Breaking Down New Air Jordan 7 Retro 'Olympic'

Despite Kobe Bryant's insistence that his new shoes would dominate Michael Jordan's new shoes, Nike has decided to re-release the Air Jordan 7 Retro Olympic basketball sneakers anyway. 

The shoes, which will hit stores on July 21, are going back in time with a familiar design, while simultaneously adding some new features to give it that new, updated look for fans who want to wear a shoe that looks like it was made in 2012. 

We will have a full breakdown of the all-new Jordan shoes, as well as a final grade so that you know if you are getting the most bang for your buck. 

Wow Factor: 8.5 out of 10

One thing that you can always count on with Jordan shoes is instant appeal. Even if you look at the shoes a few years down the line and wonder what the designers were thinking—which has rarely happened—in the moment, they are always spectacular.

Jordan shoes are never going to be subtle in their design, so you know that when you spend money, you are going to be getting a lot of flash and flair. 

Design: 8 out of 10

Here is where I do have to dock it some, though not enough to hurt the overall grade. I like the design and look of the shoe, but since this is a retro shoe, it is just incorporating a lot of elements that have already been used before. 

As much as the world loves sequels, eventually you run out of anything new to really give the audience. I don't think these shoes are boring—far from it. There just isn't enough new with the re-release to make it an instant classic. 

A solid, respectable design and look, though it feels like there is something missing when you look at these shoes. 

Overall Swag Grade: 8.75 out of 10

Look, for whatever flaws it has with the design, this is still a Nike Jordan shoe. Even though the brand is over 20 years old, the feeling of joy that we get when we see it on the shelves is like Christmas. 

This is a great shoe, one that belongs in the Jordan pantheon. It is a strong shoe for Nike to be re-releasing, and putting it out for the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Dream Team was a smart move.

It just isn't bringing a lot of new things to the table, which could be part of its appeal since it is a shoe from the 1990s. 

Follow @adamwells1985