Air Jordan 1 Mid "X-Ray" Could Be The Coolest Sneaker of 2024

Sneakerheads were recently treated to a Nike Kobe 5 Protro inspired by Kobe Bryant’s “Broken Not Beaten” campaign. But while the “X-Ray” design on the Kobe 5 honours Bryant’s resilience in the face of multiple injuries, this stylish Air Jordan 1 Mid “X-Ray” pays reference to the struggles and injuries of another great athlete, Michael Jordan.

Inspiration Behind The X-Ray Design

Older sneakerheads may recall the events that inspired the creation of these awesome Air Jordan 1 Mid “X-Ray” sneakers. Back in 1985, in a game against the Golden State Warriors, the great MJ broke the navicular bone in his left foot. Jordan was out for 64 games and was only permitted to play for seven minutes upon his eventual return. Yet, despite the odds, this legend of the game still managed to play one of his most memorable matches ever, scoring 63 points against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs while wearing an Air Jordan 1 with a Dunk Low sole unit.

A Closer Look At The Sneaker

While this pair is a missed opportunity to add a Dunk Low sole to the Air Jordan 1 Mid design, it still succeeds at highlighting the injury that demonstrated Jordan’s tenacity and will to succeed in spite of obstacles.

The overlays are crafted from black leather, and the Swoosh and translucent ankle flap pay homage to the Clear Blue Film on which X-rays are printed. The sneaker’s quarter panels and toe box then feature images of a foot x-ray, while the collars display the number 23 in bold black font as a nod to the GOAT’s jersey number.

The x-ray theme carries over to the outsole, where the translucent bottoms reveal another image of a foot skeleton. And as a finishing touch, the insole features a Jumpman logo, another skeleton foot graphic, and the words “Even the best get hurt” printed on it.

Air Jordan 1 Mid “X-Ray” Release Details

As perfect as these kicks would be for the Halloween season, the “X-Ray” design will likely only be released later in Holiday 2024. However, a release date and pricing have yet to be revealed for this kids’ exclusive design.

While we await further details, keep an eye out for other stylish AJ1 Mid sneakers that will be released soon. Check out the silhouette’s “Black Patent” colourway for a sleek and classic look, or this “Legend Blue” pair, which is essentially the inverse of the 2014 release. And remember to stay tuned to Sneaker Fortress for more sneaker drops and reviews.