A diehard MJ fan since I can remember, one of the most difficult questions you could ask me is to choose the best pair. If there’s one thing the creators of the Air Jordan Line deserve credit for, it’s the fact that they consistently come out with masterpieces. Oftentimes, newly released Air Jordans are not appreciated by the consumer public until a few months after they appear online or in stores. Of course there are the diehard fans drooling over prototypes who search countless web pages and other sources just to get JPEGs to set as their desktop background.

      Out of the 20 shoes released by the Air Jordan Series, I would have to pay homage to the Air Jordan XIX for being the best in performance. By far the Air Jordan XIX seems to have been the most under-rated in terms of quality, performance, and overall appearance. I was skeptical at first, because the original gray and white colorway did not appeal to my taste in basketball shoes. Not to mention that the retail price was a bit much for a college student’s budget. Months later, while visiting a relative in Miami I saw the XIX’s in Niketown. They were on sale and so I decided to give them a try. Here’s what I found:

      As a forward I do a lot of cutting towards the basket. Whether it be a teammate setting a nice screen on the perimeter or v-cuts out from under hoop, the shoe is marvelous! Honestly, I believe that the XIX’s were designed specifically for “slashers”. Getting open for the ball was never this easy. Don’t get me wrong. Wearing the shoe doesn’t make you a better player, but there is a notable difference in one’s confidence on the court when you know your footwear can keep up with you. Oftentimes I won’t cut as hard to the rim because I don’t feel like my shoes will keep me from twisting my ankle. That fear is virtually eliminated when I play in the XIX’s. My size and height allow me to play every position on the floor, and I have not been let down in any situation. Whether it’s grabbing rebounds or coming down hard after a nice alley-oop, these shoes are playing just as hard as I am from tip-off to the buzzer beater.

      Nonetheless, in all its glory, the Air Jordan XIX does fall short in some areas. The shroud over the midsection of the shoe and the tongue can become a bit cumbersome. The lacing system also took some getting used to. In each new box you get an alternate pair of laces if you don’t care for the drawstring method. You can release the heel strap and fold down the shroud in order to switch the lacing, but you can’t take it completely off as with the Air Jordan XVI. The shroud can appear a bit bulky and awkward, but its purpose outweighs its ghastly appearance. The adjustable strap hole provide for an excellent barrier against ankle inversion. So if safety is the key, then you might as well get used to the shroud. Also, creasing tends to form on the patent leather tip after a few uses (See image 03). Outdoor use of the East Coast Regional led to the shoe getting the white leather scuffed and the draw strings absorb everything that gets on your hand from playing outdoors. Extreme wear is evident in the Regional pair, but performance has been just as great as the first wear. Outdoor courts are usually uneven and may cause shin splints. I haven’t found that to be a problem so far in the six months that I’ve had the shoe. I use the Black/Red colorway on indoor courts and they look as if I have never worn them—aside for minor creases on the patent leather.

Final Thought

     For all the remaining skeptics of the Air Jordan XIX, I ask that you put aside your doubts for a moment and simply try the shoe. After walking around in it for a few moments, you will notice how comfortable they are. This shoe is a must have in any Jordan Collection. Those who haven’t worn them yet, you are truly missing out on a masterpiece.