There might not ever be a shoe more iconic than Nike’s Air Jordan, a pivotal sneaker release in 1984 that not only changed the future of athlete endorsements for shoe companies but for brands (and athletes) everywhere.
Celebrating its 40th iteration, Nike has finally pulled the cover off the Air Jordan 40. It’s certainly more minimalist than we were expecting (at least in this debut black and white colorway). But if we’ve learned anything over the past 40+ years of AJs, it’s that we can always expect the unexpected.
The Evolution of Performance
The bare approach of the AJ40 is more significant when you realize just how busy basketball shoes have become in the last decade or so. Amidst uber-layered uppers and a preponderance of overlays, the new sneaker is not stubborn but simply straightforward. Instead, it’s able to stand out in a sea of high-tops and we’re able to focus on its actual performance capabilities on the court, which Nike has never ignored.
The Air Jordan 40 will also be the first to pair a full-length version of the ZoomX with a complete Zoom Strobel unit. Previously, the Zoom Strobel tech would be used in tandem with the standard Zoom Air units, placing the cushioning directly underfoot instead of embedding it into the midsole. But it now gets swapped with ZoomX foam.
13% more responsive than the standard Zoom foam, ZoomX has been powering Nike’s fastest marathon runners lately, delivering an 85% energy return. This upgrade creates responsiveness that goes beyond what we’ve seen in previous Jordan models. The Air Jordan 39 experimented with ZoomX, but this full-length implementation represents a completely different approach to court performance.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Jordan Brand has always walked this fascinating line between honoring legacy and pushing forward, and the AJ40 continues that tradition by borrowing from seven different models across the franchise’s history. The “Nike Air” branding on the heel calls back to the Air Jordan 3, while the reflective tongue borrows from the AJ5. You’ll find reflectivity from the Air Jordan 13, lateral bone-line stitching inspired by the 14s, and medial vents that nod to the Air Jordan 18. Personally, we feel like the minimalist ethos evokes the 12s as well.
Each detail serves a functional purpose while creating visual connections to the models that defined different eras of basketball. The six internal webbing straps that provide 360-degree containment are also a subtle reference to Michael Jordan’s championship count. But more importantly, they help combat any lockdown issues that hoopers may have on the court.
The asymmetrical collar height (lower on the lateral side, higher medially) has been a Jordan signature since the Air Jordan 5, but it’s more refined this time around. Likewise, the premium leather construction feels beefier without adding too much in the way of the shoe’s profile, while the herringbone traction pattern built around 40-degree angles is designed to help players start and stop more effectively.
Evolving the visual identity of the Jordan Brand, the new “40” logo appears throughout the shoe but never overwhelms the design. It shows up on the insole, underneath the Nike Air branding, and integrated into the outsole’s traction pattern. While it debuts in this black-and-white colorway you see here, the Air Jordan 40s feel like a perfect canvas for some inspired iterations. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
Spec Sheet
Model: Air Jordan 40
Upper: Premium leather with internal webbing system
Midsole: Full-length Nike ZoomX foam with full Zoom Strobel tech
Outsole: Herringbone traction pattern with 40-degree angle design
Special Features: Asymmetrical collar height, six internal straps, “Nike Air” heel branding
Price: $205
Release Date: July 12
Pricing & Availability
Debuting on Nike’s website July 12, the Air Jordan 40 launches in “The Classic” colorway, followed by “Blue Suede” on August 20 and “Dusty Rose” on September 20. Jordan Brand has confirmed six additional colorways over the next year, each featuring unique upper materials.
Recap
Nike Air Jordan 40
Nike debuts the 40th generation of the iconic Air Jordan basketball shoes, featuring a minimalist aesthetic that nods to several past Jordan models.
