Air Jordan XX9 Black Team Orange Dark Grey

Every year, Jordan Brand takes the launch of its latest flagship model as an opportunity to push the consumer’s expectations and concept of what’s possible. Today the brand officially unveiled the Air Jordan XX9, a shoe that accomplishes those objectives in spades, bringing unrivaled court performance by utilizing two elite technologies — an evolved Jordan Flight Plate and the brand’s first-ever performance-woven upper.

While its inclusion is entirely performance-based, the woven upper was inspired by the fashion of Italy, a country known for its craftsmanship. Embracing that intricate level of detail, the upper’s woven construction is able to forgo the usual four layers and elements of a shoe, instead weaving all into one piece that provides support, structure, interior comfort and exterior abrasion-resistance. The Flight Web system informs the structure and fit of the shoe, as various “panels” differ in stiffness and density to enhance natural motion while still protecting and stabilizing in critical areas. Of course the lack of different layers, adhesives and stitching also ramp up comfort while enhancing breathability in a sock-like fit.

Further, the Flight Web system utilizes webbed straps to wrap the foot and dynamically integrate with the lacing system, locking down the midfoot while allowing the shoe to move naturally with the foot. Articulated padding is then added to the collar, preventing heel-slippage and enhacing the premium feel.

Finally, after debuting to such acclaim on the XX8, the Jordan Flight Plate just had to make a return appearance. The Pebax moderator plate, which maximizes the responsiveness of the Zoom Air units for superlative cushioning, has been redesigned for the Air Jordan XX9, now featuring a tendril — a small bridge of outsole that improves the heel-to-toe transition.

In response to customer demand, the Air Jordan XX9 release date has been shifted back to September, around the start of basketball season, as opposed to the NBA All-Star break launch that the last several flagship models have undergone.