Originally released in 1993, when everyone around the world wanted to be like Mike, the AJ 9 represented the globalization of the Air Jordan brand. Today, the Air Jordan 9 Retro Men’s Shoe honors MJ as an international icon with design details from around the world, along with the superior cushioning and comfort fans have come to expect from signature Jordan shoes. Paying tribute to MJ as a global superstar, inspirational words in various languages are stamped on the sole. Some of Michael’s best traits-including intense, dedicated, graceful and athletic-are imprinted in German, French, Spanish, Swahili, Russian and Italian. Other words such as ‘freedom,’ ‘hope’ and ‘force’ represent the qualities that Jordan has added to the world of sports. A graphic of a rising sun adds a timeless Japanese detail, which is molded into the sole alongside the classic Jumpman logo.
When the Air Max 1 hit the scene in 1987, it changed the sneaker world forever by making the invisible visible. The Nike Air Max 1 Ultra Moire Men’s Shoe builds upon that game-changing heritage with new innovations—like a minimalist upper and slimmed-down outsole—that combine to create an incredibly light, flexible and comfortable shoe. Nike’s revolutionary Air-Sole unit made its way into Nike footwear in the late ’70s. In 1987, the Nike Air Max debuted with a Visible Air unit in the heel, allowing fans more than just the feel of Air-Sole comfort. Now they could see it. A few years later, the next-generation Nike Air Max 90 became a hit with both athletes and collectors for its striking color combinations, lightweight performance and cushioned ride.