Nearing an almost four-decade-long association with basketball legend Michael Jordan, Jordan Brand appears to be honing its concentration on creating simple yet innovative performance footwear that brings the central focus back to how the game of basketball is played. This can clearly be seen in their newest offering, the Air Jordan 39.
The brand chose Paolo Banchero, the All-Star forward from Orlando Magic, to debut their newest model. This highly anticipated reveal took place during the opening game of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, with Banchero facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite the team’s defeat, Banchero managed an impressive performance in his Air Jordan 39s. He grabbed twenty-four points, seven rebounds, and five assists, which certainly piqued our interest in the performance of this latest addition to the Air Jordan series. So, let’s go ahead and explore the design further.
Inside the Creation of the Air Jordan 39: The Design Process
Despite being no stranger to participating in the development of his signature footwear, Michael Jordan dove particularly deep into the design process of the 39. Championing the inclusion of premium and luxurious materials and details was one of his prime directives, but his involvement didn’t stop there. He was also keen to impart his wisdom to the designers, offering insights about his renowned cross-step manoeuvre—a technique passed on to today’s generation of league players.
The designers, in turn, had an interesting approach to understanding the dynamics of this signature move. They painted a pair of Air Jordan 29s and had athletes perform the cross-step move wearing them. This experimental technique allowed them to study the areas under stress during the move. They then used these insights to focus on specific support and flexibility features, ensuring the Air Jordan 39 is tailor-made for executing the cross-step move with precision.
Air Jordan 39 Design and Performance Features
Regarding aesthetics, it’s almost impossible to overlook the carefully crafted embroidery work on the Air Jordan 39’s upper mesh. This design detail is yet another element of the shoe that owes its inspiration to the comprehensive paint test. It gives the shoe a tactile quality that simply demands to be explored. While its meticulous detail might immediately remind some of the Jordan Zion 3, it certainly stands on its own merit.
But the upper isn’t just about the enchanting pattern. It showcases a blend of soft leather and a unique rubber texture on the tongue, resembling the iconic globe emblem on the Air Jordan 9’s heel. Moreover, a tribute to Michael Jordan’s mastery of the cross-step move (the very same manoeuvre that informs the idea behind the design) is captured through a mirrored image of MJ tucked away behind the tongue.
Further enhancing the design are unique lines on the medial side of the midsole that, again, pay homage to the iconic globe emblem on the heel of the Air Jordan 9. Plus, the usual “23” that graces the heel of MJ’s ninth signature shoe has been cleverly relocated to the base of the lace collar and re-designed to resemble both the numbers 23 and 39.
Still, these charming details are merely the dressing for the technological marvels that the Air Jordan 39 contains. Designed with performance in mind, the Jordan Brand has incorporated a blend of full-length ZoomX foam and Zoom Air into the shoe’s sole. This is the first instance of the ZoomX foam, generally used in running shoes made by Jordan Brand’s parent company, Nike, being utilised in a Jordan shoe for a distinctive underfoot bounce.
To shape the shoe into its final form, the novel cushioning is seated atop an outsole featuring a rubber herringbone traction pattern for a multi-directional grip. These features are supplemented with the TPU that Jordan Brand guarantees will provide stability during swift multi-directional moves, promising a stellar performance on the basketball court. So, rest assured, the Air Jordan 39 packs a powerful punch both in terms of aesthetics and on-court performance.
Scheduled Colourways To Be Released in 2024/2025
Looking ahead, Jordan Brand has lined up an array of nine distinct colourways for the Air Jordan 39, set to release over the course of 2024 and 2025. Word has it that one of these is slated to be a yet-to-be-announced signature collaboration that we will hopefully get to hear more about in the upcoming months (side note: Which brand do you hope to see JB team up with for the AJ39?).
Each colour palette looks elegantly understated, letting the shoe’s design do most of the talking. Yet, each colourway still maintains a distinctive nod to the Jordan Brand’s illustrious lineage, something longtime fans of the shoes will surely appreciate.
For instance, the first Air Jordan 39 colourway will feature a white base with a vibrant red Jumpman logo on the tongue. This design is affectionately referred to as the “Sol” (which translates to “foundation” in French). In essence, the colour scheme once again ties into MJ’s cross-step move while subtly nodding to the legend’s much-respected skills.
The colourways continue as follows:
“LUMIÈRE”: The sneaker’s name is inspired by Paris, the City of Lights, and the colour scheme reflects the city’s nocturnal skyline. It will be released on August 6, 2024.
“UNIVERSITY”: This design pays homage to MJ’s prestigious university career. This light blue colourway celebrates the nostalgia of his days at the University of North Carolina.
“CROIX”: This design, awash in black and white featuring hints of blue, pays homage to the Air Jordan 9 in its beloved ’94 “Powder Blue” or “UNC” colourway.
“BARON”: With a nod to MJ’s brief period with the Birmingham Barons, this theme pulls in subtle tones of black, light grey and white, beautifully mirroring the baseball team’s classic colours.
“GUO PE”: Drenched in colour, this is an appreciative hat tip to Guo Ailun, a renowned basketball luminary hailing from China. This colourway reflects his signature AJ35, highlighted by seafoam green, an emblem of prosperity and good fortune.
“HERITAGE”: No Jordan series would be true to its roots without celebrating MJ’s illustrious legacy with the Chicago Bulls. However, this understated colourway adds a fresh spin to the iconic colours.
“STYLE”: This theme is a fitting homage to MJ’s appreciation for the finer things in life and his unwavering commitment to style. The design pays tribute to his 90s dress sense and impressive collection of suits. It certainly reinforces MJ’s belief that when you look your best, you’ll definitely feel your best.
Additional colour schemes may well be lining up for release after these initial drops. Nonetheless, we’re going to have to sit tight and anticipate what surprises the Jordan Brand might unveil next.
Jordan 39 Official Release Details
The much-anticipated release of the Air Jordan 39 in the vibrant “Sol” colourway is scheduled for July 23, 2024. You’ll have the chance to grab a pair for $200 USD, available from Nike.com and select Jordan retailers.
From there, the additional colourways will be rolled out between Fall 2024 and continue right into Spring/Summer 2025. So, while we wait for the Air Jordan 39 release in July, be sure to follow us here at Sneaker Fortress for more sneaker drops and reviews.
What are your thoughts on the latest Jordan model? Are you interested in adding the Air Jordan 39 to your collection? Let us know in the comments below!
