Air Jordan 9 Full Review
After three consecutive years as the league’s champion, MJ left the hardwood — his first of three total retirements. But his hiatus from one game didn’t hinder his athletic vision. Air Jordan 9 took to the baseball diamond instead, playing a single season in the minor leagues.
Air Jordan 9
- leather-and-mesh
- Leather sole
- sku=302359-013
The Air Jordan 9 was first released in 1993-94.
It was designed by Tinker Hatfield.
Hatfield was greatly influenced by Japanese design and culture while making this sneaker.
These influences can be seen on the shoe itself where there are words in various languages that truly define Michael Jordan.
Also, at the back of the Jordan 9, there is a “Rising Sun” with the Jumpman logo.
The shoe came fitted with an encapsulated Air-Sole unit at the heel, polyurethane midsole, and Dynamic-Fit inner bootie.
It also had a “one-pull” lacing system.
The Jordan 9 was the first model to be launched when Michael Jordan left professional basketball to take up a new baseball career.
It was the only signature sneaker not worn by Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls.
However, the shoes were still worn on the court players such as Penny Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Kendall Gill.
BJ Armstrong also played in the shoes but the model he wore had his jersey number at the back rather than the typical “23”.
As previously stated, the first version of the Air Jordan 9 was released in 1993.
Four models in total dropped that year.
In 2002, four additional Air Jordan 9’s were released.
In 2002-2003, a Jordan 9 IX Cleat was made.
(They were made in Metal cleats and MCS 3/4).
The most recent colorway releases of the Jordan 9 are Metallic Gold (2018), Anthracite (2018), Midnight Navy (2019) and Dark Concord (2019).
This year, the latest colorway of the shoe is the “Gym Red” Air Jordan 9.
The Jordan brand first dropped the unreleased sample in 2013 but now there’s a certain date for this retro sneaker drop.
Its design starts with a white leather base.
The elongated upper is mainly made of white patent leather.
The midsole and back heel has whole red patent leather around it.
It is clear to spot the Chicago Bulls inspiration behind this Jordan 9 model.
The detailing shows red with black accents on the eyelets, tongue, and heel.
This same detail is seen over the Jumpman logos with a white #23 at the back of the sneaker.
The Gym Red colorway is a cool addition to the Jordan 9 sneaker legacy.
The debut release date for this version is set for October 5.
For 2020, there are hints of a blue and white colorway for the Jordan 9.
However, no official pictures of the sneaker have been released.
JORDAN 9 REVIEW
Air Jordan 9 Traction
The Air Jordan 9 comes with a flat traction surface that performs quite impressively.
The natural leg shape and flex grooves greatly assist movement.
The flex also lets the foot’s strike zones to be solidly on the ground each and every time.
It would not be a stretch to say the shoe’s outsole is its most outstanding feature in terms of performance as well as design.
Air Jordan 9 Cushion
There are two air units in this sneaker.
There’s one at the forefoot and another at the heel.
They are encased inside a polyurethane midsole.
During your first wear, the cushion feels slightly rough but as you go on, it gets better.
You would start to feel a bit of a bounce inside the heel upon strikes, which is a welcome addition while playing.
The forefoot does remain minimal to assist you to have a better court feel.
Although these are great points for the cushion, there are honestly better ones available.
Air Jordan 9 Materials
The material used in making this Jordan 9 was quite disappointing.
It was basically cheap split-grain leather with overlays of extra split grains alongside the PU coatings.
This translated to the Jordan 9 is a fairly solid fitting shoe with overall barely adequate support.
Sadly, the shoe has just one piece of the thinner split-grain, which is then tacked to another slim layer of nubuck (the black sparkly material there).
Each part of a performance shoe has to function in sync with other parts. In the case of this Jordan 9, that does not happen.
While wearing the sneakers, you might get the feeling that the materials might split at any time and it’s worse if you’re a big-footed guy.
To sum up, Jordan 9 does not have the ability to properly support torque and weight.
Jordan 9 Fit
These sneakers have a true to size fit.
However, they might feel a bit tight at the sides. To counter this, go for about half a size above your usual.
Let’s get into the technicalities of the fit.
It was quite as disappointing as the material.
Most times, inner sleeves perform well within a sneaker.
Yet, the inner sleeves in this Jordan retro 9 feel like they’re stuck on your foot; while the other part of the leather upper went in a whole other way.
Some users have even complained of blistering caused by their pinky toes rubbing against the shoe’s inner.
Wearing a shoe like this Jordan while playing makes you better appreciate the benefits of new sneaker innovations.
Especially synthetics such as TPU/plastic – similar to what is utilized for Fuse material.
Jordan 9 Ventilation
The ventilation and breathability of this shoe were fair enough.
The sleeve lets heat and moisture escape.
However, the leather is not breathable and most of the moisture has no choice than to stay stuck within the shoe.
It is probable that ventilation problems could just have been the reason for the slack fit.
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Air Jordan 9 Support
The support in this sneaker is average to mediocre.
This is because of the poor material and the fit lacking adequate performance cohesion.
Still, the shoe has a molded arch that can work and up its support score a bit.
Overall, the support is almost as good as not wearing the shoe at all.
CONCLUSION
If what you need is a fun, basic sneaker to play around in, Jordan 9 is a good choice.
Bear in mind though that you can roll an ankle in these shoes due to the poor fit.
The shoe does offer impressive traction, the cushion is good enough and it’s easy on the eyes.
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