The Jordan Brand recently unveiled in Italy the latest version of Michael Jordan’s iconic sneaker, the Air Jordan XXXII. Here’s your first look at the inspiration behind the shoe, the hardware and when you can get them.
Inspiration
Aesthetically, Air Jordan XXXI was inspired by Air Jordan I, similarly 32 draws its inspiration from the Air Jordan II, but brings it into modern times with some serious tech under the hood. In a press release his Airness himself, Michael Jordan said “[w]e’ve always explored new materials and technology to create the best game shoe. That was evident when we went to Italy to make the II, and it still rings true today. On the XXXII, we challenged our designers to push the limits while staying true to the brand’s DNA.”
Under the Hood
While the XXXII is similar to the II in style, the underlying tech is all 2K. The shoe has a first-of-its-kind Flyknit upper with high-tenacity yarn. The knit structure reduces stiffness at the forefoot and modernizes the moccasin-like toe box of the Jordan II. Designer Tate Kuerbis noted that he “wanted to make the laces just disappear into the knit structure, but inside there is a whole harness system with webbing that really locks down your foot.” In addition, Kuerbis explained that “[f]or the XXXII, we pistoned the bag just as much as the XXVIII, but we smoothed out the transition.” It also improves court feel and is aided by a fresh traction pattern, a herringbone formed of a series of almost wiper blade-like shapes.
Styles & Release Dates
The Air Jordan XXXII will for the first time come in high, mid and low versions. First up, the Air Jordan XXXII Rosso Corsa, which in Italian means “racing red” and represents Italy’s historic national automotive color hue first used in the 1920s by Italian racing teams in international competitions. The Rossa Corsa will retail for $185 and drops globally on September 23rd. It will be followed by mid and low versions in the form of the Air Jordan XXXII Bred and the Air Jordan XXXII Bred low, both following a more traditional black color palette, both drop globally on October 18th.
