XXI : Taking the Independent Podular System to another level

The Independent Podular Suspension cushioning system first appeared in the Air Jordan XX. That shoe had ten pods per shoe and gave it's outsole a distinctive look. In the Air Jordan XXI, the number of pods has been reduced to five. Four in the forefoot area and one large interchangeable pod at the rearfoot area. That's right, it's interchangeable between Zoom Air pods and Encapsulated Air pods! How do you change the pods, I hear you ask? Well, you just lift the insole and right away you see the red Zoom Air pod underneath. Just pop out the pod by pressing on the clear window of the outsole. Very easy thing to do. Just don't rip out the entire insole from the shoe. I think the forefoot area is firmly glued to the shoe and who knows what will happen if they are damaged.

The AJ 21 comes in a glossy gun-metal coloured box with subtle DNA double-helix pattern running in the background. Open the box and you'll see the shoes compartmentalised into two section similar to the AJ 19's split fold box.

Inside is a small nylon bag containing two black encapsulated Air pods. The Zoom Air pods are already installed inside the shoes. Also included is an Air Jordan 21 postcard.

The production models have a soft black JORDAN plastic piece near the toebox but the samples don't. The encapsulated Air pods up close are soft if you squeeze it at one pressure point but solid if the pressure is distributed across the whole surface.

The insole can be lifted up to expose the Zoom Air pods if you ever want to switch to the encapsulated Air pods. I don't recommend removing the entire insole because the forefoot area seems to be glued to the shoe. Above are the three largish eyelets that are silver in colour. In the early samples of the shoes, the eyelets were black! I think silver is great and makes the shoe cleaner looking.

The beautifully sculpted carbon fibre plate has a high arch. Above it is suede and semi-rigid plastic mesh backing a breathable fabric material. This should aid the ventilation of the shoes.

The plastic tipped laces have a sophisticated ovoid profile. The solid red laces are made of super strong, heavy weight nylon. The mesh part on the front lateral toebox area provides cross ventilation.

The tongue has a flip tab similar to the AJ XX for locking laces. The lining of the shoes is quilted synthetic fabric material. Lift up the insole and you'll expose the pod.

The pod "socket" after removing the Zoom Air pod. The thin clear window does not look durable enough for outdoor courts. This AJ 21 is definitely an indoor basketball shoe.

The Zoom Air cushioning system upclose. The medial ankle area has a mesh cutout for the malleoli. There's a secret message hidden and only visible under "black light" or UV lamp.

The dual-level DNA strand herringbone pattern offers a great amount of grip on indoor and outdoor courts. But I don't recommend using it outdoors as the rearfoot IPS rubber is very thin and will perforate easily. The transparent window of the IPS becomes apparent when the pod is removed.

Early samples of the AJ 21 had metallic mesh on the vamp. In these production model, the metallic mesh is replaced by leather (see below). Also the samples did not have that black JORDAN plastic piece near the toebox.

The early samples had three IPS pods in the forefoot. The pods on the samples had symbols on it. As you can see below, the production model has four plain IPS pods with no symbols on it.

The densely woven carbon fibre plate is beautifully sculpted. Stunning and probably explains the high price of the AJ 21.

WARNING ! DO NOT USE THE PICTURES WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION, WITH THE INTENTION OF DEFRAUDING OTHERS OR ATTEMPT TO GAIN SOMETHING FINANCIALLY OR OTHERWISE. DO NOT USE THE PICTURES IN ONLINE AUCTIONS, I'LL COME AND KILL YOU. SERIOUSLY!!!