The number 23 was Michael Jordan’s number
for most of his career and now 2008 marks the 23rd year of the production of the Air Jordan line. Jordan Brand, Tinker Hatfield and Michael Jordan of course teamed up to release the Air Jordan XX3 (23) shoe. The Air Jordan XX3 will be the first basketball shoe from Nike to embrace the Nike Considered design, where details in the development and design of the shoe seek to reduce waste and allow for use of environmentally preferred materials without comprising the athletic performance. The Nike Considered design ethos is one of the several company-wide corporate responsibilities that Nike Inc. has implemented to sustain long-term growth and innovation.
The Air Jordan XX3 is one of the most complex and complicated shoes of its time and much research and development went into the shoe to find the perfect look and feel. Here are some of its features seen in the shoe. An automotive quality painting process was used for the backside of the Thermo Plastic Urethane chassis is completed by an efficient robot arm to maximize the quality, consistency and durability of the paint and component. To help out with the environment, the outsole is composed of environmentally preferred materials that reduces the toxins and uses the Nike grind material from footwear outsole manufacturing waste.
for most of his career and now 2008 marks the 23rd year of the production of the Air Jordan line. Jordan Brand, Tinker Hatfield and Michael Jordan of course teamed up to release the Air Jordan XX3 (23) shoe. The Air Jordan XX3 will be the first basketball shoe from Nike to embrace the Nike Considered design, where details in the development and design of the shoe seek to reduce waste and allow for use of environmentally preferred materials without comprising the athletic performance. The Nike Considered design ethos is one of the several company-wide corporate responsibilities that Nike Inc. has implemented to sustain long-term growth and innovation.The Air Jordan XX3 is one of the most complex and complicated shoes of its time and much research and development went into the shoe to find the perfect look and feel. Here are some of its features seen in the shoe. An automotive quality painting process was used for the backside of the Thermo Plastic Urethane chassis is completed by an efficient robot arm to maximize the quality, consistency and durability of the paint and component. To help out with the environment, the outsole is composed of environmentally preferred materials that reduces the toxins and uses the Nike grind material from footwear outsole manufacturing waste.
One of the most important aspects of the Air Jordan 23 is its exterior and it is composed of many different materials and designs. 
For the upper, a newly engineered technique that uses a machine to stitch the upper in 3-D form was implemented into design. A very important aspect of the shoe is its high comfort level; a dual density sock liner offers full comfort while the recovery foam around the heel conforms to foot shapes to create a more custom fit. The reinforced quarter panels from and holds the exact shape and the breathable tongue allows air to escape, which keeps the foot cooler.
For the upper, a newly engineered technique that uses a machine to stitch the upper in 3-D form was implemented into design. A very important aspect of the shoe is its high comfort level; a dual density sock liner offers full comfort while the recovery foam around the heel conforms to foot shapes to create a more custom fit. The reinforced quarter panels from and holds the exact shape and the breathable tongue allows air to escape, which keeps the foot cooler.
The same ingenuity and effort that went into the upper can be seen in the mid-sole/outsole. A full length Zoom Air sole unit was used to provide superior cushioning. Another noticeable feature is how light the shoe feels. Weighing in only at 15 ounces, the lightness of the shoe increases the agility and stability.
The Air Jordan XX3 features some unique designs that add that special touch to the shoe. An imprint of Michael Jordan’s fingerprint is seen as the pattern on the outsole. More of Michael Jordan went into the shoe besides his fingerprint; his signature can be seen on the toecap, a nice touch added to the shoe. The handcrafted MJ stitch pattern offers beautiful detailing and function.
An exclusive limited release of the Air Jordan XX3 will launch on Friday, January 25, 2008 with a suggested price of $230. An All-Star release will launch on Saturday February 16, 2008 with a suggested retail price of $185. The nationwide launch will be released on Saturday, February 23, 2008 with a suggested retail price of $185. Retailer information can be found at Jumpman23.com.
The Air Jordan XX3 features some unique designs that add that special touch to the shoe. An imprint of Michael Jordan’s fingerprint is seen as the pattern on the outsole. More of Michael Jordan went into the shoe besides his fingerprint; his signature can be seen on the toecap, a nice touch added to the shoe. The handcrafted MJ stitch pattern offers beautiful detailing and function.
An exclusive limited release of the Air Jordan XX3 will launch on Friday, January 25, 2008 with a suggested price of $230. An All-Star release will launch on Saturday February 16, 2008 with a suggested retail price of $185. The nationwide launch will be released on Saturday, February 23, 2008 with a suggested retail price of $185. Retailer information can be found at Jumpman23.com.
there are two separate compartments for each shoe. Also, the shoes came with a bag that can hold your air Pods.
Now if you look close on the mid foot strap on the AJ XX you will notice symbols. Each symbol represents an experience MJ has had in his life. Here is some examples of what was on the shoe, and reasons for them:
This material is used in the automobile industry. Tech-flex is a material which can stretch, and since it is used on the Air Jordan XIX it gave your foot the comfort you need.
Inspirations can be seen from different places on the Air Jordan XVIII, for example the "rubber heel wrap" idea came from race car driving shoes, the Carbon fiber-based monocoque (F1 race cars), and the bold stitching came from Italian dress shoes, but the overall outlook was from the automobile world (one of Michael's adorations).
hidden quick lace system, suede leather uppers and zoom air sole. Since the uppers were made out of suede, they did attract a lot of dust, dirt marks and scuffs. Also the soles and mid sole were made of rubber, and just like the Air Jordan V they collect dust, which can make someone slip and fall. If you played in an indoor gym, you were OK.
The soles were said to come from a golf course Michael played at.
Wilson's plan with the XVI was to add all of the main elements from the past Air Jordan models into one. Notice the patent leather on the toe box (Air Jordan XI), ribbed leather gaiter (Air Jordan XIV), 3/4 mid cut (Air Jordan III), mesh uppers (Air Jordan V) and clear rubber soles (Air Jordan V, VI, XI).
A downfall about the gaiter is that when worn during a basketball game, they could fall off. Also the Air Jordan XVI is a tight fit with the gaiter's on. The Air Jordan 16 is very lightweight, but was stiff. Don't get me wrong though, the Air Jordan XVI had great quality's like a blow-molded Air unit in the heel, Zoom Air in the forefoot, thermal properties, breathable ballistic mesh upper and patent leather.
It was time to look for inspirations, something different, something not previously used on another shoe.
Rumor also has it that the tongue on the Air Jordan XV is inspired by Michael Jordan, since he always sticks his tongue out when he goes for a dunk, shot, or layup.
Low profile Zoom Air Units were located at the forefoot and heel. If your feet sweat while you play, then the vent on the side should help out.
Tinker Hatfield did not have a meeting before they drew up designs. Tinker had an idea. If you've ever watched Michael play then you would see the resemblance between him and a panther. Michael Jordan would watch his players, and all of a sudden he would make the move, and before you knew what happened Michael had the ball.
The stitching down the sides resemble sun rays. If you look at past Air Jordan sneakers, you will notice the famous "23" located somewhere on the model. On the Air Jordan 12 Michael wanted a different look with his number 23. So an idea came to Michael Jordan to have 23 written down the tongue, written like this: Two 3.
Michael Jordan was now back in the NBA, and the Air Jordan XI was his shoe for the 1995-1996 season. But before Michael Jordan wore the model, Tinker had to design them.
"There are designers out there designing lawn mowers to look like sports cars.".In 1995-96 playoffs, Michael had a bad spill wearing the AJ XI, and the reason being is poor traction. Also the midsole would get creases very fast.
Many people thought the Air Jordan line was done, even Nike, but Tinker Hatfield had a different thought.
Tinker was really influenced by Japanese design. There is a lot of features on the shoe that you may not know which came from the Japanese culture.
Tinker said the Air Jordan IX, because the shoe represented MJ being a "global superstar". The Jordan 9 came equipped with dynamic-Fit inner bootie, encapsulated Air-Sole unit (forefoot), large volume Air-Sole unit (heel), polyurethane midsole and "one-pull" lacing system.
Tinker Hatfield wanted the Air Jordan 8 to not feature a Nike sign. He thought the Jordan Brand was strong enough at this point to hold its own. Tinker brought up to Nike that the Jordan line was strong enough to start eliminating the Nike sign at the AJ VI. After Tinker was done telling his story, Nike pretty much laughed in his face.
The straps (also called bunny ears) would make the shoe tight on the sides, so people with wide feet had a hard time wearing them. What the Air Jordan 8 did have going for it is: durabuck uppers, Air sole, Huarache inner sleeve and anti-inversion cross-straps (aka bunny ears).