A Detailed Look at the Just Don x Air Jordan II
January 30 marked the day that designer Don C and the folks over at Jordan Brand teamed up to release their second collaborative version of the Air Jordan II. Strapped with a $650 price tag—it should be noted that these kicks also came with a leather Just Don x Jordan hat as well—this shoe gained a cult following from the jump.
As a follow-up to the wildly popular all-blue Just Don x Jordan II that hit stores around this time last year, the updated "Beach" edition immediately became one of the most talked about sneakers on the planet. And as expected, this follow-up collaboration sold out in a flash, leaving countless consumers shaking their heads in disappointment.
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Before the shoe officially reached the public, we got a unique chance to get an up-close-and-personal look at it. Here is our impression of the Just Don x Air Jordan II "Beach."
Since its inception, the Just Don x Jordan Brand partnership has always focused on quality. Everything from the plush quilted leather that hugs the exterior of the shoe to the soft padded insoles oozes opulence. There's no question designer Don C made sure his Jordan II model stood head and shoulders above any other Jordan out there today.
Combing over this piece of footwear is every sneakerhead's dream. When you run your hand over the side of the shoe, your senses will immediately notice a buttery suede overlay placed perfectly on top of the quilted leather. That addition was necessary in order to separate premium leather from the rubber sole.
One thing we noticed when glossing over this sneaker was that everything—and we mean everything—circles back to the details. The "Beach" Jordan II has managed to master the art of intricacy.
A prime example of that has to be the gently waxed laces, which are topped off with a gold lace cap. As if that wasn't enough, you can actually unscrew the lace cap, proving that unique quality still exists in sneaker culture.
When we finally caught our breath and laced these grails up, the positive vibes kept on pouring in. In what can only be described as "bottle service for your feet," the "Beach" Jordan II wasn't simply designed to look good. It actually feels just as luxurious as it looks.
Surprisingly, a lot of high-end sneakers out there today don't live up to that billing. They tend to feel stiff and narrow because of the tight bindings and materials used to fuse the shoe together. This wasn't the case with the Just Don x Air Jordan II.
Out of all the wearable amenities attached to this Don C x Jordan Brand venture, the flossy, cushioned insole turned out to be a wonderful touch. The leather used in order to provide comfort was extra smooth, sending your feet into vacation mode with each and every step you graciously indulge in—hence why the "Beach" moniker actually works.
Premium kicks are released quite often these days and for that we're appreciative. It's super cool to see how far along we've come in terms of sneaker culture embracing high fashion. Despite all of those releases, few—if any—stack up to the meticulous design and fashion-focused structure of the Just Don x Air Jordan II.
It's not only a contender for sneaker of the year, but it also was a significant release considering it brought the Air Jordan II back to a proper stage. As a criminally underrated shoe over the decades that have passed since it first dropped, Don C's intransigent vision for greatness has provided a blueprint that future Jordan models can follow.
The Just Don x Jordan II gets five out five stars in our book. Hopefully the evolution of this partnership continues to give us gems like this.
All Nike/Jordan product information via News.Nike.com unless noted otherwise
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