Air Jordan 16

The Air Jordan 16 (XVI) was released in 2001. Following the success of theAir Jordan 15 (XV), there was no doubt that Nike/JB would continue to release Air Jordan’s. The Air Jordan 16 (XVI)s were the next shoe to hit the shelves.

Hatfield moves on
The Air Jordan 16 (XVI) were designed by Nike’s Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith. This meant it was the first design since the Air Jordan 3 (III) that Tinker Hatfield wasn’t behind. Hatfield was said to have moved up and he left Smith with the hard task in creating a revolutionary new design.

Smith decided to bring in a few design elements/fabrics from earlier releases. For instance we saw the return of the clear rubber sole (Air Jordan 5 (V), Air Jordan 6 (VI), Air Jordan 11 (XI)) and they also featured patent leather (Air Jordan 11 (XI)).

Gaiter on – gaiter off
But what made the Air Jordan 16 (XVI) unique was the brand new gaiter/shroud that covered the shoe and that could be removed to give the shoe a brand new look. Not only was this for stylish purposes, it also had a thermal functionality

In 1999, Michael Jordan declared to retire from NBA for the second time. The main feature of Nike Air Jordan 16 is that its quarter can be withdrawn and the design is very innovative. And the design and technology are both greatly improved.