Jordan 15: 5 Reasons Why This Sneaker is a Classic

The Jordan 15 stands out among Michael Jordan’s 30 signature sneakers as one of his more unconventional shoes, designed by Tinker Hatfield to draw inspiration from an X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft.

The AJ15 features a checkered Kevlar upper that mimics the aerodynamic design of its counterpart X-15. Furthermore, this sneaker comes equipped with a Pebax heel counter, hidden speed lacing system, and Dynamic Fit sleeve for comfort and fit.

Origins

The Jordan 15 was one of the first shoes to incorporate a woven upper, along with being one of the first sneakers with a forefoot Zoom Air unit and unique tongue design, possibly inspired by Michael Jordan’s habit of sticking his tongue out while playing basketball.

Tinker Hatfield took an enormous stylistic risk with this shoe’s design, taking his biggest stylistic risk since starting his career designing sneakers with this silhouette.

Although not one of Jordan’s more enduring silhouettes, its legacy continues to inspire new generations of sneakerheads and sneaker enthusiasts.

This Air Jordan 2 Retro “Origins” pays homage to its Italian heritage by featuring a colorway inspired by the Italian flag.

A palette of White, Fire Red, Fir, and Sail conjures up thoughts of Italy while smooth and tumbled leather provides premium quality construction; red and Green accents on inner lining, heel piping, and Wings-branded tongues further complete this aesthetic look; finally, Cement Grey midsole and outsole finish off this look.

Trophy Room released a deconstructed Jordan 15 in 2017, featuring an olive-woven upper with mismatched left and right shoe colors as well as different hues of blue on both shoes. Limited to 200 pairs, they later made an appearance in Virgil Abloh’s “The Ten” collection.

Design

Air Jordan 15 was one of the most innovative sneakers from their line and one of their most controversial.

As the first sneaker with a woven upper and inner sleeve for dynamic fit, its design echoed that of an X-15 hypersonic fighter jet to represent Jordan’s own competitive spirit and pursuit of excellence.

Additionally, it featured a hidden tongue design with hidden laces; these bold design choices drew mixed responses from fans and shoe enthusiasts alike.

The AJ15 featured an asymmetrical collar designed to balance ankle support with flexibility, while its heel and forefoot were reinforced with carbon fiber support frames.

It featured a special lace cover designed to conceal laces; and its articulated area had six ridges to signify Jordan’s championships.

Flightweave fabric created in Italy was used for strength and performance enhancement; plus this sneaker introduced new Zoom Air technology featuring low-profile cushions to boost cushioning and rebound.

Although its striking appearance made the AJ15 stand out, it was one of Jordan’s most comfortable court shoes ever worn on court.

NBA players such as Ray Allen, Michael Finley and Reggie Miller all favored Player Exclusive editions during their playing careers; today it remains popular among casual and professional athletes such as Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler.

Reception

The Air Jordan 15 received mixed reviews upon its debut in 1999. Tinker Hatfield took inspiration for this sneaker from NASA’s X-15 fighter jet, crafting an intricate woven upper inspired by premium Italian shoes as well as moccasins – and added features like a hidden speed lacing system and inner Dynamic Fit sleeve that adapts the shoe to each foot’s natural shape for enhanced performance.

The shoes’ aesthetic was met with considerable criticism as being too flashy and extravagant, yet still gained widespread interest among basketball players – NBA stars such as Michael Finley, Ray Allen, and Reggie Miller all donned player-exclusive versions of the AJ15.

While not as iconic as its counterpart, the Air Jordan 15 (AJ15) has still seen several significant retro releases over time – including one with Japanese fashion designer Hiroshi Fujiwara in 2017.

These revivals gave new life to an already iconic sneaker while sparking interest from younger fans.

Jordan Brand announced earlier this year that pop sensation Billie Eilish would collaborate with them on an upcoming pair of sneakers, with her choosing one of their smaller models – Air Jordan 15s in particular – as being her choice.

These will be released to select Nike stores and online locations on Saturday in a monochromatic “Beige” colorway and can be preordered.

Influence

The Air Jordan 15’s controversial aesthetic has cemented its place as an icon, beloved by those who appreciate its audacious spirit and longstanding legacy.

Additionally, its increasing resale value has cemented its place as a collectible item – making it essential for many collectors.

The original Air Jordan 15 has made numerous appearances in popular culture and media, including Space Jam (1996), Hoosiers (1992) and Kubo and the Two Strings (2017) animated features.

Furthermore, NBA superstars like Ray Allen, Michael Finley, Reggie Miller have all donned it during games or practices.

Tinker Hatfield was inspired by the X-15 fighter jet when designing this shoe, featuring its innovative woven upper, hidden speed-lace system, Dynamic Fit sleeve for adaptive fit and responsive cushioning from Zoom Air.

There are multiple colorways to choose from OG black and Varsity Red as well as limited editions like Fragment by Hiroshi Fujiwara.

Rarity and special editions make the Air Jordan 15 an essential for fans of the brand.