Kicksnet Basketball Shoe Reviews

The new Air Jordan XX3 are forged from fresh innovation and styling. They are on the cutting edge of new technologies. The XX3 innovates anew and shares latest shoe technology deployments from the last several years. They hearken to the Michael Jordan NBA legacy, yet also bring a new conservation awareness. Jordan and Hatfield bring history and technology together in a new value, the 23.

The Nike Considered theme is a barely visible element, but the process of construction is where it actually matters. The considered motto of observe, conserve, preserve, have some nerve are clearly identifiable if you know where to look. The XX3 flows from all Air Jordan in the toe, back to all Considered in the heel. While the Jordan is primarily designed for players, the styling is clearly on the cutting edge – redefining again, what a basketball shoe is…

The XX3 flows from all Air Jordan in the toe, back to all Considered in the heel.

Air Jordan XX3 First Impressions

I was immediately impressed by the overall weight of the Jordan’s. They are light and airy compared to the XX2’s and much more shapely. The twenty-ones (XXI)’s pillowy billows are gone. Although not much lighter than the XX2, the twenty three has much less bulk. The new Air Jordan has a minimalist profile but still manages to deliver high end refinements exuding a class and style that we have come to expect from the Jordan Brands top of the line offering. The XX3’s low profile shape inspiration comes from a sprinters spike. The solid TPU midsole provide strength and support that also allows less bulk along with more strength. When first trying on the XXIII, I was struck by the cushioning and response of the foot bed.

While the twenty-three keeps the independent podular suspension (IPS), it is understated. Circular grooves impressed into the outsole are the only visible references of this system. The zoom-air units are perfectly placed giving a springy responsive feeling. While I was not impressed with the cushioning of the XX1’s longevity, the Jordan XXII’s improved, and I hold out hope for lasting comfort in this latest iteration.

The lacing system locks down the perfectly padded tongue, which at first blush seems too thin. It is, however, very comfortable and the V shaped groove at the top of the tongue allows for plenty of plantar flexion without cutting @ the top of the ankle. Cross hatched memory foam provide a firm and comfortable fit. Lacing employs the typical nylon lateral loops that links the midsole all the way up through the laces, giving a comfortable and firm lockdown experience. The top of the tongue has two loops that the laces loop thru in turn, holding the tongue in position. The top of the tongue provides grip in the form of Michaels fingerprint.

XX3 Basketball Shoes Fit and Comfort

Air Jordan XX3’s run true to size. On first impression I thought that the sizing perfection would allow for a single pair of socks during game play. The overall cushioning is perfectly balanced with the shoes natural stiffness during typical heel to toe step motion. Arch support is solid and the graphite shank below the arch provides the extra stiffness described. The TPU chassis wraps completely around the foot as one solid unit, providing lateral and medial support along with assisting the kicks overall locking and foot wrapping mechanism. This TPU skeleton wraps up and over the top of the forefoot on both sides. This proved to be the only sticking point for the Air Jordan XX3.

During testing, the flexion of the TPU in concert with the leather around the lateral or pinky toe sides of the shoe cause a pinch of the pinky toe. The internal padding of the shoe provides a consistent envelope around the foot. Memory foam in the ankle area provides perfect support and comfort as it heats up and molds consistently around the ankle.

I believe that the 23 is the pinnacle of Jordan mens basketball shoes. These have the absolute latest tech available. Jordan Brand has put a lot of thought and work into the XX3, more so than any other, since Michael Jordan was a player with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA finals. – Fiji Kicksnet.com

Jordan Men’s Outsole & Midsole

The solid rubber outsole bears a resemblance of his fingerprint, again reflecting Michael’s “hands on” association with the Air Jordan 23. Clearly designed for indoor use, the radial pattern on the outsole provides consistent grip. Grooves around each side of the forefoot match the grooves that flow down from the TPU frame. The lateral or outside of each shoe have multiple grooves creating a shark gill like structure. The rubber outsole is a has very low profile with the heel segment barely visible from the side.

The plastic covered graphite plate provides great support for the arch along with the front and back portions of the solid rubber outsole. The low profile design of the outsole and its extremely thin clearance over the graphite plate causes some questions about longevity and traction of the sole for those who wear these kicks for the long haul, or those who are heavier and use more force. The TPU skeleton provides a natural curve for the outsole and graphite plate to follow. Zoom-Air pods protrude slightly out of the outsole allowing the rest sole and overall cushioning to be lowered closer to the floor. A larger than previous heel impact pod unit provides ample cushioning and spring as the back heel curves up slightly to help your lightning quick guards put on the brakes.

Shoe TPU Chassis

Providing the core structure for Air Jordan XX3 is no small feat. The solid single TPU frame wraps completely around the foot. It helps provide side-to-side support for sharp cuts along lateral support for the heel in the form of prism shaped grooves cut into the frame. These diamonds are specially placed to provide natural flexing grooves for the TPU. The TPU is composed of a semi-opaque composite infused with a slight glitter that highlights the transparent effect. “Solid gold baby yea!” The TPU frame rises on the lateral side of the heel along with flaps that surround the forefoot providing the core minimalist shape. This helps the frame surround and support the foot in the highest stress areas.

Tinker Hatfield, Jordan XX3 primary designer has done a masterful job of creating a complete liner and upper that move seams away from high stress areas around the foot.

Upper – XX3 Basketball Shoe

The inner foam is stitched in the typical diamond shaped pillow pads consistent with previous Jordan Brand Designs. The considered thick seam that connects the upper to the TPU exoskeleton is visible both inside and outside the shoe, but its placement and position around the foot do not cause any discomfort. Tinker Hatfield, Jordan XX3 primary designer has done a masterful job of creating a complete liner and upper that move seams away from high stress areas around the foot.



Even the heel cup employs an external seam – a new technological twist, which is really the only visible hint that this shoe is part of the Nike ‘Considered’ product line. This external seam creates a smoother internal heel cup which requires less padding to protect the Achilles from chafing. The visibility of this tail or wing off the back of the shoe, along with its heavy external seam, give the 23 its signature styling element. This ’shake your tail feather’ heel also protects the pattern stitching and full pebble grained heel from damage for those who would sit on the floor with legs extended… (read benchwarmers)

Ankle support is adequate as the considered custom molded leather upper wraps the ankles higher on the inner or medial side of the shoe. This helps reduce ankle inversion by supporting the inside ankle to flex too far inwards, the most common basketball ankle sprain. While each colorway provides a different pattern sewn into the upper, this stitching serves a specific purpose. A completely new sewing machine was designed to stitch these panels while in place on the shoe.

Following the Considered theme of less toxic glues and more stitching, the upper for the 23 must support the higher pressures and stresses of athletics. The patterns of stitching help hold the interlocking pieces of the upper together along with supporting the connection with the TPU frame, thus reducing the use of glues and allowing the upper and TPU frame to act as one solid structure around the foot. As a whole the upper provides consistent comfort with a very good balance of padding and frame support.

The external parts of the upper are composed of leather, patterned cloth, patent leather and a dash of embossed suede in the toe section where Sir Jordan’s signature resides (note that the shoes tested are the red, white and black colorway released on January 23, 08. Other releases use different materials ie. full-grain leather upper). The full composition upper is heated and cooled repeatedly to form its unique shape and ensure solid cohesions of the pieces.

Performance testing “It’s Game Time”

Air Jordan XX3 First test

Cushion – XX3 Basketball Shoe

The foot bed is comfortable as expected and employs IPS as the main cushioning element. Zoom-Air pods allows for a thinner cushioning system with an overall lower profile. Use of this technology, however, reduces the lifetime of valuable cushioning for the shoe. The XX1 lost adequate forefoot cushioning within three months of heavy use – 3-4 games a week usage (less than a season of games). With that said, the foot bed of the latest Air Jordan is extremely responsive and comfortable. The XX3 seems to have more supportive cushioning all the way around in addition to the impact compression support offered by the independent pods. The heel impact pod is larger than in previous models.

The extra stiff ride results in a perfectly supportive shoe with just the right amount of flex during games.

The shoes TPU chassis provide a stiff ride when first walking around. Hard walking sounds emanate from the sole as you step, similar to a dress shoe with a solid hardened leather outsole. This proves to be a bonus while playing. The extra stiff ride results in a perfectly supportive shoe with just the right amount of flex during games. The extra stiffness is provided by the TPU chassis in combination with the extra large arch + graphite shank.

Lockdown – XX3 Men’s Basketball Shoe

The TPU chassis also provide great support for sharp cuts in either direction. The wings are a key element of this support, but the pinky toe pinch caused enough discomfort to warrant a stop in play during both the first and second testing sessions. The issue did not occur in the left foot, which leads me to believe the issue is with my foot vs. shoe design. Hard cuts presented another problem. The shark gill like grooves in the rubber (again on the pinky toe side) do not provide consistent grip at angle. I ran off the side of the shoe a couple of times during game play. This not only resulted in turnovers but also harmed my dignity as I blamed snipers on shooting my feet out from below. The issue lies not only in the shape of the variegated rubber gills, but also in the extremely low profile between the graphite plate and the rubber outsole seam. Placing the foot down at angle while going full speed resulted in enough compression of the rubber outsole so that part of the weight was distributed to the smooth plastic on the outside edge of the plate. This in combination with the stiffness provided by the plate causes the user to slip.

As I write this section, ESPN’s Sports Center is showing Ray Allen (Brand Jordan Team Member) injuring his heel while wearing the men’s XX3 on 3-14-08. Caused by the exact slip issue that I am discussing. He tried to cut to the right with his right foot forward - and slipped off the outside of the shoe.

Ankle Support – AJ 23

The Air Jordan XX3 envelopes the foot in a consistent comfortable manner. The shoe’s design performs its primary function well. Ankle support is on par with the best. The shoe has a slightly inverted (supinated) stance created to naturally mimic the slight angle from your hips to heel. This position is even more pronounced when a player is in a defensive stance with feet widely spread and squatted legs. The shoes technology takes the position into account and improves upon the best and latest technology improvements in the last five years.

Jordan’s 23 Second Test

Knowing the issues I had during the first test, I wore a second pair of socks from the starting gate. While the second pair of socks indeed helped I still had issues with the pinch on the lateral side of the right foot. While the shoes run true to size I noticed that my foot seemed to be more right positioned inside the shoe. I added 3 layers of moleskin to the inside of the right shoe to push my foot slightly to the left. This seemed to resolve much of the pinch issue. Again, the issue did not occur in the left foot, which leads me to believe the issue is with my foot vs. shoe design.

Lacing: After a couple playing sessions the nylon loop links created grooves down the outside of the shoe where the connections to the midsole are made. It also created natural points where the leather flexes during play. These flexes are normally good for comfort assuming the shoe naturally flexes in the correct spot. The 23 flexes in an appropriate manner. Time will tell if the shoe retains its natural form. This is especially interesting because of the new technology deployed in forming and sewing the upper together.

Jordan Mens XX3 Final Analysis

While the 23 is the pinnacle of shoe technology it respects its heritage. Hatfield, Jordan and the Brand Jordan team have once again done a masterful job of pushing the boundaries of innovation and style, causing all of us to take notice. As Michael Jordan says

“The AIR JORDAN XX3 is deeply meaningful to me, as a celebration of both my life and career. The number 23 is obviously of great significance to me and the release of the XX3 is a pinnacle moment in the Brand’s history,” said Michael Jordan. “I’m honored and humbled by the AIR JORDAN franchise’s loyal following after all these years. The release of this shoe is exciting and a dream come true for me.”

Meanwhile we patiently await the new colorways release date and next year’s Jordan… the XXIV

- Fiji



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Tags: Air Jordan, Basketball, Carbon Fiber, Diamond Flex Grooves, Independent Podular Suspension, Nike Considered, Review, Shoe, Supinated Stance, TPU Chassis, XX3, Zoom Air