The Original Air Jordan XI Concord Returns, This Time in Women's Sizing
On its 23rd anniversary.
The Air Jordan XI is said to be “the greatest shoe ever made.” Unsurprising, considering its longstanding history in basketball and sneaker lore is tied to the legend who inspired its birth – Michael Jordan. His return to the court with the utterance, “I’m Back” was an iconic moment and so much so that Tinker Hatfield‘s design stays irrevocably irreplaceable 23 years later.
The Air Jordan XI Concord returns to grace the Jumpman community once more with one notable addition. The re-release is marked by extended and unisex sizes and women now have a chance at the grail. In a chat with Andrea Perez, Jordan Brand GM, she acknowledged, “We wanted to make sure she had access to the shoe in her size with OG construction and materials.” The same patent leather and CORDURA® nylon upper, with an icy clear and carbon outsole is available to men, women and kids.
The Air Jordan XI Concord will release in full family sizing December 8 on SNKRS. Below, read our interview with Andrea, discussing the importance in the sizing nuances, and what it means to the women’s Jumpman community.
Why was it time to bring back the Air Jordan XI Concord, and in doing so, revisit MJ’s legacy?
23-year-anniversaries are very special to the Jumpman family. With this year marking that milestone for the Air Jordan XI Concord, which is widely regarded, as the ultimate sneaker grail, it was important for us to honor the shoes’ legacy and how the story truly started. That meant bringing the 45 back which marks a defining period in MJ’s basketball career, but also an important chapter in sneaker culture.
Why is it such a milestone, in your own words, that Jordan is making a unisex Air Jordan XI Concord?
That answer really begins with the launch of the Jordan Women’s category earlier this year. As a brand, we are committed to delivering the absolute best of Jordan Brand for her. The Concord is the ultimate grail and we wanted to make sure she had access to the shoe in her size with OG construction and materials. This launch is a big moment for the community – a community that includes women who love this sneaker and have not had access to it in the past.
Over the years we’ve heard women voice their opinions, wanting the Jordan’s available to men, in smaller sizing. Is the Concord a response to these concerns?
One of the best parts about being on this team is how passionate our community is. We are speaking to women every day, and have been listening and carefully deciding how to continue to create positive change from this feedback. The Concord is such a special sneaker to so many people, and we are glad this can be another step in the right direction for women who love Jordan Brand.
“The Concord is the ultimate grail and we wanted to make sure she had access to the shoe in her size.”
What is the Air Jordan XI Concord meant to inspire in women?
There are two main things I believe the Concord can inspire – confidence and community. To the first point, the Concord represents MJ’s journey back to the top of the sports world. MJ suffered a tough loss during the playoffs when he debuted the shoes, but that loss also fueled him to come back and have a historical season. The story of overcoming doubt, is something everyone can learn from and we hope the Concord is a reminder that resilience breeds confidence.
The second point shows the power of our community to create history. The idea that a basketball sneaker can become such an important part of popular culture is a testament to the creativity, style and passion of a community. The shoe inspires everyone to believe that they can also make history by applying that same love towards their game or craft. The Concord is the grail because our community made it that, and women play a significant role there. We cannot wait to see the things our community accomplishes, while wearing this sneaker.
