Air Jordan 18 (XVIII)

Air Jordan 18 (XVIII) - The creator of the design of Air Jordan 18 (XVII) was Tate Kuerbis. A person that had been part of the Jordan footwear design team since 1999 and with Nike since 1995 so designing shoes was nothing new to Tate. Like always with the newest Air Jordan to release, Jordan Brand wanted to bring out the latest in technology. The Air Jordan 18 (XVIII) contained air vents, carbon comfort plate, hidden quick lace system, suede leather uppers and zoom air sole.The inspiration of the design is a combination of a number of things, sleek racing lines of the auto world, carbon fiber-based monocoque of F1 race cars, Race car driving shoes (rubber heel wrap) and Fine Italian dress shoes. The Air Jordan 18 (XVIII) was released in 2003 and was the shoe for Jordan’s last season. Jordan played for the Washington Wizards, but his knees didn’t hold up for all of the games. Jordan returned towards the end of the season and ended his career on April 16, 2003 in a loss against the 76ers. Though many would love to see Jordan back yet again, its pretty safe to say that Jordan has retired...for good.

Since the uppers were made out of suede, they did attract a lot of dust, dirt marks and scuffs. Also the soles and mid sole were made of rubber, and just like the Air Jordan V they collect dust, which can make someone slip and fall. If you played in an indoor gym, you were OK. On the Air Jordan 16 (XVI) and 17 (XVII) Jordan Brand would use the “+” for a modified model. The Air Jordan 18 (XVIII) used a (XVII) .5 or 18.5, which ever way you wanted to write them. Pretty much nothing changed except the removal of the cover, and the jumpman was now on the side of the shoe, also the date 1985-2003 was put on. The Air Jordan 18 did not come with a fancy carrying case, or CD but they did come with a nice slide out box, towel, brush, and an “Air Jordan XVIII Driver’s Manual” pamphlet. In 2003 the Air Jordan 18 released three models, two low models. Later in 2003 the Air Jordan XVIII.5 released in two color ways.