From the Vault: Air Jordan 22
By
By Stadium Goods |From the Vault: Air Jordan 22
A look at one of the most underrated Air Jordan models.
Matt DeSciora
When Michael Jordan retired from basketball for a second and final time in 2003, many in the sneaker community were anxious about the future of Jordan Brand. Would the company continue to release new Air Jordan models or simply re-release retro versions of old school Jordans? Obviously, we now know that Jordan Brand chose to do both. The brand spent Jordan’s post-playing career years reissuing many of the iconic Jordans that “His Airness” wore with the Chicago Bulls. And it continued to release new Jordans models, as well, some of which are still highly regarded to this day, like the Air Jordan 22.
Debuted in 2007—on Michael Jordan’s 44th birthday, February 17th—the Jordan 22 is one of the most striking designs in the history of Air Jordans. The shoe was greatly inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which is the most advanced military aircraft ever created. Looking back, the stealthy fighter jet was a fitting choice to serve as the inspiration for a new shoe representing a new era of Air Jordans at the time.
The Jordan 22’s sleek design was drawn up by Jordan Brand footwear designer D’Wayne Edwards, who was also the architect of the Air Jordan 21. The Jordan 22’s design includes a leather construction with details directly influenced by the F-22 Raptor, including zig-zag stitching mimicking the patterns on the F-22’s body and rear ventilation for constant airflow to the wearer’s foot. There’s also a unique camouflage pattern on the heel, and titanium was used on the lace eyelets and lace lock. Underfoot, a carbon fiber midfoot shank rounded the fighter jet-inspired shoe into form.
Just like every Air Jordan before it, the Jordan 22 was offered in a few different colorways when it hit the market. It came in a total of four original styles, including the popular “Chicago” colorway that was recently photographed by the Stadium Goods photography team. The silhouette was also offered in a few variations, including in a lower “5/8” style and in a Player Exclusive version with a more supportive ankle collar and in special colorways with sky lines from the cities of a few Team Jordan NBA players, including Joe Johnson, Richard Hamilton and Ray Allen.
The Air Jordan 22 may not be as remembered as say, the Air Jordan 3 or any other Jordan shoe worn by Mike back in the day. But it shouldn’t be overlooked when discussing the sneakers that played a big role in advancing Jordan Brand to the next level in the years following Jordan’s retirement.