Overview: The Ferrari inspired XIV is every bit of a performance machine as the prancing horse. The sole of the shoe is parallel to racing tires with superb traction that can go, cut and stop on a dime. Cushioning is tuned near-perfectly, not too soft and provides quick responsiveness and feedback. The upper fits in nicely and the lacing structure provide a snug tight fit. Ankle support, perhaps the weakest category is actually above average, locking the ankle and heel area down but still provide flexibility. Durability is a concern as the shoes wrinkles at the midsole very fast. Also, the tongue is very narrow and slides around during competition. Overall, the XIV is the ultimate performance shoe released from Jordan Brand.
Retro Update: The AJ XIV is up for retro'ing in fall of 2005 and early 2006 with a wide variety of colorways. Expect limited edition and urban account to help Nike move these $150 shoes... although we think the performance factor will move these shoes themselves. The 14's also won the 2006 Retro Shoe of the Year award. |