Christmas Season 2018 has brought us the glorious return of the Air Jordan 11 “Concord”. While this particular colorway of the shoe has been re-released a few times, the Jordan Brand decided to give the people something they’ve never had before. This version of the living legend features the original higher cut of the shoe and patent leather panels. It also features the “45” on the ankle collar, as the OG that MJ wore in that first round of the playoffs upon his return had.
While this shoe seems just to be another release for many, there is a reason why there was rumored to be a better availability on these (score points for JB on this, it is very important that these aren’t too scarce). Many of us have a personal history with the Brand’s most important shoe, and no, I do not mince words easily, this really is their most important shoe. Before the audience burns me at the stake, let me explain and give you my personal story, so get some popcorn and join me on this journey.
As an ardent Knicks fan, Michael Jordan was the boogey man. He was the dream shatterer, literally and figuratively. There was no way that you could have gotten me to speak a nice word about MJ. I respected the man’s game but I absolutely hated him due to what he put my Knickerbockers (and my heart) through. That all changed when I saw the Air Jordan 11 “Concord”.
Seeing this shoe was life changing for me. Watching Mike put in work in the Jordan 11 was crazy. His game was smooth with a perfect fadeaway but it looked absolutely flawless and fluid in this game changing shoe. I knew that my parents couldn’t afford the shoe which carried a price tag of $150 (high for its time) so I didn’t dare ask them. I could only admire the shoe from afar, that is until my brother bought the “Bred” iteration of the Jordan 11s.
The love affair began in full the moment I held the shoe in my hand. The perfect combination of see through outsole, patent leather, nylon upper and carbon fiber shank (gorgeous black and white on the OG) left its mark on me. I could no longer deny my affinity for the Jumpman. While I never cared about a single model of Air Jordan sneakers before it, this one broke me. I had to have them but, it was not to be as I was much too young with no funds. The wait would be just a bit longer.
The 90’s gave way to the 2000’s and the Jordan Brand was just getting their retro experiment really going (the late 90s retro era wasn’t as plentiful). JB’s version of the Lambo would make their way into my lives once again. The Jordan 11 would be rolled back out but this time we saw them make a retro debut through music videos such as 112’s “It’s Over Now”. Just as they had once before, they got to me once again. While I missed out on the make-ups on the top of my list (“Concord” and “Bred”) I managed to grab the “Columbia” retro and the “Cool Grey” which was dubbed retro+ since it was a new colorway to the line. I was happy to have those as the consolation prize, but I wasn’t content.
Missing out one more time lead to having to wait 11 years (not counting “DMP’s”). This time around I wouldn’t be denied. I did my homework, entered raffles, asked for favors and even tried to grab a part time job at a sneaker store, all in order to secure a pair. A good friend who was a manager at a major chain was able to grab my pair for me at retail, after knowing my journey with the shoe. It was an incredible day for my sneaker life. After all these years they were mine. Everything after this would just be icing on the cake. “Concord” Lows came next and those were a breeze to obtain, thus bringing me to this coveted 2018 version. Right in time for the Christmas holiday, this is one that the whole family will want to get in, myself included.
The Air Jordan 11 as a whole is the baddest shoe on the planet but the “Concord” is its “Holy Grail”. The one that started it all is the one you pull out all the stops for. This shoe turned a Jordan-hating, cold hearted Knicks fanatic, into someone who regularly gave the brand a monthly donation (like most of us who have been in this game long enough). It is the one that lights up eyes everywhere and the one that starts many a sneakerheads’ journey into this thing of ours.
While other models may be more revered for the story behind them or what it meant for shoes or the brand, none other will ever have the impact that the 11’s have had.