Go “Behind The Design” Of Air Jordan 16

Wilson Smith and Tinker Hatfield designed Air Jordan 16 with Michael Jordan the executive in mind, not MJ the once-in-infinity basketball player.

“We were inspired by the fact MJ was retiring for the second time and the thought that he was going from the basketball court to the boardroom,” Smith says in the latest Nike “Behind The Design” installment.

That meant opting for clean lines instead of the loud design trend of the time, bringing the foot in-sync with the upper, and bringing a home/away versatility with the removable gaiter. Air Jordan 16 also introduced a potent cushioning combination of forefoot Zoom Air and heel blow-molded Air, marking the first time since 1991 that an Air Jordan had featured visible Air.

Read the full piece here. Air Jordan 16 “Midnight Navy” releases December 22nd for $250.