Jordan Brand is not typically known for their lifestyle models, but that’s about to change with a little help from their parent company, Nike. This joint effort looks to be exactly what we needed from the brand – something completely new! The Jordan Proto Max 720, Proto React, and Apex-Utility have intrigued the sneaker community since first being spotted on sneaker outlets late last year.
Photo Courtesy of Nike
With their unconventional and futuristic designs the Proto Max, React, etc. could be steps in the right direction to have more creative releases other than Retros. Although each of these sneakers look amazing, I want to focus on my favorite of the bunch, the Apex-Utility.
This mash-up of past and present was done seamlessly. The sneaker is best described in three parts:
– The first being the most iconic, the Air Jordan 1. The base layer of the upper is constructed with a flyknit Jordan 1 in the Bred colorway (you can never go wrong with a Bred 1). No matter your thoughts on the previously released flyknit Jordan 1s, these are the perfect piece to be added to the futuristic vision from Jordan Brand.
– The second is a woven nexkin shroud that covers the flyknit upper. This material is similar to what is found on the Nike Element React 87. This clear mesh covering gives this sneaker a progressive aesthetic that brings a whole new and welcome look to the underlying Jordan 1.
– Completing the look are adjustable heel straps, multiple heel and tongue pull tabs, and paracord pull straps. The Apex-Utility is ready for anything the concrete jungle can throw at it.
One last bonus component completes this perfect marriage of materials and technology. This component is the thick and rugged outsole made of Nike’s new React foam. We already know that React is amazingly comfortable, but they didn’t stop there! Jordan Brand even made sure that the outsole was eye catching with the computational herringbone traction. This thick, maze looking traction pattern is definitely a staple feature of this silhouette. This shoe looks to have the makings of an instant winner!
Initial reviews of this sneaker look to be trending in a positive direction and rightfully so. The Apex-Utility proves that the sneaker community is actually beginning to be heard by heard by Nike and Jordan Brand. We are always asking for something new, different and innovative. It looks like we are finally getting what we asked for with these new offerings from Jordan. I haven’t put these on foot as of yet, but I feel like these will live up to the hype. I just hope that sneakerheads will give these a chance and not cast them aside because they are not retros. I’m stoked for the Apex-Utilty and the entire Proto collection. Cheers to the start of more creative models coming from Jordan Brand!
What are your thoughts about this move from Jordan? Will you be picking up a pair of the Jordan Apex-Utility on March 14?
Nick Engvall
Aaron Nojima