JD Sports Practises 'Gratitude' With the Air Jordan 11
The holiday season is in full effect, and you know what that means for sneakerheads: it’s season. It's become an annual tradition for the Jumpman to drop an AJ11 this time of year, whether it's an OG colourway or something new. For this year's iteration, dubbed 'Gratitude', have blended the two together by taking a familiar colourway and giving it a new twist, and it's landing at JD Sports just in time for the annual AJ11 celebration.
Before the Air Jordan 11, patent leather was more commonly used on black tie dress attire. But Tinker Hatfield wanted to change that with this design, creating a sneaker that had advanced performance capabilities while also being appropriate to wear with a suit. When the first AJ11 debuted in 1995 during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, fans were instantly drawn to the gleaming sneaker, and the patent leather became a signature feature of the AJ11. The model will forever be a staple in the sneakersphere, as it opened the eyes of many that sneakers can be art. It is also Tinker's favourite Air Jordan!
The 'Gratitude' iteration takes inspiration from the OG ‘Concord’ and ‘Defining Moments’ pack colourways, with black patent leather wrapping the sneaker. The Jumpman have switched things up in 2023 by replacing the traditional ballistic mesh on the base with tumbled leather, further adding to the luxurious look. While the full-length Air cushioning and carbon fibre shank plate stay true to the original, gone is the icy outsole. In its place is a milky translucent look that adds definition to the otherwise monochromatic design. Finishing it off is gold highlights for the Jumpman branding on both the ankle and the tongue strip.
The Air Jordan 11 ‘Gratitude’ is arriving at JD Sports for the holidays, so mark your calendars for December 12, 2023. The whole family can get in on the action too, with sizes ranging from toddlers to adults.