There is no better way to do an overview then to bring in the old with the new. With that being said, I wanted to bring a nostalgic look on an overview and a comparison of the Jordan Jumpman Team II Retro and the original shoe that was released back in 1998.
There were some changes made to the new retro. After doing a comparison some key features and changes are:
- TPU shank replaced with
plasticdifferent type of lighter carbon fiber instead of heavy plated carbon fiber - Toebox synthetic leather instead of tumbled grain leather
- Heel pull tab lettering is filled in a single tone color instead of just outlined
- Thick insole utilized without EVA cushion point supports on heel and forefoot
- Lettering on misole designed in more of 180 degree manner and it is molded around the midsole
- Achilles/ankle/heel collar not as well padded as the original
- Tongue is a little bit more stiff
- Inner soft material utilized in interior of shoe not as soft, but still works well.
- Shoe fits slightly snug compared to the OG model. OG model actually more forgiving due to overlay aesthetic material and wide-foot friendly.
- Rubber traction actually the biggest surprise, because it was really gripping the floor extremely well.
All these insights aren’t a knock on the brand, but it’s just me nitpicking because I’m such a fan and enthusiast of this particular model. I’ve been asking for this to re-release, and for the first time in eighteen years, it finally has come. It was one of the best feelings to be able to obtain a shoe that you’ve grown up wearing, and still own today, that not only looked good on the court, but also played extremely well on court.
I expect this model to play pretty well as much as Jordan Brand has tried to make it as close as the original as possible. The shoe back than was already one of the best performing sneakers, so even though the technology on new shoes is more advanced, sometimes the old school feel, and simplistic basis of a performance shoe works just as well — if not better.
With that being said, this particular model is available at your local Footlocker which can be found with the locator HERE. This pair is currently available at Champs.
Kids sizes are available at Finish Line.
Do you like that Jordan Brand delivered on this model 18 years later? Do you want to see any particular Team Jordan models re-release? If so, which ones? Which ones did you have back then that gave you great nostalgia? Let me know what you think in the comment section.
It’s pretty cool that you’ve little got the OG pair. Good detailed review.
I’m an enthusiast and a fan, what can I say? thanks for watching/reading.
IMO I wouldn’t have called the comparison nit-picking. Quite a few things actually irk me, especially the material choices. While it could still be a decent performer, and perhaps entirely on par with the original in that regard, the aesthetic differences would standout to me.
Granted, pretty much every retro is like that. I just was hoping it wouldn’t be too much trouble for JB to get a team model on-point.
Honestly can’t answer for it, But I’ve waited 18 yrs, so it’s nice to see the model finally get released. I mean, I’m quite a perfectionist on the models from back in the day. Granted, There’s always room for improvement, no matter what brand or shoe.
I am still waiting on the jumpman swift 6 eddie jones edition! Jordan wears them in his basketball lesson dvd that is on youtube. They were a really unique shoe. Black & white colourway would be a definite purchase!
Those were okay, but definitely not wide-foot friend. Had my pair but the outsole is already coming off those. The zipper often would zip down while playing so it got a little annoying.
I only threw mine out last summer. I had been using them for 15 years on and off! The sole was coming unattached so they had to go. I had also cut off the entire fabric on the top of the shoe as one of the zips broke!
Kudos for owning all thoses OG models. Any chance you could take the music off please as it’s really annoying.
Nope, just don’t use mobile device to watch. Use computer.
Thanks for the info. Still want a pair but I must admit I’m disappointed to hear about the changes.
Worse materials: Check. Reduced tech: Check. Increased Price: Check. Hard to purchase: Check.
Dammit Nike/Jordan brand! Is it really THAT hard to make a retro correctly? The way the shoe originally was? The Glove. The Jordan Team 1. Nike Air Up. Air Max Tempo. Any Jordan before the “Remastered” series. They all felt like cheap knockoffs of the originals. “Cheap” knockoffs that were more expensive than the original and had been neutered.
I really wish I didn’t have nostalgia because you really dont deserve my money.
JDM Honestly, I never said it was bad at all, It’s just me nitpicking. And as for playing in them, they actually feel lighter than the original and man do they grip the floor. I really like them as a performer on court just like the OG pair did.
Don’t trip. I completely feel you, but just don’t get them if it’s that bad. I want these to play in, but I’ll wait until they hit hash walls in outlets, which I think we all agree they will.