New Air Jordans borrow high-tech tricks

The Associated Press

Published Sunday, January 18, 2009

Three years of engineering have gone into developing the new Air Jordan sneakers - the Air Jordan 2009 - which are described by the designer in words normally heard in the world of auto manufacturing.

"We framed the process as fuel injection into the chassis," Jason Mayden, senior footwear designer for Jordan Brand, tells the AP.

And don’t forget about the "zoom air bag," which acts as a cushion in the toe box.

"There are similarities between cars and footwear. They are both forms of transportation. They have to be ergonomic; they have to fit, be safe. You have to study how the anatomy functions," Mayden says.

The design of the shoe, which is made of polishable white leather with white satin pleating and stitching done in rows of two and three to represent Michael Jordan’s iconic No. 23, also borrows technology and some of its aesthetics - including metal mesh - from fencing.

No two shoes are exactly the same. Each one has its blown glass-inspired chassis, the base of the midsole, injected with a unique swirl pattern, representing the artistic side of Jordan’s personality, Mayden says.

Air Jordans debuted in 1985 during Jordan’s first season, and Jordan Brand was formed as a division of Nike in 1997.

A limited-release Air Jordan 2009, available Jan. 31, will have a black-metallic gold colorway and cost $230 a pair.

The broader launch of the white shoe happens over the NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 14 when the price drops to $190.