D'Wayne D'man
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Carbon fiber OD,
the Air Jordan XXI, is a performance-oriented Air Jordan. After the lace-cover,
shrouds, straps and leash, this "simple" Air Jordan designed
by D'Wayne Edwards is a welcome relief. Easy to wear and it promises to
be ultra-light weight. No more fiddly straps and lace covers to struggle
with. But beneath its simple outward appearance is a whole host of high
tech materials and production techniques to maximise support and comfort.
The AJ 21 features huge, tightly woven carbon fiber shank plate, improved
outsole dual-level traction pattern and Independent Podular Suspension
(IPS™). ABOVE : These early samples (see ABOVE) have three IPS™ pods in the forefoot and symbols beneath it. The forefoot pods are interchangeable. But in the final production model (see BELOW) the forefoot pods is four non-interchangeable units without any symbols imprinted on the bottom. Note the XXI's beautifully sculpted carbon fibre shank plate.  The key technology of this shoe is inter-changeable heel cushioning system lets you choose between Zoom™ Air or Encapsulated Air. The IPS™ pods are transparent. Beneath it are symbols of MJ's excellence and legend. IPS™ pods are less protrusive and sits flusher to the outsole for more stability. The heel pod is changeable. The Zoom™ Air Pod is harder than the Encapsulated Air Pod. Smaller and quicker players prefer the Zoom™ Air pod because it's more responsive. Bigger and slower players prefer the Encapsulated Air Pod for softer cushioning and not requiring the responsiveness. New outsole dual-level DNA double-helix pattern allows you to stop on a dime and break plenty of ankles. Midfoot arch is supported by a beautifully sculpted ¾-length carbon fibre shank plate.  The shoe was inspired by the Bentley Continental GT coupe. There is some resemblance to the car presumably the car's "matrix" front grill and the Kirium™ mesh structure across the medial and lateral midfoot. Kirium™ mesh is highly breathable polyurethane mono mesh. The ankle support and inner bootie is made of Imperfirm™ foam that is heat-molded to conform with maleoli. The red thin edge of the extended heel counter imitates the unique styling of the Bentley's rear Central High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) that is just 3mm tall but fully one metre wide. Inside the shoe, it is lined with Picco Span™ moisture-wicking material.  The inner bootie (with Imperfirm™ backing) is quilted to give that luxurious feel of a limited edition version of the Bentley Continental's quilted seats. The seams of the shoes are closed seams in double-rows as per how the car seats have been constructed.  The AJ 21 is a nice clean shoe. Some say a little too clean and mundane compared to the radical AJ 20. Looks like a Reebok or an And1 clone. Why? Because Jordan fan's demanded it. Many were sick of the useless lace-cover and straps that made the last three Air Jordans (18, 19 and 20) difficult to get into. Following MJ's philopsophy of keeping it clean and simple and not having gimmicks unless they add a performance function, we now have the boring AJ 21. You see Jordanettes, Uncle Jordan does listen to you! Ask and ye shall get! OK, I want transparent outsole, foamposite uppers aka Flightposite and active shox for the next Air Jordans please... At first glance, the shoes is built for maximum performance and minimal weight. Off with the lace covers, and in its place is long, bright red high-grade nylon laces that look strong enough to hold a horse. The vamp in the early samples were silver mesh for ventilation, but in the production model, this was replaced by leather. Personally I like the leather vamp. It makes the shoes look cleaner and luxurious. Unfortunately ventilation is not great, and your feet will be drenched in sweat after more than an hour in these production models. It's a flood after two. So you need to wear a good pair of "Dri-Fit" socks to wick moisture away or else your feet will stink when you take off the shoes. Funky feet is the most offensive anti-social trait anyone can hope to have. Chicks get turned off by funky feet. Wars were started because of funky feet. So kill the funk and put it back on the shoes, homeboy. Ban funky feet.  ABOVE : These early samples have a mesh vamp. The three large lace-eyelets are black color. It's missing a black piece of "JORDAN" plastic near the toebox. The shoe box is squarish in shape. It opens up, revealing two separate "compartments" holding one side of the shoe. Notice the shoes sit upright instead of lying on its side. The extra space taken up will create storage problems for the already overcrowded closets and basements of hardcore sneakerheads. Nevertheless, I like the different packaging styles introduced by Jordan Brand since the AJ XVII was released in the metal case. It's different. It's special. There is a black nylon "purse" bag containing two black encapsulated AIR pods. Inside the box is also a postcard with a profile shot of the AJ 21. For more detailed pics of the shoe, please go here.  Ray Allen is wearing the red suede colorway of the XXI during the 2006 All-Stars Game at Houston. This Varsity Red colorway was inspired by custom racing boots made by www.stand21.fr. See below for Stand21's Le Mans racing boots and Ray Allen's XXI. Luxurious Italian suede, you can feel the lux oozing out of them. But for basketball purposes, suede tends to stretch and after a hard game, these Red Suede shoes may feel a little loose. Better for basketball are the full-grain leather White/Red/Black versions. Leather don't stretch as much. Nevertheless, these "red riding hood" suede version are jays that pimps would wear. Expect to break lots of necks with these red J's and also expect plenty of compliments from chicks and homos. Nice shoes homie! Wow! Where did you get those shoes? What are they? How much? What size are those? Give me your shoes or die!   SECRET MESSAGE. Each colourway of AJ 21 has a ultra-violet ink secret message that is only visible under black light. There's a code and if you're smart, you can decipher it. According to Josiah Lake, Brand Jordan Product Line manager, the hidden message could serve as anti-counterfeit measure. IMHO, I don't think it'll work effectively.  But still, it's a nice touch to the otherwise bland AJ 21. The secret message idea was from the movie, National Treasure, where treasure-hunter Nicholas Cage discovers a secret treasure map behind the "Declaration of Independence." 
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| "We pride ourselves on putting certain values in the products. Determination. Competitiveness. Design. Creativity. Style. Those are all the things that make up my personality. And they have been turned into a product that sells. " - Michael Jordan on Brand Jordan in CIGAR AFICIONADO Aug 2005, pg. 86 |
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| 2006 White/Varsity Red-Black | |
 The full catalog description is below: 313038-161 White/Varsity Red-Black Air Jordan XXI (Release date: Feb 18, 2006) Upper : Combination of luxurious Italian suedes with rich full-grain leathers. Forefoot breathability features are combined with a newly engineered durable textile for support and durability in key performance areas. Extended heel counter construction provides extended ankle support. Newly foam-backed quilted collar complements the seamless booty construction to provide maximum comfort. Breathable mesh is brought to the tongue to dissipate heat, while the adjustable tongue cover flips up to expose the breathable technology, or flips down for a more sophisticated look. Midsole : Fully-double lasted phylon midsole provide a low-profile stance. Evolution of the I.P.S (Independent Podular Suspension) now includes interchangeable cushioning technology with a customizable heel zoom pillar or heel encapsulated pillar. Carbon fiber shank plate offers midfoot and arch support. Outsole : New I.P.S. technology is integrated with the outsole through raised herringbone pods for traction in strategic performance areas. New innovative outsole pattern offers multi-directional traction. Profile : The future is now. The next generation of the greatest performance basketball shoe designed for the greatest player to ever play the game. The Air Jordan XXI shoe embodies all the elements: The man, the style, the legend... Michael Jordan |
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| 2006 Varsity Red-Black-Metallic Silver | |
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| 2006 Low White/University Blue-Metallic Silver | |
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| Head Designer : D'Wayne Edwards Technical Specs : Leather, breathable textile uppers. Double-overlasted phylon midsole supporting four I.P.S.(Independent Podular Suspension) "pods" on the outsole. Quilted lining/bootie. Carbon fibre shank plate. Interchangeable heel Zoom air pillar or encapsulated air pillar. Price : US$175 (on Feb 18, 2006) Packaging : |
