Nike SB X Air Jordan 1
UPDATE: Who's counting down the sleeps? With the drop-date only days away now the reality of the treachorous 'line-up' is setting in. Avoid the confusion, remove the disappointment, look to cop yourself a pair via retailers including this March 15.
Decades in the making, it's a hallmark day in sneaker history, as two unlikely partners once worlds apart now share the same common cause and effect – today we present you with the first official look at the Nike SB x Air Jordan 1. With some of the biggest model backlogs known to the sneaking world at their disposal, tensions have been high since word was leaked only hours back that the collaboration was coming to fruition, with die-hards from both parties dropping their two-cents on how things would go down. Would it be an AJ silhouette with a skate spin, or a twisted up skate sneak busting some elephant funk?
Looking at it full circle, the decision was made long before the any of us could have ever known. As MJ was breaking records and the NBA dress policy codes, a new way of life was brooding in the background, skateboarding was here to stay. As skaters pushed the vertical limits of the half pipe, the state of rubber and suede skate shoes simply couldn't handle the thrash and daily demolition from four wheel bandits. With its basketball-oriented high ankle support and premium leather make up, the Air Jordan 1 bridged that gap for generations of ballers and shredders alike.
Jumping forward to 2014 and behold, near 30 years of unforeseen inspiration has come down to this. Starting from the bottom, a staple white AJ1 midsole carries the invisibility cloak inspired upper, which morphs in appearance with each step. 3M embedded collar and tongue panelling disguises an unexpected eyeful for some night time shredding, while in the day heel-biters can suck on the Craig Stecyk designed typeface holding down the heel, which reads 'AJ One SB', a nod to revered work done by Stecyk in the skateboard industry.
Now the wait is on. Lines will be formed, hype will consume our sleep – but for a chance to attain this pinnacle piece of sneaker history, its all worth it. The Nike SB x Air Jordan 1 will release in limited quantities at select Nike SB and JB retailers commencing March 15.
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- Original published February 28, 2014.