Air Jordan XVI

The Air Jordan XVI provided both off the court comfort and on the court performance during the past 2 years in our fleet. We were able to wear all the colorways of the Mid and Low tops with the exception of the white/navy combination. Good or bad, the XVI will forever be known as the shoe that started this whole shroud business (all the way through the XIX). The XVI's shroud is detachable via magnets to provide a different look and feel on & off the courts.

The sole of the XVI will unavoidably turn yellow over time. The black/red colorway's traction is notorious for being slippery. The other colorways have dramatically improved their soles to provide much improved traction.

Comfort is as expected for a performance luxury flagship shoe from Jordan. Interior uses inline bootie for seamless comfort. Internal lacing structure provides a near lock down fit - making the shoes feel like an extension of your foot.

Performance is also a high point for the XVI. While the traction is forgettable for the black/red colorway, the traction for all the other colorways is incredibly grippy. Responsiveness and low profile chassis is tuned for quick & slashing type of players.

Cushioning is low and responsive with forefoot Zoom Air and Blow-molded Air unit in the rear. While it is very supportive, the cushioning does feel like it will bottom out with heavier forwards and centers

There’s not much ankle inversion support on this shoe. However, because the shoe is low profile and well-balanced, it may negate some of those situations where you might tweak your ankle. Players looking for maximum support should bypass this shoe since it is best suited for light-weight and flexibility.

Design is busy, very uncharacteristically busy. Is it just concidence Tinker wasn't involved in an Air Jordan for the first time? The XVI is trying to fit too many things that defined Air Jordans onto one shoe. Trying to be all things to all people rarely works. Although it's starting to look better and better to us with each passing day, it just seems like the XVI was unable to capture any single characteristic.

Comments:

"Shoes look too good when new and too ugly when old."

"Black/Red: traction or ice-skating?"

"For wearing on the courts, just buy the ginger or cherrywood. Leave the the other colors for staring."

"What's the Shroud for again?"

Air Jordan XVI HIGHS: The removable gaiter or shroud, whatever you wish to call it, is the innovative concept on the XVI. The shoe also combines the highlights of previous Jordan models into this one shoe. Overall fit and feel makes the shoe feel like an extension of your foot, resulting in both comfort and on court performance. Low top version comes with a convertible drop top concept. LOWS: the traction on the black/red can get very slippery but the same problem does not exist in the other colorways. Durability gets a low mark due to bad quality of material and craftsmanship (chipped paint, easily scuff'ed upper, wrinkled and cracked patent leather). VERDICT: Shoes are also condition sensitive due to the clear soles that yellow easily, which has translated into high demand for deadstock XVI's. OVERALL RATING: 7.7 / 10 Comfort: 8.5 Performance: 8.5 Cushioning: 8 Safety: 7 Weight: 7.5 Durability: 6.5 Style: 7.5