The Air Jordan 39 Debuts This Month

Updated on July 18, 2024•Published April 23, 2024

Jordan Brand's performance basketball lineup spans from budget-friendly models to signature sneakers for the game's latest star players. Still, they continue to produce the numerical Air Jordan lineup, the signature model of the brand's founder, Michael Jordan. Since the Jordan 31, each of the new Air Jordans has been inspired by the original Jordans, IE, Air Jordan 1 for the 31, Air Jordan 2 for the 32, and so forth. The Air Jordan 39 has officially been unveiled, and the model has been inspired by the Air Jordan 9.

Designed by Joël Greenspan, senior design director for Jordan Brand Performance Footwear and designer of the Jordan 38, the Air Jordan 39 features a design that marries innovation with classic elements. The upper adopts a camouflage-like pattern, which draws parallels to the Jordan Zion 3's design, derived from the dynamic patterns created by paint cracking under repeated motion—a nod to Michael Jordan's iconic moves on the basketball court. This pattern was achieved by scanning a painted Air Jordan 29 subjected to wear tests that mimicked Jordan’s famous cross-step, showcasing the sneaker's ability to honor past designs while leading the edge in performance technology. The shoe also incorporates a mid-cut silhouette that enhances its aesthetic appeal and functional performance on the court. Key design elements include a debossed 23 on the vamp, midsole accents inspired by the planetary emblem on the Air Jordan 9's heel, and a tongue texture drawing from the globe symbol.

Performance-wise, the Air Jordan 39 is set to revolutionize basketball footwear by integrating full-length ZoomX foam coupled with a Zoom Air unit— a first for the Air Jordan line and a first for Nike in general. This combination promises unparalleled comfort and responsiveness, setting a new standard in the footwear industry.

According to Greenspan, the Jordan 39 is meant to look quieter than other models in the flagship Jordan line. "Our values with the Air Jordan XXXIX came down to things like shape, proportion and stance. We didn’t want to build a spaceship that was overtly aesthetic. In other words, we didn’t want to make the technology the visual focus of the design. Still, when athletes put on the shoe, we want them to instantly know they’re getting the most premium performance system possible."

The Air Jordan 39 will debut in the Sol colorway on July 23, 2024, through Nike and select Jordan Brand retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the sneaker will retail for $200. Keep it locked to the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Images via Jordan Brand

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