SUPERSONIC
With the lasting final image of greatness of Jordan being him at the top of the key in the Delta Center having just hit the game winning shot against the Utah Jazz in the excellent Jordan XIV's.Our next look at the legacy that is Jordan was the Jordan XV.Not quite as pretty.The XV was inspired by the X-15 supersonic jet.The X-15 was revolutionary in it's design and performance.It made several speed and altitude records by a manned aircraft.The shoe also features a tongue that is said to be inspired by Jordan and his habit of sticking out his tongue while making the impossible look pedestrian.Heel and forefoot zoom air,herringbone traction,full length dynamic fit sleeve..what isn't there to love?Lets find out...
figure1
Note the tongue sticking out as well as the woven panels.
figure1Note the tongue sticking out as well as the woven panels.
The XV is perhaps the least favorite of all Jordans due to it's aggressive design and other issues we will be going over during the course of the review.I am also in the belief that out of %100 of people who don't like it,MAYBE %40 wouldn't dislike this shoe as much if they had an opportunity to see Jordan win another championship wearing the XV's.But then again that's strictly my opinion.The shoe features a dynamic fit internal bootie system that offers a seamless and supportive fit.When you first put on the shoe...actually when you first manage to struggle getting your foot into the shoe,it is fairly comfortable.Part of the problem of getting into the shoe is the large Pebax heel wrap.The wrap isn't very flexible..which is a good thing when it's main purpose is to support the wearer's heel,but again makes it difficult when trying to put your foot into the shoe.With a full length internal bootie,you would assume that fit and support would be excellent.Unfortunately while all the ingredients were there,the execution wasn't.The design of the shoe has a "V" shaped channel with speed lacing loops as well as Lycra loops that go up the channel which the laces run through to guide the laces when tightening the shoe.While the lacing system does a decent job of securing one's foot around the forefoot/midfoot area,there is hardly any support for the heel area.The lacing system and design of the shoe doesn't support or lockdown the heel area at all.I'm under the impression that the Pebax heel wrap was supposed to support the wearer's heel independent of the shoe's lacing system.Perhaps another lace loop or two would have done the trick to really pull the wearer's foot back into the heel wrap.
figure2
note the "V" shaped lacing channel and the dress shoe inspired woven material and outrigger on the lateral side of the midfoot.
So with the lack of fit and support in the heel area,performance on the rest of the shoe suffers.Ankle support is average at best.A large phylon wrap at the midfoot that extends up the sides on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe to help support the foot and prevent the foot from rolling over.Coupled with the Pebax heel wrap,again the ingredients were there,the chef just didn't look at the recipe.The poor fit in the heel rendered any support given virtually null.While the shoe had a decent fit on my wide feet,those with narrow to moderately narrow feet should stay away.The lacing system just does not pull the shoe together enough to compensate for a more locked down fit.Due to an outrigger on the lateral side of the forefoot and heel,coupled with a fairly wide base,the shoe is a fairly stable ride.Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air units.The zoom air is aided by heel and forefoot phylon inserts under the insole for additional impact protection.While I have not had any issues with cushioning I have heard other reports of shin splints and the cushioning system not working as well as it should be.
figure3
2.17 is Jordan's birthday
Traction is provided by solid rubber and herringbone pattern.I will say that the XV's are some of the most resilient Jordans made.The traction seems to last even during heavy use while playing outdoor basketball and were even used to skateboard.Traction was great on clean hardwood and I didn't notice much slipping when testing on dirty concrete tile.There is plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the ground.
figure4
a look at the Pebax heel wrap and the numbers down the heel meaning 15-Air Jordan #15,6-championships and 23-Jordan's jersey number
figure5
A profile shot of the XV with it's X-15 jet,dress shoe and tongue hanging out inspirations
The Jordan XV in many ways had the potential to be great.Unfortunately it's execution left a bit to be desired.Actually the failure to really lockdown the heel hurt performance in nearly every aspect in the shoe.While I didn't hate the shoe and wasn't a fan of it's lack of ankle support, and poor fit in the heel.
Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-3/5
Overall it's poor fit hurt the shoe.If comfort and fit were separate scores the comfort would have been 3 and fit would have been zero.The poor fit is simply inexcusable with the great history of fit with previous models.
figure2note the "V" shaped lacing channel and the dress shoe inspired woven material and outrigger on the lateral side of the midfoot.
So with the lack of fit and support in the heel area,performance on the rest of the shoe suffers.Ankle support is average at best.A large phylon wrap at the midfoot that extends up the sides on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe to help support the foot and prevent the foot from rolling over.Coupled with the Pebax heel wrap,again the ingredients were there,the chef just didn't look at the recipe.The poor fit in the heel rendered any support given virtually null.While the shoe had a decent fit on my wide feet,those with narrow to moderately narrow feet should stay away.The lacing system just does not pull the shoe together enough to compensate for a more locked down fit.Due to an outrigger on the lateral side of the forefoot and heel,coupled with a fairly wide base,the shoe is a fairly stable ride.Cushioning is provided by heel and forefoot zoom air units.The zoom air is aided by heel and forefoot phylon inserts under the insole for additional impact protection.While I have not had any issues with cushioning I have heard other reports of shin splints and the cushioning system not working as well as it should be.
figure32.17 is Jordan's birthday
Traction is provided by solid rubber and herringbone pattern.I will say that the XV's are some of the most resilient Jordans made.The traction seems to last even during heavy use while playing outdoor basketball and were even used to skateboard.Traction was great on clean hardwood and I didn't notice much slipping when testing on dirty concrete tile.There is plenty of surface area for the shoe to come into contact with the ground.
figure4a look at the Pebax heel wrap and the numbers down the heel meaning 15-Air Jordan #15,6-championships and 23-Jordan's jersey number
figure5A profile shot of the XV with it's X-15 jet,dress shoe and tongue hanging out inspirations
Comfort and Fit-3/5
Cushioning-4/5
Ankle Support-2.5/5
Traction-4.5/5
Overall-3/5
Overall it's poor fit hurt the shoe.If comfort and fit were separate scores the comfort would have been 3 and fit would have been zero.The poor fit is simply inexcusable with the great history of fit with previous models.
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