Air Jordan 9 Cool Grey: Iconic Colorway of an Underrated Shoe

 Just like the previous Air Jordan models that feature a flat traction surface (Air Jordan 6, Air Jordan 7, and Air Jordan 8), there are, surprisingly, no issues in terms of performance. The Jordan 9 provides very solid traction on the hardwood. The flex grooves and ergonomic build of the outsole help the shoe to bend and flow naturally as you move on court, and also allow the foot’s strike zones to be on the ground at all times.

As far as outdoor performance goes, the Jordan 9 is built like a tank. The flat outsole will take ages to grind away, and the rubber used on the shoe is very durable on its own. As far is traction is concerned, it’s not an elite setup, but it’s very consistent.

The Air Jordan 9 Cool Grey is not a shoe you throw on and expect instant comfort. The polyurethane midsole houses two Air units—one in the forefoot and one in the heel. This setup is firm out of the box and requires significant break-in time before you feel any give. You’ll begin to feel a slight bounce within the heel while the forefoot remains minimally cushioned to allow for greater court feel.

It’s probably not the ‘best’ cushion you could have on-court, but it’s not the worst. On top of that, Jordan Brand did throw in a Dream Cell insole, which is a step up from Ortholite but nowhere near as good as older polyurethane insoles found in select retros. If you need better step-in comfort, we recommend swapping these for a third-party insole like the Move Baseline.

At first glance, the Air Jordan 9 Cool Grey seems like it’s rocking high-end materials, but in hand, they’re just okay. The shoe features a combination of patent leather and nubuck, which is true to the 2002 version. The patent leather is real leather, which is a plus, but the nubuck overlay has a synthetic top coat that makes it feel a bit stiff.

This means break-in time isn’t just for the cushioning, it’s also needed for the upper to soften up. One nice detail? Jordan Brand fixed the Jumpman logo on the midsole, it now faces the correct direction, unlike the 2012 retro.

Support has never been the Air Jordan 9’s strong suit, but it’s adequate for casual and on-court wear. The main issue as far as support and containment is concerned is achieving a proper fit. The shoe is equipped with a nice heel counter, a TPU torsional plate, and the materials they are built with are super robust. The shoe also features a speed-lacing system but even with this lacing system, getting a 1 to 1 fit is complicated.

If you can get the Jordan 9 to conform correctly to your foot, then, it will be a very secure feeling shoe on court. You may also want to consider wearing thick socks if you are planning to play in your Jordan 9s to protect your feet from the internal hotspots and fill up the space.

Sizing on the Air Jordan 9 Cool Grey is tricky. Length-wise, they fit true to size, but the toe box can be a problem. The internal bootie system is comfortable, but there’s a strange gap in the pinky toe area that can lead to chafing and irritation, especially if you have wider feet.

If you have narrow feet, true to size should work fine. If you’re on the wider side or have experienced pinky toe discomfort in past Jordan 9s, going up half a size is a safer bet.

So, should you pick up the Air Jordan 9 Cool Grey? If you’re looking for on-court performance, there are far better options out there. The traction is solid, cushioning needs ample break-in time, as does the upper, and support is just okay. But if you’re in it for nostalgia, casual wear, or collecting, these absolutely hit the mark.

For everyday wear, the Cool Grey colorway is undeniably clean, and the materials, while not premium, do a solid job of capturing the early-2000s aesthetic. Just be prepared for a break-in period if you plan on rocking them regularly.