The Air Jordan 11 Gratitude arrived at a very strange time in the sneaker world. On the one hand, Jordan Brand had a number of releases that were just sitting on store shelves. Yet, on the other hand, sneaker fans were eagerly awaiting for something special to drop. So, as you can imagine, the AJ11 Gratitude’s release (with an expected production of a million pairs) was met with a lot of excitement, debate and speculation.
Probably the biggest hurdle the Air Jordan 11 Gratitude had was overcoming its inspiration and shadow: the legendary Concord 11s (a sneaker that resonates deeply with the community). Sneakerheads couldn’t help but compare the OG release to the new drop. Thankfully, this isn’t one of those retro releases that sees the brand reimagine the materials or the colours. Instead, the Gratitude plays it fairly safe – by simply recreating and nodding to its bigger, older brother.
Yes, they replaced the traditional ballistic mesh with premium tumbled leather. But, thankfully, this added a luxurious feel to the sneaker. In fact, most reviews that I’ve seen have praised this element of the basketball shoe. As one reviewer put it, “I actually kind of like it.”
The Air Jordan 11 Gratitude boasts elegant gold accents, including the iconic Jumpman logo and a unique 23 on the heel. These gold details are a subtle yet powerful homage to the DMP (Defining Moments Pack) 11s, connecting the Gratitude to a lineage of greatness. The milky, slightly yellowed outsole adds a vintage touch reminiscent of the sneaker’s history and evolution.
But the looks here aren’t just skin deep. The Air Jordan 11 Gratitude maintains the brand’s dedication to comfort. As expected, the cushy insole ensures a snug fit, and the carbon fibre shank offers stability.
In short, it’s pretty and functional at the same time.
All of this said, while we can all admit that the Air Jordan 11 Gratitude is a beautiful sneaker, it’s also rather boring. There I said it. If we’re all honest with each other, this was never a must-have drop. Is it a good-looking shoe? Yes. Are the materials premium? Yes. Do they perform well? Yes. Are they comfortable? Yes.
There are a lot of good things to say about the Gratitude. But it’s also an incredibly safe and predictable release. It’s not the most special or awe-inspiring sneaker. It’s clean. It’s beautiful. But we’ve seen it before.
When you consider that and the fact that there might be a production of a million pairs, it’s not very exclusive either. You’re going to see a few people with these when you go to the mall.
The Air Jordan Gratitude 11 sneaker is supposed to carry a deeper message. It’s meant to be a “thank you” to fans. The message is printed all over the packaging and inscribed in various languages on the box. So it’s incredibly ironic that it has divided the sneaker community, the same people they are thanking.
You’re either one of two people. You can see the Air Jordan Gratitude 11 as…
- A fresh take on a classic and appreciate the premium materials and new aesthetic.
- An unnecessary and boring remake that departs slightly from the OG.
Like the Air Jordan 1 “Royal Reimagined”, you’re either going to love it or hate it.
Did you cop the Air Jordan 11 Gratitude when it dropped on December 9th, 2023?
