Cheap Jordans of Air Jordan XVI

Air Jordan XVI (2001)
Former Air Jordans designer Tinker Hatfield had moved on by the time of the Jordan XVI.  The Air Jordan XVI was designed by Hatfield replacement, Nike Senior Footwear Designer, Wilson Smith.

With a little fresh blood in the design process, the Jordan XVI was perhaps the first truly fresh design since the Jordan III, despite the fact that Smith decided to recycle a few of the design elements of earlier releases, such as the clear soles and patent leather.  What made the Jordan XVI new was a removable gaiter/shroud, giving the shoe two looks for the price of one. 

Not only a stylish addition, this feature helped to control temperature and comfort for the wearer.  Like all new things, this design had a few bugs to be worked out.  The overall feel of the shoe was a little stiff and the shroud easily came off during very active wear and the patent leather didnt wear as well as other materials.  Even with these problems, the overall concept and design of the Air Jordan XVI was excellent and Wilson Smith certainly lived up to the example of his predecessor.
 
Following the success of the XV-s there was no doubt that Nike/JB would continue to release Cheap Jordans . The XVI-s were the next shoe to hit the shelfs.
 
Hatfield moves on
The XVI-s were designed by Nike-s Senior Footwear Designer Wilson Smith. This meaning it was the first design since the III-s that Tinker Hatfield was not  behind. Hatfield was said to have moved up and he left Smith with the hard task in creating a revolutionary new design.
 
Smith decided to bring in a few design elements/fabrics from earlier releases. For instance we saw the return of the clear rubber sole (V, VI, XI) and they also featured patent leather (XI).
 
Gaiter on - gaiter off
But what made the XVI-s unique was the brand new gaiter/shroud that covered the shoe and that could be removed to give the shoe a brand new look. Not only was this for stylish purposes, it also had a thermal functionality.
 
This Cheap Jordan shoes  was a little stiff and to wear the shroud/gaiter when playing basketball really was not a good idea, as it pretty easily could fall off. The black/red and white/mn navy both featured patent leather which very easily got creased and cracked. Best for playing in were the one-s  without patent leater, for sure...
 
The overall design was great and it is great to see a new designer put his foot forward. Hopefully we will  see Wilson Smith involved in the work with coming designs.