Nike has produced Jordan Brand shoes since 1985 starting with the Air Jordan 1. Jordan’s (slang for Air Jordan shoes or any type of Jordan Brand shoe) have made a drastic change over the decades from the original J (also slang for Jordan’s) in many aspects that include aesthetic and performance. Let us just use the Air Jordan 1 as a marker to compare modern day Jordan  to, seeing how it was the original Jordan.

            The original A.J. weighed an outstanding 16.6 ounces that is a little over a pound of shoe on each foot. When running up and down the court, this takes a large toll on the wearer’s feet. The AJ1 did not include much padding, meaning it would feel as though you were running on the barer floor. It was also a low cut shoe, providing little protection for the ankles during play. While it was a massive break through for basketball shoes, it still left a lot to be desired.

            Now let’s take a modern day Jordan such as the Jordan AJ 2012’s. The base shoe weighs about 15.5 ounces. Over a full ounce lighter than the Air Jordan 1. It also comes with 3 different soles that are named, quick, explosive, and air. Their all self explanatory, aside from explosive which is basically the sole with a built in ankle brace. The shoe only weighs 17.4 ounces with the heaviest sole(explosive) in the shoe. Its only .8 ounces heavier than the AJ1, but the extra padding makes up for the extra strain on the feet. The shoe is also a high top which provides great support and protection for the ankles.