The Air Jordan XX3/XXIII

Air Jordan 23 ( XX3) - The Air Jordan XX3/XXIII is the first basketball shoe to be made under the "Considered" ethos, meaning the shoe is made with the environment in mind, according to an article in Jet magazine. The shoe was constructed using the absolute minimum amount of adhesive to make it more environmentally sound, while the soles, which are designed from Jordan's own fingerprint, are made from recycled rubber. It is considered the most technologically advanced Jordan model to date, and according to Gentry Humphrey, the head of the Jordan design team, it may be the last actual Air Jordan. Starting at the toe, the toe cap has Jordan’s signature embossed. The side of the shoe features a stitched pattern that gives the shoes strength in addition to cosmetic effect. The tongue of the left and right are different for a first time with a jumpman logo on the right shoe and the number “23" embedded on the left shoe. The shoe also features a glittery glossy panel that covers the midsole body of the sneaker.


The shoe was released in three different colorways from January to February, with a limited edition release where 23 retailers around the world sold the shoe, before its national release in February. The Air Jordan 23 XX3/XXIII model had virtually eliminated the Jumpman logo. It is found only on the tongue of the right sneaker, and completely missing on the left sneaker, except on the ends of the shoelaces. It is one of the most complex and complicated shoes of its time and much research and development went into the shoe to find the perfect look and feel. An automotive quality painting process was used for the backside of the Thermo Plastic Urethane chassis is completed by an efficient robot arm to maximize the quality, consistency and durability of the paint and component. To help out with the environment, the outsole is composed of environmentally preferred materials that reduces the toxins and uses the Nike grind material from footwear outsole manufacturing waste.The same ingenuity and effort that went into the upper can be seen in the mid-sole/outsole. A full length Zoom Air sole unit was used to provide superior cushioning. Another noticeable feature is how light the shoe feels. Weighing in only at 15 ounces, the lightness of the shoe increases the agility and stability. One of the most important aspects of the Air Jordan 23 XX3/XXIII is its exterior and it is composed of many different materials and designs. Air Jordan XX3 (23)For the upper, a newly engineered technique that uses a machine to stitch the upper in 3-D form was implemented into design.



A very important aspect of the shoe is its high comfort level; a dual density sock liner offers full comfort while the recovery foam around the heel conforms to foot shapes to create a more custom fit. The reinforced quarter panels from and holds the exact shape and the breathable tongue allows air to escape, which keeps the foot cooler. The Air Jordan XX3 features some unique designs that add that special touch to the shoe. An imprint of Michael Jordan’s fingerprint is seen as the pattern on the outsole. More of Michael Jordan went into the shoe besides his fingerprint; his signature can be seen on the toecap, a nice touch added to the shoe. The handcrafted Micheal Jordan stitch pattern offers beautiful detailing and function.