21-Oct-2009
Posted by : John Brilliant
COUNTERKICKS EXCLUSIVE: In the past couple weeks, we presented you with exclusive photos of an Air Jordan XX1 Prototype in “Italian Red Suede” and “Black Suede Bulls” colorways. Today, we exhibit a new Air Jordan XX1 Prototype in a “Black Leather Carolina” colorway featuring a rich, full-grain black leather upper with black suede cloaking the heel, along with coats of carolina blue trim accenting the forefoot support wraps, laces, and I.P.S. pods.
Code-named the “JORDAN ELEV8” to cloud the identity of the shoe, the XX1’s also went by another name internally: the Air Jordan “Venti Uno” which translates from Italian to “Twenty One“, signaling some initial European design inspirations. As with the previous “Black Suede Bulls” pair, this model features no marking imprints in the rubber outsole stretching across the arch, nor the embossed “Jumpman” logo on the plastic-silver capped lace aglets as the production version features. A final comparison change is the raised suede Jumpman logo seen on the back tongue, where on the released version the words “AUTHENTIC“, “UNCOMPROMISED“, “EARNED“, and “ASPIRATIONAL” – the 4 pillars of the “Jordan Code” – are instead stitched in.
Look for an in-depth tech story on these Prototype Air Jordan XX1’s coming soon to Counter Kicks. Follow us on Twitter for instant sneaker news. And continue reading to view 33 detailed photos of the Air Jordan XXI – “Black Leather Carolina” Prototypes.
13-Oct-2009
Posted by : John Brilliant
COUNTERKICKS EXCLUSIVE: Last week, we posted 23 detailed photos of a Prototype Air Jordan XX1 in all Italian Red Suede. Today, we bring you another Prototype Air Jordan XX1 model, this time in a Chicago Bulls colorway complete with a thick black suede body and varsity red accents adorning the shoe.
This “JORDAN ELEV8” development sample features some key differences from the Red Suede pair. Wrapping the midsole and around the heel is a white cracked-print strip of leather, replacing the black suede seen on the previously posted prototype. Another detail is the absence of any imprint in the rubber outsole running along the arch, where MJ’s rookie stats and sneaker technology markings have been seen. A final twist is the all-red plastic aglets capping the end of each shoe lace rather than the reflective silver coated plastic seen in the later production versions. Counter Kicks will be presenting more exclusive Air Jordan Prototypes and Samples in the coming days and weeks. Follow us on Twitter for instant updates on the latest sneaker info.
Want to see more? Continue reading to see 33 detailed photos of these Air Jordan XXI – Black Suede Bulls Prototypes.
07-Oct-2009
Posted by : John Brilliant
EXCLUSIVE: Counter Kicks brings you 23 detailed shots of a Prototype Air Jordan XX1 in all Red Suede. These early XX1 development samples went under the code name “JORDAN ELEV8” in an attempt to conceal its true identity, as listed on the attached Pou Chen tag. The D’Wayne Edwards designed prototypes feature a very thick mat of red suede, as opposed to the released version Varsity Red XX1. Also seen is an alternate midsole, plastic coated circular grate on the lateral ankle, “23” on the medial ankle, increased width and density carbon fiber spring plate, 4-pod I.P.S. arrangement rather than 5-pod on the production version, and a modified silhouette of the Air Jordan “Wings” logo on the tongue.
Carved into the black rubber outsole, the words “INDEPENDENT PODULAR SUSPENSION” are replaced by “PPG-28.2 RPG-6.5 APG-5.9 SPG-2.39 PTS-2313” – a reference to Michael Jordan’s rookie year ‘84-’85 statistics with the Chicago Bulls. Counter Kicks will be presenting more exclusive Air Jordan Prototypes and Samples in the days and weeks to come. Follow us on Twitter for instant updates on the latest sneaker info. Continue reading for 22 more Prototype Air Jordan XX1 photos.
