The XXI is much cleaner looking then the previous J’s and yet it still bares some resemblance to the Retro series of Jordan’s. The XXI has a much sportier design then the previous Jordan’s which all look similar to a thrown together puzzle. The Air Jordan XXI is much heavier then the previous shoes, and they seem to be heavier around the ankles for some reason.

 I have to say that the Air Jordan XXI shoes are some of the most comfortable that I have worn. The Air Jordan XXI has a really supportive sole, and the cushioning around the ankle is ample supportive. Overall the Air Jordan XXI is an excellent basketball shoe. The Air Jordan XXI shoe embodies all the elements: The man, the style, the legend. The design of the Air Jordan 21 (XX1 or XXI) is very simple compared to the other Air Jordan models. But like always, the Air Jordan XXI was full of high tech materials. The front of the AJ XXI is said to look like the grill on the Bentley.

The ability to tune the XXI’s under-heel cushioning is a nice feature, but, ultimately, I think its inclusion has more to do with promotion than performance. It doesn’t impair playability in any way, but the time, effort and development dollars invested into the realization of the concept could undoubtedly have been applied towards other, more meaningful innovations or avoided entirely, with the savings softening the XXI’s wallet-crushing price (more on that later).

Moving beyond the heel, overall cushioning performance is excellent, with the XXI’s second-generation implementation of Independent Podular Suspension (IPS) delivering the same unique mix of impact protection, responsiveness and court feel that made last year’s Air Jordan XX such a joy to play in. In addition to eliminating a fair amount of foam from the midsole and thereby reducing the shoe’s overall weight, the shank boosts support underfoot and, perhaps most importantly, prevents the XXI from flexing under the midfoot.

In short, the Air Jordan XXI is a terrific on-court performer once broken in, but its lack of breathability is an Achilles heel that may be a deal breaker for some. The XXI is not as flashy as some of the other models, but it measures up quite well on the basketball court.