any flaws or poor craftsmanship issues. The leather was slightly softer than others, but nothing noticeably different that I could tell it was a remastered shoe without knowing.
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User: jrlpreacher
I've seen the remastered series and I can't really say that they are any better than previous releases. The Columbia 4s were decent, but I didn't buy them. I've seen the Teal 4s and they feel the same as the 4s before them. I guess the tumbled leather was the main gimmick for the remastered line.
