Today we take a quick look at the The Air Jordan Retro 9, one of the most popular of this line of sneakers and review its features. That can be no question as to whether this line of sneakers changed the course of history as it relates to basketball shoes on the courts and in the streets. Since the first signature pair came out in the mid-1980s, the sneaker world has never been the same. Almost 30 editions later, the debate still rages on about which is the best of the lot. The Air Jordan Retro 9 Basketball shoes is one which many rank among the best for several reasons. With its clean, futuristic look, many feel it deserves to be rated as one of the classics from the line.
History
The Retro 9 are the only shoes in the Air Jordan retro line that Michael Jordan didn’t wear in competition. That’s because the legendary player surprisingly quit the sport just before the start of the 1993-1994 NBA season. It is said that Nike wanted to shelve the line as a result but shoe designer, Tinker Hatfield, decided to continue making Air Jordans due to their wild popularity. As such, the Air Jordan Retro 9 basketball shoe saw the light of day and performed beyond expectations just as the others before had done.
Design
Borrowing from Michael Jordan’s other passion, baseball, the Retro 9 is among the most distinctive Air Jordan ever made. The shoe sports design elements of the baseball cleats the icon used to wear but still stood out as an authentic basketball sneaker. The overall package is smooth, with earlier versions coming in black, white and grey. The Air Jordan inner bootie look, trademark speed-laces and mesh tongue add to the shoe’s distinctive look. Built for comfort and speed, the Air Jordan Retro 9 shoes have a meaty rubber sole, which allows for ultimate impact protection for the feet. Overall, they are a sight for sore eyes, whether in traditional neutral tones or the multiple color ways that have been added over the years.
Today
As time passes, the Air Jordan Retro 9 shoe continues to play its part in advancing the brand as the most impactful signature shoe line in history. They also have the distinction of being the sneaker that is featured on the MJ statue in Chicago.
