Fly High in Jordan 13 Black and Green Altitudes

Michael Jordan played the last full Chicago Bulls season in the Jordan 13s. Two decades after the 1997 silhouette release, the Air Jordan brand re-debuted the retro Altitude colorway. This black and green basketball sneaker can currently be found retailing on eBay’s website.

The Development of the Jordan 13

Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls helped him build the Air Jordan brand’s success. When he wore the 13 on the court, fans didn’t know this would be the second to last silhouette playing in Chicago. This sneaker debuted with five high-top colorways as well as two low versions. Of course, designer Tinker Hatfield was the mastermind behind the 13s design elements.

Unique Jordan 13 Details

Unlike previous Air Jordan sneakers, Hatfield approached Jordan with a prototype opposed to their typical meeting of the minds. His previous knowledge and observations of Jordan’s gameplay helped him concoct the perfect basketball sneaker. Elements like the holographic heel detail, paw print outer sole, and dotted upper sole were an homage to Jordan’s “Black Cat” nickname.

Since Hatfield knew Jordan and other athletes would wear them on the court, they needed durability and support. The paw print outer sole contained carbon fiber to help with grip and balance. Additionally, the front and rear of the sneaker contain Zoom Air to improve comfort.

The Release of the Altitude Colorway

The retro Altitude colorway debuted in 2005. During the initial release, it was one of the more anticipated retro colorways. Sneaker fans who were unable to get their pair in 2005 got a second chance five years later. However, there were slight modifications.

For instance, the Air Jordan brand scrapped the original leather upper sole for mesh paneling. Even with the changes, the colorway is still recognizable for similar detailing.

Jordan 13 Black and Green Features

The 2017 re-release of the retro Jordan 13 black and green Altitude colorway features an all-black upper and midsole. This silhouette takes cues from the 2005 release with perforated leather. The perforated pattern has an asymmetrical design on both sides of the sneaker. The leather on the midsole has a small, pebble-like detailed panel that starts from the middle of the shoe and wraps to the heel.

The toe cap also utilizes leather in a smooth texture. The black leather tongue has an embroidered Altitude green Jumpman logo. The holographic detail near the heel is the only other pop of color until you reach the outer sole. The heel and the forefoot contain black Zoom Air technology. A shiny black asymmetrical accent panel extends from the front of the sneaker and around the Zoom Air.

Finally, the outer sole features a predominately Altitude green color with contrasting black and white details. A holographic Jumpman logo sits within the green border accents.