yeskeonthomas-blog

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About me

Hello my name is Keon Thomas “The Sneaker Expert” and I am from New York the home of fashion. I had every pair of Jordans from one to 14. Ever since I was a little kid I had Jordans on my feet. When I got older my love for the sneaker grew. My interest came from older brother being a sneakerhead and showing me why he found them to be so interesting. I thought Jordans were the coolest thing to wear and buy. This has opened my eyes into seeing where they came from and why they were designed. I am open to other brands but there is something about this sneaker that will stick forever. Maybe it is the history? Maybe just because it is Jordan?

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Nike started to branch out with new styles and ideas for shoes. It was heading into a different direction with foamposite, shock, and big air bubbles in shoes. The Air Jordan XII got started with a woman’s fashion shoe from the 19th century called “Nisshoki”. Michael Jordan is big on fashion and he knows women have a lot of it. He did not care if you made fun of him for wearing a women’s wrist band or something else feminine because he knew that it was stylish. On the Air Jordan XII there was more than just the women’s high heel for inspiration, but also the Japanese Rising Sun flag played a big role in the making of the shoe. The stitching down the sides resemble sun rays. If you look at past Air Jordan sneakers you will notice the famous “23” located somewhere on the sneaker. On the Air Jordan XII Michael wanted a different look with his number 23. An idea came to Michael Jordan to have 23 written down the tongue. A lot of good qualities were on the Air Jordan XII, for example they had the “zoom air” unit which was also the first Air Jordan to have a “zoom air” unit built into the shoe. They had a modified herringbone pattern for improved traction and a more improved carbon fiber shank plate. When the Air Jordan XII first released in 1996 they sold for $135.00, and five different color ways were released. In 2003 two color ways released selling for $135.00, and a pair of Air Jordan XII cleats released for athletes such as football players. A couple months later an Air Jordan XII package was sold which came with the Air Jordan XII, hoodie and hat which sold for $200. In 2004 four color ways came out of the Air Jordan XII, which went for $135.00, and three Air Jordan XII lows were released and sold for $115.00. The Air Jordan XII are my second favorite Jordan in my collection.

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The Air Jordan XI are loved by many sneaker fans and are always a sellout item. These are by far my favorite Jordan retro sneaker. The Air Jordan XI was his shoe for the 1995-1996 season. Tinker Hatfield thought that Nike should make a shoe out of materials that had never been used in a basketball shoe. At first, Tinker was thinking of using some high-end nylons, but then changed his mind. Tinker wanted the Air Jordan XI to look like a convertible with a shiny body. That is why the Air Jordan XI had patent leather around the whole shoes. Not only was it the patent leather on the Air Jordan XI that made them special but the addition of a lightweight phylon midsole with a full length air sole unit and full length carbon fiber plate under the shoe. But of course just like any great invention there was many problems that came with them. For the look of the shoe itself, Tinker was thinking of something different to inspire him on his next design. Tinker said “If you’re an artist, then anything can inspire you” so when Tinker saw a yellow lawn mower you wonder how he fit that into the Jordan XI. “There are designers out there designing lawn mowers to look like sports cars.” In 1995-96 playoffs, Michael had a bad fall wearing the Air Jordan XI and that is because of the poor traction of the shoe. Also the midsole would get creases very fast which is very unattractive to buyers. When the Air Jordan XI came out in 1995 they sold for $124.99. Only five pairs of the Air Jordan XI “Space Jams” were made for Michael for the movie Space Jam. Five colorways re-released in 2001-2002 going for $125.00. Eight Air Jordan XI lows were released in 2001 which sold for $120.00, and two of the low tops were released in 2003 $119.00. In 2006, a Defining Moments Package was released which contained the Air Jordan XI and Air Jordan VI. This is in my opinion one of the most popular Jordan’s to ever be created.

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The Air Jordan VI was probably the most remarkable and historical retro in the collection in my opinion. Michael Jordan wore the Air Jordan Retro VI during his first NBA title game. Jordan wore the Air Jordan VI when he won his first NBA Finals MVP. This is a very important shoe in the Jordan collection. This is one shoe to remember if you are a true Jordan fan and sneaker head. On the Air Jordan VI Michael Jordan want to have a clean toe on the shoe. Tinker Hatfield made sure that the Air Jordan VI had a reinforcement around the toe making it look more firm and clean. This design actually made it the first basketball model sneaker to have this. Original Air Jordan VI Tinker designed two holes on the top of the tongue and one loop on the back, calling it “a spoiler”. He did this because Jordan had trouble putting on the past five models so he wanted an easier shoe that he can just slip on. The Air Jordan VI was the second model to have the clear rubber sole. When the Air Jordan V was released a lot of people complained that their children were falling because the soles would collect dust that was on the court making the sole slippery and dangerous to play basketball with on hardwood floors. Now on the Air Jordan VI Tinker added a more solid rubber so that the slippery condition would not happen when wearing the Retro VI. Michael wanted the heel tab positioned so it did not hit his Achilles tendon. This made the Jordan VI the first shoe to have any sort of molded structure on the back. The last touch Tinker gave was incorporated the number “23” on the design of the shoe. When the original Air Jordan VI came out in 1991 there were five color way models that retailed for $125.00. In 2000 three models were re-released of the Air Jordan VI selling for $120.00 and in 2002 three low top versions came out which sold for $105.00. In 2005 Jordan Brand released a DMP which stands for “Defining Moments Package”, which consisted of the Air Jordan VI and XI which retailed for $295.00. Ironically I bought a pair of these sneakers and still have not worn them outside my house.

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The Air Jordan Retro V was released in February 1990. Four models of the Air Jordan V was released to the public. The original Air Jordan Retro V had two models which are the Black-Metallic Silver and White and Fire Red. Each sneaker had Jordan’s number “23” on the side of the sneaker. These shoes were very exclusive at the time. They were limited to only 100 pairs each and were given to unfortunate kids or auctioned off as charity. The Air Jordan V was the first in the Air Jordan line to have a clear rubber sole. This separated the shoes from all the others that came before. Tinker Hatfield also designed the Nike’s Marty MacFly’s sneakers that was featured in the movie Back to the Future II, they had clear molding which allowed light to come through the side of the sneaker and that is where Tinker got the idea from. Air Jordan Retro V also was the first time anyone had ever molded foam into the upper part of the shoe. The Air Jordan Retro V was the first very distinct Jordan at the time. When you look at the Air Jordan V besides the icy soles you see the flames on the side. Tinker came to the conclusion that the way Michael performed was “like a Fighter Plane”. When the Air Jordan V was designed, the inspiration behind it was “grey nurse shark” or Super Marine Spitfire MK VIII, which is a World War II British fighter plane. To add to the finishing touches of the shoe, Tinker added a reflective 3M tongue with Jumpman embroidery. When the Air Jordan V first came out in 1990 they retailed for $125.00. In 2000 when the Air Jordan V made its second appearance they sold for $120.00. In 2006 Jordan Brand re-release the Air Jordan V once again but this time the price bumped up to $135.00. This is where we see higher technology starting to take over in the sneaker business. This is a very attractive sneaker. I bought the Fire Red Vs back in high school and have not looked back since

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In 1989 Tinker Hatfield was back working on the newest version of the Jordan sneaker. How would he top the Air Jordan III?  Air Jordan Original IV Military. Tinker wanted to get further into performance, rather than some other inspiration that was used on the last three models. The Air Jordan IV was the first in the line that had an over-molded mesh. The reason for this is because the consumer was starting to think the shoe was made cheap. So designer Tinker dipped the mesh in a soft plastic and blew air through it to clear out the plastic in between. When the Air Jordan 4 was first released in 1989, people really did not like the shoe. Over a little bit of time the model grew on a lot of people. Another feature of the Air Jordan IV had was the capability to lace your IVs in 18 different patterns. This gave your IVs your own style. The overall personality of the Air Jordan IV was saying “get back to work.” Michael was a father and husband for the first time in his life, and since the Air Jordan III was such a luxurious model, MJ and Tinker wanted to bring back to the original draw board. When the AJ IVs were first released in 1989 they retailed at $110.00. In 1999-2000 when the IVs made another appearance they sold for $100.00, also in 2004 they retailed for $110.00. In 2005 Air Jordan did a collaboration with UNDFTD, auctioning off the sneakers for about $1500.00. Also an Air Jordan IV Laser package was released with a t-shirt and hat that retailed for $200.00, and later that year Jordan Brand released a black color way of the laser IVs that retailed for $175.00. In 2006 a pair of “Rare Air” IVs released costing $125.00. This is one of my favorite retros because they a very comfortable and look good on the feet. I had about three different colorways of this retro.

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The Air Jordan III Retro OG "Black / Cement" also known as the Black Cement 3s originally released in 1988. Michael Jordan won the Most Valuable Player in the 1988 All-Star Game. He was the unanimous choice for MVP and had 40 points and 8 rebounds as he led the Eastern Conference All-Stars to a 138-133 win over the Western Conference. The Air Jordan Black Cement 3s was the first Air Jordan model designed by Tinker Hatfield. Hatfield designed many of Jordan’s sneakers. He designed all the OG retros from one to fifteen. Working closely with Jordan, they were designed to be durable and lightweight, featured an iconic elephant print that was extremely unique at this time, a visible air sole unit, and a never before seen "Jumpman" logo on the tongue of the sneaker. Due to their popularity, the Air Jordan Black Cement 3s has been re-released several times throughout the years and always sells out quickly. It first reappeared in 1994, followed by a second retro in 2001. It returned again in 2008, as part of the brand’s 23rd anniversary “Countdown Pack,” and was last seen in 2011. The Black Cement 3s Air Jordan released in February 2018, to coincide with the 2018 NBA All-Star Game that was just played in Los Angeles. With soft tumbled leather and "Nike Air" branding on the heel that stays true to the original, it is safe to say that the 2018 re-release version will also be a highly bought product for the sneakhead community. The Air Jordan III did not just help Jordan on the court because they looked cool. They were also a massive step forward for the Jordan brand and company. They were the first Jordans to feature visible Nike Air new technology. Debuting the year after the original Nike Air Max sneaker. But the Jordan III remains one of the most beloved Air Jordan sneaker by many sneakerheads as the first to truly represent "His Airness."

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The Air Jordan Retro II made its first appearance in 1986. The colorway was similar to the Retro I, which was the white and red colorway. The other three color ways were released in 1987. Bruce Kilgore and Peter Moore were both designers of the Retro II. After the release of the Retro II they were both dismissed from making any more Jordan models after the II. In 1986 the Air Jordan II retailed at $105.00. The price increased because of the popularity that Jordan was gaining at the time. The Air Jordan II high tops and low tops were very stylish and different from the first retro made. From the sales the Retro II were just as popular as the Retro I. All of the original Air Jordan IIs were made in Italy. People say the original Air Jordan II mold was either destroyed or was stolen. When the Air Jordan II re-released in 1994-95, Nike designers had to dissect the original pair, and when Jordan Brand re-released the Air Jordan II again in 2004, they had to dissect a pair of the 1994-95. On the Air Jordan II there was not a black color way produced but there was many sketches and prototypes that were put together. One of the most collectable pair of sneakers is the Air Jordan II K.O. Very little are in existence and also very few people even have a picture of them. In 1995 the Air Jordan II was re-released in the high top version as well as the low top version. They went for $105.00 which was the same as the originals but just like the Air Jordan I they did not sell well, hitting sales racks for about $20. In 2004 the Air Jordan II once again made an appearance, with a price tag of $110.00. Also in 2004-2005 the Air Jordan II lows were released retailing at $100.00. These are my least favorite Jordan in the collection.

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The first Jordan to ever be made and will change the sneaker game forever. 1985 was a big year for Michael Jordan. It was not only because Michael Jordan was rookie of the year and played in the All-Star game, but because the Air Jordan Retro I was being released. The Air Jordan Retro I was the first shoe to be worn in the National Basketball Association with different colors on the shoe. Peter Moore was one of the people who created the Air Jordan I. When Jordan first saw the Retro I he did not like them at first. When Michael Jordan first looked at the Air Jordan I, his response was “I’m not wearing that shoe. I’ll look like a clown”. After a little bit of time the shoe grew on him. The original Air Jordan Retro I retailed at $65.00. A couple weeks after the release of the Air Jordan I, David Stern who was the commissioner of the NBA banned one of the most popular shoe of the decade. Every time Jordan stepped on the court with a pair of the Retro I he would have to pay a couple thousand dollars in fines. Nike found this to be a great investment and the future of sneakers. They loved this idea so much that they wanted Jordan to wear the sneakers. Anytime Jordan would get fined, Nike would pay the fees. From all the fines and negative talk about Jordan’s sneaker, Nike gave the Air Jordan I “The shoe banned by the NBA” label. There was 23 different color ways released. Each Jordan shoe came with two sets of laces which matched the color combination. In 1994 Nike re-released the Air Jordan 1, which retailed for $80.00, but they did not sell that many, hitting sales racks for as low as $20.00. In 2001 the Air Jordan Retro I was re-released. Definitely one of my favorite Jordan sneaker.