Air Jordan 15 (XV)

Air Jordan 15 (XV) - the first Air Jordan model released after Jordan's 1999 2nd retirement from the NBA, it shared a similarity to the Air Jordan IX in that Jordan never played professionally in the shoe. There was also concern about the shoe's comfort. The tongue of the shoe stuck out to mimic Jordan's well known habit of sticking his tongue out while playing. The woven kevlar Jordan XV was modeled after the X-15. Since Michael Jordan retired once again, people started saying that the Air Jordan line should be discontinued. But of course, Tinker Hatfield, Michael and the other designers thought otherwise. It was time to look for inspirations, something different, something not previously used on another shoe. So the idea of the Air Jordan 15 would be to pay respect to Michael and his years in the NBA. The X-15 fighter plane came into mind at the moment.




This plane broke the speed records, and set its own at 4,502 miles per hour. The X-15 is the best there ever was, just like Michael. Rumor also has it that the tongue on the Air Jordan XV is inspired by Michael Jordan, since he always sticks his tongue out when he goes for a dunk, shot, or layup. The quality of them was terrible, the inner sleeve was too loose, and very uncomfortable. Some nice features of the Air Jordan XV are the hidden quick-lace system, seamless dynamic-fit sleeve, Kevlar mesh uppers, Zoom Air sole, rubber herringbone pods, injected TPR external heel counter, and a breathable leather pattern. This was to be the last Air Jordan model design Tinker Hatfield's last Air Jordan but would later came back to design the Air Jordan XX model. This Air Jordan model however is widely recognized as being somewhat of a failure in terms of performance and style. Three pairs of low Air Jordan XV and a total of four color ways were released 1999-2000.