Friday, the 33rd iteration of the most important shoe in sneakerdom was officially unveiled — and it is not a lifestyle shoe (though it will definitely be worn as one).
The Air Jordan XXXIII sports one of Nike’s best innovations in recent memory. The same carbon-fiber plate present in the midsole of Nike’s ultra-impressive 4% is present in the 33s, an addition that, according to Nike and vetted by the New York Times, absorbs and releases energy with every step, automatically propelling wearers forward. Just last week, Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s greatest marathoner, wore an unreleased pair of Flyknit 4% running shoes to break the world record for the marathon.
Newer and less performance-proven (thus far) is the 33’s lacing system, or rather its complete lack of traditional laces. Dubbed “FastFit,” Nike says the laceless shoe aims to solve a base issue with performance shoes in any sport: consistent fit. A tug of the cord on the forestep tightens cables from the heel to the forefoot, a tightening that, according to the brand, doesn’t come loose over time like traditional laces can (notice players constantly lacing and re-lacing shoes on the bench). A quick pull of a cord on the side of the shoe is all it takes to loosen and remove. Previous to the 33, FastFit was reserved exclusively for Nike’s Golf Tour Premiere shoes.
The Air Jordan 33s will be available online and in select retailers October 18.
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