Air Jordan 13

‘Court Purple’

Legendary Nike sneaker designer Tinker Hatfield often compared iconic basketball legend Michael Jordan’s moves on the court to a panther’s. While Hatfield and Jordan had never met before, Hatfield identifying this similarity, Hatfield began drawing up the designs for what would become the Air Jordan 13. Oddly enough, Jordan’s friends nicknamed him the ‘Black Cat,’ which was inspired by Jordan’s strategic moves on the court during his 1997-1998 season in the NBA. Jordan would carefully watch his players, and then all of a sudden, he would make a quick move to steal the ball, similar to the speed and intricateness of a panther.

Released the same year as Michael Jordan’s second retirement from the NBA, the Air Jordan 13 maintained a strong contrast compared to the sneaker line’s previous silhouettes. Released initially with options for five midway colors and two low-way colors, the Air Jordan 13 boasted a panther’s eye hologram at the upper. The bold silhouette features the number 23, a basketball, and a signature Jumpman logo. The lower part of the shoe, the outsole, was meant to look like a paw. The quilted laterals are inspired by Jordan’s love of vintage cards, while the overall silhouette is an ode to the classical ‘90s sneaker design cues. Featuring a Python midsole, the forefoot incorporates Zoom Air which provides optimal comfort during all times of wear. In these shoes, Michael Jordan broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NNBA record.

The latest Air Jordan 13 legacy, the Air Jordan 13 ‘Court Purple,’ is introduced in men’s, preschool, and grade school sizing. The iconic sneaker incorporates a textile upper with reflective overlays and subtle black leather contrasting suede paneling. The classic quilted lateral appears while a signature Jumpman appears at the microfiber tongue and the holographic cat-eye. The mid-top is crafted with a rubber outsole and herringbone-traction rubber pods that comprise the panther-like design.

FEATURE Release - Saturday, January 8th

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