crooked tongues magazine News Features

ThisAir Jordan 1 High looks oddly familiar. Just higher, longer and slimmer. And in this sample, a really effing odd shape. More proof that Jordan Brand are keen to work the Dunk parallels with the debut MJ signature model over coming seasons. We've seen North Carolina colours on this shoe, and we're about to see that theme pushed further on the "For the Love of the Game" line to coincide with the World Basketball Festival madness that's set for August (We wonder who that significant NYC performer is set to be? Our bet is a former Marcy Projects dweller), but this version seems informed by another collegiate colour scheme. Wolf Grey and Spice is a new-age sounding palette, but it creates something akin to the UNLV Dunk makeup. And that's pretty much it.

For this sample, the shiny swoosh isn't working for us, creating an unnecessarily garish point-of-difference, the quality is only passable, and that scooped shape is just weird. Looking at Jumpman23, they've fixed that silhouette a little for production, and maybe the slightly inferior feel will be ironed-out. Maybe not. We know the retail version's shade of red is a little different. They need to skin a rhino or something and replicate that bomb-proof leather that featured on the uppers of the original 1s. if the VI can go suede instead of easy-crease Durabuck, then material-led dreams can come true. Between these and the Michigan-themed Jordan 1 Alphas, why don't Jordan Brand just go all-out, and resurrect all the 'Be True' colours? Time will tell. These are mooted for July release, but they're already cropping up in select spots in the US.

See all Jordan shoes instore now
See all basketball shoes instore now