MJ and Tinker’s favourite sneaker is back! The Air Jordan 11 DMP is set to return after its original release way back in 2006. This time, the shoe is dubbed ‘Gratitude’, and comes with some unique changes.
The Air Jordan 11 DMP is a variant of the classic Concord colourway. Not only was the Concord the first AJ11 colourway ever seen by the public, its lack of Chicago Bulls colours resulted in Michael Jordan getting fined by the NBA, much like infamous Banned AJ1 story. To counter this, an all-black colourway introduced, later known as the Space Jams.
Tinker Hatfield designed the AJ11 during MJ’s brief baseball career, despite Nike’s intentions to discontinue the line after the AJ10. The upper consists of a durable ballistic mesh, with glossy patent leather serving as the mudguard. The patent leather was originally intended to prevent MJ’s heel from rolling over the sole. Now, this mudguard is seen as a uniquely classy feature of the AJ11. The upper sits on a phylon midsole with full-length Air cushioning, with translucent rubber on the outsole.
Michael Jordan was so excited by the 11 that he debuted them on court before they were ready to go to market. Both Jordan and Hatfield have gone on to claim the Air Jordan 11 as one their favourite shoes of their careers.
So what is the DMP? The Defining Moments Pack first dropped in 2006 as a two-pack featuring the Air Jordan 6 and 11. Both of these shoes were worn at the start of MJ’s two three-peats. The Air Jordan 11 in this pack maintained the glossy black patent leather of the Concord, but with added commemorative gold hits on the branding.
The DMP 11 now returns as the ‘Gratitude’, with the inside tongue tag reading “quality basketball product created in gratitude by the greatest player ever”. This new pair comes with a big change, replacing the ballistic mesh upper with premium white leather.
As is tradition, the Air Jordan 11 will serve as the big holiday season release for Jordan Brand. The Air Jordan 11 ‘Gratitude’ is set to drop on the 9th of December.
