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Air Jordan 15 Release Dates
Tinker Hatfield’s Air Jordan 15 (XV) was released in 1999, following Michael Jordan’s second retirement from basketball. The Air Jordan 15’s design was very calculated. The silhouette was modeled after the X-15 hypersonic jet and featured Kevlar aramid fibers on the upper to honor MJ’s stealth on-court. This would be the first shoe in Jordan’s signature line that he would never play in. Read more about the Air Jordan 15 here.
Launched in 1999, the Air Jordan 15 holds the distinct honor of being the first model introduced after Michael Jordan's second retirement from the NBA. Designed by Tinker Hatfield, the silhouette took inspiration from the North American X-15, a hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft, known for its unparalleled speed and altitude capabilities. This audacious design motif gave the sneaker a futuristic aesthetic, characterized by its woven Kevlar upper, prominent tongue that mimics Jordan's infamous out-sticking tongue, and a seamless heel counter, a design cue taken from the rear of the X-15 aircraft.
Furthermore, the shoe incorporated Zoom Air cushioning units for optimal comfort and performance, a crucial element in meeting the needs of high-energy players on the court. The overall design of the Air Jordan 15, while innovative and bold, initially received mixed reactions from sneaker enthusiasts due to its avant-garde and unconventional look. Yet, colorways like the "Stealth" and "Obsidian," and a later "Laser" edition, helped cement the sneaker's place within the Air Jordan lineage.
Over the years, the Air Jordan 15 has been periodically retro-ed, capturing the attention of new generation sneakerheads. Despite its polarizing aesthetic, the sneaker has grown to be appreciated as a symbol of the Jordan brand's audacious spirit, a testament to their willingness to push the boundaries of sneaker design even in the absence of MJ on the court.
