Performance Teaser: Air Jordan XI (11) Retro Pt. 2

The use of the word ‘Fun’ when explaining what it’s like to play in a pair of Air Jordan XI’s would be an extreme understatement.

Back in ’95, the use of mesh along the upper was a major risk in terms of performance basketball footwear. Leather was traditionally used on almost every model. If it wasn’t leather it was suede or nubuck.

The mesh used on the AJXI is good and bad. Good because it wraps itself around your foot very well and moves with your foot… this is also the bad part as it offers little in terms of support. If you grew up in the 90’s then you would be used to this already as sneakers from that time period would tend to lose their shape after being broken in. These don’t lose their shape at all but they do move around while you are playing in them which could make some players uncomfortable… new generation ballers are used to plastic sneakers that keep your foot still.

The easiest way for me to describe how these play… it’s like a running shoe but higher off the ground. If you have ever played in a pair of runners then that is a similar feeling minus the court feel. Luckily the base of the XI is a bit wider than the upper, providing you with a pretty stable platform.

I haven’t personally experienced any issues with their quality. The leather at the heel is crappy but it doesn’t affect their performance and the patent leather has been holding up just fine. I’ve had friends and heard of others whose Concords have ripped when they played in them but even after playing at my fastest and being stepped on by some heavy big footers, mine are merely scuffed but still in one piece.

Put on your basketball gear and lace up a pair of XI’s then look down as you walk onto the court. Flashbacks begin shortly after…